Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 08/26/2020

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PIRTREN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385- 2886
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LEGISLATION & ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
August 26, 2020 Meeting 6:30 p.m. Zoom Remote Access Only
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Members Present: Susan Driscoll, Tim Fioravanti, Richard Morgan, Danielle Steward-Gelinas
Members Absent: Robert Swanson
Also Present: Ethics Commission Chair Martin Zeldis
1. With quorum confirmed, Chair called meeting to order at 6:32 p.m.
2. Public Comment: None
‘3. Consideration/possible action on proposed Ethics Ordinance changes (RTC 8/3/20)
With 4 out of the 5 members serving their first term on RTM, Chair opened discussion with brief
description of steps involved in considering ordinance changes, including tracking changes at each
stage, public hearing and legal review, and final recommendation to RTM.
Floor was then opened for Ethics Commission Chair to provide an overview of the Commission’s
process and goals in regard to updating the ordinances that were enacted in 1992, with minor
changes made in 1998. The Commission focused on tightening definitions (e.g., conflict of
interest) and rules, specifying quorum requirement, clarify the multiple levels of the process (e.g.,
hearings and investigations) and available actions, and to make the process more accessible for
individuals wishing to file an ethics complaint (e.g, creating a form to submit describing the
alleged ethics code violation).
The committee than worked its way through the EC’s proposed changes, with EC Chair Zeldis
offering background information or clarification as needed. By consensus, the committee agreed to
make several grammatical changes (to accommodate gender-neutral language) and add a reference
to the town website as a resource to the original draft, with questions on a few specific issues (e.g.,
process descriptions, reference to “commission of deeds”) to be followed up at the next meeting.
4. Motion to adjourn by Fioravanti; second by Morgan. Voice vote: Unanimous. Meeting adjourned
at 8:25 p.m.
Submitted by
Susan Driscoll, L&A Chair