Representative Town Meeting (RTM) - Minutes - 07/20/2026

FIFTEEN ROPE FERTRY ROAD
PHONE: id 20583
WATERFORD, CT 06385-2886
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Legislation & Administration Committee of the RTM 
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Meeting Minutes
July 20, 2026 
| 6:30PM
Board of Education Conference Room, 2" Floor, Waterford Town Hall
Members Present: Erica Casper, Mary Childs, Emmeline Franklin, Paul Goldstein, Danielle Steward-
Gelinas
Members Absent: None
1. 
Confirmation of Quorum and Call to Order
Chair Erica Casper called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
2. 
Public Comment
None.
3. 
Consideration and Action on Minutes of the June 15, 2026 Committee Meeting
Motion by Danielle Steward-Gelinas, seconded by Emmeline Franklin to approve the minutes.
Voice vote unanimous in favor.
4. 
Review of Matters Currently Referred to the Committee
a. 
Review of Ethics Ordinance 2.50 (RTC 10/7/24)
The committee focused first on revisions to the confidentiality provisions of the Ethics
Ordinance. Members discussed how to protect the integrity of the Ethics Commission's
probable cause investigation while avoiding unintended consequences that could allow
complaints to be dismissed too easily. After reviewing language from other Connecticut
municipalities, the committee generally agreed to revise the ordinance so that a breach of
confidentiality by the complainant would result in dismissal of the complaint, while preserving
the respondent's ability to waive confidentiality through a written request. The committee also
agreed to add language requiring separate complaints when allegations involve more than one
individual.
The committee agreed that the ordinance should provide clearer guidance while preserving the
Ethics Commission's ability to exercise discretion where appropriate. Members concluded that

additional work on key definitions would benefit from the participation of the town attorney at
the next meeting before final recommendations are developed.
The group discussed whether language regarding abstention from voting on department-related
budgets should be included in the ordinance. No consensus was reached, and the issue requires
further consideration.
Next Steps
¢ 
Prepare a draft of the ordinance with proposed revisions in tracked changes
e 
Add language requiring separate complaints for allegations involving more than one
individual
e 
Revise the confidentiality provisions to clarify that:
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acomplainant's breach of confidentiality would result in dismissal of the
complaint;
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confidentiality is expected to be held by the Ethics Commission
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language from comparable municipal ordinances will be used where
appropriate
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Continue reviewing definitions related to financial interest, substantial conflict of
interest, and immediate family
e 
Invite the town attorney to attend the next meeting to assist the committee in
developing clearer definitions and provide legal guidance on proposed ordinance
language before revisions are finalized.
b. 
Review how RTM considers recommendations for committee assignments (RTC 6/6/22)
Committee agreed to hold off on discussion of this item until a future meeting.
5. 
Future Meeting Schedule
No tentative date set; Casper will reach out to Attorney Kelly to find times that she is available
6. 
Adjournment
Motion by Franklin, seconded by Steward-Gelinas to adjourn. Voice vote unanimous in favor.
Meeting adjourned at 8:11pm.
Submitted by: Erica Casper
Chair, Legislation & Administration Committee of the RTM