Ethics Commission - Minutes - 01/07/2025

ETHICS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 7, 2025
Members Present: Betsy Ritter, Chairlady
oS =
Adam Stone on “a
Christopher Nailon S =
Sara Gilman Mallari (alternate) 7 59
Cathy Patterson 9 ‘oa
Alan Messier U ox
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NOHO
Absent: Paul Helvig (alternate) fo) 3
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Also Present: Susan Driscoll, RTM
Ron Elkin
Hank Podraza
Daniel Drainville, The Day
1. Call to Order. The January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting of the Ethics Commission was called
to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairlady Ritter.
2. Pledge of Allegiance. The Pledge of Allegiance was observed.
3. Attendance. Ms. Mallari was asked to be seated. A quorum was established.
4. Public Comment. Mr. Elkin said he has come to an agreement with Mr. Stone.
5. Approval of the Regular Meeting Minutes of October 1, 2024.
MOTION (1): Ms. Mallari moved to approve the October 1, 2024 Regular Meeting
Minutes, as presented. Ms. Patterson and Mr. Messier abstained from
voting. (4-0-2) Motion carried.
6. Correspondence Financial Reports were reviewed
7. Report from the Chair
a. Review of proposed budget request for Fiscal Year 2026. Ms. Ritter distributed
the proposed budget request for Fiscal Year 2026 to commission members. Ms.
Ritter stated our budget request remains the same as last year.

Mr. Messier asked how is Town Attorney compensated for his time on matters of
this Commission? Ms. Ritter informed him Town Attorney receives a retainer and his
work for this Commission comes out of this retainer.
MOTION (2): Mr. Messier moved to approve this Commission’s budget request
for Fiscal Year 2026 in the amount of $900. Seconded by
Ms. Patterson. (6-0) Unanimous.
b. Relocation of Ethics Commission files. Ms. Ritter informed the Commission that
this Commission’s filing cabinet and its key resides in the Police Chief’s Office.
c. Update on Request to the RTM for Ordinance Changes. Ms. Driscoll reported
that this matter was assigned to the RTM’s Legislation and Administration
Subcommittee at the December meeting. Ms. Ritter will be invited to the
subcommittee discussions in order that RTM members may ask questions.
8. Discussion on the Need and Process for the Compilation of Commission Procedures.
Ms. Ritter reported at our last meeting we had discussion on the need and process of
procedures. On July 12, 2023 we agreed on an Ethics Timeline. She distributed a draft
of the Ethics Timeline for the Commission’s review. She asked if commission members
felt there is a need for more detail? It has also been given to the Town Clerk. Members
agreed it was sufficient to direct future activities but the timeline should not be
distributed to the public. Ms. Ritter will advise the Town Clerk.
9. Notification of Expiring Terms for Members: Adam Stone, Elizabeth Ritter and Paul
Helvig. Ms. Ritter reported each of these members are willing to serve again.
Appointments are scheduled to be made by the RTM’s next meeting on the first
Monday in February.
10. Old Business. Ms. Ritter reported the changes to the Complaint form we voted on July
22, 2024 have been digitized with the seal of the town on it. Ms. Driscoll and Mr.
Messier were thanked for their assistance in having this done. Ms. Driscoll indicated
further changes might come from RTM consideration of the ordinance changes
requested in Item 3 of the October 1st, 2024 letter from the Commission to the
Moderator of the RTM.
11. New Business. There was no discussion of new business.
12. ADJOURNMENT.

MOTION (3): Ms. Mallari moved to adjourn the January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting
at 7:35 p.m. Seconded by Mr. Nailon. (6-0) Unanimous.
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary