Ethics Commission - Minutes - 07/02/2024

1 
ETHICS COMMISSION 
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES 
JULY 2, 2024 
Members Present: 
Betsy Ritter, Chairlady 
Alan Messier 
Adam Stone 
Cathy Patterson 
Christopher Nailon 
Sara Gilman Mallari (alternate) 
Absent: 
Paul Helvig 
Also Present: 
Marilyn Lusher 
Kathleen and Mike Elbaum 
1. Call to Order. The July 2, 2024 Regular Meeting of the Ethics Commission was called to
order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairlady Ritter.
2. Attendance. A quorum was established.
3. Correspondence. (See attached)
a. May 13, 2024 correspondence from Adam Stone
b. December 1, 2023 letter from Mindy Stone to Elizabeth Ritter
c.
December 7, 2023 letter from Elizabeth Ritter to MaLinda Stone
4. Approval of the Minutes:
a. Regular Meeting April 2, 2024.
MOTION (1): 
Mr. Messier moved to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes 
of April 2, 2024, as presented. Seconded by Ms. Patterson.  
Mr. Nailon abstained from voting. (5-0-1) Motion carried. 
5. Report from the Chair.
a. Update on 2024-2025 Budget. The Ethics Commission’s 2024-2025 Budget in the
amount of $850 was approved by the RTM.
6. Discussion Regarding Changes to the Ethics Commission’s Complaint Filing Form. Mr.
Messier suggested that the State of Connecticut acknowledgement be used. Mr. Helvig
suggested to the Chair that in the last sentence of the form the word “the” be inserted
before request. In item 3 change the word nature to “alleged”. Mr. Stone suggested
that the first sentence of the last paragraph not be in bold.

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Ms. Ritter agreed to revise the draft Complaint Filing Form and the Commission may 
vote on the revised form at its next meeting. 
MOTION (2): Ms. Patterson moved that the Chair make the revisions to the 
Complaint of Violation of Code of Ethics and insure that the 
revised copy be submitted to the Town Clerk. Seconded by 
Mr. Messier. (6-0) Unanimous. 
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Response to May 13, 2024 correspondence from Adam Stone. Ms. Ritter reported
she received an email from Adam Stone with a series of questions concerning
actions this Commission may take and have discussion with the Town Attorney on
them.
Ms. Ritter spoke with Attorney Avena requesting that the Town Attorney consult
with us at a date and time mutually convenient for all. She was advised of things we
cannot change on any past actions or decisions or any business that comes before
this Commission. The meeting is public and it can be a special or regular meeting.
He indicated that he is able to come on October 1 or possibly in August.
MOTION (3): 
Ms. Mallari moved to request that the Town Attorney come
to a meeting of this Commission to advise us on Mr. Stone’s 
questions. Seconded by Mr. Nailon. Mr. Stone.abstained from 
voting. (5-0-1) Motion carried.  
MOTION (4): 
Mr. Messier moved to request that the Town Attorney meet 
with this Commission at its Regular Meeting on October 1, 2024 
Seconded by Ms. Ritter. No vote. 
MOTION (5): 
Mr. Messier moved to amend Motion 4 to ask Town Attorney 
if he is available on one of the following dates: July 8, July 22 
or October 1. Seconded by Ms. Ritter. Mr. Stone abstained 
from voting. (5-0-1) Motion carried. 
8. OLD BUSINESS
There was no discussion of old business.
9. PUBLIC DELEGATIONS.
Ms. Lusher felt it was better to meet sooner than later.
Ms. Elbaum suggested that this Commission say the Pledge of Allegiance at its meetings.
10. ADJOURNMENT.

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MOTION (6): Mr. Messier moved to adjourn the July 2, 2024 Regular Meeting 
at 7:45 p.m. Seconded by Ms. Mallari. (6-0) Unanimous. 
Respectfully submitted, 
Frances Ghersi, Recording Secretary 

‭Adam Stone‬
‭<astone@breezeline.net>‬
‭Mon, May 13,‬
‭6:44 PM‬
‭to me‬
‭Betsy,‬
‭As discussed, the request is to schedule a special meeting and consult with one or more of the‬
‭town attorneys during executive session, please.  Nick Kepple has already seen the questions‬
‭and advised to obtain the answers through the commission rather than individually.‬
‭Attached is a list of five questions that we need to answer.  The answers will determine‬
‭subsequent follow up actions.  Also attached are materials related to question 5.‬
‭**Any concerns regarding conflicts of interest for the discussion should fall under section‬
‭2.50.030 - Code of ethics., Sub Section C:‬
‭"A public official or town employee may not take official action on any matter in which a‬
‭substantial conflict (as defined in subsection A of this section) exists. If the conflict is disclosed,‬
‭a public official or town employee may participate in discussions with or give opinions or‬
‭recommendations to a town board, agency, commission, committee, department, or another‬
‭public official or town employee.”‬
‭Thanks,‬
‭Adam‬

December 1,2023
Elizabeth Ritter
Chair, Waterford Ethics Commission
24 Old Mill Road
Quaker Hill, CT. 06375
Dear Ms. Ritter:
As a respondent named in Ethics Complaint 2023-01, I am requesting that the Board of
Ethics decision that I received, dated 10/30/23 stating the reasons for dismissal of the
complaint to be made public"
Sincerely,
tt/ indy (Malinda) Stone
16 Windy Rldge Place
Waterford, CT. 06385

FIFTEEN ROPE FERRY ROAD
WATERFORD, CT 06385.2886
December 7,2023
tvlalinda Stone
16 Windy Ridge Place
Waterford, CT 06385
Dear Ms. Stone,
I write in response to your letter of December 1, 2023, requesting the Waterford Ethics
Commission decision in response to Complaint2023-01be made public.
The decision that was made was stated in my letter to you of October 31,2023. Unfortunately
the Town of Waterford Ethic Ordinance does not permit the Commission from publishing its
decision to the public. The only time the Commission can do that is if it makes a finding of
probable cause in the initial complaint. As no finding of probable cause in the Complainant's
initial complaint was found, the Commission cannot make its decision public. However,
regardless of that fact, the Respondents have been provided with a copy of the decision, and
there is nothing in the Ethics Ordinance that precludes a Respondent from making a copy of the
decision that they received public. So you have the ability to publish your copy of the decision
in whatever fashion you feel is appropriate.
Please feel free to contact me if you have questions or require additional information
Sincerely,
qzlbbbfr. ptu
Elizabeth Ritter
Chair, Waterford Ethics Commission
24 Old Mill Road
Quaker Hill, CT 06375
(860) 514-2003
1l

‭Adam Stone‬
‭<astone@breezeline.net>‬
‭Mon, May 13,‬
‭6:44 PM‬
‭to me‬
‭Betsy,‬
‭As discussed, the request is to schedule a special meeting and consult with one or more of the‬
‭town attorneys during executive session, please.  Nick Kepple has already seen the questions‬
‭and advised to obtain the answers through the commission rather than individually.‬
‭Attached is a list of five questions that we need to answer.  The answers will determine‬
‭subsequent follow up actions.  Also attached are materials related to question 5.‬
‭**Any concerns regarding conflicts of interest for the discussion should fall under section‬
‭2.50.030 - Code of ethics., Sub Section C:‬
‭"A public official or town employee may not take official action on any matter in which a‬
‭substantial conflict (as defined in subsection A of this section) exists. If the conflict is disclosed,‬
‭a public official or town employee may participate in discussions with or give opinions or‬
‭recommendations to a town board, agency, commission, committee, department, or another‬
‭public official or town employee.”‬
‭Thanks,‬
‭Adam‬