Ethics Commission - Minutes - 07/15/2020

ETHICS COMMISSION
Regular Business Meeting
MINUTES
July 15, 2020
Page |
Call to Order:
The July 15, 2020 Regular Business Meeting of the Ethics Commission was called to order at
6:21PM by Marty Zeldis, Chairman.
Present: Marty Zeldis, Cindy Hersom
Technology Presence: Mark Burnham, Betsy Ritter, Laurie Wolfley
Absent: Olga Bush, Steve Garvin
Approval of Minutes:
B. Ritter moved to approve the meeting minutes of the June 25, 2020 Special Meeting. C.
Hersom seconded. The minutes as written were accepted unanimously. (5-0)
Chairman, M. Zeidis commented on the Roll Call vote presented at the end of the minutes from
the June 25"" meeting. He discussed the members present and noted S. Garvin had voted to
approve the draft version of the revisions to the Code. He further noted that Garvin’s vote would
be used as an affirmative vote for the meeting tonight, due to the fact that no changes which
effect the content of the language would be made. In addition, Chairman Zeldis advised of the
absence of member O. Bush from the last meeting and the current meeting. Due to her absence
she will not have a vote for the final revision of the Code.
Review of Correspondence
No correspondence to date
Old Business:
Item da — 4b:
M. Zeldis, Chairman began the discussion with a review of the 7/15/20 email L. Wolfley
presented to the commission. He indicated two sections — 2.50.070 and 2.50.090 — would be
revised as advised.
Motion: by M. Burnham to change section 2.50.070 as indicated to read numerically “10 and
90” and remove the words “ten and ninety”. Seconded: B. Ritter. Unanimous (5-0).
Motion: by L. Wolfley to change section 2.50.090 paragraph B by removing commas on either
side of “and opinions” to reflect consistency with other phrases in the same section. Seconded:
C. Hersom. Unanimous (5-0).

ETHICS COMMISSION
Regular Business Meeting
MINUTES
July 15, 2020
Page 2
Chairman Zeldis thanked the Commission members for their diligence and hard work over the
last few months of discussing, revising and accepting the final draft version of the revised Code
of Ethics. Member M. Burnham made comments related to the State Statute on Ethics. He told
the commission he reviewed the State Code and did not find any mention or detail related to
alternates and voting. Chairman Zeldis further discussed the issue advising the commission of
the need for future members to consider the matter at a time of final decision of complaint.
New Business:
Item 5a — 5b:
Chairman Zeldis opened the floor for comments, questions or opinions. No further discussion
ensued. Chairman Zeldis called for a motion to accept the final revision of the new Code of
Ethics.
Motion: by C. Hersom to accept and approve the unmarked copy of the revised Code with minor
corrections as stated earlier. Seconded: Mark Burnham. No discussion. Unanimous (5-0).
Chairman Zeldis relayed information to the commission from a meeting with Attorney Avena.
He explained to the members that he would send the Attorney a copy of the final revised Code
for him to forward to the Town Clerk office. The RTM will be meeting on August 3 and a copy
will be presented to the committee at that time.
M. Zeldis continued the discussion explaining the actions of the commission required for the
next phase. He explained a need for two commission members to be present at all of the
meetings held by the standing committee. L. Wolfley and C. Hersom volunteered. Chairman
Zeldis accepted their offer and advised the commission that any member could be present if
desired.
A final comment, question and opinion session was opened by M. Zeldis thanking the members
for their commitment to the process of revising the Code. Discussion ensued.
Adjournment:
At 6:54 PM B. Ritter made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by C. Hersom.
Unanimous decision (5-0).
Respectfully submitted,
Stacey M. Tynan
Recording Secretary