Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2004_01_30 Board of Ethics Minutes • Town of Mamaroneck Board of Ethics 1 January 30, 2004 At a special meeting of the Town of Mamaroneck Board of Ethics (BOE) , held in executive session on January 28, 2004 in Conference Room A of the Mamaroneck Town Center, called to order by the Chairman at 7 :30 P.M. Present: Martin Ronan, Chairman Robert Degen Carol Scharf Edwin Kaufman The minutes of the previous meeting were unavailable Reports/ Communications: none Agenda: 1. Chairman described the issue before the BOE and circulated confidential copies of a letter from an employee (Employee) in a sensitive position and pertinent sections of the Code of Ethics (Code) of the Town of Mamaroneck (TOM) . Employee sought a prospective advisory opinion. 2 . Chairman established that Employee is an "employee in a sensitive position" under the Code and entitled to an advisory opinion from BOE. 3. The request dealt with contemplated action by Employee. In addition to functions as an employee in a sensitive position with the TOM, Employee owns and operates a private business. Employee would seek to solicit and contract private business with the Mamaroneck UFSD. 4. BOE reviewed the letter and Code and discussion followed. 5. BOE unanimous in finding that the contemplated action would likely violate the Code; at the very least, the contemplated action could reasonably create an "appearance of a conflict of interest" proscribed by the Code. 6. Chairman to draft confidential response to Employee detailing the findings of the BOE. 7. No other business before the BOE. The meeting adjourned (CS, RD) at 8:10 PM. *redacted copy of advisory opinion attached D LS C E I I, PATRICIA A. DICIOCCIO MAMARONECK TOWN CLERK 01/30/2004 15:38 212-813-0786 ALGER ANDREW & RAS PAGE 02 TOWN OF MAMARONECK BOARD OF ETHICS January 30, 2004 IMONNIMPOROPMEMO Dear 11111111111111111111110 You have requested an advisory opinion from the Board of Ethics as to a potential conflict of interest if alliniMillas to the Mamaroneck Union Free school District . In response to your request, the Board met on January 28, 2004 in executive session to discuss the matter. IC: You acknowledged that your involvement in thejOISMNIMMO to the Town would be inappropriate but question whether 11!!!!t would be true if the entity MOMOMMIIMMIhis the School District . We believe it would. You hold position in the Town and in that position, interact with the School District . Your service on the alone, which deals with the School District on sensitive issues such 4111111111111.11111111111, could place you in a position where the School istrict might attempt to curry your favor, even if you have no vote on any issue. Section 17-5A of the Town's Ethics Code forbids individuals in your position from engaging in any activity which might reasonably appear to be in conflict with the impartial discharge of their public duties. It would appear to be reasonable for someone to perceive your success in imMOMMOMMIcquestion to the School District to be a result of your being , well connected with School Administrators. For that reason, it was the unanimous decision of the Board that your attempt to the School District would violate the Town' s Code of Ethics and should not be pursued. I 01/30/2004 15:38 212-813-0786 ALGER ANDREW & RD-LS PAGE 03 2 - © =Ihr . , We arm,,grateful.you sought our opinion in advance and we +were• not required to decide the matter after the fact . We wish you success in other districts• • IT:":.! Town of Mamaroneck Board of Ethics It: • By.�.. MARTIN W. RONAN, JR. , ..+ Chairman .