Ethics Commission

MINUTES OF NORWICH ETHICS COMMISSION MEETING November 13, 2018 MEMBERS PRESENT Robert (Mac) Ballard Christopher Dixon Kathryn Lord Carol Menard Robin Lawson MEMBERS ABSENT All present ALTERNATES PRESENT None ALTERNATES ABSENT None OTHERS PRESENT Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson 1. Call to order: Chair Carol Menard called the November 13, 2018 meeting to order at 6:01 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. 3. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the October 9, 2018 Ethics Commission (EC) meeting were presented. On a motion by Chris Dixon, seconded by Mac Ballard, the September 10, 2018 minutes were unanimously approved as presented. 4. Citizen Comment: None 5. New Business: None 6. Old Business: Chair Menard reported that the aforementioned letter informing parties that the Ethics Commission is in need of new members was written and sent to Mayor Nystrom, the Republican Town Committee Chair and the Democratic Town Committee Chair. She has not received any response. The EC members agreed that the letter will be included with this month’s meeting minutes. 7. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Mac Ballard, seconded by Robin Lawson, the meeting of the Ethics Commission adjourned at 6:06 PM.  CITY OF NORWICH Ethics Commission 100 Broadway, Norwich, CT 06360 Carol Menard, Chairman October 12, 2018 Dear Mayor Nystrom, The Ethics Commission currently has five members, and two openings for alternate members. When we met this past Tuesday, the members of the commission discussed the fact that all of the members have terms expiring in October, 2019. The Ethics Commission is one of the few organizations in Norwich with term limits, and three members will be at the end of their term in 2019. We have no difficulties having a quorum at our monthly meetings, but a public hearing would require 5 participating members. In some complaints, members have had to recuse themselves because of their connection with the subjects. Ideally, we should have a full complement of members so that we can allow for that. It would also be very helpful if we could get the alternate positions filled so that there will be a solid succession plan for the Commission. The three members whose terms will expire joined the commission in 2013. When the experienced members left the commission at the end of our first term, we promptly inherited several cases which were arguably the most high profile cases to come before the commission in its history. The three of us had never witnessed a full investigation or public hearing, so we relied on the City Attorney heavily to help guide us through the process. It is our hope that the transition will go more smoothly in 2019, and alternate members would be helpful for this strategy. Anything that you and the other members of the City Council can do to raise awareness of these openings will be appreciated. Thank you, Carol Menard, for the Ethics Commision