Ethics Commission

MINUTES OF NORWICH ETHICS COMMISSION MEETING May 13, 2019 MEMBERS PRESENT: Robert (Mac) Ballard, Christopher Dixon, Kathryn Lord, Carol Menard MEMBERS ABSENT: Robin Lawson ALTERNATES PRESENT: Karen Lucas ALTERNATES ABSENT: Scott Camassar OTHERS PRESENT: Recording Secretary Melinda Wilson 1. Call to order: Chair Carol Menard called the May 13, 2019 meeting to order at 5:03 PM. 2. Determination of Quorum: It was determined a quorum was present. Karen Lucas was seated as a Regular Member. 3. Approval of Minutes: The minutes of the April 8, 2019 Ethics Commission (EC) meeting were presented. On a motion by Chris Dixon, seconded by Mac Ballard, the April 8, 2019 minutes of the EC were approved as presented. Carol Menard abstained due to non-attendance. 4. Citizen Comment: None 5. Old Business: None 6. New Business: 2019-2 Request for Advisory Opinion Chair Menard reported that 2019-1 was assigned a case number by the City Clerk’s office. However, the issue covered by the case did not come under the Ethics Commission’s purview. She mailed a letter to that effect to the complainant. She has not received a reply. Advisory Opinion 2019-2 was discussed. Michael Gualtieri, City Treasurer, asked the EC to review a proposed employee benefit plan offered by a local bank. Chris Dixon commented that the plan was a typical marketing campaign. Karen Lucas was in general agreement that this program is similar to those offered by other financial institutions to businesses. Kathryn Lord read the definition of a gift in the City of Norwich Code of Ethics. Discussion ensued. On a motion by Kathryn Lord, seconded by Mac Ballard, the Ethics Commission unanimously voted to have Chair Menard write a letter to City Treasurer Gualtieri stating that the EC finds this program is not in violation of the city’s Code of Ethics. 7. Adjournment: On a motion to adjourn by Chris Dixon, seconded by Mac Ballard, the meeting of the Ethics Commission adjourned at 5:23 PM.