LEGAL NOTICE: Establishing The Municipal Ethics Commission

Press release from the Town of Deep River:

Posted on: November 19, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE TOWN OF DEEP RIVER

By result of a Referendum held in conjunction with the Presidential Election on November 3, 2020, the voters of the Town of Deep River adopted an ordinance entitled, “AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE MUNICIPAL ETHICS COMMISSION”. A full copy of said Ordinance is on file in the Deep River Town Clerk’s office. Those interested in serving on this commission should contact the Selectmen’s office at 860-526-6020.

Amy M. Winchell, CCTC

Deep River Town Clerk

Dated at Deep River this 10th day of November, 2020

AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE MUNICIPAL ETHICS COMMISSION

1. Be it enacted by the electors of the Town of Deep River that
2. There shall be an Ethics Commission which shall consist of five members and two alternate members. The members shall be elected on the Municipal election day by majority vote and serve four-year terms beginning December 1, except that the initial election shall be held by paper ballot at a Town meeting within 60 days of adoption of the ordinance. The terms of the Commission shall be staggered so that all do not expire at the same time. No individual shall serve for more than 12 consecutive years. No more than three shall be members of the same political party.
3. All members of the Commission shall be electors of the municipality. No member of the Commission shall:
   • Hold or campaign for any public office during their term;
   • Hold office in any political party or political committee;
   • Concurrently serve as a member of any other agency, committee or commission of the municipality;
   • Be a public official or employee of the municipality or an official or employee of a quasi-public agency of the municipality;
   • Be an immediate family member of a sitting member of the Ethics Commission
   • Be a party to any contract doing business with the Town of Deep River; or
   • Have held elected office on the Board of Selectmen, Board of Education, Registrar of Voters, Judge of Probate, Board of Library Trustees or Constable in a three-year period prior to appointment.
4. • Although any member or employee of the Commission shall have an unrestricted right to vote, make political contributions or attend fund- raising or other political events, no member or employee shall publicly support any candidate for any municipal office subject to the Commission's jurisdiction, including but not limited to volunteering as a campaign worker, giving a speech at a political event or formally endorsing a candidate, or posting a sign at their home or business.
   • No candidate for municipal office may disseminate information that indicates that a Commission member or Commission employee supports the candidate's candidacy.
5. The members of the Commission shall elect a Chairperson who shall preside at meetings of the Commission and a Vice Chairperson to preside in the absence of the Chairperson. Three members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of the Commission members shall be required for action of the Commission. The Chairperson or any three members may call a meeting of the Commission.
6. A Code of Ethics shall be established pursuant to the provisions of CGS 7-148h and shall apply to all officials, officers, employees, and personnel of the Town of Deep River, whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, including members of boards, committees and commissions in the performance of theirduties.TheCodeshallalsoholdaccountableallpersons,entities,consultantsorothersintheirdealingswiththeTownofDeepRiver.
7. Any member of the Commission may be removed upon recommendation of the Board of Selectmen and by vote at a Special Town Meeting, after a hearing, in the event that said member is found to have violated the provisions of this ordinance or the Code of Ethics.
8. This Ordinance shall not be applicable if it conflicts in whole or in part with Federal or State statute or municipal law or regulation.

This press release was produced by the Town of Deep River. The views expressed here are the author’s own.