The Board of
Selectmen has named seven residents to an Ad Hoc Ethics Program Committee,
asking them to review the town’s current ethics policies, related ordinances
and charter language.
The selectmen have
set a six-month time limit for the committee and requested that it provide them
with an interim report in February.
In addition to
reviewing current policies, ordinances, and charter language, the selectmen
have charged the committee with conducting research “on state ethics laws and
ethics policies, ordinances and commissions in Connecticut municipalities” and
to “make recommendations to the Board of Selectmen regarding a comprehensive
ethics program for Madison town officials and employees, within the boundaries
of the Madison charter.”
The recommendations
could include, the selectmen said, procedural recommendations for advising and
resolving ethical issues, “including the possible establishment of an ethics
commission or equivalent structure” and revisions to current ethics policy and
ordinances as needed.
In the charge to the
committee, the selectmen also said any recommendations “should take into
consideration:
Methods of advising
upon and enforcing the ethical code. Such methods might include advisory opinions,
education, and investigations that inform the Board of Selectmen;
Accountability,
confidence, confidentiality and fairness;
An assessment of
resources needed.”
The members
appointed were Edward Dowling, Peter Metz, Peter Pardo, James Matteson, Virginia
Raff, Linda Smith-Criddle, and Robert Regan.
- Marianne Sullivan