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For more details on a specific meeting, see the Meeting Minutes.
The Ethics Commission held its 5th meeting of 2013 on April 23, 2013.
The Commission took the following actions:
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-14 to the Retirement Board of the Employees’ Retirement System of the State of Rhode Island (“Retirement Board”), opining that those members of the Retirement Board who hold leadership positions in an organization that initiated litigation against the Retirement Board are required to recuse from Retirement Board matters, including discussions and decision-making, relative to the litigation. However, those members of the Retirement Board who are either named as a defendant in an official capacity, or who were appointed to a public office by such a named defendant, are not required to recuse from matters related to the litigation.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-15 to James Bennett, the Director of Economic Development for the City of Providence, opining that the Code of Ethics does not prohibit the City of Providence from paying for the Petitioner’s travel expenses relative to the economic development of the Port of Providence with funds donated to the City by ProvPort, the non-profit corporation that operates the Port of Providence.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-16 to Anthony Santilli, the Building and Zoning Official for the Town of Narragansett, opining that he may apply for a variance and a special use permit from the Narragansett Zoning Board of Review, based upon a finding of hardship pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(e)(1).
Held an adjudicative hearing in the matter of In re: Gordon Rogers, Complaint No. 2012-1. The Commission found, by a vote of 5 to 1, that the Respondent, Gordon Rogers, while a member of the Foster Town Council, represented himself before the Foster Town Council on April 12, 2012, in violation of R.I. Gen. Laws § 36-14-5(e) and imposed a fine of $250.
Made an Initial Determination in the matter In re: Tina Jackson, Complaint No. 2013-4, and unanimously voted to authorize a full investigation.
The Ethics Commission held its 4th meeting of 2013 on March 19, 2013.
The Commission took the following actions:
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-11 to Michael J. Colonair, a member of the Pascoag Fire District Board of Commissioners, opining that he is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from seeking or accepting employment as a volunteer firefighter in the Pascoag Fire District while holding office as a Commissioner and for a period of one (1) year after leaving his position as a Commissioner.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-12 to James J. Lombardi, the City Treasurer for the City of Providence, opining that he is not prohibited by the Code of Ethics from receiving a Community Development Block Grant from the City.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-13 to Richard A. Monteiro, an alternate member of the Woonsocket Personnel Board, opining that he is not prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in matters before the Personnel Board that involve members of the Woonsocket City Employees Local 670, Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO, notwithstanding that his daughter is a police dispatcher in Woonsocket and a member of that local bargaining unit. However, he is required to recuse from any Personnel Board matters that would have a financial impact on his daughter or provide her with an employment advantage.
Approved an Informal Resolution and Settlement by a vote of 4 to 2 in the matter In re: Kimberly Gaffett, consolidated cases, Complaint Nos. 2013-1 and 2013-2. There, the Respondent, a member of the New Shoreham Town Council, admitted to participating in the nomination and appointment of her brother-in-law to a position on the New Shoreham Planning Board in violation of Commission Regulation 36-14-5004(b)(1) and (b)(2)(A). A civil penalty of $500 was imposed.
The Ethics Commission held its 3rd meeting of 2013 on February 19, 2013.
The Commission took the following actions:
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-8 to Nathan T. Calouro, a member of the Bristol Town Council, opining that he is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Town Council’s appointment of a new harbormaster and the Town Council’s review of any amendments to the harbormaster’s job description, given that his brother is currently serving as interim harbormaster and is also one of nineteen applicants for the permanent harbormaster position.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-9 to Allen Rivers, a member of the Woonsocket Zoning Board of Review, opining that he is not prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating in the Zoning Board’s reconsideration of a variance application, notwithstanding his business associate’s past appearance as a remonstrant in that matter and the possibility that his business associate may appear again during the public comment portion of the variance hearing.
Issued Advisory Opinion 2013-10 to Scott R. Schmitt, a member of the Cumberland Town Council, opining that he is prohibited by the Code of Ethics from participating when an attorney, who is also his tenant, represents another person before the Town Council.
Made an Initial Determination in the matter In re: Kimberley Gaffett, Complaint No. 2013-1, and unanimously voted to authorize a full investigation.
Made an Initial Determination in the matter In re: Kimberley Gaffett, Complaint No. 2013-2, and unanimously voted to authorize a full investigation.
Made an Initial Determination in the matter In re: Kimberley Gaffett, Complaint No. 2013-3, and unanimously voted to authorize a full investigation.
