Public Hearing
Ethics Committee
Deputy Supervisor William O'Neill read a copy of Section 13-7 of
Chapter 13 Ethics Code of the Town amended as follows
13-7 Establishment; membership.
There is hereby established a Board of Ethics consisting of five (5) members to
be appointed by the Town Board who shall serve without compensation at the
pleasure of the Town Board. A majority of such members shall be persons other
than officers or employees of the Town of Red Hook, but shall include one (1)
member who is an elected or appointed officer or employee of the Town of Red
Hook, New York.
Deputy Supervisor O'Neill explained that we were changing our Ethics Board from
a three (3) member board to a five (5) member board with this amendment.
ZBA member Jeanne Douglas questioned why are we going from three to five
members.
Councilman Ramsey said it is his understanding there has been times when we had
had trouble getting affirm and with five members you have a more balanced view
for a meeting.
Councilwoman Bordewich said with five members you have a better chance of a
meeting taking place. With only three members and one or two don't show up you
have no meeting so with five we have a better chance of having a meeting.
Resident Kathy Stewart said she supported having a five member board.
Resident Rosemarie Zengen questioned if an attorney would be sitting on the
Board as she thought Attorney Trezza was on the board before.
Councilwoman Bordewich responded she didn't believe Attorney Trezza sat on the
board. For the past thirteen years it has been Fred Cartier, Mary Cioffi and
Richard Trotti.
Rosemarie Zengen questioned if an Ethical question comes up that they can't deal
with do they refer it to Albany.
Councilwoman Bordewich said this board was mainly set up to handle complaints of
ethics. They are not really a legal body that is setting up the rules; they are
not a judicial body.
Motion by Councilwoman Bordewich, seconded by Councilman Ross and carried the
Public Hearing was closed at 7:47 p.m.
Town Clerk
Margaret E. Doty