Town
of Canaan
Board
of Ethics
Introduction
The
Canaan Ethics law was created in 2006. There are many reasons for a town
like ours to have such a law and a functioning Board of Ethics. First of
all the Board of Ethics can review a charge against a town official or town
volunteer when a citizen is concerned about a possible conflict of interest and
wishes to prevent future conflicts or call attention to one. Another reason
for an ethical review is to protect Canaan’s elected people who may want an
interpretation on a particular situation where they wish to be sure they have
avoided even the perception of a conflict of interest. Thus the Board of
Ethics can aid a town board member, employee or volunteer who is wondering if a
particular action is deemed appropriate or inappropriate behavior for a Canaan
official.
The
Board of Ethics, quite simply, is a no cost, community level group (five in
number) who provide a local service for Canaan citizens and town officers
to help them facilitate a citizen’s role as watch agents in safeguarding the
town’s best interest. All final decisions are made public and are
available at the Town Hall.
There
is a note of caution, however. Charges of impropriety against a town official
should not be made lightly. Therefore the Board of Ethics holds the right
to dismiss a complaint which they consider scurrilous. Charges must have some
basis in fact in order to be reviewed.
Look
over the site, peruse the forms devised to assist individuals in filing a
concern or grievance, read your local Town of Canaan Ethics Law. They are
all found here. If you have a question, call one of the members of the
Board of Ethics to learn more.
Board of Ethics
Purpose: Reviews and decides complaints or questions concerning conflicts of interest for town officials and employees.
Meets: As needed.
Chairperson: Al Vinck
Other members: Jack Leal (Deputy Chairperson), Paul Naamon (Secretary), John Kowalski
Phone: (518) 392-5024
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