Select board approves Board of Ethics alternates amid dispute over charter vs. ordinance

The Seymour Board of Select Persons approved multiple alternate appointments to the town’s Board of Ethics after extended debate about whether the charter or a local ordinance controls appointment practice. The board approved alternating appointments and recorded votes; some members expressed concern about process and cast no/abstain votes on at least one motion.

At issue was a discrepancy members identified between the charter — which the board described as the town's highest governing authority — and an ordinance that provides for alternates with party‑affiliation guidance. Board members discussed past practice and whether alternates should be appointed now to ensure a quorum for any ethics hearing. "I just want to make sure due process," said resident Bob Kascalowski during public comment, urging review of when appointments were last made and whether terms had expired.

Appointments announced at the meeting included Alice Levy and Cindy Dion as alternates, with motions carried after discussion. Another appointment, Theresa Conrad (listed in the meeting materials), prompted a longer exchange about following the charter language and whether to revert to a previous list of names; discussion included recommendations to reconcile the ordinance with the charter and to place that revision on a future meeting agenda. The board later moved to add Rob Vanaggan as a Democratic alternate and that motion carried after discussion and recorded 'no' and 'abstain' responses by some members.

Board members said they would pursue clarifying language to align the ordinance with the charter and scheduled review on a future agenda. Several members emphasized the pragmatic need for alternates so that an ethics board can convene when needed.

What happens next: board staff will place a charter/ordinance review item on a forthcoming meeting agenda and the newly appointed alternates will be recorded as serving through the dates stated in the appointment notices.