Board sets conflict-of-interest policy
GUILFORD — GUILFORD - At the Feb. 22 Selectboard meeting, the board reviewed and approved a conflict-of-interest policy.
Board member Dick Clark shared information he learned at a training on open meeting policy, bias, and other related topics. He suggested the board create a set of guidelines for board members to follow.
Gabrielle Ciufredda, who also serves on the board, drafted the policy and an accompanying questionnaire, which asks board members to list their potential conflicts. She said it was based on “boilerplate” language from the Vermont League of Cities and Towns (VLCT), but board member Anne Rider said the VLCT's document is “a little more detailed than I'm used to."
Clark expressed concern that, in such a small town, conflicts-of-interest are inevitable. Would the town have to stop contracting with locals, he asked.
“Our policy has been, whenever possible, to use local people,” said Rider, so the town will not stop doing that, but this policy will allow board members to “be transparent about our relationships."
Ciufredda explained that if there is a conflict of interest between a board member and a potential contractor, the board member can participate in the discussion just like any other resident, but, “you just can't vote.”
“It's really about disclosure,” she said.
The board unanimously approved the policy and questionnaire.