WORKSHOP of the Town Council held Wednesday, April 30, 2008 at 6:05 P.M. in the Town Council Chambers, Town Building, 105 Harrisville Main Street, Harrisville for and within the Town of Burrillville.
PRESENT: Council President Nancy F. Binns, Councilors Wallace F. Lees, Kevin M. Blais, Margaret L. Dudley, John M. Karmozyn Jr. Councilor Norman C. Mainville arrived at 6:12 P.M.
MEMBERS ABSENT: Councilor Cynthia L. Roe was excused. Councilor Kevin M. Blais was absent.
ALSO PRESENT: Laura Marasco, Special Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office; Adam Sholes, Special Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office; Jason M. Gramitt, Staff Attorney and Education Coordinator, RI Ethics Commission
Relative to consideration and discussion of the Open Meetings Act, the Access to Public Records Act and the Code of Ethics
Council President Nancy F. Binns called the workshop to order at 6:05 P.M. Council President Binns turned the session over to Ms. Marasco and Mr. Sholes.
1. Presentation by Office of the Attorney General relative to the Open Meetings Act and the Access to Public Records Act.
Laura Marasco, Special Assistant Attorney General and Adam Sholes, Special Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General's Office conducted a presentation, briefly discussing the Access to Public Records Act and focusing on the Open Meetings Act. Among topics discussed were:
" Purpose of the Open Meetings Act
" To which bodies the Act applies
" Procedures for closed meetings (executive sessions)
" Purposes of closed meetings (executive sessions)
" Voting in executive session
" Notice for meetings
" Public comment
" General good and welfare
" Email and telephone communication
" Rolling/Walking Quorum
" Minutes
" Remedies - Open Meetings complaints
2. Discussion and Questions and Answer session related to the Open Meetings Act and the Access to Public Records Act.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
There was a recess from 7:17 P.M. to 7:27 P.M.
Council President Nancy F. Binns introduced Jason M. Gramitt, Staff Attorney and Education Coordinator, RI Ethics Commission.
3. Presentation by Office of the Ethics Commission relative to the Code of Ethics.
Mr. Gramitt distributed a hand-out relative to Understanding the Code of Ethics, a copy of which is on file with the record of the workshop. Mr. Gramitt provided an overview of the Code of Ethics, discussed the purpose of the code and the role of the Ethics Commission. Mr. Gramitt provided an overview of the Code of Ethics, discussing:
" Conflict of Interest
" When the Code applies
" Areas where the Code applies
" Definition of family/business associate, as the Code applies
" Amendments to the Code regarding nepotism
" Participation in budget discussions/voting on a budget
" Participation in collective bargaining negotiations
" Class exceptions
" The role of legal counsel
" How to recuse
4. Discussion and Questions and Answer session related to the Code of Ethics.
The presentation was followed by a question and answer period.
VOTED to adjourn at 9:10 p.m.
Motion by Councilor Wallace F. Lees. Seconded by Councilor Norman C. Mainville. The vote was unanimous by the five members present. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Nancy F. Binns and Councilors Wallace F. Lees, Margaret L. Dudley, John M. Karmozyn Jr., and Norman C. Mainville. Councilor Cynthia L. Roe was excused. Councilor Kevin M. Blais was absent.
The workshop was taped. The tape is on file with the record of the workshop.
Louise R. Phaneuf, Town Clerk
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