Seekonk Selectman Reports Ethical Violation – None Found

Seekonk Board of Selectmen Chairman Dave Parker reported himself to the Massachusetts Ethics Commission after questions were raised about whether selectmen could appoint themselves to the Board of Health .

Parker wanted to ensure there were no ethical violations when the selectmen appointmented Francis Cavaco and Bob McClintock to the Seekonk Board of Health after no other candidates showed interest.

The full statement from the State Ethics Commission follows:

“We have conducted a review of te information you provided to the State Ethics Commission on Nov. 3, 2011. Based on that review, and on any necessary follow-up investigation, we have decided that this matter does not warrant further action. This decision is based on your representation that the members of the Board of Health are unpaid and are not under the Board of Selectmen’s supervision.”

The selectmen did have issues with a separate appointment to the Municipal Capital Improvements Committee. They voted to rescind their previous appointment of Jeff Creamer after they learned that Creamer was not eligible, as he is currently a town employee. Additionally, Creamer is an alternate to the zoning board, and a person is not allowed to be on another committee and serve on the Capital Improvements Committee. This means there is now an opening on that committee for a resident.

Rice gives up vice chairman's seat

Selectman Bill Rice also resigned from his position as vice chairman and no reason was given during the meeting. Afterwards, Rice only offered a statement of “no comment.”

To be clear, Rice is resigning from his role as vice chairman, not from his position as a selectman. Francis Cavavo was elected as Rice’s replacement.

Selectmen Meeting Notes

In other news, the selectmen:

• Appointed Ryan Bernier to the Seekonk Police Department as a 3rd class probationary officer. Bernier was then sworn in and will start his new position in town effective Nov. 22.
• Voted to keep Fall Town Meeting Warrant Articles 4 and 5 on the warrant as is.
• Voted to Remove Article 15 from the Fall Town Meeting Warrant as requested by Community Preservation Committee.
• Voted to keep the Fall Town Meeting Warrant articles numbered as posted.
• Accepted the bids of three snow removal vendors. The Department of Public Works requested 20 vendors, but only three currently have all the required insurance and licenses. The remaining are pending, depending upon the proper insurance and licenses. 
• Announced that the town was recently reviewed by Standard and Poor and kept its AA standard rating.
• Lastly, Parker also wished fellow selectmen Bill Rice and Bob McClintock belated birthdays, with both occurring last week.