MINUTES OF THE STATE ETHICS COMMISSION MEETING
November 18, 2011
One Ashburton Place, Room 619
Boston, MA 02108
PUBLIC SESSION
MEETING CONVENED
Chairman Charles B. Swartwood, III called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. Also in attendance were Commissioners David L. Veator, Paula Finley Mangum, Patrick J. King and Martin F. Murphy.
Chairman Swartwood welcomed Public Education and Communications Division Chief David Giannotti back to the meeting after he had been out for several months due to an injury.
APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES
On the motion of Commissioner Veator, seconded by Commissioner Mangum, the Commission voted 4-0 to waive the reading and to approve the public session and executive session minutes for the October 14, 2011 meeting, with Commissioner Murphy abstaining as he was not present at that meeting.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S REPORT
Part-Time Receptionist
Executive Director Karen L. Nober informed the Commission that the pool of applicants for the part-time receptionist was narrowed to three strong finalists. An offer was made and accepted, and Maria Muller will begin employment on Monday, November 28, 2011. Ms. Nober discussed Ms. Muller’s qualifications and work experience. Ms. Nober stated that Ms. Muller has strong administrative skills and is very articulate, and will be an asset as the staff person dealing with the public.
Commissioner Appointment
Ms. Nober stated that she has spoken to the Governor’s office concerning the appointment of a Commissioner to replace Commissioner Veator, whose term has expired. The Governor’s office is actively working on the new appointment.
New Website
Ms. Nober expressed her appreciation to David Giannotti, Information Technology Specialist Tony Webb and Public Education and Communications Division Administrative Assistant Carolyn Teehan for their work on the redesigned website.
Online Training Programs
Ms. Nober expressed her appreciation to the members of the staff workgroup working on the new online training programs: Legal Division Deputy Chief/SFI Lauren Duca, Enforcement Division Deputy Chief Karen Gray, Public Education and Communications Division Special Counsel Norah Mallam, Enforcement Division Special Investigator Scott Cole and David Giannotti. Ms. Nober said she used the questions being developed for the programs in a presentation she conducted for Emerson College students recently, and said we would be making some changes as a result of the feedback she received.
Summaries of the Conflict of Interest Law
Ms. Nober stated that the summaries of the law which are distributed to public employees each year are now available in Portuguese and Spanish translations. The translations have been posted on the website.
Next Meeting
Ms. Nober stated that the next Commission meeting is scheduled for Friday, December 16, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.
PUBLIC EDUCATION DIVISION MATTERS
The Commission meeting materials included a memorandum from Public Education and Communications Division Chief David Giannotti reporting on public education division activities for October 2011.
Mr. Giannotti updated the Commission on the website migration project and the online training programs being developed. The Commission had no questions.
LEGAL DIVISION MATTERS
Legal Division Metrics
Ms. Roney presented the Legal Division’s metrics for October 2011. The Commission had no questions.
Adjudicatory Matters
Ms. Roney presented the calendar of hearing dates and pre-hearing conferences in pending Commission adjudicatory proceedings. The Commission had no questions.
ENFORCEMENT DIVISION MATTERS
Enforcement Division First Quarter Metrics
Enforcement Division Chief Stephen P. Fauteux presented the Enforcement Division’s metrics for the first quarter of FY 2012. The Commission had no questions.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At 9:10 a.m., on the motion of Chairman Swartwood, seconded by Commissioner Murphy, the Commission voted 5-0 to enter into executive session to discuss matters subject to the provisions of G.L. c. 30A, § 21, subparagraph (a)(7) and G.L. c. 268B, §§ 3 and 4. Chairman Swartwood stated that these matters will include preliminary inquiry recommendations and reports, summons authorization requests, closing memoranda, disposition agreements, public and private education letters and advisory opinions.
VOTE: Chairman Swartwood yes
Commissioner Veator yes
Commissioner King yes
Commissioner Mangum yes
Commissioner Murphy yes
Chairman Swartwood stated that the Commission would reconvene in public session after the executive session.
PUBLIC SESSION
At 10:20 a.m., the Commission reconvened in public session. Present were Chairman Swartwood, Commissioner Veator, Commissioner King, Commissioner Mangum and Commissioner Murphy.
Executive Director Compensation
The Commission considered the Executive Director’s request for a 2.75% salary increase. The Commission noted that the Executive Director has had positive performance evaluations and that this would be her first salary increase in four years. After discussion by the Commission, on the motion of Commissioner King, seconded by Commissioner Veator, the Commission voted 5-0 to approve a 2.75% salary increase for the Executive Director, effective January 22, 2012.
ADJOURNMENT
At 10:26 a.m., on the motion of Commissioner Veator, seconded by Commissioner King, the Commission voted 5-0 to adjourn the meeting.
LIST OF DOCUMENTS USED FOR THIS MEETING
- Meeting Agenda Memorandum dated November 10, 2011, from General Counsel, Deirdre Roney, to the Commission and Executive Director Karen L. Nober.
- Minutes of the State Ethics Commission Meeting of October 14, 2011, Public Session and Executive Session.
- Memorandum dated November 10, 2011, from Public Education and Communications Division Chief David Giannotti to the Commission regarding Public Education and Communications Division activities for October 2011.
- Memorandum dated November 10, 2011, from Ms. Roney to the Commission setting forth Legal Division matters for meeting.
- Calendar of Hearing Dates and Pre-Hearing Conferences in pending Commission adjudicatory proceedings.
- Memorandum and related charts dated November 10, 2011, from Enforcement Division Chief Stephen P. Fauteux to the Commission regarding the Division first quarter metrics.
- Email to the Commission from Executive Director Karen L. Nober dated November 9, 2011, regarding request for consideration at the November Commission meeting.
Respectfully submitted,
David Giannotti
Public Education and Communications Division Chief