Enforcement Division Alleges Milford's Board of Sewer Commissioners Scott Lanzetta Violated the Conflict of Interest Law

The State Ethics Commission's Enforcement Division, in an Order to Show Cause ("OTSC"), alleged that former Milford Board of Sewer Commissioners ("BSC") member Scott Lanzetta ("Lanzetta") violated G.L. c. 268A, the conflict of interest law, by receiving compensation from property owners for sewer connection work that required permits issued by the BSC.

According to the OTSC, between 2005 and 2007, while a BSC member receiving an $1,800 yearly stipend from the town, Lanzetta and/or his company, Lanzetta Excavating, LLC, completed 17 sewer connections for property owners. The BSC issued permits, conducted inspections and approved the sewer connection work. Lanzetta and/or Lanzetta Excavating, LLC., was paid between $1,000 and $5,000 for each job.

Section 17(a) of the conflict of interest law prohibits a municipal employee from receiving compensation from anyone other than the municipality in connection with any matter in which the municipality is a party or has a direct and substantial interest. By allegedly performing sewer connections in the town and being paid by the property owners for the work, where the work required permits and inspections by the town board of which Lanzetta was a member, Lanzetta allegedly violated section 17(a).

The Ethics Commission can impose civil penalties of up to $2,000 for a violation of the conflict of interest law. The Commission will schedule a public hearing into this matter within 90 days.