Seekonk Selectmen need a Code of Conduct

I recommend adopting a Selectmen's Code of Conduct that includes provisions for removing Selectmen as officers on the Board if they repeatedly violate the Code, extending the Code to Boards and Committees appointed by the Board of Selectmen, and adopting a policy that protects employees from punitive action by the Selectmen or Town Administrator if they refuse to comply with demands made by individual Selectmen in violation of the Code of Conduct.

The Board of Selectmen adopted a Selectmen's Statement of Ethics in January 2008, when I was on the Board. That statement is on the Seekonk Town website on the Board of Selectmen's page. The Statement of Ethics makes clear that the Board's responsibility is primarily that of "making policy" and it is not to engage in micromanaging the "day-to-day operations of town government." Those functions are to be carried out by the appropriate employees who are hired for that purpose. The Selectmen are supposed to work through the Town Administrator rather than making demands directly to individual department heads or staff. "They are to refrain from public criticism of employees."

Selectmen are also required to "refrain from making statements or promises regarding the outcome of matters that will come before the Board until after having a full and fair opportunity to weigh the merits of an issue during a Board meeting." At last week's Selectmen meeting this was clearly violated when the publication of the new Special Town Meeting date was published in The Sun Chronicle prior to the meeting and the vote.

I strongly believe that the Statement of Ethics needs to be expanded into a Code of Conduct that reflects greater restraint by Selectmen on the exercise of their power, for example, the appointment of fellow Board members to other Boards and Committees. In order to have any meaningful effect, the Code must include procedures for the removal from the positions of Chairman, Vice Chairman or Clerk for any Selectman who repeatedly and willfully violates the Code.

Every time the Board reorganizes, whether after a Town Election, a resignation from the Board or for any other reason, each Selectman should be asked to read and sign that he or she agrees to abide by the Code of Conduct. Selectmen need to display true leadership and to hold themselves accountable for their behavior and the tone they set for town government.

The final straw for me in deciding whether to run again for the Board of Selectmen was observing and attending a Selectmen's meeting on Dec. 12 when I saw the Chairman exhibit disrespectful behavior toward the Superintendent of Public Works, an elected town official and a town resident. Fifty percent of good governance is about the respect we show our colleagues, the other elected and appointed members of Boards or Committees, our employees and our residents.  Diversity of opinion on issues and robust debate is healthy and makes for well-thought out decisions.  But if we lack civility and mutual respect, even the best of decisions may be rejected or ignored by the citizens. 

Public officials must always remember that "it is not just what you say, but how you say it" that is important to the citizens. When I am elected, I pledge to make it a priority to restore public and employee confidence in the Board of Selectmen by working collaboratively with all the members of the Board to establish a Code of Conduct and other procedures to overcome the problems that now exist on the Board. True leaders will always lead by example and hold themselves to the highest standards.

For more information go to www.bradyforselectman.com.