Should Town Paid Employees be Allowed to Govern the Same Town That Pays Their Salary?

Should a paid town employee be part of governing the very town that pays his salary?

What message is being sent to the rest of the people in this town?

A little over 2 years ago our Town Charter just went through its first revision in over 20 years.  There was one very eye opening item that was left in the charter and has been part of our Town Charter for many years.

3-1. – The Council.

There shall be a Town Council consisting of nine (9) members, hereinafter referred to as the “Council”, the members of which shall serve without compensation except for the reimbursement of actual expenses incurred in the performance of official duties. To the extent permitted by law, no member of the Council shall hold any office or position of profit under the government of the Town of Cheshire, except Justice of the Peace, nor shall he, during the term of office for which he is elected and for two (2) years thereafter, be appointed to any salaried office or position of profit under the government of the Town.

The state overruled this by stating “any municipal employee shall have the right to serve on any governmental body of the town in which he resides.” There are several provisos, however. For instance, statutes prohibit a town employee from serving on a body that has direct supervision over the employee’s job.

Former town attorney, John Knott, was quoted in 1994 when this subject was first brought up : “It’s a mine field out there in some respects,” he went on to say “conflicts of interests — even perceived conflicts — can damage a board member’s reputation “something fierce.”

Here we are again. A town paid employee wanting to govern over the very body that pays his salary. Perception is important.

As a member of the Town Council, he must recuse himself from all matters concerning the police department, including the budget. If you can’t add your voice and opinion to all aspects of governing this town, are you really working for everyone? As a police officer, do you get involved with other municipal departments as part of your job? Should you recuse yourself from issues regarding those departments?

I was quite surprised at the Cheshire Herald’s reason for endorsing him this year. They stated that he gives a different “perspective —as a public service employee, a police officer and a veteran that would be missing without his presence.”  That is clearly against what our Charter states and can cause some perceived conflicts. I believe all individual council members would give different perspectives based on their life experiences, provided they participate in the meetings. That’s what is great about having 9 individuals who can all think independently.

Cheshire is a small town with many municipal workers who live in this town. What would happen if more teachers, town workers, or police officers decided to run for office? Who will be left to vote on issues involving the very departments they work for? What is the perception people will have in regards to issues that may be brought before the council involving their departments, even if they recuse themselves from those discussions? It’s a very slippery slope.

I urge you all to think about this issue when you go to the polls on November 5.