EAST BRIDGEWATER NJ June 5 2013The state Ethics Commission has determined a special police officer – also the current selectmen chairman – violated the state conflict of interest law by entering into contracts with the Police Department through his security company.
Selectmen Chairman Brian Connors’ company, Flagship Security Systems, Inc., earned $400,000 from 2008 to 2011 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant, the commission said. It billed the town another $15,000 for renovations to the police dispatch area.
The Ethics Commission on Monday issued a “public education letter” to Connors for the violation.
Then-Police Chief John L. Silva Jr. first appointed Connors to the position of special police officer on July 1, 2004, according to Assistant Town Clerk Paula S. Keefe.
Although Connors was a special police officer, he had no shifts or assigned duties and did not wear a badge or a uniform, the Ethics Commission said.
“Nevertheless, as a result of his appointment to the position of special police officer, Connors became a ‘municipal employee’ for purposes of the conflict of interest law,” the commission said.
In 2007, Connors assisted the police department in applying for a federal Secure Our Schools grant to install security systems in schools and the police department. He also provided information later included in the bid specifications used to award the contract to install the security equipment.
Connors was also a “municipal employee” for the purposes of the conflict of interest law because he provided assistance to the police department regarding the grant and the bid specifications.
From 2008-2011, Flagship invoices indicated that the company earned about $400,000 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant.
In addition, in 2009 Flagship billed the police department about $15,000 for renovations to the police department dispatch area.
“Public officials and employees should understand that individuals who perform services for a municipal agency or who serve in appointed, unpaid municipal positions, including those with limited or ill-defined duties, are not exempt from the conflict of interest law,” the letter to Connors states.
The Ethics Commission issues a “public education letter” if it determines the public interest would be best served by explaining how the conflict of interest law applies in a particular set of circumstances.
By agreeing to the commission’s issuance of the letter, Connors does not admit to violating the conflict-of-interest law.
“The letter is the final resolution of this matter, and the commission will not take any formal action against Connors,” the press release said.
Selectmen Chairman Brian Connors’ company, Flagship Security Systems, Inc., earned $400,000 from 2008 to 2011 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant, the commission said. It billed the town another $15,000 for renovations to the police dispatch area.
The Ethics Commission on Monday issued a “public education letter” to Connors for the violation.
Then-Police Chief John L. Silva Jr. first appointed Connors to the position of special police officer on July 1, 2004, according to Assistant Town Clerk Paula S. Keefe.
Although Connors was a special police officer, he had no shifts or assigned duties and did not wear a badge or a uniform, the Ethics Commission said.
“Nevertheless, as a result of his appointment to the position of special police officer, Connors became a ‘municipal employee’ for purposes of the conflict of interest law,” the commission said.
In 2007, Connors assisted the police department in applying for a federal Secure Our Schools grant to install security systems in schools and the police department. He also provided information later included in the bid specifications used to award the contract to install the security equipment.
Connors was also a “municipal employee” for the purposes of the conflict of interest law because he provided assistance to the police department regarding the grant and the bid specifications.
From 2008-2011, Flagship invoices indicated that the company earned about $400,000 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant.
In addition, in 2009 Flagship billed the police department about $15,000 for renovations to the police department dispatch area.
“Public officials and employees should understand that individuals who perform services for a municipal agency or who serve in appointed, unpaid municipal positions, including those with limited or ill-defined duties, are not exempt from the conflict of interest law,” the letter to Connors states.
The Ethics Commission issues a “public education letter” if it determines the public interest would be best served by explaining how the conflict of interest law applies in a particular set of circumstances.
By agreeing to the commission’s issuance of the letter, Connors does not admit to violating the conflict-of-interest law.
“The letter is the final resolution of this matter, and the commission will not take any formal action against Connors,” the press release said.
Flagship Security Systems Inc. was formed in 2003 to install and repair security, fire and life safety systems, the letter says.
Connors was reappointed to the special police officer position annually for each fiscal year through 2011, Keefe said. He resigned from the position on Jan. 1, 2012, Keefe said. The town did not immediately provide a copy of Connors’ resignation letter on Monday.
Connors was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April 2011, defeating incumbent Theresa McNulty.
McNulty, at the time, took some heat for using official stationery to ask Cowan and the town accountant for information on a grant that funded security cameras at local schools. Those cameras were installed by Flagship Security Systems of Waltham, owned by Connors.
Connors then decried McNulty’s questioning of the contracts, and her use of town stationery to do it.
During that 2011 campaign, Connors gave his occupation as a “security director” and provided this statement for an election biography story that ran in The Enterprise:
“We need to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the local government. I will restore transparency and accountability to the Board of Selectmen. I want to use my experience running a small business to serve the town. I can run our town with the efficiency of a business and spend our tax dollars wisely.”
Connors was reappointed to the special police officer position annually for each fiscal year through 2011, Keefe said. He resigned from the position on Jan. 1, 2012, Keefe said. The town did not immediately provide a copy of Connors’ resignation letter on Monday.
Connors was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April 2011, defeating incumbent Theresa McNulty.
McNulty, at the time, took some heat for using official stationery to ask Cowan and the town accountant for information on a grant that funded security cameras at local schools. Those cameras were installed by Flagship Security Systems of Waltham, owned by Connors.
Connors then decried McNulty’s questioning of the contracts, and her use of town stationery to do it.
During that 2011 campaign, Connors gave his occupation as a “security director” and provided this statement for an election biography story that ran in The Enterprise:
“We need to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the local government. I will restore transparency and accountability to the Board of Selectmen. I want to use my experience running a small business to serve the town. I can run our town with the efficiency of a business and spend our tax dollars wisely.”
When reached Monday, Connors said he was surprised to get the Ethics Commission letter. "If you think about it, it comes down to not filing a disclosure form," Connors, 46, said.
Connors said he didn't expect his role as an unpaid, special police officer would pose a conflict with his security company getting the work that earned his company $415,000 from the town.
"If I thought that (it posed a conflict), I certainly would not have done it," Connors said. "I wasn’t paid. There was no advantage to being a special policeman."
"A reasonable person wouldn't expect that kind of conflict existed as a volunteer," Connors added. He said he no longer does business with the town.
"It’s pretty self explanatory," Connors said of the letter. "The Ethics Commission reviewed a procurement issue from about six years ago. They found that no fines were merited. The letter just clarifies their opinion and closes the case."
The state Ethics Commission has determined a special police officer – also the current selectmen chairman – violated the state conflict of interest law by entering into contracts with the Police Department through his security company.
Selectmen Chairman Brian Connors’ company, Flagship Security Systems, Inc., earned $400,000 from 2008 to 2011 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant, the commission said. It billed the town another $15,000 for renovations to the police dispatch area.
The Ethics Commission on Monday issued a “public education letter” to Connors for the violation.
Then-Police Chief John L. Silva Jr. first appointed Connors to the position of special police officer on July 1, 2004, according to Assistant Town Clerk Paula S. Keefe.
Although Connors was a special police officer, he had no shifts or assigned duties and did not wear a badge or a uniform, the Ethics Commission said.
“Nevertheless, as a result of his appointment to the position of special police officer, Connors became a ‘municipal employee’ for purposes of the conflict of interest law,” the commission said.
In 2007, Connors assisted the police department in applying for a federal Secure Our Schools grant to install security systems in schools and the police department. He also provided information later included in the bid specifications used to award the contract to install the security equipment.
Connors was also a “municipal employee” for the purposes of the conflict of interest law because he provided assistance to the police department regarding the grant and the bid specifications.
From 2008-2011, Flagship invoices indicated that the company earned about $400,000 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant.
In addition, in 2009 Flagship billed the police department about $15,000 for renovations to the police department dispatch area.
“Public officials and employees should understand that individuals who perform services for a municipal agency or who serve in appointed, unpaid municipal positions, including those with limited or ill-defined duties, are not exempt from the conflict of interest law,” the letter to Connors states.
The Ethics Commission issues a “public education letter” if it determines the public interest would be best served by explaining how the conflict of interest law applies in a particular set of circumstances.
By agreeing to the commission’s issuance of the letter, Connors does not admit to violating the conflict-of-interest law.
“The letter is the final resolution of this matter, and the commission will not take any formal action against Connors,” the press release said.
Flagship Security Systems Inc. was formed in 2003 to install and repair security, fire and life safety systems, the letter says.
Connors was reappointed to the special police officer position annually for each fiscal year through 2011, Keefe said. He resigned from the position on Jan. 1, 2012, Keefe said. The town did not immediately provide a copy of Connors’ resignation letter on Monday.
Connors was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April 2011, defeating incumbent Theresa McNulty.
McNulty, at the time, took some heat for using official stationery to ask Cowan and the town accountant for information on a grant that funded security cameras at local schools. Those cameras were installed by Flagship Security Systems of Waltham, owned by Connors.
Connors then decried McNulty’s questioning of the contracts, and her use of town stationery to do it.
During that 2011 campaign, Connors gave his occupation as a “security director” and provided this statement for an election biography story that ran in The Enterprise:
“We need to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the local government. I will restore transparency and accountability to the Board of Selectmen. I want to use my experience running a small business to serve the town. I can run our town with the efficiency of a business and spend our tax dollars wisely.”
Selectmen Chairman Brian Connors’ company, Flagship Security Systems, Inc., earned $400,000 from 2008 to 2011 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant, the commission said. It billed the town another $15,000 for renovations to the police dispatch area.
The Ethics Commission on Monday issued a “public education letter” to Connors for the violation.
Then-Police Chief John L. Silva Jr. first appointed Connors to the position of special police officer on July 1, 2004, according to Assistant Town Clerk Paula S. Keefe.
Although Connors was a special police officer, he had no shifts or assigned duties and did not wear a badge or a uniform, the Ethics Commission said.
“Nevertheless, as a result of his appointment to the position of special police officer, Connors became a ‘municipal employee’ for purposes of the conflict of interest law,” the commission said.
In 2007, Connors assisted the police department in applying for a federal Secure Our Schools grant to install security systems in schools and the police department. He also provided information later included in the bid specifications used to award the contract to install the security equipment.
Connors was also a “municipal employee” for the purposes of the conflict of interest law because he provided assistance to the police department regarding the grant and the bid specifications.
From 2008-2011, Flagship invoices indicated that the company earned about $400,000 for security-related equipment and services it provided to the police department in connection with the grant.
In addition, in 2009 Flagship billed the police department about $15,000 for renovations to the police department dispatch area.
“Public officials and employees should understand that individuals who perform services for a municipal agency or who serve in appointed, unpaid municipal positions, including those with limited or ill-defined duties, are not exempt from the conflict of interest law,” the letter to Connors states.
The Ethics Commission issues a “public education letter” if it determines the public interest would be best served by explaining how the conflict of interest law applies in a particular set of circumstances.
By agreeing to the commission’s issuance of the letter, Connors does not admit to violating the conflict-of-interest law.
“The letter is the final resolution of this matter, and the commission will not take any formal action against Connors,” the press release said.
Flagship Security Systems Inc. was formed in 2003 to install and repair security, fire and life safety systems, the letter says.
Connors was reappointed to the special police officer position annually for each fiscal year through 2011, Keefe said. He resigned from the position on Jan. 1, 2012, Keefe said. The town did not immediately provide a copy of Connors’ resignation letter on Monday.
Connors was elected to the Board of Selectmen in April 2011, defeating incumbent Theresa McNulty.
McNulty, at the time, took some heat for using official stationery to ask Cowan and the town accountant for information on a grant that funded security cameras at local schools. Those cameras were installed by Flagship Security Systems of Waltham, owned by Connors.
Connors then decried McNulty’s questioning of the contracts, and her use of town stationery to do it.
During that 2011 campaign, Connors gave his occupation as a “security director” and provided this statement for an election biography story that ran in The Enterprise:
“We need to restore the people’s trust and confidence in the local government. I will restore transparency and accountability to the Board of Selectmen. I want to use my experience running a small business to serve the town. I can run our town with the efficiency of a business and spend our tax dollars wisely.”
When reached Monday, Connors said he was surprised to get the Ethics Commission letter. "If you think about it, it comes down to not filing a disclosure form," Connors, 46, said.
Connors said he didn't expect his role as an unpaid, special police officer would pose a conflict with his security company getting the work that earned his company $415,000 from the town.
"If I thought that (it posed a conflict), I certainly would not have done it," Connors said. "I wasn’t paid. There was no advantage to being a special policeman."
"A reasonable person wouldn't expect that kind of conflict existed as a volunteer," Connors added. He said he no longer does business with the town.
"It’s pretty self explanatory," Connors said of the letter. "The Ethics Commission reviewed a procurement issue from about six years ago. They found that no fines were merited. The letter just clarifies their opinion and closes the case."
source-www.enterprisenews.com