V.S.A. tit. 24 Appendix, ch. 129, subch. 7 — Town and School District Officials' Conduct | Vermont Statutes Annotated (through the 2026 session) — Vermont

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 129, § 701 Conflict of interest

701. Conflict of interest (a) A member of any appointed or elected board or commission or appointed or elected person or any person employed by the Town or School District of Milton shall not solicit or receive, directly or indirectly, any gift or compensation for recommending or voting on any finding, ruling, decision, or report or voting to procure any service, thing, or supply purchased with public funds. (b) Nor shall any such member or employee receive directly or indirectly anything of value by contract or otherwise from the Town or School District unless it is received: (1) as a result of a contract accepted after a public bid in accordance with law; (2) in public recognition of service or achievement; (3) as regular salary or expenses allowed by law for official duties performed as a member of such board or commission; (4) for employment otherwise authorized by law. (c) No board or commission member shall vote on any contract or purchase in which he or she has a direct or an indirect interest.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 129, § 702 Charter Compliance Committee

702. Charter Compliance Committee (a) A Charter Compliance Committee of three members shall be created to hear allegations from the general public or citizens who feel an elected or appointed board or commission or an elected or appointed official has violated the charter. The general public or citizen must first give the elected or appointed board or commission or the elected or appointed official an opportunity to correct the alleged violation. (b) The Town Manager and the Superintendent of Schools shall be exempt from this section. A violation of the charter by the Town Manager will be brought to the attention of the Selectboard. A violation by the Superintendent will be brought to the attention of the School Board of Trustees. If the violation is not corrected in a timely manner, the general public or citizen may take action against the appropriate board. (c) Biennially, the elected justices of the peace for the Town of Milton shall elect five of its members to the Charter Compliance Committee. (d) The Charter Compliance Committee shall meet within 10 days of a complaint received in writing by the Town Clerk. If the complaint is against the Town Clerk’s office, the complaint shall be filed with the Clerk of the Selectboard. (e) The Charter Compliance Committee shall act judiciously in a quasi-judicial capacity. The board, the commission, or the official must be given certain due process protection, including due notice, an opportunity to be heard, and a right to insist that the justices hear the evidence before coming to any conclusion about the nature of the complaint. (f) After hearing all parties and reviewing the evidence presented, the Charter Compliance Committee shall issue its facts and findings in a timely manner. (g) The Charter Compliance Committee shall verify the validity of the allegation. If it is found that a violation of the charter has occurred, the Charter Compliance Committee shall publicly notify the board, commission, or public official. (h) The board, commission, or public official shall have an opportunity to correct the violation in a timely manner, not to exceed 60 days. (i) If the board, commission, or public official does not correct the violation, the Charter Compliance Committee shall award one of the following: (1) Reprimand (official, board, or commission will be told to abide by the charter). (2) Public sanction (Public will be made aware of the violation along with the facts and findings). (j) Any officer elected under section 202, or appointed official under section 306, of this charter may be removed from office as follows: A legal petition stating specific cause as cited by the petitioner signed by not less than 15 percent of the registered voters shall be filed with the Town Clerk requesting a vote on whether the elected official shall be removed from the office. The Selectboard, in the case of the Town, and the School Board of Trustees, in the case of the School District, shall call a special Town or School District meeting to be held within 45 days of receiving the petition, to vote on whether the elected officer shall be removed. The officer shall be removed only if at least one-third of the registered voters of the Town vote and a majority of that number vote for removal. Amended 2021, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 31, 2022.

24 App. V.S.A. ch. 129, § 703 Code of ethics

703. Code of ethics (a) No elected or appointed board or commission member has any legal powers or authority unless acting at a duly warned board meeting or acting for the board after it formally grants power to act on its behalf. (b) Any board or commission member shall attend all regularly scheduled meetings in so far as possible and review study materials about the issues to be considered on each agenda. (c) Any board or commission member shall maintain confidentiality of discussion conducted in executive session and of other privileged information. (d) Any board or commission member shall abide by board decisions regardless of how individuals voted. (e) Any board or commission member shall listen to legal counsel and constructive criticism to protect the Town and School District from liability. (f) Any board or commission member shall refer complaints, requests, and concerns to the Town Manager or School Superintendent or other appropriate staff member. (g) Any board or commission member or elected or appointed official shall use the chain of command and avoid making commitments or promises that compromise the Town and School District. (h) Any board or commission member or elected or appointed official shall listen to the recommendations of other board or commission members or elected or appointed officials and staff before making decisions and provide advice and counsel to improve the Town and School District. Amended 2021, No. M-16 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 31, 2022.