Ethics Board 2021 Annual Report
to the Vienna Town Board
November 14, 2021

Members:   Joyce Palmer, 2021 Chairman; Darrin Smith, 2021 Secretary;
Mable Smith, Tina DiIorio, vacancy

Board Member Changes

Mable Smith was appointed to fulfill vacancy of the unexpired term of Mark Ammann. In April the Board learned of a vacancy as Kathy Pavelock was not reappointed by the Town Board. This vacancy has not been filled to date.

As of October 20, 2021, the Ethics Board Members are:

Mable Smith Term Expires 2022, Tina DiIorio, Term Expires 2021
Joyce Oster Palmer, Chairman 2021,Term Expires 2023, Darrin Smith, Term Expires 2024, 2021 Secretary

Regular Meetings

        Three meeting were held as follows: 

·        All regular meetings were held at the Vienna Town Hall,

·        All regular meetings were open to the public unless the Board moved into Executive Session in compliance with Public Officers Law §105. 

·        All meetings were duly publicized by the Town Clerk as requested by the Chairman.

·        Minutes of all public meetings were provided to the Town Clerk and posted to the Town Website at the Board’s request.

April 21, 2021                         August 18, 2021                     October 20, 2021

2021 Accomplishments

  • Elected Joyce Palmer as 2021 Ethics Board Chairman and Darrin Smith as 2021 Secretary.
  • Reviewed, researched, and responded to a formal complaint dated 2/01/2021.

Special Meetings – February 24, 2021

The Ethics Board met in Executive Session on February 24, 2021 to review the February 1, 2021 Formal Complaint. After reviewing the complaint, the Ethics Board determined that further investigation of the Ethics Law and advice from the Town Attorney was required.

Special Meetings – March 10, 2021

The Ethics Board met in Executive Session on March 10, 2021 to follow up on the February 1, 2021 Formal Complaint. The Ethics Board investigated the Town of Vienna Ethics Law and spoke with the Town Attorney to submit an Advisory Letter to the Town Board. To the knowledge of the Ethics Board this complaint has not been resolved currently.

Final Remarks

The Ethics Board is ready and willing to be an effective tool for the Town Board as well as to all town residents to effect positive change and create a more professional atmosphere within our town government.  We welcome any and all suggestions.