The township council passed an ordinance Tuesday that amends existing ethics rules to employees, plus elected officials and those serving on boards and commissions, and requires annual training
HAMILTON -- Ethics training is now mandatory for all Hamilton employees, including elected officials and members of township boards and commissions.
The Hamilton Township municipal building in a file photo. The township council passed an ordinance Tuesday that amends existing ethics rules to employees, plus elected officials and those serving on boards and commissions, plus requires annual training, and for employees to sign off on receiving the training.
The township's new ethics rules and regulations come as a result of Mayor Kelly Yaede's efforts since early 2013, when she took over as mayor and issued new ethics reforms for all employees.
Among the reforms Yaede sought were having the state's Local Finance Board serve as the ethics board for the township, instead of a 6-member township board that rarely heard any cases and has since been disbanded.
The township's ordinance strengthens the township's existing rules, township officials said Tuesday.
MORE: Hamilton council abolishes local ethics board
At the council meeting Tuesday, township attorney Lindsay Burbage, after questions from some residents, said an employee who does not comply with the ordinance could face township disciplinary action.
A board or commission member in violation could face removal after a hearing before the council, and if an elected official did not comply, the council could also take action, Burbage said.
Councilman Kevin Meara voted against the ordinance. The no vote came after Meara proposed amending the ordinance to have council members take their ethics training in public, but his motion was not seconded by his colleagues.
Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@kevintshea. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.
