“Something is rotten in the state of Denmark” –William Shakespeare.

2016 was the summer of the budget repeal in Waterville. Residents took to the streets so the voice of the community would not be ignored, and collected 850 signatures that forced the council to reopen the budget and lower the property tax rate.

It had never crossed my mind that the city of Waterville would have an ethics policy in need of a serious update. Businesses and organizations in the community adhere to a very strict set of policies and guidelines.

I was witness to the City Council deliberating on a revised budget and was left feeling unnerved and bewildered. The system appeared to be void of checks and balances and was overly reliant on self-policing. Recently, councilors were even going to be permitted to a vote on city funds for nonprofit organizations for which they served as board members.

Despite the Maine Municipal Association’s strict ethical guidelines, the words “possible conflict of interest” never left a councilor’s mouth before voting. The simple act of recusing oneself was never witnessed. These obvious omissions left me feeling a little disconcerted. I liken it to going to a restaurant and witnessing the chef not washing their hands. It casts doubt on the entire process.

It left me wondering why this had gone unchallenged or unnoticed. Some said it’s the result of a good-old-boys club that’s been going on for years. Council meetings resemble a scene from a Clint Eastwood movie when a stranger walks into the bar. Recently even the video broadcast camera has skipped town. This closed the door on our senior citizens who fear braving the snows of winter.

A citizen has three choices: Accept the status quo, leave town, or take a stand. Throughout history taking a stand has proved to be the right thing to do.

I care deeply about advocating for positive change and will continue to do so. Self-protection is a guarded commodity and conflict is ugly.

What a lost opportunity the updated and revised conflict of interest policy appears to be. The train has left the station. It appears the ethics committee hit a brick wall before they even started. Concerned residents had no input or communication with the committee. I think Dorothy had an easier time getting to meet the wizard.

Our new policy allows Waterville school system employees to sit on the council, including principals. Other municipalities in Maine have realized that this is counterproductive. A sitting councilor has the privilege of voting on money allocated for the school budget, the same budget that would pay their salaries and provide their health care if they are a school system employee.

To further complicate matters the superintendent of schools and the school board attend the budget meeting and are witness to how the school budget is voted on — imagine if they were a councilor’s employer. Fifty percent of Waterville’s entire budget goes to the school system.

I will also point out that all other city department employees are prohibited from sitting on the council. We have the highest property tax rate in the area, and one of the highest in the state.

I implore councilors to reject this inadequate policy; it is dead on arrival. Additionally, when councilors wear two hats it should be fully disclosed.

The ethics committee and city lawyer should be an advisory resource to councilors; individuals are notoriously bad at being objective when looking inward. The real irony is the council gets to vote on whether something should be considered a conflict, making them judge, jury and executioner.

The council’s present makeup consists of Waterville school system employees or their spouses. Additionally, Colby and Waterville have walked hand in hand with the downtown revitalization project and have a joint interest in the two-way traffic study. A truly symbiotic relationship.

Let us not forget that a more pleasing downtown would make Colby more attractive for enrollment. If taxpayer money is required to fund this project and a council vote is required, should a sitting councilor employed by Colby be permitted to vote on their employer’s interests and projects? I think not. It is presently labeled a “gray area.”

Maine state law states that officials shall attempt to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest. I see no room for gray areas.

The neighborhood watch organization will be there to monitor proceedings.

Julian Payne lives in Waterville.

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