Norwich – The Ethics Commission will not take comments from the public at a planned Jan. 19 public hearing on six ethics complaints related to five city officials' participation in a May trip to the Kentucky Derby hosted by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Commission.

During Monday's meeting, Ethics Commission Chairwoman Carol Menard outlined the procedure for the hearing, scheduled for 6 p.m. Jan. 19 in room 335 at Norwich City Hall. The complaints were lodged against Mayor Deberey Hinchey, Norwich Public Utilities General Manager John Bilda, NPU Division Manager Steve Sinko and utilities commission Chairwoman Dee Boisclair and Vice Chairman Robert Groner, all of whom attended the lavish trip to the Derby hosted by the energy cooperative owned by six municipal utilities including NPU.

The 2016 trip cost $342,330 for 44 CMEEC board members, staff, guests and municipal leaders.

Menard said the hearing will begin with an overview of the Norwich Ethics Commission, followed by an offer to attorneys representing the five complaint respondents to give an opening statements.

The commission will invite the two complainants, Norwich residents Jon Oldfield and Philip Brose, who filed complaints against the mayor and three NPU officials, to speak as well, Menard said. Menard filed the sixth complaint on behalf of the Ethics Commission against Sinko to be sure all trip participants were included in the proceedings.

The Ethics Commission will call respondents into the hearing for sworn testimony and to respond to questions. The individuals will be called in order of the complaints received, Menard said.

Attorneys for the parties also would be allowed to ask questions of respondents and other witnesses. Attorney Paul McCary, who represents all four NPU officials involved in the complaint, told the commission Monday he likely will submit written statements from his clients in advance of the hearing.

Ethics Commission member Gregory Schlough asked that other members of the Norwich Board of Public Utilities Commissioners who did not attend the Derby trip also be invited to the hearing. Commissioners Larry Goldman, Grace Jones and Steve Becker did not attend the trip.

The commission will not issue its decision immediately following the hearing, but at a subsequent meeting, Menard said. If the commission finds one or more of the city officials have violated the city's ethics code, it would meet in executive session to discuss recommendations to the City Council for possible action, Menard said.

c.bessette@theday.com