Norwich Ethics Commission adds member, receives four new complaints
Norwich — A recent public critic of Norwich Public Utilities for the ongoing controversy over trips to the Kentucky Derby was named as an alternate to the Ethics Commission by the City Council on Monday.
Resident Linda Bertelson was named to fill a vacancy on the panel by the council, which stipulated that Bertelson will serve as an alternate, and current alternate Anthony Black will become a regular member. Bertelson has attended recent public utilities commission meetings and has made public comments critical of the commission's actions in relation to the controversy over NPU officials' participation in lavish trips to the Kentucky Derby over the past four years.
The Ethics Commission has reviewed numerous complaints since October on the Kentucky Derby trips hosted by the Connecticut Municipal Electric Energy Cooperative and another strategic retreat also hosted by CMEEC in October 2015. The commission found five city officials violated the ethics code for participation in the May 2016 Kentucky Derby trip, but has since dismissed several other complaints.
The commission won't get a break from its busy schedule. Four new undisclosed complaints will be reviewed in executive session at the Ethics Commission's 5 p.m. meeting next Monday.
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