JAMESBURG: Volunteers sought for new ethics board

By David Kilby, Staff Writer
   JAMESBURG — Jamesburg Council is seeking volunteers for its new ethics board.
   The ethics board was formed in January. Its members only consist of Borough Council members Brenda Deans, Otto Kostbar and Greg Newton.
   The intention is to have mostly members of the public on the board, said Councilwoman Deans, president of the board.
   The purpose of an ethics board is to ensure elected officials, administrative positions and municipal departments avoid substantial conflict and properly execute duties in the public interest.
   ”Jamesburg’s council wants to be proactive,” said Councilwoman Deans. “We feel an ethics board will help us in avoiding any unethical situations. We want to be mindful of the statutes and abide by them. Public members on the board will be a great asset in helping us to maintain this type of environment.”
   According to state statute, an ethics board should consist of six members. At least two must be public members, and the board may consist of all public members.
   Ms. Deans said the council could use all of the help it can get in establishing this board.
   ”The Jamesburg Borough Ethics Committee has not yet decided how our municipal ethics board will be structured,” she said. “The members shall be chosen by virtue of their known and consistent reputation for integrity and their knowledge of local governmental affairs.”
   State statutes require the members of the ethics board to annually elect a chairperson from among the members. Membership on the board shall be a volunteer position with no compensation, but the borough will reimburse the board for expenses incurred in the performance of duties.
   The statutes also say members shall serve for a term of five years except for the terms of the members initially appointed. Of the initial public members, two shall be appointed to serve for five years, one shall be appointed to serve for four years and the remaining members shall be appointed to serve for a term of three years.
   ””I think it’s a great idea,” Mr. Kostbar said of the ethics board. “Ms. Deans has put tremendous effort into it.”
   He added, “We want to start up this committee so Jamesburg operates in the highest ethical standards and avoids conflicts of interests.”
   Mr. Newton said, “This is an opportunity for public-minded citizens to make sure all public officials are acting ethically in their office. The public has a right to expect us to be on the up and up.”
   He added, “It takes the burden off of us.”
   Within 90 days of being established, a municipal ethics board must pass a resolution to establish a municipal code of ethics, according to state statute. That code of ethics must be for all local government officers and employees serving the municipality.