Wallingford councilors accused of ties to Holy Trinity School

WALLINGFORD The resident leading the opposition to the towns plans to repair the Simpson Court parking lot has filed an ethics complaint against two town councilors, saying they should not have discussed issues related to a retaining wall on Holy Trinity School property because of their affiliations with the school.

The retaining wall would be fixed as part of the towns plan to repair and upgrade the Simpson Court parking lot, if it receives a grant the council approved applying for Tuesday night.

On Sept. 17, Robert Gross filed an ethics complaint. 17 with the towns Board of Ethics and town attorney against Republican Town Councilors Tom Laffin and John LeTourneau. Both dispute Gross claims. A Board of Ethics meeting on the issue will be held on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. in Room 315 at Town Hall.

Gross could not be reached Thursday. LeTourneau said hed prefer to discuss the matter in detail after the ethics panel meeting, but Laffin spoke freely, saying he felt the complaint was an ill-conceived and poorly researched political play by Gross, a Democrat.

The complaint says Laffin and LeTourneau should not have participated in conversations at two Town Council meetings, one on June 26 and another on Sept. 11, because of their connections to Holy Trinity School.

LeTourneaus grandchildren attend the school. Though the complaint says that Laffins children also do, his 6-year-old son, Jack, only attends first-grade Catholic education classes at Holy Trinity School, Laffin said. The classes are provided through Holy Trinity Church, not the school, and take up about an hour a week.

Laffin said he was frustrated that Gross appeared to have made a serious allegation against him without researching it.

Youre calling into question my ability to serve? You did it based on a misunderstanding? You didnt confirm (that my son goes to the school)? Laffin said, adding that that Gross could have called the school or asked around to confirm his sons involvement. How am I going to take anything he says in the future seriously?

The complaint cites the towns Code of Ethics regarding conflict of interest and disclosure, which says: No officer or employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or employment. Interest shall be as defined by the Code of Ethics or other ordinances, as may be applicable to an individual case.

The code also requires that officers or employees who believe they have an interest to tell, in writing, their affiliation to the chairman or agency, commission or board of which he or she is a member.

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Wallingford councilors accused of ties to Holy Trinity School