Politics & Government

UPDATED: Council Nixes Ethics Complaint; Caron Apologizes, McFee Weighs In

In a 4-1 vote, the council voted against acting on an ethics complaint brought by Councilor Dana McFee against Council Chair Candy Buebendorf. Dissenter Independent Councilor Jones said complaint had merit.

Updated at 6:24 p.m.:

Town Councilor Dana McFee, who brought the ethics complaint, contacted Montville Patch and issued the following statement:

"These four Democrats are cowards. They have no integrity. The people of Montville lost today. Not me. I expected this.  No councilor should put themselves above the taxpayers. She got legal advice that benefitted her, not the town and the taxpayers paid for it. Shame on them all."

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the legal bill provided to Patch, the only entry that clearly reflects the opinion cost the town $72.50. Two other line items are highlighted, but it's not clear if those were related to Buebendorf's request. Those totaled $87 and $116. 

Buebendorf did not attend the meeting. 

Find out what's happening in Montvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Original story:

After almost an hour in a closed-door session, the Montville Town Council, consisting of four Democrats and one Independent, returned to council chambers and without delay and comment, save for an apology to “the accused” by Town Councilor Billy Caron, voted to swiftly dispose of the ethics complaint brought by Town Councilor Dana McFee.

Each Democrat voted to not pursue the complaint, with Caron saying an emphatic “absolutely not.” But Rosetta Jones voted in favor of acting on the complaint, though with a 4-1 vote, the matter will not be acted upon.

The complaint was brought by Town Councilor Dana McFee against Town Council Chairwoman Candy Buebendorf. The complaint centered on a legal opinion Buebendorf requested and received in 2007 which was paid for by the town and sent to her home. The question she asked was whether or not a Town Councilor could work for the town, specifically the Montville Board of Education.

Based on a July 26, 2007 legal bill from Suisman, Shapiro, Wool, Brennan, Gray and Greenberg of New London, the town paid for legal research for then Town Councilor Candy Buebendorf, specifically addressing the question can a Town Councilor also work for the town. The opinion held that one could.

It is alleged in the complaint brought by McFee that the legal opinion was personal, not an opinion on a “question of law involving their respective powers and duties” as defined by the Town Charter.

The town attorney opinion for Buebendorf was sent to her home address; 1393 Old Colchester Road in Oakdale.

The council held a special meeting Tuesday night and then, according to Caron, who voted to move the matter forward, scheduled a meeting for today to make a decision. They called former Town Councilor John Geary and Town Clerk Lisa J. Terry to the confidential session. While waiting in chambers, Terry said she did not know why she was called to the meeting. Saying she was taken by surprise by the request in response to a reporter’s question.

McFee and Buebendorf were not present.

“I want to apologize to the council member that had this baseless accusation,” Caron said after the vote to not act on the complaint. “I voted (Tuesday) and my vote was the wrong vote. We made a grave error for not bringing closure to the frivolous claim. For that I want to apologize to the accused." 

Jones said as she left the meeting she believed the complaint had merit. But in response to follow-up questions she shook her head and said she could not comment further.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here