Brighton Council meets at the Alice Street municipal office, on August 21, 2017. (Photo: David Foot / Quinte News)
Brighton’s mayor has reacted to an Ombudsman’s report that says he and four councillors contravened the municipal act, by discussing a potential land purchase, through a series of phone calls.
Mayor Mark Walas says he accepts Paul Dube’s findings but that all conversations were held with the town’s best interests in mind.
Walas tells Quinte News, a decision on the deal, which could have brought a $6.5 million investment and 50 jobs to town, had to be made quickly.
Walas did note the need to be transparent with council matters, but says the calls were made individually and not as a conference call, so the group didn’t realize it could be considered a meeting.
In his report, Ombudsman Paul Dube noted that since five members of council were involved in discussions, it didn’t matter that councillors weren’t physically together and in his opinion it did constitute a meeting.
Councillor Brian Ostrander admitted to being one of four councillors involved and issued an apology on Monday night.
Councillor Roger McMurray also admitted to being involved but said “he’d do it again”, while Councillor John Martinello made a point to say he had nothing to do with the calls.
Councillor Baker didn’t weigh in on the discussion and Councillors Tadman and Vink were absent.
No punishment was handed down, but the ombudsman suggested councillors should be more vigilant in following the guidelines.
You can click here to read the full report.
