The fact that Town Board member David Reynolds’ son-in-law is the supervisor
of the town dispatch center has prompted concerns about a possible conflict of
interest.
As town officials look for ways to cut costs amid a financial
crisis, they are considering consolidating the dispatch center with that of
Oneida County.
Reynolds, who took office in 2006, said he would not take
part in discussions about the center’s future if the town moves forward
consolidation efforts.
“I don’t plan to be part of the study or the
review,” he said Thursday.
But last week, Reynolds was among the town
officials who met with Oneida County leaders to begin talks about merging the
county’s three dispatch centers — operated by New Hartford, Oneida County and
Utica.
When asked why he had participated in the meeting if he meant to
recuse himself, Reynolds would only say, “I support the review and study of the
possible consolidation. When that process starts, I will recuse myself.”
One fellow board member said the issue could be a conflict of interest
and Reynolds must avoid that appearance.
“If Councilman Reynolds has
close relatives working in the New Hartford dispatch department, then his
involvement in any consolidation reviews or ultimate voting on such, despite his
ability to be wholly objective, would in appearance be a conflict of interest
and therefore he should recuse
himself from any involvement,” board member
Christine Krupa stated in an e-mail.
Dispatch Supervisor Jeff Madden,
who is married to Reynolds’ daughter, said he had discussed the issue with his
father-in-law, and Reynolds had said he would recuse himself from votes on the
subject.
“That having been said, he is a 45-year member of the New
Hartford Fire Department and served for 25 years as chief,” Madden said. “He is
very knowledgeable of its services.”
Madden said he wasn’t yet dating
Reynolds’ daughter when he was hired as a dispatcher in 1991 after taking a
civil service exam. The couple married three years ago after dating 11
years.
Board member Rich Woodland said he wasn’t sure where he stood on
Reynolds’ involvement in conversations about the dispatch center.
“That’s more of a legal question,” he said.
Town Supervisor
Earle Reed, however, said he believed Reynolds should “definitely be involved”
in the process.
“I think he was fire chief for 25 years, and he is my
deputy (supervisor),” he said. “I have found Dave to be a very fair and
open-minded person.”
