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Four MA Municipal Water Employees Admit to Violations, Pay Fines
On Monday, April 29, the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission announced that four municipal water services employees admitted to violations of the Conflict of Interest Law and paid fines ranging from $6,000 to $18,000. They included Sudbury Water District Executive Director Vincent Roy, former Salem Department of Public Services Director David Knowlton, former Danvers Department of Public Works Water and Sewer Supervisor Aaron Cilluffo, and former Southampton Water Department Superintendent Thomas Gaughan.
Roy, of the Sudbury Water District, paid the steepest penalty of those announced by the Commission.
According to the press release, “The Sudbury Water District, Salem DPS, Danvers DPW, and Southampton Water Department all use a brand of water meter throughout their service areas made by an Alabama-based manufacturer and sourced through the manufacturer’s sole authorized New England distributor. Roy drafted bid specifications for a May 2023 water meter contract the Sudbury Water District awarded to the manufacturer’s New England distributor for water meters made by the manufacturer.”
The commission summarized their findings on Mr. Roy’s violations:
“Roy took part in three-day ski trips the manufacturer and distributor hosted at Sugarloaf, Maine, in 2018; Stowe, Vermont, in 2019; and Jay Peak, Vermont, in 2022. In addition, Roy accepted two free tickets from the president of the distributor to a Boston Red Sox vs. New York Yankees game at Fenway Park in August 2022. In 2021, Roy participated in a water industry golf tournament at which the distributor paid for his greens fees and meals. Roy also attended three free dinners the manufacturer and distributor hosted outside of water industry conferences in 2021 and 2022 as well as an August 2022 event at which the manufacturer and distributor paid for rooftop drinks and dinner at the Envoy Hotel in Boston. Roy paid an $18,000 civil penalty.”
Massachusetts State Ethics Commission Press Release
The Sudbury Water District Commissioners issued a statement on Monday voicing their full support of Roy to lead the district:
With respect to the recent Agreement between the Massachusetts State Ethics Commission (“Commission”) and Executive Director Vincent Roy, the Board of Commissioners of the Sudbury Water District (“Water Commissioners”) continue their full support of and confidence in Director Roy. The Water Commissioners recognize Director Roy’s invaluable contributions to the Sudbury Water District (“District”) and his commitment to maintain transparent and accountable leadership. Director Roy has led the District through significant challenges, and he has demonstrated effective and cost-efficient strategies for the protection of the District’s public water system.
Sudbury Water District Commissioners Statement
The statement from the Water District Commissioners continued:
“The origin of the Commission’s investigation was a complaint against water equipment vendors, which led to questioning numerous public officials, including Director Roy. The only finding of misconduct made by the Commission regarding Director Roy was his receipt of gifts in excess of $50.00. The Water Commissioners recognize the severity of this matter and have also dealt with it internally. Notably however and most importantly, the Commission did not find any quid pro quo relationship between Director Roy and any vendor. Director Roy fully cooperated during the investigation with the Commission and has acknowledged his lapse in judgment in the matter. The issue has been resolved and Director Roy commits to upholding the highest standards of integrity as defined by the Commission.
Director Roy continues to be committed to serving the Sudbury community and upholding the trust placed in him. He is dedicated to fostering positive relationships and will continue to engage openly with the public to discuss and address the complexities of managing the District’s water supply. While disappointed, the Water Commissioners stand firmly behind Director Roy, confident in his leadership and the continued excellence of the District under his stewardship.”
The Massachusetts State Ethics Commission emphasized the importance of complying with the Conflict of Interest Law in their press release:
“When public employees accept gifts from vendors doing business with their agencies, they give the public cause to question the integrity of their purchasing decisions and their performance of other duties relating to vendors,” said State Ethics Commission Executive Director David A. Wilson. “It is particularly important for those in leadership positions to comply with the conflict of interest law, as they set an example for the public employees they supervise.”