On Aug. 19, Town Moderator Steven Triffletti asked the Select Board to allow his law firm to represent clients before town committees by designating the moderator as a “special municipal employee.” a designation that would enable him to do so, even though less than two years ago the Board had unanimously voted to deny him that designation. This time around, with a differently composed board, the board voted 4-1 to grant him that designation. The lone dissenter was board chair Kevin Canty. I agree with Mr. Canty, for all of the reasons he cited in support of his position.
Mr. Triffletti has undisputably been an excellent moderator over the substantial number of years of his tenure in that position. However, that does not mean that it would be appropriate for him to also represent clients before municipal boards, such as a client seeking a liquor license from the Select Board. In response to questioning, Mr. Triffletti stated that he was not “aware” of any such clients who had hired him on the basis that he is moderator or that his position as moderator had “factored into their analysis”. With all due respect, I find that hard to believe. As Mr. Canty stated, “As a lawyer, it is very much who you know in addition to what you know in how you get things done for your clients…It is impossible for the moderator …or any townwide elected official to just decide one day that they’re here as something else at a town board or committee”.
Doesn’t his position as town moderator give Mr. Triffletti sufficient prominence without asking for more?
– Richard M. Serkey