Former Mayor Tim Stewart Ethics Dilemma

According to the minutes of the City of New Britain Zoning Board of Appeals, former mayor Tim Stewart has been representing applicants to obtain zoning variances for them since 2020 and continued to do so for at least 7 cases (cases: #4931, #4943, #4955, #4994, #4995, #4976, #4977) since being appointed by his daughter, mayor Erin Stewart, as chair of the School Building Committee in August 2021.

Former mayor Tim Stewart was re-appointed to chair the School Building Committee, from which he resigned, along with from the Mattabassett District Commission, in 2019 under pressure and at the behest of his daughter, over offensive, misogynestic social media posts that referred to Democratic U.S. representatives in Congress, including 5th District Rep. Jahana Hayes, as “bitches in heat.” The controversy also forced Stewart out of his job as President of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce.

But can the elder Stewart be on the School Building Committee while also representing people in front another commission?

The City of New Britain Code of Ethics, according to Section 2-449(d) of the City of New Britain code of Ethics, says that, “No official or employee shall agree to represent, appear for or take action on behalf of another person before any city agency for a fee or other consideration. This includes being a member or employee of a partnership, association or professional corporation that could represent another person.”

A city official is defined in the New Britain City ordinance section 2-447 as: “any official, employee, agent, consultant or member, elected or appointed to, or retained by any city agency, whether paid or unpaid, whether permanent, temporary or provisional.”

Clearly city ordinance prohibits former mayor Stewart from representing clients before the Zoning Board of Appeals; and furthermore, if he is compensated for such services, it raises the question of whether it is a conflict of interest under city ordinances.

The Zoning Board of Appeals can provide variances and special exceptions to city zoning ordinances, allowing property owners to do things that would not otherwise be allowed under the rules that generally apply.

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