Working group set to begin drafting ethics commission ordinance this week

From left, councilors Jeremy Hutchinson, David Walker and Palana Belken (Courtesy photos)

ROCHESTER - A working group composed of members of the City Council, police commission and school board is expected to begin hammering out a framework for the operation of a proposed ethics commission this week.

City Councilors David Walker, Jeremy Hutchinson, who first proposed the commission; and Palana Belken will work alongside two school board members and one police commissioner.

The group, which is expected to meet via a Zoom platform two or three times over the next month, will be assisted by City Attorney Terrence O'Rourke as they draft language that sets parameters and protocols for the ordinance.

Once the working group has come up with a draft ordinance, it will be brought forward to the City Council to either vote on its implementation or send it back to codes and ordinances to tighten up any loose ends.

The group is expected to use language from Dover and Somersworth ethics boards as a starting point for drafting of Rochester's version.