State’s opinion sought to resolve nepotism questions

New votes by two Westminster city councilmen last night reversed last month’s decision to tighten the city’s policy on nepotism.  Councilman Brad Chastain, saying he had difficulty on the phone understanding what was said during the August 25 meeting, requested further discussion of an amendment that could jeopardize the council term of his colleague Reid Adams or the continued employment of Adams’ wife, Jennifer, as clerk treasurer.  And, for his part, Mr. Adams last night cast a vote in favor of striking the amendment.  That was enough for a vote of 4-3 to remove the provision that held that two or more members of an immediate family may not work for the city, if that employment means one is under the direct supervision of the other. But the controversy is far from resolution, as the council last night unanimously voted to request a legal opinion from the state Attorney’s General.  They want the opinion to cover at least two questions:  If it’s deemed that Mr. Adams should step down from his four-year council term, when must he do that.  And was it a conflict of interest for him to have voted to strike the nepotism amendment.