A Hanson Selectman has paid a civil penalty in connection with violations of the conflict of interest law.
The State Ethics Commission said Selectman Kenneth Mitchell, Sr. has paid a $5,000 after authorizing town payments to Newcomb’s Tree Services LLC. where he works as the general manager.
The Commission said that Mitchell, as a selectman, signed 23 warrants from 2016 through 2019 authorizing town payments of roughly $10,000 to $20,000, to Newcomb’s Tree Services for tree cutting and removal services.
In addition the commission mentioned another incident in 2016 and 2017 when the company was hired to remove dead trees from a main road and a property owner accused Newcomb’s of damaging a waterline.
The commission says Mitchell represented the company in communications with the property owner and the town, violating the conflict of interest law’s prohibition against public employees “acting on behalf of someone other than the municipality in connection with a matter in which the municipality has a direct interest.”
Mitchell released a statement to WATD News saying: “On November 12, 2021, in order to immediately end complaints made about me to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts State Ethics Commission, I executed a “disposition agreement” and paid a fine. I did so because I recognized that it would not be in the best interest of my family or the Town of Hanson to allow the proceedings to drag on. I fully recognize that I must be very careful to not allow my position as Selectman to conflict in any way with my position as General Manager of Newcomb’s Tree Services, LLC, or for there to even be an appearance of a possible conflict. I would like to thank the many residents of the Town and my family for supporting me throughout this process.”
Photo Credit: Google Maps
