Politics & Government

Ethics Board Dismisses Nepotism Complaint

After 45 minutes of deliberation in executive session, the Oxford Board of Ethics dismissed a complaint alleging nepotism and a conflict of interest in the hiring of a public works employee.

During a meeting on Jan. 28, the board found no evidence or basis to substantiate the claims made by Ann Krane. The Oxford resident said it was a clear-cut case of nepotism when the Town hired Derek Watts for a public works job, given the fact that his father, Wayne, is the director of the department. The Board of Selectmen, which Krane named in her complaint, approved the hiring.

Reacting to the board's decision, Oxford First Selectman George Temple said, “They did the right thing. There was absolutely no basis for an ethical complaint.”

While Krane is the chairman of the Oxford Democratic Town Committee, she maintains that the complaint was filed as a concerned citizen, and not in an official capacity with her political party.  

Temple, a Republican, said he wasn't buying that.

"She went way over board with no basis whatsoever," he said. "She didn’t do her party any good, or the good people who are Democrats in town."

“We hire people based on merit,” Temple said. “[Derek Watt is] one of the better hires I made. That kid is going to be terrific for public works.”

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Asked for her reaction to the board's decision, Krane sent Patch a statement which has been published in full at this link. It reads, in part:

"This board has failed to carry out its responsibility to the residents of Oxford and the abuse of power goes on ... Perhaps it’s the ethical conduct of the Board that needs to be reviewed."

Find out what's happening in Oxfordwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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