Oyster Bay approves framework for new contract disclosure rules after Inspector General Brian Noone steps down amid DA probe
Former Oyster Bay Inspector General Brian Noone, seen here at a 2019 town meeting, resigned from his role on Friday. Credit: Danielle Silverman
Oyster Bay's Town Board approved a framework for new contract-related disclosure requirements Tuesday, days after the resignation of Inspector General Brian Noone, whose actions prosecutors are investigating after an ethics probe into his approval of a proposed $2 million contract for a vendor records show has ties to his business.
Town board members passed the measure, 6-0, without any discussion.
It directs the town's attorney to draft a law codifying changes that will go before the public for comment before a vote by legislators to potentially enact the new measures, Oyster Bay spokeswoman Marta Kane said.
The resolution says the enhanced disclosure requirements for “contractors, vendors and management-level employees" will be designed to “strengthen existing ethics laws consistent with the Town’s ongoing commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct.”
Under the measures, town contractors would be prohibited from having any direct or indirect financial relationship with the inspector general. The vendors also would be required to disclose names and percentages of investment of all members, stakeholders and partners in their businesses.
The requirements would prohibit the inspector general from “receiving any gift or service from a town vendor/contractor” as well prohibit that official from taking part in the drafting or issuance of contract solicitations and from serving on any vendor selection committee.
To increase transparency, the town's Board of Ethics would be “directed to share all determinations regarding conflicts of interest and/or recusals with members of the Town Board," the resolution also said.
The measure was added to the agenda as a walk-on, so residents didn't have a chance to review it before Tuesday's meeting.
Sea Cliff resident Arthur Adelman, a frequent board critic, asked if the resolution could be read it into the record.
Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino responded by saying the resolution would be released “as per law” and reiterated that the measure only “begins the process" of changing contract-related rules.
A request to interview Saladino after the meeting was referred to the town's public information office, which released a statement from him in a news release.
“Safeguarding taxpayers remains our top priority, and that’s why my administration created the Office of Inspector General and independent Board of Ethics in our Town. By instituting these new disclosure requirements for contractors, vendors and management-level employees to prevent conflicts of interest and improprieties, we are further protecting our taxpayers," the statement said.
The news release further stated that the town "is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Inspector General," and listed qualifications for the role and a contact person for interested parties.
It also said town board members would form a committee to search for Noone's replacement, an issue legislators didn't address at Tuesday's meeting.
Noone resigned three weeks after Newsday reported he'd been sidelined from his contract oversight responsibilities since late March amid a town ethics board probe, with retired State Supreme Court Justice Angelo Delligatti assuming those duties for $75 an hour.
The town launched the ethics probe after legislators tabled a resolution Noone approved for the award of a cybersecurity contract to vendor Enterprise Security Solutions LLC, whose owner is listed as the cybersecurity practice leader for Noone's private company, Nova Venture Partners.
A lawyer for the ethics board said he cleared Noone of any conflicts of interest in the probe, which was sparked by a complaint from a member of the public. But the lawyer also said he didn't speak to the vendor in question as part of the probe, which included a review of town documents and an interview with Noone.
Town procurement policy states "no employee, officer or agent of the Town of Oyster Bay shall participate directly or indirectly in the selection or in the award or administration of any contract if a conflict, real or apparent, would be involved."
Noone also played a role in hiring companies for town contracts during a 2021 cyberattack on Oyster Bay's computer network that are linked to his business, Newsday previously reported.
Town officials said earlier this month they'd been in communication with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office for several weeks and had handed over materials to prosecutors, who previously confirmed an investigation is underway.
In his resignation letter, Noone, 76, of Syosset, called allegations against him "libelous," saying he "served the Town faithfully, without conflict or self-interest." The former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official stepped down from his town position Friday after serving in the role since 2019.
His job was created in the wake of a bribery scandal involving former Oyster Bay concessionaire Harendra Singh that sent former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife to federal prison.
With Darwin Yanes
Oyster Bay's Town Board approved a framework for new contract-related disclosure requirements Tuesday, days after the resignation of Inspector General Brian Noone, whose actions prosecutors are investigating after an ethics probe into his approval of a proposed $2 million contract for a vendor records show has ties to his business.
Town board members passed the measure, 6-0, without any discussion.
It directs the town's attorney to draft a law codifying changes that will go before the public for comment before a vote by legislators to potentially enact the new measures, Oyster Bay spokeswoman Marta Kane said.
The resolution says the enhanced disclosure requirements for “contractors, vendors and management-level employees" will be designed to “strengthen existing ethics laws consistent with the Town’s ongoing commitment to the highest standards of ethical conduct.”
WHAT TO KNOW
- Oyster Bay's Town Board on Tuesday approved a framework for new contract disclosure rules
- The town attorney will draft a law to codify the changes before a public hearing and vote by legislators
- The measures follow former town Inspector General Brian Noone's resignation last week
- Noone approved a $2 million contract proposal for a vendor that records show is tied to his company
- Vendors would be banned from any financial ties to the inspector general under the framework
Under the measures, town contractors would be prohibited from having any direct or indirect financial relationship with the inspector general. The vendors also would be required to disclose names and percentages of investment of all members, stakeholders and partners in their businesses.
The requirements would prohibit the inspector general from “receiving any gift or service from a town vendor/contractor” as well prohibit that official from taking part in the drafting or issuance of contract solicitations and from serving on any vendor selection committee.
To increase transparency, the town's Board of Ethics would be “directed to share all determinations regarding conflicts of interest and/or recusals with members of the Town Board," the resolution also said.
The measure was added to the agenda as a walk-on, so residents didn't have a chance to review it before Tuesday's meeting.
Sea Cliff resident Arthur Adelman, a frequent board critic, asked if the resolution could be read it into the record.
Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino responded by saying the resolution would be released “as per law” and reiterated that the measure only “begins the process" of changing contract-related rules.
A request to interview Saladino after the meeting was referred to the town's public information office, which released a statement from him in a news release.
“Safeguarding taxpayers remains our top priority, and that’s why my administration created the Office of Inspector General and independent Board of Ethics in our Town. By instituting these new disclosure requirements for contractors, vendors and management-level employees to prevent conflicts of interest and improprieties, we are further protecting our taxpayers," the statement said.
The news release further stated that the town "is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Inspector General," and listed qualifications for the role and a contact person for interested parties.
It also said town board members would form a committee to search for Noone's replacement, an issue legislators didn't address at Tuesday's meeting.
Noone resigned three weeks after Newsday reported he'd been sidelined from his contract oversight responsibilities since late March amid a town ethics board probe, with retired State Supreme Court Justice Angelo Delligatti assuming those duties for $75 an hour.
The town launched the ethics probe after legislators tabled a resolution Noone approved for the award of a cybersecurity contract to vendor Enterprise Security Solutions LLC, whose owner is listed as the cybersecurity practice leader for Noone's private company, Nova Venture Partners.
A lawyer for the ethics board said he cleared Noone of any conflicts of interest in the probe, which was sparked by a complaint from a member of the public. But the lawyer also said he didn't speak to the vendor in question as part of the probe, which included a review of town documents and an interview with Noone.
Town procurement policy states "no employee, officer or agent of the Town of Oyster Bay shall participate directly or indirectly in the selection or in the award or administration of any contract if a conflict, real or apparent, would be involved."
Noone also played a role in hiring companies for town contracts during a 2021 cyberattack on Oyster Bay's computer network that are linked to his business, Newsday previously reported.
Town officials said earlier this month they'd been in communication with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office for several weeks and had handed over materials to prosecutors, who previously confirmed an investigation is underway.
In his resignation letter, Noone, 76, of Syosset, called allegations against him "libelous," saying he "served the Town faithfully, without conflict or self-interest." The former U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration official stepped down from his town position Friday after serving in the role since 2019.
His job was created in the wake of a bribery scandal involving former Oyster Bay concessionaire Harendra Singh that sent former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife to federal prison.
With Darwin Yanes
Joe Werkmeister covers the towns of Southampton, East Hampton and Shelter Island. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
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