As a candidate for election to a three-year term on the School Committee I wanted to preemptively draw all residents’ attention to an area of my candidacy that may elicit questions or concerns regarding conflict of interest laws. My wife is a municipal employee, specifically a teacher at Harvard Elementary School and a member of the Harvard Teachers Association. This situation will require that I abstain from certain discussions and votes in order to avoid even an appearance of a conflict of interest.
In order to clarify the precise requirements under Massachusetts General Law, I sought comment from the State Ethics Commission prior to accepting the nomination as a candidate. Subsequently, I have requested and recently received a written opinion from that agency.
In order to make this information freely available to all residents, I have now voluntarily submitted and thereby made public all correspondence between the State Ethics Commission and myself on this issue. I invite any interested resident to review or request copies of these letters from the Town Clerk’s office. Residents may also contact me directly with questions via email k.cheveralls@charter.net or by phone at 978-772-1820.
Needless to say, if entrusted with office, I will immediately file all requisite notices, as identified by the State Ethics Commission, with the Town Clerk.
Keith Cheveralls
Quarry Lane
