#MiddleburyCT #EthicsCommission #SelectwomanMahr #Decision
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
There were no surprises at the Middlebury Ethics Commission’s October 8, 2025, meeting. Commission members unanimously found that Selectwoman Jennifer Mahr violated the town’s Code of Ethics.
A three-page memorandum outlined the Commission’s decision as follows:
After a thorough review and deliberation, the Commission finds that Selectwoman, Mahr’s conduct, violated the Middlebury Code of Ethics for her failure to formally disclose in writing and in full detail her affiliation with the Middlebury Small Town Alliance (MSTA) and continuing to attend meetings relating to legal suits/appeals taken by the MSTA pursuant to the Middlebury Code of Ethics Sections 6, 10 and 11.
The Commission decided on the following conditions and sanctions for Mahr.
- Formal public admonishment of Selectwoman Mahr for her violation of the town’s Code of Ethics for her failure to formally disclose in full detail her affiliation with MSTA, wherein she is the owner, manager and president. She also failed to recuse herself from any town meetings relating to the financing of litigation between MSTA and the Town of Middlebury. This admonishment serves as a public acknowledgment of the breach and reaffirmation of the Ethics Commission’s commitment to ethical governance.
- Selectwoman Mahr shall be prohibited from attending official town meetings under any commission or board in which the financing, attorney representation, or trial strategy relative to MSTA et al versus Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission and MSTA et al versus Middlebury Conservation Commission (docket numbers listed) is discussed.
While no further disciplinary action is taken at this time, the Board (sic) expects Selectwoman Mahr “to adhere strictly to all ethical guidelines moving forward, to adhere to the conditions stated herein and to take appropriate steps to restore public confidence.”
The Commission said this should serve as a reminder “to all who hold public office: the privilege of serving our community carries with it a duty to act with honesty, fairness and accountability at all times.”
The memorandum is to be delivered to the Middlebury Board of Selectmen on Thursday, October 9. More detailed reporting will follow this breaking news.
