The plan to get rid of Hamilton’s local ethics board has taken another step forward when the it was introduced to the town council Wednesday night.

The ordinance will get rid of the local ethics board as well as other boards that are out-of date or not functioning and also revise the town’s ethics code. The introduction vote, likely a preview of the final approval, passed 4-1.

Council Vice President Dave Kenny said the new ethics code will be more detailed and closer to state statute and that it will strengthen the ethics of the township’s employees and officials.

“This more detailed code of ethics will be more comprehensive and stricter,” he said. “The essence of the code of ethics has been you can’t serve your own interest over that of the public.”

Councilman Kevin Meara voted against the ordinance, saying he thought the local board would be better than the state’s Local Finance Board. He, the lone “no” vote, voiced early opposition to the plan, weeks before it hit the council.

“Earned or unearned, Hamilton Township has been labeled the poster child for ethical problems,” he said, referring to the scandal with the former mayor. “We have within our residency people who could serve within their capacity on the ethics board with ethics and integrity.”

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