Budget Commission Institutes Anti-Nepotism Policy

The budget commission chairman instituted an anti-nepotism policy prohibits city employees, and members of boards and commissions to be involved in the hiring process of family members during Thursday afternoon's meeting in .

The policy was created after media outlets reported that there were family connections in Central Falls' city hall.

The policy affects the Carousel Commission.

Those members wrote the budget commission a letter asking permission to hire seasonal employees. It was noted that Carousel Manager Ed Serowik Jr. is the son of Carousel Maintenance Specialist/Caretaker Edward Serowik Sr. 

Budget Commission Chairman Michael O'Keefe said that before hires are made official, the positions that are available should be advertised.

"We have to know what the process was...We have to give [residents] the right to apply," O'Keefe said.

Tracy Johnson, office assistant for the commission, said it would be hard to advertise for the positions given the establishment opens Easter weekend and seasonal employees are expected to return to work.

"Well, we'll have to hire seven people for two weeks," O'Keefe said.

Johnson said the positions would be advertised.

"We'll see what happens next week," she said.