Wennberg Moonlights in Consultant's Role

September 15, 1998
by Alan Keays
Rutland Herald Staff

A proposed natural gas pipeline could be an economic boon not only to Rutland but also to Mayor Jeffrey Wennberg.

Wennberg, who recently said he would not seek his seventh term in office, has taken a job as part-time consultant with Energy East Corp., the company that is teaming up with Iroquois Pipeline Operating Co. to run a natural gas pipeline from Pownal to Rutland.

The announcement was made Monday at City Hall at a press conference called to tout the economic benefits of the pipeline to the region. The news of the mayor's new job came about halfway through the nearly one-hour press conference.

"I'm very excited about this. It shouldn't take more than a couple of hours a week over the next couple of months," Wennberg said.

He would not say how much he would be paid by Energy East Corp. He did say he would be paid an hourly rate.

The mayor said he spoke with Aldermanic President John Cassarino and Alderman William Gillam, chairman of the city's Community Development Committee, about how to handle any potential conflict of interest issues.

"My office will be separated completely from the discussions and meetings as far as the city of Rutland goes," Wennberg said.

The mayor's consulting job will consist of traveling to other communities along the pipeline route to speak with community groups and municipal officials.

"I will act as a liaison in south-western Vermont in these communities for Energy East," he said. "I will not be wearing the mayor's hat on the city's dime and it will not be on the city's time."

The job, Wennberg said, could become a full-time position after he leaves office in March.

"Personally, I see this as a great opportunity for me," he said. "It's a way for me to put my toe in the water and see if this is something I want to do."

Wennberg said he is not concerned that the public will be confused in determining when he's discussing the issue as mayor or consultant.

"After this press conference I can't wear the two hats," he said. "The mayor's hat doesn't exist."

He also said he would not have taken the job if he hadn't already announced he was a "lame duck."

"I wouldn't have considered doing this if I were seeking re-election," he said.

Members of the Board of Aldermen contacted Monday about the news said they were not concerned about possible conflict of interest issues with mayor taking this position.

"I frankly don't see a problem," Alderman Christopher Louras said.. "My only concern would be if it cut into his work as mayor and I don't think this project is far enough along in the process for that to happen."

Cassarino agreed, saying that Wennberg needed to start his job search sometime.

"As long he doesn't start pushing the board about this project I see no problem," the board president said. 'He's got to get a job you know."

Gillam, the only member of the board at the press conference Monday, also saw no problem with Wennbert taking the second job.

"I'm comfortable with it," said Gillam, himself a party-time [sic] lobbyist. "Obviously he's got to find a job in the next sixth [sic] months and this is a good opportunity for him."

City Attorney Christopher Sullivan said he was not aware of any ordinance preventing the mayor from taking the position. Attorney General William Sorrell also said Monday that he could not think of any state law prohibiting the move.

"A public official who also consults for a private entity must be scrupulous about avoiding situations in which he or she exercises an official power to grant a request or to approve a proposal that benefits the client," Deputy Secretary of State John Howland Jr. said Monday.

"As long as this sort of conflict is avoided and the public official is conscientiously fulfilling his or her official task there's usually no problems."

Asked if here [sic] were getting paid by Energy East to speak at the press conference Monday, Wennberg replied, "I don't think this is considered a billable hour."