BEDFORD — The Bedford Town Council has drafted a code of conduct — a set of guidelines for town councilors and their appointees to boards and other groups.

Bedford Community TV board member Kathy Benuck said she is the reason for the code effort.

In a telephone interview, council Chairman Bill Dermody said, “There was an incident that occurred at a subcommittee meeting of a particular board, I'm not going to elaborate, in which an appointed member to one of the town boards, I'll say ... created a difficult situation between a particular board member and several town employees.”

Dermody said that, as a consequence, other members of that board wanted the Town Council to take measures. “It was (then) determined that some sort of a code of conduct might be a wise idea.”

At last week's council meeting, Dermody read from the introduction to the draft code of conduct. “Understandably there will be differing opinions as discussion begins, but at some point, as a consensus develops, the minority should recognize the majority opinion.

“The council asks that all appointed members join with us and in our re-commitment to fostering and supporting a collegial environment in all aspects of carrying out our sworn responsibilities.”

Benuck, a board member of Bedford's community TV and one of the station's more prolific producers, said, “Basically what they're saying is that if you disagree with something, you're not supposed to say so,” she said. “If your opinion did not prevail at that point in time you're supposed to dummy up.”

She said the code came up following a series of arguments relating to a policy change at BCTV. Benuck disagreed that producers would no longer be able to opt out of certain requirements under the consent form producers sign when handing in material.

But she was the sole voice of opposition.

“I think they're taking away the producers' right to control their own show,” Benuck said. “You own your show, you have the copyright to the show, and now they're saying, 'Oh yeah, it's your show, but we're going to do what we want with it.' It doesn't make any sense.”

The conflict arose when Benuck argued that all BCTV producers be invited to the subcommittee meeting where the changes were being discussed, and that minutes be taken.

“What she did is a day of badgering (BCTV's) station manager and the assistant station manager,” said Chris Bandazian, vice chairman of the Town Council and a BCTV board member. “It was a day of lengthy emails, and clearly interfered with their normal duties, reading and responding to her.”

Benuck said Bill Greiner, former Town Council chairman and BCTV board member, told Bandazian that the council should be made aware of her actions and that rules of conduct be devised.

Bandazian denied the claim. “That's complete fabrication,” he said.

Greiner said he made the comments during a subcommittee meeting, and they were not directed directly at Bandazian.

The conflict between Greiner and Benuck dates back to just before the March elections, when Benuck produced a video entitled “The Dirty Politics of Bedford.” The video contained a lengthy interview with former Town Moderator Ryk Bullock, responding to allegations made against him by Greiner.

Benuck said prior to the show's airing, Greiner obtained a copy of the video through a Right-to Know request, sent by BCTV Director Bill Jennings at the request of Acting Town Manager Crystal Dionne.

She said Bandazian backed up Dionne's decision, referencing an email from the town attorney. But when Benuck asked to see the email, Bandazian refused.

“If the town attorney made such a statement, and made it as a point of law, why would this not be given out?” Benuck said. “Why would they fight it?”

She then filed a Right-to-Know request, which was refused by Dionne on grounds of attorney-client privilege.

Bandazian said the town attorney's email state that BCTV material would fall under Right-to-Know only after it aired. But he didn't see a problem with Benuck's video having been given to Greiner before it aired.

Benuck argues that the policy change at BCTV could allow staff to hand over material before it has been aired, RTK or not, “because of their creative interpretation, when it suits them.”

Though the code of conduct was not drafted because of Benuck, Bandazian said, her behavior is an example of why one is needed.

Bill Greiner, who said it was his idea to develop conduct guidelines, either at BCTV or at the Town Council, agreed with Bandazian.

In an email sent to Benuck and other BCTV board members last week, Greiner wrote, “While Kathy may feel she was given insufficient information, that is truly her opinion, and as far as I am concerned this issue is over and done with. I don't live in a world of conspiracies, deception, or aliens; apparently Ms. Benuck does.”

In a phone interview, Greiner said that even in light of the code of conduct, the comments remain inappropriate.

“I'm talking board member to board member, and she can take it how she wants to take it,” Greiner said. “I get tired of her taking shots at folks just because she has some theory of the day.”

srios@newstote.com