Sudbury Water District Chief Fined Over State Conflict Law Violation

SUDBURY, MA — The leader of the Sudbury Water District will pay a fine after accepting gifts — including Red Sox tickets and ski trips — from a water meter manufacturer used by the utility, according to state officials.

Vincent Roy will pay $18,000 to the state Ethics Commission for violating the state's conflict of interest law. Roy will remain employed as the executive director, with Sudbury's Water Commission issuing a statement of support for Roy on Monday, citing his leadership of the utility.

"The Water Commissioners recognize the severity of this matter and have also dealt with
it internally," the statement read in part. "Notably however and most importantly, the Commission did not find any quid pro quo relationship between Director Roy and any vendor. Director Roy fully cooperated during the investigation with the Commission and has acknowledged his lapse in judgment in the matter."

According to the Ethics Commission, Roy began accepting gifts from Alabama-based Neptune in 2018, when he went on a Maine ski trip on the company's dime. Roy went on at least two more ski trips paid for by the company, and accepted other gifts. Roy began working at the Sudbury Water District in 2017.

"In 2021, Roy participated in a water industry golf tournament at which the distributor paid for his greens fees and meals. Roy also attended three free dinners the manufacturer and distributor hosted outside of water industry conferences in 2021 and 2022 as well as an August 2022 event at which the manufacturer and distributor paid for rooftop drinks and dinner at the Envoy Hotel in Boston," the state described in a news release Monday.

The state said Roy in May 2023 drafted a bid for water meters that met specifications for Neptune meters. Accepting the gifts while in a position of power over the utility violated the state conflict of interest law, the Ethics Commission said.

Sudbury Water Commissioner Robert Sheldon said Monday the district has been using Neptune meters since the 1990s, and would likely not have tried to purchase meters from another manufacturer. It's unclear how much the 2023 contract cited by the state was worth, but Sheldon said the utility is not in the process of replacing all the town's water meters. The utility does periodically buy meters to replace units as they become obsolete. Roy has the authority to enter into contracts with suppliers, but the commissioners sign off on purchases during regular meetings.

Roy was one of four water utility leaders in the state who were fined Monday, according to the commission, including officials from Danvers, Salem and Southampton. The Ethics Commission has fined other utility leaders in recent months after a complaint about water equipment vendors.