Borough of Highland Park, NJ Article VI Conflicts of Interest

[Adopted 11-1-2006 by Ord. No. 1703 (§ 2-44 of the 1987 Code)]

§ 33-33 Policy enacted.

The governing body of the Borough of Highland Park declares that a policy regulating conflicts of interest be enacted.

§ 33-34 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICER

Any person, whether compensated or not, whether part-time or full-time: elected to any office of a local government agency; serving on a local government agency which has the authority to enact ordinances, approve development applications or grant zoning variances; who is a member of an independent municipal, county or regional authority; or who is a managerial, executive or confidential employee of a local government agency as defined in Section 3 of the New Jersey Employer-Employee Relations Act,[1] but shall not mean any employee of a school district or member of a school board.

[1] Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 34:13A-3.

§ 33-35 Rules and regulations.

A. Borough government officers or employees are permitted to give or receive a gift from a coworker, supervisor, subordinate or government officer. The gifts should not be excessive or inappropriate for a business environment and should not exceed $25 in value. All gifts must be registered with the Ethics Board.

B. Local government officers and employees of Highland Park cannot accept gifts or honorarium of more than a nominal value, up to $25, related in any way to official duties. Local government officers and employees of Highland Park are required to disclose any offer or receipt of a thing of value from any person or entity to the Highland Park Ethics Board.

C. A local government officer or employee of Highland Park may accept an award or other honor given by a charitable or civic group because of the official or employee's public service, provided the official or employee accepts no monetary award, honorarium or stipend or other thing of value other than a plaque, trophy, or other commemorative item of nominal value and provided attendance at any event or function at which the award is made is in accordance with the Borough's Code of Ethics Board prior to the acceptance of the award. In addition, an employee must notify his or her supervisor and an appointed official must notify the Borough Council prior to the acceptance of the award.

D. No local government officer or employee of Highland Park shall accept reimbursement from any source other than Highland Park for expenses associated with attendance at an event sponsored by a person or organization. However, subject to the approval of the Highland Park Ethics Board, this prohibition need not apply if the event is designed to provide training, dissemination of information, or the exchange of ideas, and the official or employee is making a speech, is participating in a panel at the event, or is an accompanying resource person for the speaker and/or participant.

E. Any local government officer or a family member of any such person, who owns or controls more than 10% of an equity interest in a business organization, excluding nonprofits, then that business shall be prohibited from doing business with the Borough of Highland Park.

F. Employees are prohibited from engaging in outside employment activities while on the job or using Borough time, equipment or supplies in the outside employment activities. The Borough Administrator may request employees to restrict outside employment if the quality of Borough work diminishes on account of the outside employment. Any employee who holds an interest in, or is employed by any business doing business with the Borough must submit a written notice of these outside interests to the Borough Administrator.

G. No local government officer or employee shall undertake any employment or service, whether compensated or not, which might reasonably be expected to prejudice his or her independence or judgment in the exercise of his or her official duties.

H. No local government officer or employee of the Borough shall hire or contract with a subordinate Borough employee for private employment.

I. No local government officer, including any County Freeholder or legislative representative, or any employee shall appear before any Borough Court, Board or commission and/or derive any benefit therefrom.