[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Massapequa
Park 6-16-1969. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Officers and employees — See Ch. 34.
This chapter shall constitute and shall be known as the "Code of Ethics
of the Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park."
When used in this chapter and unless otherwise expressly stated or unless
the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any claim, account or demand against or agreement with the village,
express or implied.
Any official, elected or appointed, of the village, or anyone employed
full or part time by the village, whether paid or unpaid, including members
of any administrative or advisory board or committee.
The Incorporated Village of Massapequa Park.
The provisions of this chapter set forth, for the guidance of the officers
and employees of the village, the standards of conduct reasonably expected
of them.
No officer or employee of the village shall have any interest, financial
or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction
or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in
conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.
An officer or employee of the village:
A.
Shall not represent private interests before or against
the village or any department, agency, board or committee thereof or before
the Village Court.
B.
Shall not engage in any transaction as representative
or agent of the village with any business entity in which he has a financial
interest, direct or indirect, that might reasonably tend to conflict with
the proper discharge of his official duties.
C.
Shall not have an interest, direct or indirect, in any
contract with the village in such case where he has the power or duty to negotiate,
prepare, authorize or approve the contract or authorize or approve payment
thereunder, audit bills or claims thereunder or appoint an officer or employee
who has any of the powers and duties hereinabove set forth.
D.
Shall publicly disclose, in writing, to the Board of
Trustees of the village the nature and extent of an interest, direct or indirect,
in any actual or proposed legislation before the Board of Trustees as soon
as he has knowledge of such actual or prospective interest, and such written
disclosure shall be made part of and set forth in the official record of the
proceedings of such Board of Trustees.
E.
Shall not solicit or accept, directly or indirectly,
any gift, favor or thing of value for or on account of the performance of
any official duty.
F.
Shall not disclose confidential information acquired
by him in the course of his official duties nor use such information to further
his personal interests.
G.
Shall not accept employment or engage in any business
or professional activity which will require him to disclose confidential information
which he has gained by reason of his official position or authority.
H.
Shall not make personal investments in enterprises which
he has reason to believe may be involved, directly or indirectly, in official
decisions to be made by him or which otherwise will create conflict between
his duty in the public interest and his private interest.
I.
Shall not accept other employment or engage in any business
or professional activity which will impair his independence of judgment in
the exercise of his official duties or which will impair the performance of
such duties or which will be incompatible with such duties.
J.
Shall not use or attempt to use his official position
to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or others.
K.
Shall not, by his conduct, give reasonable basis for
the impression that any person can improperly influence him or unduly enjoy
his favor in the performance of his official duties or that he is affected
by the kinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.
L.
Shall not pursue a course of conduct which reasonably
will raise suspicion among the public that he is likely to be engaged in acts
that are in violation of his trust.
Any such officer or employee of the village who shall knowingly and/or
intentionally violate any of the provisions of this chapter may be suspended
or removed from office or employment in the manner provided by law.
A.
The Board of Trustees of the village shall establish
a Board of Ethics and appropriate moneys for maintenance and personal services
in connection therewith. The members of such Board of Ethics shall be appointed
by the Board of Trustees, shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees
and shall receive no salary or compensation for their services as members
of such Board of Ethics. Such Board of Ethics shall consist of at least three
members, which shall include at least one member who is not an officer or
employee of the village. The Village Attorney shall be a member ex officio
of the Board of Ethics.
B.
The Board of Ethics shall render advisory opinions to
officers and employees of the village with respect to the provisions of this
chapter and with respect to the provisions of Article 18 of the General Municipal
Law. Such advisory opinions shall be rendered pursuant to the written request
of any such officer or employee, under such rules and regulations as the Board
of Ethics may deem advisable, and shall have the approval of the Village Attorney.
C.
The Board of Ethics may make recommendations with respect
to amendments to the provisions of this chapter upon request of the Board
of Trustees.
Upon enactment of this chapter by the Board of Trustees, the chief executive
officer of the village shall cause a copy of this chapter to be distributed
to every officer and employee of the village. Each officer and employee elected,
appointed or employed on or after the effective date of this chapter shall
be furnished such copy before entering upon the duties of his office or employment.
Failure to distribute any such copy or failure of any officer or employee
to receive such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with this
chapter nor with the enforcement of the provisions thereof.
If any of the provisions hereof conflict in any way with the provisions
of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, the latter shall be controlling.
