[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Ellicott 4-17-1991 as L.L. No. 1-1991. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
This chapter shall be entitled "A Local Law
Providing for the Defense and Indemnification of Officers and Employees
of the Town of Ellicott."
As used in this chapter, unless the context
requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Any person holding a position by election, appointment or
employment in the service of the town, but shall not include a volunteer,
any person not compensated for his services or an independent contractor.
The term "employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or
his judicially appointed personal representative. Members of town
boards, such as the Zoning Board of Appeals, shall not be considered
volunteers, and the Town Attorney shall not be considered an independent
contractor.
[Amended 1-14-2019 by L.L. No. 1-2019]
The Town of Ellicott Town Board.
A.
Upon compliance by the employee with the provisions of § 6-4 of this chapter, the town shall provide for the defense of the employee in any criminal or civil action or proceeding in any state or federal court, including any action to enforce a provision of any civil rights statute of the State of New York or of the United States, arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred or is alleged in the information or complaint to have occurred while the employee was acting, or in good faith purporting to act, within the scope of his public employment or duties. Such defense shall not be provided where such action or proceeding is brought by or on behalf of the town pursuant to authorization of the Town Board.
B.
Subject to the conditions set forth in this chapter,
the employees shall be representated by the Town Attorney or an attorney
employed or retained by the town for the defense of the employee.
The Town Board shall employ or retain an attorney for the defense
of the employee whenever the town does not have a Town Attorney; the
Town Board determines, based upon its investigation and review of
the facts and circumstances of the case, that representation by the
Town Attorney would be inappropriate; or a court of competent jurisdiction
determines that a conflict of interest exists and that the employee
cannot be represented by the Town Attorney. Reasonable attorney's
fees and litigation expenses shall be paid by the town to such attorney
employed or retained, from time to time, during pendency of the civil
action or proceeding, subject to certification by the Town Supervisor
that the employee is entitled to representation under the terms and
conditions of this chapter. Payment of such fees and expenses shall
be made in the same manner as payment of other claims and expenses
of the town. Any dispute with respect to representation of multiple
employees by the Town Attorney or by an attorney employed or retained
for such purposes or with respect to the amount of the fees or expenses
shall be resolved by the court.
C.
Where the employee delivers process and a request for a defense to the Town Attorney or, if none, to the Town Supervisor as required by this section of this chapter, the Town Attorney or the Supervisor, as the case may be, shall take the necessary steps, including the retention of an attorney under the terms and conditions provided in Subsection B of this section, on behalf of the employee to avoid entry of a default judgment, pending resolution of any question relating to the obligation of the town or provide a defense.
The duties to defend and indemnify and save
harmless provided in this chapter shall be contingent upon:
A.
Delivery to the Town Attorney or, if none, to the
Town Supervisor of the original or a copy of any summons, complaint,
process, notice, demand or pleading within five days after the employee
is served with such document. Such delivery shall be deemed a request
by the employee that the town provide for his defense pursuant to
this chapter, unless the employee shall state, in writing, that a
defense is not requested; and
B.
The full cooperation of the employee in the defense
of such action or proceeding and in the defense of any action or proceeding
against the town based upon the same act or omission and in the prosecution
of any appeal.
A.
The town shall indemnify and save harmless any employee
whose defense was provided pursuant to this chapter in the amount
of any judgment obtained against such employee, including any fine,
or in the amount of any settlement or compromise approved by the Town
Board. The town shall not indemnify and save harmless the employee:
(1)
Where the injury, damage or wrongful act has been
determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to have occurred while
the employee was not acting within the scope of his public employment
or duties.
(2)
Where the injury or damage resulted from intentional
wrongdoing or recklessness on the part of the employee.
(3)
For any punitive or exemplary damages or penalties.
(4)
For money recovered from the employee pursuant to
§ 51 of the General Municipal Law.
B.
The claim or compromise settlement which may be subject
to indemnification by the town shall not be paid unless it is presented
to and approved by the Town Board.
C.
Upon entry of final judgment against the employee
or upon settlement or compromise of a claim as approved by the Town
Board, the employee shall cause to be served upon the Town Supervisor
a copy of such judgment or settlement, personally or by certified
or registered mail, within 10 days of the date of entry or settlement.
Such judgment or settlement shall be processed and paid in the same
manner as other judgments or settlements of claims are paid by the
town.
The benefits of this chapter will inure only
to employees as defined herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the
rights of any other party, nor shall any provision of this chapter
be construed to affect, alter or repeal any provisions of the Workers'
Compensation Law.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be
construed to impair, alter, limit or modify the rights and obligations
of any insurer under any policy of insurance.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be
construed in any way to impair, alter, limit, modify, abrogate or
restrict any immunity available to or conferred upon any unit, entity,
officer or employee of the town or any right to defense and indemnification
provided for any governmental officer or employee by, in accordance
with or by reason of any other provision of state or federal statutory
or common law.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to
all actions and proceedings specified herein which have been commenced,
instituted or brought on or after the effective date of this chapter.
This chapter shall take effect immediately.