[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Hudson 12-16-1991 as Ord. No.
O90-18A.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch.
53, Ethics, adopted 11-25-1986 as Ord. No. O86-07.
The proper operation of democratic government requires that
public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible
to the people; that government decisions and policy be made through
the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office
not be used for personal gain; and that the public have confidence
in the integrity of its government. In recognition of these goals,
a Code of Ethics for all town officials and employees is adopted in
accordance with RSA 31:39A.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06; amended 3-16-1996 by ATM Art.
41]
A.Â
The town will re-establish the Code of Ethics Committee from a body
appointed by the Board of Selectmen to that of an elected body. The
Code of Ethics Committee will consist of five (5) members at large,
with staggered three-year terms after the initial terms are completed.
The initial terms will be voted at the annual 1997 town elections
and temporarily establish the positions:
B.Â
Should a vacancy in the Committee arise, the remaining members of
the Code of Ethics Committee will elect a town citizen to serve out
the remainder of the term year. At the following annual town elections,
a member at large will be voted to serve out the remainder of the
term.
C.Â
No member of the Code of Ethics Committee shall hold any other town
elective or appointive office, board membership, commission membership
or trusteeship. No member of the Code of Ethics Committee shall be
employed full- or part-time by the Town of Hudson.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
The purpose of this code is to establish guidelines for ethical
standards of conduct for all officials and employees by setting forth
those acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interests
of the town and by directing disclosure by such officials and employees
of private financial or other interests in matters affecting the town.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
The Code of Ethics Committee may require of any member of town
government to appear before it and give such information as it may
require in relation to this office, its function and performance.
The Code of Ethics Committee shall give at least 48 hours' written
notice of the general scope of the inquiry which is to be made to
any person it shall require to appear before it under this section.
The Code of Ethics Committee, for this purpose, may administer oaths
and require the production of evidence.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any board, committee or commission, permanent or special,
established by the Selectmen or New Hampshire law.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
Any money, gift, thing of value or economic/pecuniary benefit
conferred on or received by any person in return for services rendered
or to be rendered by himself or another.
Includes his or her spouse, parents, grandparents, children,
grandchildren, brothers, sisters or similar step relations and the
parents, grandparents, children, grandchildren, brothers, sisters
or similar step relations of the member's spouse.
Any legal or equitable interest, whether or not subject to an
encumbrance or a condition, which is owned or held, in whole or in
part, jointly or severally, directly or indirectly, at any time during
the calendar year.
Any interest in any stock or similar security, preorganization
certificate or subscription, investment contract, voting trust certificate,
limited or general partnership or joint venture, business trust or
certificate of interest or participation in a joint profit-sharing
agreement or in an oil, water, gas or other mineral royalty or lease
or any other equity or beneficial interest, however evidenced, which
entitles the owner or holder thereof to receive or direct any part
of the profits from or to exercise any part of the control over a
business entity, as well as any interest which, conditionally or unconditionally,
with or without consideration, is convertible thereto.
Any interest in a note, bond, debenture or any other evidence
of creditor interest.
Ownership of land within 200 feet of any land being discussed.
Acting as an agent or holding fiduciary interest.
Any present or past [within the previous twelve-month period]
employer/employee relationship.
[Amended 3-18-1995]
Any elected or appointed official, board member or town employee,
whether full- or part-time, permanent or temporary, including those
employed by the town and paid by federal or state assistance programs
and including but not limited to all town employees, Selectmen, Budget
Committee members, Cable Television Committee members, Checklist Supervisors,
Code of Ethics Committee members, Conservation Commission members,
Greater Nashua Regional Planning Commission members, Library Trustees,
Lower Merrimack River Advisory Committee members, Planning Board members,
Recreation Committee members, Sewer Utility Committee members, the
Town Clerk/Tax Collector, the Town Moderator, the Treasurer, the Trustees
of the Trust Funds, Zoning Board of Adjustment members and members
of any other town boards, including those yet to be established.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06; 3-18-1995]
A member of town government named in a petition submitted
to the Code of Ethics Committee as an inquiry or alleging a violation
of the Code of Ethics.
[Added 3-18-1995]
A.Â
It is in violation of this chapter for any member to:
(1)Â
In his or her official capacity, introduce, discuss, deliberate,
approve or vote upon any matter in which he or she or any member of
his or her family has an interest known to said member.
(2)Â
Knowingly enter into any discussion, testimony or deliberation without
first, publicly and for the record, stating all dealings, interests,
relationships and possible conflicts that may exist between said member
and his or her family, the principals and the issue under deliberation,
as may be known by the member.
(3)Â
Knowingly participate in the conduct of business of the town without
disclosing all conflict of interest questions.
(4)Â
Knowingly use town property or labor for personal use.
(5)Â
Knowingly use town property or labor to influence the political cause
of any candidate for public office or any political party. Nothing
in the foregoing sentence shall prevent political candidates or parties
from holding public meetings on town-owned property in town-owned
buildings or prevent a member from exercising and carrying out the
responsibilities and obligations of his or her office or position
of employment.
[Amended 3-18-1995]
(6)Â
Use any information acquired through or by virtue of his or her official
position for his or her pecuniary benefit or for the pecuniary benefit
of any other person or business. The foregoing does not apply to information
available to the general public.
(7)Â
Otherwise than as provided by law for the proper discharge of his
or her official duties, directly or indirectly request or receive
any compensation from anyone other than the town in relation to any
particular matter in which the town is a party or has a direct and
substantial interest.
(8)Â
Otherwise than as provided by law for the proper discharge of his
official duties, directly or indirectly promise or offer such compensation
as referred to in this chapter.
(9)Â
Knowingly accept a gift with a value in excess of $25, or allow acceptance
of such a gift by a family member from any individual, group or corporation
knowingly dealing with an area of town government in which the member
has an interest or jurisdiction. The foregoing does not apply to gifts
from family members.
(10)Â
Knowingly give false information concerning dealings, interests,
relationships and possible conflicts to the various supervisors, boards,
commissions and committees and the Selectmen.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
(11)Â
Knowingly fail to cooperate with the Code of Ethics Committee or
other investigating authority in the investigation of any complaint
alleging a violation of the tenets of this chapter.
B.Â
No elected or appointed officer or employee, whose salary is paid
in whole or in part from the town treasury shall appear in his official
capacity on behalf of a private interest before any town board. Selectmen,
however, may appear without compensation on behalf of constituents
or in the performance of public or civic obligations.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
C.Â
No elected or appointed official or employee whose salary is paid
in whole or in part from the town treasury shall represent private
interests, other than his or her own, in any action or proceedings
against the interest of the town in any litigation to which the town
is a party.
D.Â
No town official or employee shall claim to act on behalf of the
Selectmen, boards or departments without prior authorization from
said body or department.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
E.Â
No elected or appointed official shall voluntarily participate with
any person(s) initiating claims or lawsuits against the Town of Hudson
or any of its departments. The foregoing does not apply to personal
or family-related lawsuits.
A.Â
The prohibition against gifts or favors shall not apply to an occasional
nonpecuniary gift, insignificant in value, or an award publicly presented
in recognition of public service or any gift which would have been
offered or given to him or her if he or she was not a member.
B.Â
It shall not be a violation for elected members to accept donations
for the express purpose of financing a political campaign, provided
that such contributions are reported in accordance with all local,
state and federal laws pertaining to such donations or services and/or
financial value.
C.Â
The mere purchase of goods or nonprofessional services (services
from other than attorneys, engineers, architects and surveyors) from
a person or business in the ordinary course of that person's
or business's retail or service business shall not prevent a
member from introducing, discussing, approving or voting upon a matter
which relates to that person or business.
D.Â
Those actions taken as part of the legislative process are exempt
from the provisions stated herein. Legislative actions concerning
the granting of specific contract awards and/or actions designed to
benefit one identified or identifiable individual or specific group
of individuals are not exempt.
A.Â
Any person or group may petition the Code of Ethics Committee to
make a ruling on a situation which may or may not constitute a violation.
B.Â
A petition must be in writing, signed and dated and include the name
and address of each petitioner. Business owners submitting a petition
must also include the name and address of the business. The petition
must be filed with the Town Clerk, who shall promptly forward a copy
to the Code of Ethics Committee. The original petition shall remain
on file in the Town Clerk's office.
[Amended 3-18-1995]
(1)Â
The person submitting the petition to the Town Clerk must complete
a Petitioner Information Form. This person shall be notified of the
date the Code of Ethics Committee will address the petition and shall
be requested to attend this meeting.
C.Â
After appropriate investigation, the Code of Ethics Committee shall,
within 30 days of the petition having been taken up by the Committee,
make a finding on the inquiry or alleged violation. If necessary,
the Code of Ethics Committee may vote to extend its investigatory
period up to a maximum of 90 days from when the matter is first presented
to the Committee as an agenda item.
D.Â
Pursuant to RSA 31:39a, knowingly violating this chapter shall be
grounds for disciplinary action if founded by a majority vote of the
Code of Ethics Committee.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
E.Â
Findings as to employees shall be forwarded to the respondent and
Selectmen for appropriate action in accordance with applicable personnel
policies and procedures and union contract requirements. Findings
shall include supporting arguments.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by O92-06; 3-18-1995]
F.Â
Findings as to elected and appointed members (excluding town employees)
shall be forwarded to the respondent and Selectmen with a recommendation
for removal or censure, if appropriate. Findings shall include supporting
arguments. The Selectmen shall have authority to order removal of
or censure said elected or appointed members.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06; 3-18-1995]
G.Â
The Selectmen shall have 45 days from the date a finding is submitted
to the appropriate office to act on the Code of Ethics Committee decision.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
H.Â
If the Selectmen determine, by a majority vote, that removal is warranted,
the elected or appointed member will be given the opportunity to resign.
If said member chooses not to resign, a petition to remove shall be
filed with the Superior Court.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
I.Â
Any member alleged to have violated this chapter is entitled to a
public hearing, with notice posted in two public places seven days
prior thereto. When appearing before the Code of Ethics Committee,
said member may call witnesses on his or her behalf and may retain
representation by legal counsel at his or her own expense if he or
she so chooses.
J.Â
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit any person
from petitioning the Superior Court to remove a member of government
on the ground that the violation in question warrants removal.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
K.Â
A respondent may request that the Code of Ethics Committee make a
ruling on any petition that is withdrawn or invalidated. If such a
request is made, the Code of Ethics Committee shall complete an investigation
pursuant to the procedures described herein.
[Added 3-18-1995]
A.Â
In accordance with RSA 31:39A, any appointed or elected official,
the Town Administrator, Assessor, Finance Director, Fire Chief, Police
Chief, Town Engineer, Town Planner, Zoning Administrator, Public Works
Director, Sewer Foreman, Library Director and any other town employee
with authorization to sign purchase orders shall complete a financial
interest disclosure form (FIDF) within 30days of assuming office.
[Amended 3-18-1995; 10-9-2018]
B.Â
Completed forms shall be filed with the Town Clerk. Members are required
to update the form on file as changes occur.
[Amended 3-18-1995]
C.Â
Failure to disclose information as required on the FIDF shall be
a violation of this chapter.
D.Â
Forms shall be available for public inspection in the Town Clerk's
office. The Town Clerk shall record and verify who is requesting the
information, the date of the request and for what purpose the information
is required.
E.Â
[1]The Town Clerk shall provide a monthly status report to
the Code of Ethics Committee identifying each member and the dates
the forms and updates are submitted.
[Added 3-18-1995]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection E, which provided that
forms must be completed within ninety (90) days after adoption of
this Code of Ethics, was repealed 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
The Code of Ethics Committee shall be responsible for verifying
that forms have been filed with the Town Clerk and, in accordance
with the procedures outlined in this chapter, shall schedule hearings
for individuals alleged to have violated this chapter.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
Ninety days following the termination of office of an elected
or appointed official, and provided that no petition has been filed
citing possible conflict of interest, the Town Clerk shall return
the respective FIDF to the originator and inform the Code of Ethics
Committee of this matter.
[Amended 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06]
Each member and employee elected, appointed or engaged shall
be furnished a copy of this Code of Ethics before entering upon the
duties of office or employment. Failure to be furnished a copy of
this chapter shall not be grounds for relief from observing the requirements
of this chapter.
[Added 5-26-1992 by Ord. No. O92-06; 3-18-1995]
Any member elected, appointed or engaged before July 1, 1995,
shall be exempt from the provisions of these amendments for a period
of 31 days.
