A. 
The Board of Ethics is established and shall be known as the "Town of Schroeppel Board of Ethics."
B. 
The Board of Ethics shall consist of five members to be appointed by the Town Board. All such members of the Board of Ethics shall reside in the Town of Schroeppel. All members of the Board of Ethics shall be initially appointed for terms of from one to five years as determined by the Town Board. No member of the Board of Ethics shall serve an initial term the duration of which is the same as that of any other member of the Board of Ethics. The Board of Ethics shall designate one of its members as Chairperson. Vacancies in the Board of Ethics shall be filled by the Town Board, which shall make the appointment for the balance of the unexpired term. A majority of such members of the Board of Ethics shall be persons who are not officers or employees of the Town, but the Board shall include at least one member who is an elected or appointed employee of the Town of Schroeppel. All members shall serve without compensation, except that any member who is a Town of Schroeppel officer or employee shall be entitled to such officer's or employee's usual compensation when attending upon the business of the Board, during normal working hours.
[Amended 6-2-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999]
C. 
A Board of Ethics member may be removed by the Town Board after a finding of substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, inability to discharge the powers or duties of the office or violation of this act after written notice of the charges and an opportunity for reply.
D. 
The Board of Ethics shall elect its own Secretary, and all documents filed with the Secretary shall be deemed for the purpose of this chapter to be filings with the Board of Ethics.
E. 
The Board of Ethics shall have all the powers and duties as prescribed by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law. The Board of Ethics may adopt and amend such rules or procedures as are appropriate.
Upon written request, the Board of Ethics established hereunder shall render advisory opinions to officers and employees of the Town of Schroeppel. Such written requests may be made to any member of the Board of Ethics. Such advisory opinions shall be rendered pursuant to the written request of any officer or employee under such rules and regulations as the Board may prescribe and shall have the advice of counsel employed by the Board, or if none, the Town Attorney.
[Amended 6-2-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999]
Such opinions shall not be made public or disclosed unless otherwise required by the Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law Article 6) or required for use in a disciplinary proceeding. Whenever a request for access to an advisory opinion herein is received, the officer, employee or appointed official who requested the opinion shall be notified of the request within 48 hours of the receipt of the request.
The Board of Ethics may at any time recommend to the Town Board amendments to this chapter.
The Board of Ethics, upon its formation, shall promulgate its own rules and regulations as to procedures and shall maintain appropriate records of its opinions and proceedings.
[Amended 6-2-1999 by L.L. No. 1-1999]
The Board of Ethics shall have the power to:
A. 
Adopt, amend and rescind rules and regulations to govern procedures of the Board of Ethics.
B. 
Review financial disclosure statements, completed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, the rules and regulations of the Board of Ethics and any local law, ordinance or Code of Ethics established by the Town Board of the Town of Schroeppel.
C. 
Receive complaints alleging a violation of this chapter or a violation of the criteria for reporting requirements established by this chapter, Code of Ethics of the Town of Schroeppel local law, ordinance or resolution regarding the filing of completed statements with the Board of Ethics.
D. 
Advise and assist any local official in establishing rules and regulations relating to possible conflicts between private interests and official duties of present or former elected officials and local officers and employees.
E. 
Permit any person otherwise required to file a financial disclosure statement to request an exemption from such requirements in accordance with the rules and regulations governing such exemptions. Such rules and regulations shall provide for exemptions to be granted either on the application of the individual or on behalf of persons who share the same job title or employment classification which the Board of Ethics deems to be comparable for purposes of this chapter. Such rules and regulations may permit the granting of an exemption where, in the discretion of the Board of Ethics, the public interest does not require disclosure and the applicant's duties do not involve the negotiations, authorization or approval of:
(1) 
Contracts, leases, franchises, revocable consents, concessions, variances, special permits or licenses as defined in § 73 of the Public Officers Law;
(2) 
The purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property, goods or services, or a contract therefor;
(3) 
The obtaining of grants of money or loans; or
(4) 
The adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having the force and effect of law.
F. 
Prepare an annual report to the Supervisor and the Town Board summarizing the activities of the Board of Ethics and recommending changes in the law governing the conduct of local elected officials and officers and employees of the Town covered by this act.
G. 
Act as a repository for completed financial disclosure forms filed pursuant to this chapter.
H. 
Upon certification of a question by the Town Board to the Ethics Board, the Board may determine a question common to a class or defined category of persons, where determination of the questions will prevent undue repetition of request for exemption or prevent undue complication in complying with the requirements of this chapter.
I. 
The Board of Ethics shall inspect all financial disclosure statements filed with the Board of Ethics to ascertain whether any person subject to the reporting requirements of this chapter, Code of Ethics, local law, ordinance or resolution has failed to file such a statement, has filed a deficient statement or has filed a statement which reveals a possible violation of this chapter, Code of Ethics, law, ordinance or resolution of the Town of Schroeppel.
J. 
The Board of Ethics shall have all necessary authority to enforce the filing requirements of this chapter, including the authority to promulgate such rules and regulations as the Board of Ethics may determine are necessary to implement this chapter. The Board of Ethics shall be authorized to review requests for exceptions, with respect to complying with timely filing of such disclosure statements, due to justifiable cause or undue hardship.
K. 
The Board of Ethics shall have the power to retain or hire legal counsel to advise it on any matter arising under this chapter.
In addition to any other powers and duties specified by this chapter, the Board of Ethics shall have the power and duty to:
A. 
Administer and enforce all the provisions of this chapter;
B. 
Conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. Pursuant to this power and duty, the Board may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of any books of records which it may deem relevant or material.
The Board of Ethics shall be empowered to request support staff, assistance from the Town Board or supervisor in furtherance of its duties and responsibilities.