The Town Board of the Town of Evans recognizes that there are
state statutory provisions mandating towns to establish rules and
standards of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which,
if observed, can enhance public confidence in local government. In
the light of a tendency today on the part of some people to downgrade
our local governments and to discredit our public servants and our
free institutions generally, it appears necessary that every effort
be made to assure the highest caliber of public administration of
this Town as part of our state's important system of local government.
This Code of Ethics establishes those standards.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BOARD
The governing board of a municipality and any municipal administrative
board (e.g. Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals), commission,
or other agency or body comprised of two or more municipal officers
or employees.
INTEREST
A direct or indirect financial or material benefit, but does
not include any benefit arising from the provision or receipt of any
services generally available to the residents or taxpayers of the
municipality or an area of the municipality, or a lawful class of
such residents or taxpayers. A municipal officer or employee is deemed
to have an interest in any private organization when he or she, his
or her spouse, or a member of his or her household, is an owner, partner,
member, director, officer, employee, or directly or indirectly owns
or controls more than 5% of the organization's outstanding stock.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
A paid or unpaid officer or employee of the Town of Evans,
including, but not limited to, the members of any municipal board.
MUNICIPALITY
Town of Evans. The word "municipal" refers to the municipality.
RELATIVE
A spouse, child, parent, sibling, or household member of
a municipal officer or employee.
This Code of Ethics applies to all officers and employees of
the Town of Evans.
Upon the adoption of this chapter, the Town Supervisor shall
cause a copy thereof to be distributed to every person who is or becomes
an officer or employee of the Town of Evans. Failure to distribute
any such copy or failure of any Town official or employee to receive
such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with this
code, nor the enforcement of provisions hereof. The Town Supervisor
shall further cause a copy of this chapter to be kept posted conspicuously
in each public building under the jurisdiction of the Town. Failure
to so post this chapter, or an amendment thereof, shall have no effect
on the duty of compliance herewith, nor the enforcement provisions
hereof.
Any Town officer or employee who violates this code may be censured,
fined, suspended or removed from office or employment in the manner
provided by law.