This chapter shall be known as "Local Law No. 4 of 2011, A Local
Law Amending Provisions of the Village Code Pertaining to Code of
Ethics."
Pursuant to the provisions of § 806 of the General
Municipal Law, the Board of Trustees of the Village of Central Square
recognizes that there are rules of ethical conduct for public officers
and employees which must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct
is to be obtained and if public confidence is to be maintained in
our unit of local government. It is the purpose of this chapter to
promulgate these rules of ethical conduct for the officers and employees
of the Village of Central Square. These rules shall serve as a guide
for official conduct of the officers and employees of the Village
of Central Square. The rules of ethical conduct of this chapter as
adopted shall not conflict with, but shall be in addition to, any
prohibition of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law or any other
general or special law relating to ethical conduct and interest in
contracts of municipal officers and employees.
For the purpose of this chapter, unless the context or subject
matter otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:
INTEREST
A pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer
or employee.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Village of Central Square,
whether paid, or unpaid, including members of any administrative board,
commission or other agency thereof. No person shall be deemed to be
a municipal officer or employee solely by reason of being a volunteer
fireman or civil defense volunteer, except a chief or assistant chief.
Every municipal officer or employee of the Village of Central
Square shall be subject to and abide by the following standards of
conduct:
A. Gifts. He or she shall not directly or indirectly solicit any gift;
or accept or receive any gift, whether in the form of money, services,
loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or any
other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred
that the gift was intended to influence him or her or could reasonably
be expected to influence him or her, in the performance of his or
her official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action
on his or her part.
B. Confidential information. He or she shall not disclose confidential
information acquired by him or her in the course of his or her official
duties or use such information to further his or her personal interest.
C. Representation before one's own agency. He or she shall not
receive, or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal
agency of which he or she is an officer, member or employee or of
any municipal agency over which he or she has jurisdiction or to which
he or she has the power to appoint any member, officer or employee.
D. Representation before any agency for a contingent fee. He or she
shall not receive, or enter into any agreement, express or implied,
for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter
before any agency of his or her municipality, whereby his or her compensation
is to be dependent or contingent upon any action by such agency with
respect to such matter, provided that this subsection shall not prohibit
the fixing at any time of fees based upon the reasonable value of
the services rendered.
E. Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent that he or she
knows thereof, a member of the Board of Trustees and any officer or
employee of the Village of Central Square, whether paid or unpaid,
who participates in the discussion or gives official opinion to the
Board of Trustees on any legislation before the Board of Trustees
shall publicly disclose on the official record the nature and extent
of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest he or
she has in such legislation.
F. Investments in conflict with official duties. He or she shall not
invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial,
business, commercial, or other private transaction which creates a
conflict with his or her official duties.
G. Private employment. He or she shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate
for or promise to accept private employment or render services for
private interests when such employment or service creates a conflict
with or impairs the proper discharge of his or her official duties.
H. Future employment. He or she shall not, after the termination of
service or employment with such municipality, appear before any board
or agency of the Village of Central Square in relation to any case,
proceeding or application in which he or she personally participated
during the period of his or her service or employment or which was
under his or her active consideration.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely
filing by a present or former municipal officer or employee of any
claim, account, demand or suit against the Village of Central Square,
or any agency thereof, on behalf of himself or herself or any member
of his or her family arising out of any personal injury or property
damage or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
The Mayor of the Village of Central Square shall cause a copy
of this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee
of the Village within 30 days after the effective date of this chapter.
Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be
furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his or her office
or employment.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision
of law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any
of the provisions of this Code may be fined, suspended or removed
from office of employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided
by law.