As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
INTEREST
A pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer or
employee, unless the context otherwise requires.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Village of Chester, 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 Engineer or Assistant Chief Engineer.
Every officer or employee of the Village of Chester shall be subject
to and abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. Gifts. He shall not directly or indirectly solicit any
gift, or accept or receive any gift having a value of $25 or more, 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 could
reasonably be expected to influence him in the performance of his official
duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his part.
B. Confidential information. He shall not disclose confidential
information acquired by him in the course of his official duties or use such
information to further his personal interest.
C. Representation before one's own agency. He 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 is an officer, member or employee or before any municipal
agency over which he has the power to appoint any member, officer or employee.
D. Representation before any agency for a contingent fee.
He 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 this municipality, whereby his 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 knows thereof, a member of the Board of Trustees and any officer or
employee of the Village of Chester, 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 has in such legislation.
F. Investments in conflict with official duties. He 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 official duties.
G. Private employment. He 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 official duties.
H. Future employment. He shall not, after the termination
of service or employment with such municipality, appear before any board or
agency of the Village of Chester in relation to any case, proceeding or application
in which he personally participated during the period of his service or employment
or which was under his 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 Chester or any agency thereof on behalf of
himself or any member of his family, arising out of any personal injury or
property damage or for any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Chester shall cause a copy of
this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee of the
Village of Chester 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 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 or employment,
as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.