[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Cornwall as indicated
in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 7-14-1980 by L.L. No. 5-1980]
As used in this article, unless the context otherwise requires, the
following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
- EMPLOYEE
- Any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment in the service of the town, but shall not include a volunteer, any person not compensated for his services or an independent contractor. The term "employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or judicially appointed personal representative.
- TOWN
- The Town of Cornwall.
A.
Upon compliance by the employee with the provisions of § 38-15, the town shall provide for the defense of the employee in any civil action or proceeding in any state or federal court arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred or is alleged in the complaint to have occurred while the employee was acting or in good faith purporting to act within the scope of his public employment or duties or which is brought to enforce a provision of Title 42 of the United States Code. Such defense shall not be provided where such civil action or proceeding is brought by or on behalf of the town against the employee.
B.
Subject to the conditions set forth in this article,
the employee shall be represented by an attorney employed or retained by the
town for the defense of the employee. Reasonable attorney's fees and
litigation expenses shall be paid by the town to such attorney employed or
retained, from time to time, during the pendency of the civil action or proceeding,
subject to certification by the Town Board that the employee is entitled to
representation under the terms and conditions of this article. Payment of
such fees and expenses shall be made in the same manner as payment of other
claims and expenses of the town. Any dispute with respect to representation
of multiple employees or by an attorney employed or retained for such purposes
or with respect to the amount of the fees or expenses shall be resolved by
the court.
C.
Where the employee delivers process and a request for a defense to the Town Supervisor as required by § 38-15, the Town Board shall take the necessary steps, including the retention of an attorney under the terms and conditions provided in Subsection B, on behalf of the employee to avoid entry of a default judgment, pending resolution of any question relating to the obligation of the town to provide a defense.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection D, Indemnification, added 5-5-2003
by L.L. No. 1-2003, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed
1-20-2004 by L.L. No. 1-2004.
The duties to defend provided in this article shall be contingent upon
delivery to the Town Supervisor of the original or a copy of any summons,
complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading within five days after the
employee is served with such document and the full cooperation of the employee
in the defense of such action or proceeding and defense of any action or proceeding
against the town based upon the same act or omission and in the prosecution
of any appeal. Such delivery shall be deemed a request by the employee that
the town provide for his defense pursuant to this article, unless the employee
shall state in writing that a defense is not requested.
The benefits of this article will inure only to employees as defined
herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other party, nor
shall any provision of this article be construed to affect, alter or repeal
any provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law.
The benefits of this article shall be extended to an employee of a negotiating
unit for which an agreement has been negotiated pursuant to Civil Service
Law, Article 14, only if such agreement expressly so provides.
The provisions of this article shall not be construed to impair, alter,
limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer under any policy
of insurance.
As otherwise specifically provided in this article, the provisions of
this article shall not be construed in any way to impair, alter, limit, modify,
abrogate or restrict any immunity available to or conferred upon any unit,
entity, officer or employee of the town or any right to defense provided for
any governmental officer or employee by, in accordance with or by reason of
any other provision of state or federal statutory or common law.
A.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all actions and
proceedings specified herein which have been commenced, instituted or brought
on or after the effective date of this article.
B.
Effective date. This article shall take effect immediately upon
its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State as provided by law.[1]
[Added 5-5-2003 by L.L. No. 1-2003]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Art. III, Disclosure of Real Property Holdings,
adopted 11-13-1989 by L.L. No. 6-1989, which immediately followed, was repealed
7-12-1993 by L.L. No. 2-1993.
