[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners
of the Township of Radnor 6-23-1975 by Res. No. 287. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
CHARTER REFERENCES
Conflicts of interest — See § 9.05.
The proper operation of Township government
requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial
and responsible to the people; that governmental decisions and policy
be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that
public office and employment not be used for personal gain; and that
the public have confidence in the integrity of its government and
its employees. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established
a Code of Ethics for all officials and employees, whether elected
or appointed; or paid or unpaid. The purpose of this code is to establish
ethical standards of conduct for all such officials and employees
by setting forth those acts or actions that are incompatible with
the best interests of the Township and by directing full disclosure
by such officials and employees of all private financial, political,
personal or other interests in matters affecting the Township. The
provisions and purpose of this code and such rules and regulations
as are hereby established are declared to be in the best interests
of the Township of Radnor.
Public officials and employees are agents of
public purpose and hold office for the benefit of the public. They
are bound to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of this state and to carry out impartially the laws of
the nation, state and municipality and thus to foster respect for
all government. They are bound to observe in their official acts the
highest standards of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties
of their office regardless of personal considerations, recognizing
that the public interest must be their primary concern. Their conduct
in both their official and private affairs should be above reproach.
A.
Officials and employees should adhere to the rules
of work and performance established as the standard for their positions
by the appropriate authority.
B.
Officials and employees shall under no circumstances
exceed their authority or breach the law or ask others to do so, and
they shall work in full cooperation with other public officials and
employees where so directed by the appropriate Township authority,
unless prohibited from so doing by law or by officially recognized
confidentiality of their work.
A.
Interest in appointments. Canvassing of members of
the Board of Commissioners or the Township Manager, directly or indirectly,
in order to obtain preferential consideration in connection with any
appointment to the municipal service, except with reference to positions
filled by appointment by the Commissioners, shall be reported to the
full Board of Commissioners, with a full explanation of the details
related to such contact.
B.
Use of public property. No official or employee shall
request or permit the use of Township-owned vehicles, equipment, materials
or property for personal convenience or profit, except when such services
are available to the public generally.
C.
Obligations to citizens. No official or employee shall
grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen
beyond that which is available to every other citizen.
A.
No official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall
engage in any business transaction or shall have a financial or other
interest, direct or indirect, which in any way involves the proper
discharge of his official duties in the public interest or would tend
to impair his independence of judgment or action in the performance
of his official duties.
B.
Specific conflicts of interest are enumerated below
for the guidance of officials and employees:
(1)
Incompatible employment. No official or employee shall
engage in or accept private employment or render services for private
interests when such employment or service would conflict or interfere
with or influence him in the proper discharge of his official duties
or would tend to impair his independence of judgment or action in
the performance of his official duties. This includes taking action
in matters where there is a promise of future business arising from
the action taken, of a reciprocal nature or otherwise.
(2)
Disclosure of confidential information. No official
or employee shall, without proper legal authorization, disclose confidential
information concerning the property, government or affairs of the
Township, nor shall be use such information to advance the financial
or other private interest of himself or others.
(3)
Gifts and favors. No official or employee shall accept
any gift or promise of future benefit, whether in the form of service,
loan, thing or promise, from any person, firm or corporation which
to his knowledge is interested, directly or indirectly, in any manner
whatsoever in business dealings with the Township; nor shall any such
official or employee accept any gift, favor or thing of value that
may tend to influence him in the discharge of his duties or grant
in the discharge of his duties any improper favor, service or thing
of value. Casual business luncheons, dinners or refreshments shall
not constitute a "gift" within the meaning of this subsection.
(4)
Representing private interests before boards, commissions
or judicial bodies.
(a)
No official or employee whose salary is paid
in whole or in part by the Township shall render advice, consult with
or appear in behalf of private interests before any board, commission
or judicial body where the Township is involved directly and the interest
of the party is adverse to the position of the Township.
(b)
A Commissioner or other official may appear
before Township boards, commissions and authorities on behalf of constituents
in the course of his duties as a representative of the electorate
or in the performance of public or civic obligations. However, no
commissioner or other official or employee shall accept compensation
for such appearance or representation.
(5)
Contracts with the Township. Any official or employee
who has any financial interest in any business entity, transaction
or contract with the Township or in the sale or rental of real estate,
materials, supplies or services to the Township shall make known to
the Board of Commissioners such interest in any matter on which he
may be called to act in his official capacity. He shall refrain from
voting upon or otherwise participating in the transaction or the making
of such contract or sale.
(6)
Disclosure of interest.
(a)
Any Township official or any Township employee
who has a financial or other private interest in any legislation either
pending or proposed on which the Township will take any action or
make any recommendation shall disclose on the records of the Board
and other appropriate authority the nature and extent of such interest.
(b)
Any other official or employee who has a financial
or other private interest and who participates in discussion with
or gives an official opinion to the Board shall disclose on the records
of the Board and other appropriate authority the nature and extent
of such interest.
A.
No Township official or employee shall utilize Township
facilities, equipment or supplies, directly or indirectly, in political
campaigns or to the benefit of any political candidate, except where
such Township facilities are available to the general public for rent.
[Amended 10-13-1997 by Ord. No. 97-33]
B.
No Township employee shall during working hours or
when on Township business take part in any political activity or solicit
any contribution or subscription to any political party or candidate.
C.
No official or employee, whether elected or appointed,
shall promise an appointment to any municipal position as a reward
for any political activity.
Violation of any provisions of this code may
constitute a cause for suspension, removal from office or employment
or other disciplinary action to be invoked under applicable law by
the Board of Commissioners.
