The provisions of this chapter apply to Town elected officials,
regular Town employees, and members of Town boards and as indicated
herein, commissions having decision making authority (whether or not
compensated). Any further reference to Town officials and employees
in this chapter shall apply to the above-mentioned individuals.
There shall be a Town of Denton Ethics Commission, which shall
be composed of three members appointed by the Mayor. The Commission
shall be advised by the Town Attorney and shall have the following
responsibilities:
A. Devise, receive and maintain all forms required by this chapter;
B. Develop procedures and policies for advisory opinion requests and
provide published advisory opinions to persons subject to this chapter
regarding the applicability of the provisions of this chapter to them;
C. Develop procedures and policies for the processing of complaints
to make appropriate determinations regarding complaints filed by any
person alleging violations of this chapter; and
D. Conduct a public information program regarding the purposes and application
of this chapter.
E. The Commission shall certify to the State Ethics Commission on or
before October 1 of each year that the Town is in compliance with
the requirements of State Government Article, Title 15, Subtitle 8,
Annotated Code of Maryland for elected local officials.
The Commission may grant exemptions and modifications to the provisions of §§
14-3 and
14-5 of this chapter as they relate to regular Town employees and members of Town boards and commissions, when the Commission finds that an exemption or modification would not be contrary to the purposes of this chapter, and the application of this chapter would constitute an unreasonable invasion of privacy and significantly reduce the availability of qualified persons for public service.