As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FAMILY MEMBER
Any person living in the same household as the Town employee, and any person related to the Town employee within the third degree of consanguinity or affinity.
[Added 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
POLITICAL PARTY CHAIRMAN
The duly elected chairpersons of the Town of North Greenbush Conservative, Democratic, Independence, Republican and Working Families Parties.
[Added 3-9-2006 by L.L. No. 1-2006]
TOWN
Any board, commission, district, council or other agency, department or unit of the government of the Town of North Greenbush.
TOWN EMPLOYEE
Any officer or employee of the Town of North Greenbush, whether paid or unpaid and whether serving in a full-time, part-time or advisory capacity.
No Town employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.
A. 
No Town employee shall accept other employment which will impair his independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties.
B. 
No Town employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which will require him to disclose confidential information which he has gained by reason of his official position or authority.
C. 
No Town employee shall use or attempt to use his official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or others.
D. 
No Town employee shall engage in any transaction as representative or agent of the Town with any business entity in which he has a direct or indirect financial interest that might reasonably tend to conflict with the proper discharge of his official duties.
E. 
A Town employee shall not by his conduct give reasonable basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him or unduly enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties or that he is affected by the kinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.
F. 
Each Town employee shall abstain from making personal investments in enterprises which he has reason to believe may be directly involved in decisions to be made by him or which will otherwise create substantial conflict between his duty in the public interest and his private interest.
G. 
Each Town employee shall endeavor to pursue a course of conduct which will not raise suspicion among the public that he is likely to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his trust.
H. 
No Town employee may take part in any contracting decision: (i) relating to the employee; (ii) relating to a family member; or (iii) relating to any entity in which the employee or a family member is an officer, director or partner, or in which a family member owns or controls 10% or more of the stock of such entity. If a contracting matter arises relating to the employee or a family member, then the employee must advise his or her supervisor of the relationship, and must be recused from any and all discussions or decisions relating to the matter.
[Amended 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
I. 
No salaried Town employee shall act or serve as a political party chairman.
[Added 3-9-2006 by L.L. No. 1-2006]
J. 
Each Town employee is prohibited from accepting gifts or gratuities of more than nominal value where the circumstances would permit the inference that:
[Added 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
(1) 
The gift was intended to influence the individual in the performance of official business; or
(2) 
The gift constituted a tip, reward, or sign of appreciation for any official act by the employee.
K. 
No Town employee may use Town supplies, equipment, computers, personnel and other resources for nongovernmental purposes, including for personal purposes or for outside activities of any kind. This prohibition includes but is not limited to the following:
[Added 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
(1) 
Official stationery may not be used for nongovernmental purposes, nor may Town government resources be used to mail personal correspondence. The designation “personal” on agency stationery means only that the contents are meant for the personal viewing of the addressee and not that the sender is acting unofficially. All letters and other written materials printed on such official stationery are considered official, and thus the designation “unofficial” has no meaning and may not be used.
(2) 
Under no circumstances may Town mail or postage be used for nongovernmental purposes.
(3) 
Town telephones may not be used for nongovernmental long-distance calls, except for toll-free calls, collect calls, and calls billed to a personal telephone number. Town telephones may be used for incidental and necessary personal local calls that are of limited number and duration and do not conflict with the proper exercise of the duties of the Town employee.
(4) 
Town computers may be used for incidental and necessary personal purposes, such as sending personal electronic mail messages, provided that such use is in a limited amount and duration and does not conflict with the proper exercise of the duties of the Town employee.
(5) 
Town vehicles shall be used for official business or incidental use associated with official business away from an employee’s official work station. Individuals who are authorized by the Town to use a vehicle for personal purposes shall keep records of such use, and the value of such personal use shall be calculated and reported as personal income to such individual for tax purposes.
L. 
No Town employee may take part in any hiring or employment decision relating to a family member. If a hiring or employment matter arises relating to a family member, then the employee must advise his or her supervisor of the relationship, and must be recused from any and all discussions or decisions relating to the matter.
[Added 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
[Amended 4-12-2007 by L.L. No. 4-2007]
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any Town employee who shall violate the provisions of this chapter may be dismissed or provided with an alternative appropriate sanction by the Town Board consistent with applicable laws and regulations.