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 Kiryas Joel, 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 Kiryas Joel, New York, shall
be subject to and abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. Conflict of interest. No officer or 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 conflict with proper discharge of his duties in the
public interest.
B. Gifts. No officer or employee shall, directly or indirectly,
solicit any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $75 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.
C. Confidential information. No officer or employee shall
disclose confidential information acquired by him in the course of his official
duties or use such information to further his or another's personal interest.
D. Representation before one's own agency. No officer
or employee shall 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 of any
municipal agency over which he has jurisdiction or to which he has the power
to appoint any officer, member or employee.
E. Representation before any agency for a contingent fee.
No officer or employee shall 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 the village, 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.
F. Disclosure of interest in legislation. Any officer or
employee 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 extend of any direct or indirect
financial or other private interest, if any, he has in such legislation.
G. Investments in conflict with official duties. No officer
or employee shall 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.
H. Private employment. No officer or employee shall 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.
I. Future employment. No officer or employee shall, after
the termination of service or employment with the village, appear before any
board or agency of the village 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 village officer or employee of any claim, account, demand
or suit against the Village of Kiryas Joel 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.
A copy of this Code of Ethics shall be distributed to every officer
and employee of the village within 10 days after the adoption of this resolution.
Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished
a copy before commencing the duties of his office or employment. Further,
a copy of this Code of Ethics shall be filed in the office of the Village
Clerk.
In addition to any penalty contained in any provision of law, any person
who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions of this
Code of Ethics may be suspended or removed from office or employment, as the
case may be, in the manner provided by law.