[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Clinton 11-15-2006. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
Public office is a public trust. The trust of
the public is essential for government to function effectively. In
recognition of these principles, herewith is established a Code of
Ethics for all Town officials, officers and employees. The purpose
of this code is to establish suitable ethical standards for all such
officials, officers and employees by prohibiting acts not in the best
interests of the Town of Clinton.
A.
This code shall apply to all Town officials, officers
and employees, the Board of Education and its employees, whether elected
and/or appointed, paid or unpaid. "Town official, officer or employee"
means an individual whether elected or appointed, whether paid or
unpaid, full or part time, including members of the Board of Education,
its employees and members of boards, commissions and committees in
the service of the Town of Clinton.
B.
All of the above shall be referred to hereinafter
as "persons governed by this code."
C.
This chapter shall not be applicable if it conflicts
in whole or in part with any labor agreement, employment contract
or state statute.
D.
The Board of Selectmen shall cause a copy of this
chapter to be distributed to every official and employee with 60 days
after enactment of this chapter. Each employee and officer shall be
furnished a copy before entering the duties of office or employment
and sign a statement that he or she has received a copy of this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any entity through which activity for profit or not for profit
is conducted, including but not limited to a corporation, partnership,
proprietorship, firm, enterprise, franchise, association, organization,
or self-employed individual.
Any person who signed a complaint under penalties of false
statement as defined in C.G.S. § 53A-156 alleging a violation
of this code.
Information, whether transmitted orally or in writing, which
is obtained by reason of the public position or office held, that
is not, at the time of transmission, a matter of public record.
The examination, prior to the finding of probable cause,
of both written and oral evidence, that is not to be disclosed to
any third party by anyone connected with the investigation, except
upon the written request of the respondent.
A monetary or pecuniary benefit received by a Town official/employee
as a result of a contract, transaction, zoning decision or other matter
which is, or may be, the subject of an official act or action by or
with the Town of Clinton. Exceptions being for such contracts or transactions
which by their terms and by the substance of their provisions confer
the opportunity and right to realize the accrual of similar benefits
to all persons and/or property similarly situated.
Anything of economic value, including services in excess
of $100 in a calendar year. A gift does not include:
A political contribution, reported as required
by law, or a donation or payment as described in C.G.S. § 9-601a(b)(9)
or (11).
[Amended 8-5-2009]
A commercially reasonable loan made on terms
not more favorable than loans made in the ordinary course of business.
A gift received from a member of a person's
immediate family or fiancee.
Goods or services which are provided to the
municipality and facilitate government actions or functions.
A certificate, plaque or other ceremonial award.
A rebate or discount on the price of anything
of value made in the ordinary course of business, without regard to
that person's status.
Printed or recorded information germane to government
action or functions.
An honorary degree bestowed upon a public official
or public employee by a public or private university.
A meal provided at an event or business meeting
and/or the registration or entrance fee to attend such an event, in
which the public official or public employee participates in his official
capacity.
A meal provided in the home by a Clinton resident.
Gift giving occasions recognized by the public,
including religious holidays or religious events, birthdays, the birth
or adoption of a child, and weddings, provided that the total value
of such gifts for each event shall not exceed $100.
Spouse, child, parent, grandchild, brother, sister, grandparent,
daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law, father-in-law, sister-in-law,
brother-in-law or partner in a civil union.
In writing, signed and dated, or a directive to the secretary
taking the minutes of a meeting to note in the minutes of the meeting
a special disclosure or statement.
Any interest, other than financial or pecuniary, which would
affect the action of the official or employee, except if that interest
is based solely on the responsibility of his/her Town office or employment.
Membership in or affiliation with a social, fraternal, charitable,
service, educational, religious, governmental or similar nonprofit
organization is not deemed to automatically create a presumption of
personal interest unless the official or employee is also an employee
of the organization.
Defined by determining whether the facts would warrant a
reasonable person to believe that a Town official, officer or employee
violated this code; the belief should be more than a mere suspicion,
but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
Any person accused of violating this code.
A.
Persons governed by this code shall not engage in
or participate in any business or transaction, nor have a financial
or pecuniary interest, direct or indirect, which is incompatible with
the proper discharge of that person's or persons' official duties
in the public interest or would tend to impair that person's or persons'
independent judgment or action in the performance of that person's
or persons' official duties.
B.
Persons governed by this code shall not be financially
interested or have any personal beneficial interest, financial or
pecuniary, in any contract or purchase order for any supplies, materials,
equipment or contractual services furnished to or used by the board,
agency or commission of which that person or persons is or are a member(s),
or of which that person or persons is or are an employee(s).
C.
A Town official, officer or employee shall refrain
from voting upon or otherwise participating in any matter on behalf
of the municipality if he/she, or a member of his/her immediate family,
has a financial or personal pecuniary interest in the transaction
or contract, including but not limited to the sale of real estate,
materials, supplies or services to the municipality.
D.
Persons governed by this code shall not accept or
receive any money, rebate or gifts, or any promise, obligation, or
contract for future reward or compensation, directly or indirectly,
from any person or business to which any contract or purchase order
may be awarded by the Town of Clinton or any of its boards, agencies
or commissions.
E.
Persons governed by this code who have a financial
or personal or pecuniary interest in any transactions or contract
with the Town, including but not limited to the sale of real estate,
materials, supplies or services to the Town, on which that person
or persons may be called upon to act in that person's or persons'
official capacity, shall not vote or otherwise participate in the
transaction on behalf of the Town. That person (or persons) shall
declare on the record that the person (or persons) has (or have) a
conflict of interest.
F.
Persons governed by this code shall not request or
permit the use of Town-owned vehicles, equipment, facilities, materials,
or property for personal convenience or profit, except when such is
available to the public generally or provided as a matter of municipal
policy for the use of such Town official/employee in the interest
of the Town.
[Amended 8-5-2009]
A.
No former Town official or employee shall represent
private interests in dealings with the board or agency with which
he was associated for a period of one year after termination of service
with the Town.
B.
No former Town official or employee shall disclose
or use confidential information acquired in the course of and by reason
of his official duties for financial gain for himself or others.
C.
No former Town official or employee who participated
substantially in the negotiation or award of a Town contract obligating
the Town to pay an amount of $25,000 or more or who supervised the
negotiation or award of such a contract shall accept employment with
a party to the contract other than the Town for a period of one year
after such contract is signed.
A.
There shall be a Board of Ethics consisting of five regular members. The members shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve five-year terms in accordance with §§ 2-3 and 7-8 of the Town of Clinton Charter. The terms are to be staggered and no member shall serve more than two consecutive terms. Any member having served two consecutive terms shall be ineligible for reappointment to the Board for a period of two years.
B.
All members shall be electors of the municipality.
No member shall hold or campaign for any public office, be a member
of a political Town committee or serve as a member of any other municipal
agency, commission or board. A person will not be disqualified from
serving on the Board if he/she has a member of his/her immediate family
employed by the Town or the Clinton Board of Education.
[Amended 8-5-2009]
C.
The Board shall elect a Chairperson who shall preside
at meetings of the Board, a Vice Chairperson to preside in the absence
of the Chairperson and a Secretary. The Board will meet on a quarterly
basis. Three members shall constitute a quorum. A majority vote of
the Board shall be required for action of the Board except as otherwise
specifically provided for herein. Members will serve without compensation
except for authorized expenses in conjunction with their duties.
B.
Complaints.
(1)
The Board of Ethics shall receive complaints of any
alleged violation of the Code of Ethics.
(2)
The Board shall have the power and duty to investigate
and hear complaints concerning allegations of violations of this code.
(3)
Complaints of violation of the Code of Ethics relate
to unethical behavior concerning any official, officer, or employee
of the Town of Clinton.
(4)
The complaint may be made by any person in writing
and signed under penalty of false statement.
(5)
Included in this complaint shall be the name of the person accused (respondent) and also specific acts alleged to constitute the violation of § 51-4 of this code and when they occurred. It shall also state whether or not these allegations have been presented to other administrative or judicial authorities.
(6)
All information supplied to or received from the Board
during evaluation or investigation shall remain confidential, as specified
by provisions of C.G.S. § 1-82a, in relation to operations
of a board of ethics, unless the Board makes a finding of probable
cause for a hearing or unless the respondent requests in writing that
the entire record and any hearings be open to the public.
C.
Evaluation and acknowledgment.
(1)
Upon receipt of the complaint, the Board will send
it to Town Counsel to determine whether the complaint is complete
and in proper form. Town Counsel shall have 15 calendar days to determine
if the complaint is in proper form. If the complaint is not in proper
form or if the Board determines that the allegations, even if true,
would not constitute a violation of this code then the Board shall
duly notify the complainant of this and the reasons therefor by registered
or certified mail. Allegations applicable to other administrative
or judicial authority will be referred to the proper authority.
(2)
If the Board determines that the complaint is in proper
form and the allegations if true would constitute a violation of this
code, then the Board shall, not later than five business days after
said determination, provide a copy of the complaint by registered
or certified mail to all respondents against whom such complaint is
filed and shall provide notice of the receipt of such complaint to
the complainant. The respondent(s) shall have 10 business days from
receipt to submit any response to the Board.
(3)
Confidential investigation.
(a)
The Board shall make or cause an investigation
to be made sufficient to decide whether there is probable cause to
believe a violation of this code has occurred. The investigation shall
be conducted within 60 calendar days of receipt of complaint.
(b)
In the conduct of its investigation, the Board
shall have the power to hold hearings, administer oaths, examine witnesses,
receive oral and documentary evidence, subpoena witnesses, and to
require the production for examination by the Board of any books and
papers as permitted by law which are relevant in any manner under
investigation or in question.
(c)
During the investigation, the respondent(s)
shall have the right to appear and be heard and offer any information
which may tend to clear the respondent of probable cause to believe
that the respondent has violated any provision of the Code of Ethics.
(d)
This investigation shall be confidential pursuant
to C.G.S. § 1-82a.
D.
No probable cause. If the Board finds no probable
cause it shall within five business days advise the complainant and
the respondent of its finding and a summary of the reasons. The complaint
and the record of investigation shall remain confidential.
E.
Probable cause.
(1)
If the Board finds probable cause by the concurring
vote of four out of five voting members, it shall, within three business
days after the termination of its investigation and its decision,
advise the complainant and the respondent of its findings and a summary
of the reasons therefor.
(2)
If there is found such probable cause, the Board shall
make public its finding within five business days after the termination
of its investigation and decision thereon and the entire record of
the investigation shall become public.
(3)
The Board may grant a postponement of the release
of said record for a period not to exceed 14 days to allow for negotiations
for the resolution of the matter by stipulation, agreed settlement,
or consent order and/or as provided for in C.G.S. § 4-177
as referenced in C.G.S. § 1-82a(e).
(4)
It shall also, unless resolved as stated above, set
a date for a hearing on a complaint. It shall give notice of that
date to the complainant and respondent. Such date shall be not less
than 15 calendar days following notice nor more than 30 calendar days
after the finding of probable cause.
F.
Hearings.
(1)
All hearings shall be opened to the public and recorded.
(2)
Hearings shall not be subject to rules of court, except
the rights of an accused to confront and cross-examine his/her accuser,
of every witness or party to be represented by an attorney at law
of his/her choice, and of every witness to decline to answer questions
in accordance with the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States.
(3)
In all other respects hearings shall be conducted
by the Board, with the advice and assistance of the Town Attorney
acting through its Chairperson, in order to facilitate the prompt
and fair disposition of the proceedings.
(4)
While conducting a hearing of an alleged violation
of this code, the Board shall have the authority to administer oaths,
examine witnesses, and receive oral and documentary evidence. The
Board shall have the authority to issue subpoenas or subpoenas duces
tecum (in order to produce documentary evidence) enforceable upon
application to the Superior Court for the State of Connecticut and
to compel attendance of persons at hearings and the production of
books, documents, records and papers, pursuant to C.G.S. § 7-148(c)(10)(B),
subject to the inherent power of the Board to decline or limit such
request where it is merely duplicative or is unnecessarily burdensome
or harassing and not likely to lead to evidence which will aid the
Board in its determination.
G.
Finding/sanctions.
(1)
No finding of violation of this code shall be made
except upon concurring vote of four out of five members of the Board.
(2)
The Chairperson shall render the finding of the Board
within 15 calendar days after conclusion of the hearing. A copy of
the finding shall be sent to the complainant, respondent, and the
Town of Clinton.
(3)
Upon finding of a violation of any provision of the
code, the Board will refer the matter to the appropriate appointing
or supervisory authority.
(4)
The authority affected will report within 30 calendar
days of the receipt of the Board of Ethics ruling to the Board the
action taken, if any. Persons subject to this code found not to be
in violation of this code will be reimbursed by the Town for their
reasonable legal fees, except no legal fees shall be paid for any
services rendered before a finding of probable cause.
H.
Advisory opinions.
(1)
Any public official, prospective public official or
employee may request the Board of Ethics to issue an advisory ethics
opinion regarding the propriety of a matter or matters to which the
person is or may become a party. Any request for an advisory opinion
shall be in writing by the person making the request. The Board may
make public all or any part of such opinion as it deems desirable
and in the public trust.
[Amended 8-5-2009]
(2)
Advisory opinions rendered by the Board shall be deemed
to be final decisions. Any advisory opinion concerning the person
who requested the opinion and who acted in reliance thereon, in good
faith, shall be an absolute defense in any matter brought under the
provisions of this code.
Any person aggrieved by any final decision of
the Board may appeal such decision within 30 days of the official
posting in accordance with the provisions of C.G.S. § 4-175
or 4-183. If successful, any and all reasonable legal fees will be
paid by the Town of Clinton.
