Weston is a community proud of its heritage
and supportive of strong ideals. This Code of Ethics is established
to foster the highest standards of ethical behavior on the part of
all elected and appointed officials of the Town and all employees
of the Town. Its purpose is to provide guidelines for our Town officials
and employees by establishing standards of conduct for those people
who participate in its decisionmaking processes. It is intended to
promote the continuation of the tradition of good government in Weston.
Adherence to the code will ensure that our government operates with
integrity and fairness and in a manner deserving of the confidence
which the citizens of Weston have bestowed upon those who hold responsibilities
to our community.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Any information concerning the property, business or affairs
of the Town not generally available to the public which is obtained
by reason of the public position or office held.
FAVOR
Any representation or promise to confer a benefit of something
other than economic value upon another without the return or exchange
of adequate and lawful consideration.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Any interest resulting from a Town action in which an individual,
his/her relatives, through blood or marriage, or close business associate,
either directly or indirectly, expects to derive a monetary gain which
is more than nominal and not common to the interest of other citizens
of the Town.
GIFT
Anything of economic value, regardless of the form, given,
exchanged or transferred without the return or exchange of adequate
and lawful consideration. It does not include the solicitation, acceptance,
receipt, or regulation of political campaign contributions regulated
in accordance with provisions of federal, state, or local laws governing
campaign finances.
PERSONAL INTEREST
Any interest resulting from a Town action in which an individual,
his/her relatives, through blood or marriage, or close business associate,
either directly or indirectly, expects to derive a benefit other than
financial which is not common to the interest of other citizens of
the Town.
TOWN ACTION
Any municipal legislative, administrative, appointive or
discretionary act of any employee of the Town or any agency, board,
committee or commission thereof.
TOWN EMPLOYEE
Any person providing services to the Town for salary or wages,
including Board of Education employees.
TOWN OFFICIAL
Any person holding a position by election or appointment
in the service of the Town, whether paid or unpaid, including members
of any board, committee, or commission thereof.
The Town Clerk shall cause a copy of this Code
of Ethics to be distributed to Town officials and employees upon their
election, appointment, or hire.