This Charter shall be known and may be cited as the "Council-Manger Charter of the Town of Standish, Maine." The Clerk shall cause it to be printed and made available to the public promptly.
If any portion of this Charter shall be held to be invalid, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.
Every officer or official of the town shall, within five (5) business days following the final determination of the election or appointment of said officer, and before entering upon the duties of his/her office, take and subscribe to the following oath or affirmation, to be filed and kept in the office of the Town Clerk:
"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution and will obey the laws of the United States and of the State of Maine; that I will, in all respects, observe the provisions of the Charter and ordinances of the Town of Standish and will faithfully discharge the duties of _______________."
The Town Manager, Town Clerk and any other persons as determined by the Council shall give bond for the faithful discharge of their duties to the town in such sum as the Council shall determine and direct, and with surety or sureties to be approved by the Council. The premium on said bonds shall be paid by the town.
Any officer or employee who has a substantial financial interest, direct or indirect, or by reason of ownership of stock in any corporation, in any contract with the town or in the sale of any land, material, supplies or services to the town or to a contractor supplying the town shall make known that interest and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in his/her capacity as an officer or employee in making of such sale or in the making or performance of such contract. Any officer or employee who willfully conceals such a substantial financial interest or willfully violates the requirements of this section shall be guilty of malfeasance in office or position and shall forfeit his/her office or position if elected and shall have established cause for removal if appointed. Violation of this section with the knowledge, express or implied, of the person or corporation contracting with or making a sale to the town shall render the contract or sale voidable by the Council.
A. 
Activities prohibited.
(1) 
No person shall be appointed to or removed from or in any way favored or discriminated against with respect to any town position or appointive administrative office because of race, sex, ethnic origin or religion.
(2) 
No person shall willfully make any false statement, certificate, mark, rating or report in regard to any test certification or appointment under the personnel provisions established by the Council or the rules and regulations made thereunder or in any manner commit or attempt to commit any fraud preventing the impartial execution of such provisions, rules and regulations.
(3) 
No person shall directly or indirectly give, render, pay, offer, solicit or accept any money, service or other valuable consideration for any appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion to, or any advantage in, a position in the municipal service.
(4) 
No person who holds a compensated town position shall solicit any assessments, contributions or services for any political party from any employee in the municipal service.
(5) 
Nothing herein contained shall effect the right of any person to hold membership in and support a political party, to vote, to express privately and publicly his/her opinions on all political subjects and candidates, to maintain political neutrality or to attend political meetings.
(6) 
No person who holds an appointive or elective town position shall lack at any time during his/her term of office any qualification for the office prescribed by this Charter or by law, violate any express prohibition of this Charter or be convicted of a felony or any other crime or offense involving moral turpitude.
B. 
Penalties. The Council shall enact an ordinance prescribing penalties for the above. Any person found in violation of this section or any ordinance enacted pursuant to this section by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the Council acting in a judicial capacity shall be ineligible for a period of two (2) years thereafter to hold any town office or employment and shall immediately forfeit his/her office or position if elected, and if appointed shall have established cause for removal.
This Charter may be revised or amended only by the qualified voters of the Town of Standish pursuant to procedures prescribed by the Constitution and laws of the State of Maine.