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.
