The proper operation of a representative government requires that public officials and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; and, that governmental decisions and policies be made in the best interests of the people and of the Borough.
In recognition of these goals, the following Code of Ethics shall apply to all Borough elected and appointed officials and employees of the Borough, whether compensated or uncompensated, including members of authorities, agencies, boards and commissions of the Borough or those in which the Borough participates with other units of government or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or any of its political subdivisions or instrumentalities.
A. 
The following activities shall be prohibited in the operation of the government of the Borough:
(1) 
No person shall, in his or her employment by the Borough in any capacity, or appointment to any board, authority, commission or agency, or removal therefrom, be favored or discriminated against because of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, political or religious opinions or affiliations;
(2) 
No person who seeks appointment to any Borough board, authority, commission or agency or employment by the Borough in any capacity shall, directly or indirectly, give or pay any money, service or other compensation to any person in connection with such appointment or employment;
(3) 
No elected or appointed official of the Borough or employee thereof, shall:
a) 
Engage in or accept private employment or render services for private interests when such employment or service is in conflict with or prevents the proper discharge of his or her official duties;
b) 
Engage in any activity or take any action by virtue of an official position from which activity or action the official or employee, or any other person or entity in whose welfare the official or employee is interested, shall realize a gain or advantage, or receive anything which could be regarded as a gain or advantage, except such gain or advantage generally realized by the citizens of the Borough as the purposeful result of such activity or action;
c) 
Solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any gift, favor, service or other consideration that might reasonably tend to influence that official or employee in the discharge of the duties of his or her office;
d) 
Seek to influence, directly or indirectly, the awarding of any contract where such official, or employee, or other person or entity in whose welfare the official or employee is interested, would benefit directly or indirectly, financially or otherwise, from said contract, except such benefits generally realized by the citizens of the Borough as the purposeful result of such contract;
e) 
Solicit, accept or receive by virtue of his or her office, directly or indirectly, from any person or entity. any service or franchise right upon terms more favorable than are granted to the citizens of the Borough generally;
f) 
Give or promise, directly or indirectly, to any person any office, position, employment, benefit or any thing of value for the purpose of influencing or obtaining the political support, and or vote of any person, except where such benefit is generally realized by the citizens of the Borough; or,
g) 
Use any public property for personal benefit or profit, except as may be authorized by Council in the Administrative Code or other ordinance.
B. 
In matters involving the recommendation, deliberation, or approving of contracts, no elected or appointed official of the Borough, or employee thereof, shall participate in any of those aforementioned activities if he or she, or any member of his immediate family, has a financial interest in any person or other entity proposing to contract with the Borough.
C. 
No Member of Council or the Mayor may vote on or approve any matter before Council in which he or she is the sole beneficiary. This prohibition shall include votes taken to make appointments to Borough boards, authorities, commissions or agencies. This prohibition shall not apply to matters involving the election of Council officers, or to the appointment of any committees on which only Council members are eligible to serve.
A. 
Employees of the Borough shall not campaign for any candidate seeking a Borough office, shall not participate in fund raising activities for candidates for Borough office or for elected Borough officials, and shall not participate in any other political activity of the Borough.
B. 
An employee of the Borough shall resign from such employment within ten (10) days of the date he or she becomes a candidate for any elected office of the Borough under this Charter.
Violations of the provisions of Article XI of this Charter shall constitute malfeasance in office which, except as otherwise provided for by General Law, shall be a summary offense punishable by the maximum fine and/or imprisonment established by General Law. Conviction shall result in forfeiture of office or termination of employment and any person so convicted shall thereafter be ineligible to hold any elective or appointed office of the Borough under this Charter, or employment in the government of the Borough.