[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Coxsackie 11-10-1970. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
A.
Pursuant to the provisions of § 806 of the General Municipal
Law, the Town Board of the Town of Coxsackie recognizes that there
are rules of ethical conduct for public officers and employees which
must be observed if a high degree of moral conduct is to be obtained
and if public confidence is to be maintained in our unit of local
government. It is the purpose of this chapter to promulgate these
rules of ethical conduct for the officers and employees of the Town
of Coxsackie. These rules shall serve as a guide for official conduct
of the officers and employees of the Town of Coxsackie.
B.
The rules of ethical conduct of this chapter, as adopted, shall not
conflict with but shall be in addition to any prohibition of Article
18 of the General Municipal Law or any other general or special law
relating to ethical conduct and interest in contracts of municipal
officers and employees.
[Amended 5-14-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991]
As used in this chapter, the following words shall have the
meanings indicated:
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing
to a municipal officer or employee as the result of a contract with
the municipality which such officer or employee serves. For the purpose
of this chapter, a municipal officer or employee shall be deemed to
have an interest in the contract of:
His spouse, minor children and dependents, except a contract
of employment with the municipality which such officer or employee
serves.
A firm, partnership or association of which such officer or
employee is a member or employee.
A corporation of which such officer or employee is an officer,
director or employee.
A corporation, any stock of which is owned or controlled directly
or indirectly by such officer or employee.
An officer or employee of the Town of Coxsackie, whether
paid or unpaid, including members of any administrative board, commission
or other agency thereof. No person shall be deemed to be a municipal
officer or employee solely by reason of being a volunteer fireman
or civil defense volunteer, except a Chief Engineer or Assistant Chief
Engineer.
A.
Every officer or employee of the Town of Coxsackie shall be subject
to and abide by the following standards of conduct:
(1)
Gifts. He shall not directly or indirectly solicit any gift or accept
or receive any gift having a value of $25 or more, whether in the
form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality,
thing or promise or any other form under circumstances in which it
could reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence
him or could reasonably be expected to influence him in the performance
of his official duties or was intended as a reward for any official
action on his part.
(2)
Confidential information. He shall not disclose confidential information
acquired by him in the course of his official duties or use such information
to further his personal interest.
(3)
Representation before one's own agency. He shall not receive
or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal
agency of which he is an officer, member or employee or of any municipal
agency over which he has jurisdiction or to which he has the power
to appoint any member, officer or employee.
(4)
Representation before any agency for a contingent fee. He shall not
receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any agency
of his municipality whereby his compensation is to be dependent or
contingent upon any action by such agency with respect to such matter,
provided that this subsection shall not prohibit the fixing at any
time of fees based upon the reasonable value of the services rendered.
(5)
Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent that he knows
thereof, a member of the Town Board and any officer or employee of
the Town of Coxsackie, whether paid or unpaid, who participates in
the discussion or gives official opinion to the Town Board on any
legislation before the Town Board shall publicly disclose on the official
record the nature and extent of any direct or indirect financial or
other private interest he has in such legislation.
(6)
Investments in conflict with official duties. He shall not invest
or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial, business,
commercial or other private transaction which creates a conflict with
his official duties.
(7)
Private employment. He shall not engage in, solicit, negotiate for
or promise to accept private employment or render services for private
interests when such employment or service creates a conflict with
or impairs the proper discharge of his official duties.
(8)
Future employment. He shall not, after the termination of service
or employment with such municipality, appear before any board or agency
of the Town of Coxsackie in relation to any case, proceeding or application
in which he personally participated during the period of his service
or employment or which was under his active consideration.
B.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely filing
by a present or former municipal officer or employee of any claim,
account, demand or suit against the Town of Coxsackie or any agency
thereof on behalf of himself or any member of his family arising out
of any personal injury or property damage or for any lawful benefit
authorized or permitted by law.
C.
The standards of conduct set forth herein shall also be binding on
every officer or employee of the Town of Coxsackie for a period of
two years immediately following the termination of the status of such
person as an officer or employee.
[Added 5-14-1991 by L.L. No. 4-1991]
The Supervisor of the Town of Coxsackie shall cause a copy of
this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee
of the Town of Coxsackie within 10 days after the effective date of
this chapter. Each officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter
shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of his office
or employment.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision
of law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any
of the provisions of this code may be fined, suspended or removed
from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided
by law.
