Pursuant to the provisions of § 806 of the General
Municipal Law of the State of New York, the Board of Trustees of the
Village of Nissequogue 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 Village of Nissequogue. These rules
shall serve as a guide for official conduct of the officers and employees
of the Village of Nissequogue.
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.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
INTEREST
A pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer
or employee unless the context otherwise requires.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Village of Nissequogue, whether
paid or unpaid, including members of any administrative board, commission
or other agency thereof.
VILLAGE
The Incorporated Village of Nissequogue.
Every officer or employee of the Village shall be subject to
and abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. 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, loans, 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
D. 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.
E. Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent that he knows
thereof, a member of the Board of Trustees and any officer or employee
of the Village, whether paid or unpaid, who participates in the discussion
or gives official opinion to the Board of Trustees on any legislation
before the Board of Trustees 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.
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. Future employment. He shall not, after the termination of service
or employment with such municipality, appear before any board or agency
of the Village 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.
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 Village 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.
The Mayor of the Village shall cause a copy of this chapter
to be distributed to every officer and employee of the Village within
30 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 chapter may be fined, suspended or removed
from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided
by law.