The purpose of this chapter is to establish ethical standards
of conduct for all such officials and employees by setting forth those
acts or actions that are incompatible with the best interests of the
Township and by directing disclosure by such officials and employees
of private financial or other matters affecting the Township. The
provisions and purpose of this chapter and such rules and regulations
as may be established are hereby declared to be in the best interests
of the Township.
Public officials and employees are agents of public purpose
and hold office for the benefit of the public. They are bound to uphold
the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of this
state and to carry out impartially the laws of the nation, state and
municipality and thus to foster respect for all government. They are
bound to observe in their official and personal acts the highest standards
of morality and to discharge faithfully the duties of their office,
regardless of personal considerations, recognizing that the public
interest must be their primary concern.
Public officials and employees, whether appointed or elected
full time or part time, paid or unpaid, should conduct their official
duties with integrity, impartially and in public interest. They also
should conduct both their official and private affairs so as not to
give a reasonable basis for the impression that any such official
or employee can be improperly influenced in the performance of his/her
official duties. Such official or employee should so conduct himself/herself
as to maintain public confidence in his/her performance or his/her
public trust and in the government he/she represents. The official
or employee should not be a source of embarrassment to that government
and should avoid even the appearance of conflict between his/her public
duties and private interests.
No person shall be appointed to or removed from or in any way
favored or discriminated against with respect to any appointive administrative
office because of his/her race, religion, sex or national origin,
if otherwise qualified for the position or office. However, this provision
does not impair administrative discretion in determining the requirements
of a position or in a job assignment of a person holding such position.
No official or employee shall use Township-owned vehicles, equipment,
materials or property, except in the line of duty or when such service
is available to the general public.
No official or employee shall grant any special consideration,
treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond that which is available
to every other citizen.
No employee in the classified service of the Township shall
orally, by letter or otherwise solicit or be in any manner concerned
with soliciting any assessment, subscription or contribution to any
political party, nor shall he/she be a party to such solicitations
by others, except as permitted by civil service.
When a member of Council or other official or employee has doubt
as to the applicability of a provision of this chapter to a particular
situation, he/she should apply to the Township Attorney for an advisory
opinion and be guided by that opinion when given. The member of Council
or other official or employee shall have the opportunity to present
his/her interpretation of the facts at issue and of the applicable
provisions of this chapter before such advisory decision is made.
This chapter shall be operating in all instances covered by its provisions,
except when superseded by an applicable statutory or charter provision,
and statutory or charter action is mandatory.
Violations of any provisions of this chapter may constitute
a cause for censorship, suspension, removal from office or employment
or other disciplinary action pursuant to statutes of the State of
New Jersey.