[Amended 10-24-2017 STM]
This chapter shall be known and referred to as the “Code of Ethics” of the Town of Griswold. The forms referenced in this Code of Ethics (
Form A, Request for Advisory Opinion;
Form B, Complaint of Alleged Ethics Code Violation; and
Form C, Agreement to Comply with the Griswold Code of Ethics) are located at the end of this chapter and are also available in the office of the Griswold Town Clerk. The Commission may modify or discontinue use of such forms, or create new forms, upon the affirmative vote of at least four concurring members of the Commission during the meeting of the Commission duly called for such purpose.
[Amended 10-24-2017 STM]
Public office is a public trust. The trust of
the public is essential for government to function effectively. Public
policy developed by government officials and employees affects every
citizen of the Town of Griswold, and it must be based on honest and
fair deliberations and decisions. This process must be free from threats,
favoritism, undue influence, conflicts of interest and all forms of
impropriety so that the confidence of the public is not eroded. By
enacting this chapter, the Town of Griswold seeks to avoid any loss
of trust and to maintain and increase the confidence of its citizens
in the integrity and fairness of their government.
This chapter shall be applied to and be binding
upon every officer, official, agent, employee, consultant, agency
and every member of any board, commission or committee of the Town
of Griswold.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following
words shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this
section:
ADVISORY OPINION
A written opinion of the Commission interpreting this Ethics
Code or applying any of its provisions to a given statement of facts.
BUSINESS WITH WHICH HE OR SHE IS ASSOCIATED
Any sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation,
trust or her entity through which business for profit or not for profit
is conducted in which the Town official or employee or a member of
his or her immediate family is a director, officer, owner, limited
or general partner, beneficiary of a trust or holder of stock constituting
5% or more of the total outstanding stock of any class.
COMMISSION
The municipal ethics commission established in this Chapter
35.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Information, whether transmitted orally or in writing, that
a person obtains by reason of the public position or office he or
she holds and is of such nature that it is not, at the time of transmission,
a matter of public record or public knowledge.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No person subject to this Code of Ethics shall have any interest,
financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business,
employment, transaction or professional activity, or incur any obligation
of any nature, which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge
of his or her public duties or employment. Without limitation of the
generality of the foregoing sentence, a person subject to this Code
of Ethics has an interest which is in substantial conflict with the
proper discharge of his or her duties or employment in the public
interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed by applicable
law and/or the Town of Griswold if he or she has reason to believe
or expect that he or she, or his or her immediate family member or
a business with which he or she or such immediate family member is
associated, will derive a direct monetary gain or suffer a direct
monetary loss, as the case may be, by reason of his or her official
activity. Such person does not have an interest which is in substantial
conflict with the proper discharge of his or her duties in the public
interest and of his or her responsibilities as prescribed by applicable
law and/or the Town of Griswold if any benefit or detriment accrues
to such person, his or her immediate family member or a business with
which such person or his or her immediate family member is associated
as a member of a profession, occupation or group to no greater extent
than any other member of such business, profession, occupation or
group. All persons subject to this Code of Ethics shall seek to avoid
even the appearance of impropriety as it relates to this section.
A person subject to this Code of Ethics who has a substantial conflict
may not take official action on such matter.
[Added 10-24-2017 STM]
GIFT
Anything of value, including entertainment, food, beverage,
travel, and lodging given or paid to a Town official or employee,
unless consideration of equal or greater value is given by the Town
official or employee in return. A gift does not include:
A.
A political contribution, as defined in C.G.S. § 9-601a
(formerly § 9-333b) that is otherwise reported as required
by law, or any type of payment or donation of personal property described
in that statute;
B.
Services provided to the Town, or to a Town commission, board
or agency, by persons volunteering their time;
C.
A commercially reasonable loan made on terms not more favorable
than loans made in the ordinary course of business;
D.
A gift received from an individual's spouse, fiance, parent,
brother, sister, child, grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt, uncle,
niece, or nephew, or from a parent of the individual's spouse
or a spouse of the individual's child;
E.
Goods or services that are provided to the Town and that facilitate
the Town's action or functions;
F.
A certificate, plaque or other ceremonial award costing less
than $200;
G.
A rebate, discount or promotional item available to the general
public;
H.
Printed or recorded informational material germane to Town action
or functions;
I.
Items of nominal value containing or displaying promotional
material;
J.
An honorary degree bestowed upon a Town official or employee
by a public or private university or college;
K.
A meal provided at an event at which the Town official or employee
participates in his official capacity, and a waiver of the registration
and entrance fees to attend such an event;
L.
A meal provided in the home by an individual who resides in
the municipality;
M.
Items of nominal value tendered on gift-giving occasions generally
recognized by the public, including Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays,
the birth or adoption of a child, weddings, confirmations or bar/bat
mitzvah, provided the total value of such gifts in any calendar year
does not exceed $50; and
N.
Other items of nominal value, provided the total value of such
gifts in any calendar year does not exceed $50.
INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR
A person who supplies goods or services to the Town of Griswold
under a purchase order, contract, or agreement, but who would not
be defined or deemed to be a "municipal employee" within the meaning
of Chapter 113 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
OFFICIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The direct administrative or operating authority, whether
intermediate or final and whether exercisable personally or through
subordinates, to approve, disapprove, or otherwise direct government
action.
PERSON
An individual, sole proprietorship, trust, corporation, union,
association, firm, partnership, committee, club or other organization
or group of persons.
TOWN CONSULTANT
A person who is hired to provide specific information and/or
advice to the Town on an independent contractual basis, but who is
not an employee of the Town.
TOWN EMPLOYEE
An individual, other than an independent contractor, who
is employed by the Town of Griswold in any capacity, whether as a
classified or unclassified employee or on a contractual, permanent,
temporary, full-time or part-time basis.
TOWN OFFICIAL
An elected or appointed official, whether paid or unpaid
or full- or part-time, of the Town of Griswold.