[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Hellertown 2-8-1977 by Ord. No. 477. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish and impose on elected and appointed officials and employees of the Borough of Hellertown the highest possible ethical standards.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the rights granted under the laws of Pennsylvania or the United States to any employee or employee organization.
No individual shall be favored or disfavored with respect to any position or office because of age, sex, race, color, religion, national origin, political opinions or affiliations or lawful activity in any employee organization.
No individual who seeks promotions or appointment with respect to any position or office shall directly or indirectly give, render, or pay any money, service or other valuable thing to any person for or in connection with his past appointment, proposed appointment, promotion or proposed promotion.
A. 
Employees of the Borough may participate or refrain from participating in political activity, but no employee shall engage in political activity while performing the duties of his or her position with the Borough.
B. 
No employee of the Borough shall hold any elective position within the Borough such as Mayor, Councilman, Auditor, Controller, Assessor or Tax Collector. Nothing herein contained shall prevent an employee from running for such an elective position within the Borough, but upon election, he or she shall forthwith submit his or her resignation as an employee of the Borough to be effective upon the date such employee assumes his or her duties as such elected official.
C. 
No person in any way shall solicit any assessment, subscription or contribution for any political party, organization, committee or candidate from any employee of the Borough.
A. 
The purpose of this section is to prevent elected and appointed officials and employees from securing any financial benefits from their public positions other than their compensation provided by law.
B. 
No elected or appointed official or employee shall receive benefit from the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service for the Borough or accept anything of value upon terms more favorable than those granted to the public generally from any person dealing with the Borough. No elected or appointed official or employee shall solicit or receive anything of value for any act done in the course of public business, except from the Borough. This subsection shall not be construed to prohibit elected or appointed officials or employees from accepting group discounts, group insurance, or other economic advantages offered to all elected and appointed officials and employees.
C. 
No elected or appointed official or employee in his official capacity shall participate in the consideration or approval of any Borough business in which he or she has a direct or indirect financial interest.
D. 
Any elected or appointed official or employee who is aware that he or she has ownership or any interest in any person, firm or corporation dealing or doing business with the Borough, shall disclose such interest by sending a letter setting forth such facts to the Secretary of Borough Council, who shall distribute copies of the letter to the members of the Borough Council.
E. 
The Borough Council shall determine whether a conflict exists. If a conflict exists as to a member of the Borough Council, that member shall not participate in, debate or vote on the matter. The Borough Council shall have the power to void any contract made in violation of this section.
Any elected or appointed official or employee who knowingly and willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall be dismissed from his office or employment by Council.