This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Ethics in Government
Law of the Village of Buchanan."
Public service should be considered the highest calling of a
citizen, and the public interest should take precedence over all private
interests. To achieve these ends, a Village government should require
that public officers, employees and agency members be honest, fair
and responsible to the people; that they exercise independent and
impartial judgment; that they give their undivided allegiance to the
public seal regardless of factionalism or transient political majorities;
that public office and employment not be used for personal gain; that
public officers and employees observe in their official acts the highest
standards of integrity and faithfully discharge their duties regardless
of personal consideration; and that the public have confidence in
its government and the officers and employees thereof and that those
officers and employees avoid even the appearance of impropriety. In
recognition of these goals there is hereby established a Code of Ethics
for officers, employees and agency members of the Village of Buchanan
(hereinafter sometimes also referred to as the "Village") and Board
of Ethics to render advisory opinions with respect thereto, to investigate
alleged violations thereof and to facilitate compliance therewith.
The rules, regulations, standards, prohibited acts and procedures
herein set forth are in addition to any provision of Article 18 of
the General Municipal Law or any other general or special law or cannon
relating to conflicts of interest, ethical conduct and interest of
municipal officers and employees in contracts and are also in addition
to common law rules and judicial decisions relating thereto and to
the rules and regulations of the Police Department to the extent the
same are more severe or restrictive in their application than this
chapter. To the extent any other provision of law, rules, regulations
or judicial decisions relating to conflicts of interest, ethical conduct
and interest of municipal officers and employees in contracts shall
be more severe or restrictive in their application, they shall prevail
over the provisions of this chapter, but not otherwise.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision
of law, any person who shall willfully and knowingly 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.
The Village Clerk shall cause a copy of the Code of Ethics to
be distributed to every officer, employee and agency member of the
Village within 30 days after the enactment date of this chapter. Each
officer, employee and agency member elected or appointed thereafter
or nominated for office shall be furnished a copy before entering
upon the duties of his office or employment or within 10 days after
nomination. Each officer, employee and agency member shall acknowledge,
in writing, by a statement filed of public record in the office of
the Village Clerk that he has received a copy of this code.
This chapter shall take effect immediately upon adoption by
the Village Board of Trustees.