This chapter shall be known and referred to as the "Code of
Ethics of the Town of Southington."
[Added 4-24-2006]
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 Southington, and it must be based on honest and fair deliberations
and decisions. This process must be free of threats, favoritism, undue
influence and all forms of impropriety so that the confidence of the
public is not eroded. With this code, the Town of Southington seeks
to avoid any loss of trust and to maintain and increase the confidence
of our citizens in the integrity and fairness of their government.
[Amended 4-24-2006]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
AGENCY
Includes all departments, boards, commissions, committees
and the Town Council.
COMPLAINANT
The person filing a written, verified complaint under oath.
EMPLOYEE
Each and every person employed by the Town in any capacity,
whether as a classified employee, unclassified employee, full-time
employee or part-time employee, and all employees of the Board of
Education.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
Any interest with a monetary value of $100 or more or which
generates a financial gain or loss of $100 or more per person in a
calendar year.
PERSONAL INTEREST
An interest in any action taken by the municipality in which
an individual will derive a nonfinancial benefit or detriment which
will result in the expenditure of municipal funds.
PRIVATE FINANCIAL INTEREST
Includes the private financial interest of oneself, a spouse,
minor child, a person who is or has been one's partner or joint venturer
within the prior year, of a Town official, member of a board, commission
or agency, employee of the Town, or an interest in which the official,
member of a board, commission or agency or employee is a silent partner
or has an interest held by a trustee.
RESPONDENT
The person against whom an allegation has been made pursuant
to the provisions of this chapter.
TOWN OFFICIALS
Members of the Town Council, the Town Manager, Deputy Town
Manager, Town Attorney, assistant Town Attorney, boards, commissions,
committees, departments or other agencies, whether the officers, officials
and members are elected or appointed, but shall not mean Justices
of the Peace.
[Amended 4-24-2006]
No Town official, member of a board, commission or agency or
employee of the Town shall engage in any business or transaction or
shall have a private, financial or personal interest, direct or indirect,
which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his/her official
duties in the public interest and would tend to impair his/her independence
or judgment of action in the performance of his/her official duties.
This section shall not apply to contracts awarded to the lowest responsible
bidder after public advertisement, nor to governmental tasks which
are merely ministerial in character.
[Added 4-24-2006]
No Town official, member of a board, commission or agency, or
employee of the Town shall be dismissed or reprimanded or treated
in any manner inconsistent with his/her abilities prior to the disclosure
in any way, if such person in good faith and reasonable belief files
a complaint under this code. It is the express intent of this section
to allow the code to function without fear of retribution to the complainant.
The Town Clerk shall cause a copy of this chapter to be distributed
to every Town official, member of any board, commission or agency,
employees (classified, unclassified, full time or part time and all
employees of the Board of Education), within 90 days after enactment
of the ordinance from which this chapter derives. Each Town official,
member of any board, commission or agency, employees (classified,
unclassified, full time or part time and all employees of the Board
of Education) thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering
upon the duties of his/her office or employment. A signed receipt
for all copies shall be returned to the Town Clerk and retained on
file.