As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
ADVISORY OPINIONS
Written opinions of the Ethics Commission regarding whether situations or activities may or may not result in a violation of the Code of Ethics not pertaining to a specific person subject to the code. (Refer to §
67-6 for further details.)
APPOINTED OFFICIAL
A person who is appointed by the Board of Selectmen to serve
on any appointed board, agency or commission of the Town, with or
without compensation, in accordance with the Town Charter.
CODE
The Code of Ethics adopted by the Board of Selectmen in accordance
with Section 825 of the Town Charter.
COMPLAINANT
The person who alleges a violation of the Code of Ethics
by a person subject to the code.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Information, whether transmitted orally or in writing, which
is obtained by reason of the public position or office held and is
of such nature that it is not, at the time of transmission, a matter
of public record or public knowledge and not subject to disclosure
under the Freedom of Information Act.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A conflict between one's obligation to the Town or the
position served and one's self-interest.
ELECTED OFFICIAL
A person who is elected by electors of the Town, with or
without compensation, to any elected board, agency or commission of
the Town in accordance with the Town Charter.
EMPLOYEE/PERSONNEL
A person who holds a compensated position of employment with
the Town, with the exception of individuals who receive only stipends
and/or seasonal workers (Department of Recreation summer help, etc.).
GIFT
A payment, subscription, advance, forbearance, rendering
of service, deposit of money, or anything of value, unless consideration
of equal or greater value is transferred in its place. The term "gift"
shall not include: a political contribution otherwise reported by
law, services provided to support a political candidate or political
party without compensation by persons volunteering their time; a commercially
reasonable loan made on terms not more favorable than loans made in
the ordinary course of business; anything of value received because
of a family member or other close personal relationship with the donor;
an occasional nonpecuniary gift, insignificant in value; an award
publicly presented in recognition of public service or any other gift
which would have been offered or given to him if he were not a public
official or Town employee.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBER
Includes spouse, domestic partner, parents, step- parents,
brother, sister, children, grandparents and grandchildren, as well
as any other person who permanently resides in the individual's
household, whether related or not.
PERSONAL FINANCIAL INTEREST
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing
to a person subject to the Code of Ethics or an immediate family member.
PERSON SUBJECT TO THE CODE
A person bound by reason of his office or position not to
violate the provisions of this Code of Ethics and includes appointed
officials, elected officials, employee/personnel, Town Attorney and
Town Engineer.
PROBABLE CAUSE
The existence of facts and circumstances within one's
knowledge, and of which one has reasonably trustworthy information,
sufficient in itself to warrant a person of reasonable caution to
believe that a violation of the Code of Ethics has occurred.
RESPONDENT
The person against whom a complaint is brought.