[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Lysander 1-4-1990 amended in its entirety 2-9-2009 (Ch. 13 of the 1989 Code). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Defense and indemnification — See Ch. 17.
Investment policy — See Ch. 41.
Personnel policies — See Ch. 52.
Procurement policy — See Ch. 59.
A. 
The Town Board of the Town of Lysander recognizes that there are state statutory provisions authorizing towns to establish rules and standards of ethical conduct for public offices and employees which, if observed, can enhance public confidence in local government. It appears necessary that every effort be made to assure the highest caliber of public administration of this Town as part of our state's important system of local government. It is the purpose of these provisions to implement this objective through the establishment of standards of conduct and to provide for punishment of violation of such standards.
B. 
The standards, prohibited acts and procedures established herein are in addition to any prohibited acts, conflicts of interest, provisions or procedures prescribed by statute of the State of New York and also in addition to common law rules and judicial decisions relating to the conduct of Town officers to the extent that the same are more severe in their application than this chapter.
C. 
All of our employees are required to conduct their personal and business affairs in such a way as to avoid conflicts, or even the appearance of conflicts, with the interests of the Town of Lysander and its residents. Although the rules and standards below apply primarily to employees, each of us must also exercise care to avoid actual or potential conflicts of interest which might arise because of the activities of our family members or other members of our households.
D. 
Employees have an ongoing responsibility to disclose actual and potential conflicts. Determining whether you have a conflict and, if so, what to do about it can be difficult. No set of guidelines or statement of principles, however comprehensive and detailed, can hope to cover all situations or address every question of judgment. Your sensitivity to conflict-of-interest issues should increase as the positions held by you grow in responsibility. If you have any doubt about your disclosure obligations, the best course is to consult with the Town Supervisor or Town Attorney.
For the purposes of the Town of Lysander's Code of Ethics, and for the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
TOWN
Any board, commission, district, counselor, other agency, department or unit of government of the Town of Lysander.
TOWN EMPLOYEE
Any officer or employee of the Town of Lysander, whether elected or appointed, whether paid or unpaid, or whether serving in a full-time, part-time, seasonal, temporary or advisory capacity.
Each Town employee is subject to, and must abide by, the following rules:
A. 
No Town employee shall directly or indirectly solicit any gift, or accept or receive any gift, whether in the form of money, service, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it would reasonable be inferred that the gift was intended to influence the employee in the performance of his/her official duties or was intended as a reward for any official action on his/her part.
B. 
No Town employee shall disclose confidential information acquired by him/her in the course of his/her official duties or use such information to further his/her personal interests.
C. 
No Town employee shall receive, or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any Town agency of which he/she is an officer, member or employee or of any Town agency of which he/she is an officer, member or employee or of any Town agency over which he/she has the power to appoint any member, officer or employee.
D. 
Town employees may not directly supervise the activities of or approve salary recommendations for their relatives or nonrelative residing in their household without approval from the Lysander Town Board.
(1) 
For purposes of their business/personal relationships policy the term, "relatives" includes:
(a) 
Spouse/domestic partner.
(b) 
Parent.
(c) 
Grandparent.
(d) 
Brother.
(e) 
Aunt.
(f) 
Uncle.
(g) 
Niece.
(h) 
Nephew.
(i) 
Sister.
(j) 
Daughter.
(k) 
Son.
(l) 
Mother-in-law.
(m) 
Father-in-law.
(n) 
Daughter-in-law.
(o) 
Sister-in-law.
(p) 
Brother-in-law.
(q) 
Grandson.
(r) 
Granddaughter.
(s) 
Stepson.
(t) 
Stepdaughter.
(u) 
Stepparent.
(v) 
Foster parent.
(w) 
Legal guardian.
(x) 
Son-in-law.
(2) 
When any other personal relationships become incompatible with professional practices, the Town may adjust the work environment to protect overall working relationships and its own interests.
Each Town employee is subject to, and must abide by, the following standards:
A. 
No Town employee shall accept other employment which will impair his/her independence of judgment in the exercise of his/her official duties. Town employees may not hold outside positions which interfere with job performances. While the Town of Lysander does not prohibit employees from "moonlighting," no Town employee should hold an outside position in any business, trade, civic, governmental or social association which because of time obligations or subject matter impairs the employee from fulfilling his or her job responsibilities. In addition, Town employees may not be employed by or affiliated in a situation which would present a conflict of interest.
B. 
No Town employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which will require him to disclose confidential information which he/she has gained by reason of his/her official position or authority.
C. 
No Town employee shall use or attempt to use his/her position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or others.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of the law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate this chapter may be fined, suspended or removed from office or employment in the manner provided by law.