As used in this article, the following words or phrases shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Any information concerning the property, business or affairs
of the Town that is not a matter of public record or public knowledge.
EMPLOYEE
Any person receiving a salary, wages or compensation from
the Town government for services rendered.
OFFICIAL
Any person holding elective or appointive Town office, including
members and alternate members of Town agencies, boards, and commissions,
committees and subcommittees.
PERSON
An individual, sole proprietorship, trust, corporation, union,
association, firm, partnership, committee, club, or other organization
or group of persons.
PROBABLE CAUSE
Determining whether the facts would warrant a reasonable
person to believe that an official, officer, employee or other person
violated this code; the belief should be more than a mere suspicion,
but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
No official or employee shall use or permit the use of Town
funds, services, property, and equipment, owned or leased vehicles,
or materials for personal convenience or profit, except when such
services are available to the public generally or are provided in
conformance with established Town policies for the use of such officials
or employees.
No official or employee shall grant or accept any special consideration,
treatment or advantage to or from any person beyond that which is
available to every other person.
The Suffield Ethics Commission may employ necessary staff or
outside counsel within available appropriations.
The Ethics Commission shall elect a Chairperson and Secretary
and shall establish its own rules and procedures, which shall be available
to any elector of the Town upon request to the Commission. The first
rules and procedures shall be established within six months of the
date this chapter becomes effective. The need to maintain confidentiality
in order to protect the privacy of public officials and employees
and citizens shall be considered when establishing the rules and procedures.
The Ethics Commission shall keep records of its meetings and shall
hold meetings at the call of the Chairperson and at such other times
as it may determine.
A decision of the Ethics Commission may be appealed in the manner
allowed by the General Statutes.