[Amended 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
The public judges its government by the way public officials, appointees and employees conduct themselves in the posts to which they are elected or appointed. It is the responsibility of all government officials, appointees and Borough employees to perform their duties so that all citizens of the Borough of Chalfont may have complete confidence in the integrity of their government. The proper operation of a democratic government requires that public officials, appointees and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; government decision and policy be made in the proper channels of the government structure; public office be used for the public benefit alone and not for personal gain; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government. Government officials, appointees and employees must avoid all situations where prejudice, bias or opportunity for personal gain could influence their actions or decisions and, further, must seek to avoid even the appearance of improper conduct.
[Amended 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
A. 
Public officials, appointees and Borough employees are agents of the public and, while performing their duties in the public interest, are bound to uphold, support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth and to faithfully follow and administer the law.
B. 
The duty of public officials, appointees and Borough employees to work in the public interest entails responsibility for the proper, efficient and economical management of all public funds, property and other resources. All compensated public officials, appointees and Borough employees shall faithfully discharge their duties to the best of their abilities and shall perform a full day's work for a full day's pay.
C. 
Public officials shall administrate fair and equal treatment of all persons, claims and transactions, regardless of race, age, sex or association, petitioning before the Borough of Chalfont.
[Amended 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
A. 
To assure independence and impartiality on behalf of the citizens of the Borough of Chalfont, public officials, appointees and employees shall not use their public positions to influence or otherwise affect government decisions or actions. Officials shall disclose investments, interests in real property, sources of income and gifts, any organizational responsibility, a personal relationship or any other interest that may present apparent or real conflicts of interests. Officials shall abstain from participation in deliberations or decisionmaking where any conflicts are deemed to exist. The following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Any decision, deliberation, advisement or other association that presents an apparent or real conflict between any public official, appointee or employee's performance in government and that same person's performance in a private capacity.
GIFT
Anything which is received without consideration of equal or greater value. The term shall not include a political contribution otherwise reportable as required by law or a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary course of business. The term shall not include hospitality, transportation or lodging.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
ORGANIZATIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
Any responsibility to an organization other than the administration of the Borough of Chalfont government.
PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP
Any relationship, whether of immediate kinship and blood relation or that of sustained or material friendship.
B. 
In order that all public officials, appointees and Borough employees may clearly understand the areas of possible conflicts of interest, the following guidelines are set forth:
(1) 
Adverse financial interest. No public official, appointee or Borough employee shall engage directly or indirectly in any personal business transaction or private arrangement for personal profit which accrues from or is based upon his official position or authority. A public official, appointee or Borough employee who participates in the negotiations of contracts, the settlement of any claims or charges in any contracts, the granting of subsidies, the fixing of rates or the issuance of valuable permits or certificates to, with or for any entity shall not have, directly or indirectly, any financial or personal interest in that entity.
(2) 
Representation of interests. No public official, appointee or employee shall assist another person by representing him directly or indirectly as his agent, whether or not for compensation, in any transaction involving the Borough, except to provide assistance rendered in the course of or incident to his official duties, except persons who hold uncompensated Borough positions in matters unrelated to the position held. No attorney employed by the Borough shall represent any person, association or corporate body in any matter pending before the department by which he is employed or any other department over which his department exercises substantial dominion or control.
(3) 
Gifts and favors. Public officials, appointees and employees and the immediate families of said officials, appointees and employees shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, accept or agree to accept any gift of money or goods, loans or services for personal benefit under any circumstances that may influence or compromise the manner in which the public officials, appointees or Borough employees perform their work, make their decisions or otherwise perform their duties.
(4) 
Misuse of information. No public official, appointee or employee shall, for his or her own personal gain or for the gain of others, use any information not available to the public at large, nor shall he or she divulge confidential information in advance of the time prescribed for its authorized release. An official, appointee or employee shall not receive compensation for consultation which substantially draws upon official ideas or data which has not been disclosed to the public.
(5) 
Supplementary employment. No official, appointee or employee shall engage in or accept private employment or render services for private interests, which such employment or service is incompatible or in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her official duties or which would tend to impair his or her independence, judgment or action in the performance of his or her official duties. Supplementary employment may be undertaken only when not in conflict with the conditions of employment promulgated by the appointing authority.
(6) 
Business transactions. No official, appointee or employee shall directly or indirectly engage in any business transaction or private employment, or have any financial or other private interest, which is in conflict with the proper discharge of his or her official duties. No official, appointee or employee shall attempt to influence the course of any proposed legislation in which he or she or a family member or business associate has a present or potential interest, direct or indirect, except as provided under the Borough Charter or state law, where applicable. Public officials shall not vote on any proposed legislation coming before the Borough Council in which they have such a financial interest, unless prior public disclosure of such financial interest, in accordance with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania statutes governing same, has been made.
[Added 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
Public officials, appointees and employees shall refrain from the use of public resources not available to the public at large for private gain or personal purposes.
[Added 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
Public officials may represent the policies and positions of the Borough government to the best of their abilities when designated as delegates for such purpose. When representing their own individual opinions or positions, officials shall state explicitly that such information is not representative of the position of any administrative body within the Borough of Chalfont government and shall not allow such an inference to occur.
[Added 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
Public officials and appointees shall respect and adhere to the administrative policies and the administration of Borough government. Public officials and appointees shall not interfere with the administrative functions or the professional duties of any other government official, nor shall they impair the ability of any staff member to implement the administrative policies of the Borough of Chalfont. "Interfere" shall mean any action with a motive not conducive to the proper management of established administrative policies.
[Added 11-18-2003 by Ord. No. 333]
No public official, appointee or employee shall grant, offer or provide any privilege beyond that which is available to every other person or business.