[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Greenville 7-14-2022 by L.L. No. 1-2022. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following is the policy of the Town of Greenville with regard
to the use of technology devices, including, but not limited to, cell
phones, audio recorders, video recorders, and cameras; and communications
technology, including, but not limited to, email, texting, and social
networking sites (including blogs, message boards, wikis, social and
professional networking websites, and content sharing sites, etc.),
as to matters involving the business, operations, or information of
the Town. Both technology devices and communications technology are
collectively referred to herein as "social media." By express reference
herein, this policy also pertains to the use of Town computers, phones,
cameras, and other electronic assets to access email, texting, or
social networking accounts and to transmit words, images, and the
like. The term "agent," as used herein, refers to employees, officers,
volunteers, and agents of any classification of the Town.
It is the policy of the Town that no information, whether in
written, video, audio, photograph or other form, that is obtained
while carrying on the duties of employment for the Town shall be disclosed,
disseminated, distributed, shared, posted or otherwise disbursed in
any format, whether by instant messaging, texting, paging, email,
social networking sites or other information sharing services, websites
and/or blogs, or otherwise, without the express, prior written approval
of the Town Board of the Town of Greenville.
Any photographic or video images taken by an agent of the Town
in the course and scope of their employment duties are the sole and
exclusive property of the Town and are under the control of the Town
Board of the Town of Greenville, or its designee. This includes any
images taken intentionally or inadvertently with an agent's own electronic
imaging device or the device of another. Images taken by an agent
in the course and scope of their employment may be disseminated or
distributed, in any way, only with the express written approval from
the Town Board.
It is the policy of Town that should any agent elect to log
onto or access social media from electronic assets of technology,
computers or internet access, owned or provided by the Town, such
user shall have no expectation of privacy as to any information that
they input or review while in contact with social media, including
passwords, codes or other information that is reviewed or that enables
access to the social media. Moreover, by utilizing social media via
the electronic assets of technology, computers or internet access
owned or provided by the Town, such users understand that they are
providing the Town with access to their social media and therefore
agree that a user's actions to access social media from the electronic
assets of technology, computers or internet access owned or provided
by the Town constitutes the user's understanding and agreement that
the user has no expectation of privacy in the social media and consents
to access the employee's social media by the Town at the Town's discretion.
This shall include all review materials that may be resident on the
social media, including passwords, text messages, tweets, email communications,
PDFs, and pictures that are sent to such users or reviewed by such
users on the social media. Users of electronic assets owned or provided
by the Town agree not to use said assets to access pornographic, gambling,
or other websites containing derogatory or defamatory content or that
promote content that a reasonable person would find offensive and
which may tend to demean or damage the integrity or reputation of
the Town if subjected to public scrutiny.
To the extent that agents of Town post comments to social media
outside the scope of their employment responsibilities, such agents
may not include any confidential information of the Town, may not
violate any confidence or privilege, and may not make any statements
that would give a reasonable person the impression that the views
expressed by the agent are the views, policies, or opinions of the
Town. Agents should refrain from posting critical or derogatory comments
about any other agent. Any grievances or complaints that an agent
has about the Town should be made through recognized and normal channels
pursuant to the Town's Personnel Policies[1] and applicable employment contracts and not through social
media. Agents may not post to any online forums using any official
email address provided by the Town. Agents may not utilize any logos,
drawings, trademarks, copyrights or other images or photographs of
events or equipment typically associated with or obtained in conjunction
with Town activities or responses without the express, prior written
approval of the Town Board of the Town of Greenville or its designee.
It is the policy of the Town that no person operating any Town-owned
vehicle, or personal vehicle while in the course of performing Town
duties, shall use any handheld device for the purpose of texting or
talking with another.
A violation of this policy may be deemed to be misconduct and
serve as the basis for disciplinary action by the Town.
Please take notice to the extent that this chapter may conflict
with applicable portions of the Town Law of the State of New York,
it is the stated intention of the Town to exercise its authority to
supersede and amend, as granted under Municipal Home Rule Law of the
State of New York § 10. The Town hereby provides notice
that it is exercising its authority to supersede and amend pursuant
to Municipal Home Rule Law of the State of New York § 22.
