The purpose of this chapter is to provide legal and financial protection
for those individuals serving the Village of Southampton from losses which
may be brought against them in their individual capacity for actions taken
while in the performance of their official duties and responsibilities. In
enacting this chapter, the Board of Trustees finds that the State of New York
has enacted similar provisions for the legal and financial security of its
officers and employees and further finds that such security is also required
for local personnel. By enactment of this chapter, the Board of Trustees does
not intend to limit or otherwise abrogate any existing right or responsibility
of the village or its employees with regard to indemnification or legal defense.
It is solely the intent of this chapter to provide similar coverage for local
employees as is presently provided for state employees so as to continue to
attract qualified individuals to local government service.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
EMPLOYEE
Any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment
in the service of the Village of Southampton, whether or not compensated,
or a volunteer expressly authorized to participate in a municipally sponsored
volunteer program, but shall not include an independent contractor. The term
"employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or judicially appointed
personal representative.
The duty to defend or indemnify and save harmless provided by this chapter
shall be conditioned upon delivery to the Village Attorney, at his office,
by the employee, of the original or a copy of any summons, complaint, process,
notice, demand or pleading within five days after he is served with such document,
and upon the full cooperation of the employee in the defense of such action
or proceeding and in defense of any action or proceeding against the village
based upon the same act or omission, and in the prosecution of any appeal.
Such delivery shall be deemed a request by the employee that the village provide
for his defense pursuant to this chapter.
The benefits of this chapter shall inure only to employees as defined
herein and shall not enlarge or diminish the rights of any other party, nor
shall any provision of this chapter be construed to affect, alter or repeal
any provision of the Workmen's Compensation Law.
The provisions of this chapter shall not be construed to impair, alter,
limit or modify the rights and obligations of any insurer under any policy
of insurance.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to all actions and proceedings
pending upon the effective date thereof or thereafter instituted.
Except as otherwise specifically provided in this chapter, the provisions
of this chapter shall not be construed in any way to impair, alter, limit,
modify, abrogate or restrict any immunity available to or conferred upon any
unit, entity, officer or employee of the village, or any right to defense
and/or indemnification provided for any governmental officer or employee by,
in accordance with or by reason of any other provision of state or federal
statutory or common law.