The people of the State of New York have in
the New York State Constitution, Article IX, Section 2, delegated
the responsibility to local governmental units to adopt regulations
designed to promote the public health, safety, and the general welfare
of its citizenry.
It is the purpose of this chapter to provide
for the defense and indemnification of Town officers and employees
in civil actions for proceedings as hereinafter provided for.
The Town Board hereby adopts § 18
of the Public Officers Law and confers the benefits thereof upon all
Town officers and employees.
The Town shall provide for the defense of any
Town officer or employee in any civil action or proceeding arising
out of any alleged act or omission in which it is alleged that the
officer or employee has violated the civil rights of the claimant,
petitioner or plaintiff under Sections 1981 and 1983 of the U.S. Civil
Rights Act. The Town shall indemnify and save harmless such officer
or employee in the amount of any judgment or settlement of claim obtained
against such officer or employee. Such legal defense and indemnification
shall be provided where the officer or employee at the time of such
alleged act or omission was acting in good faith and within the scope
of his public employment, powers or duties. The provisions of this
section shall be in addition to any other statute, local law or enactment
providing legal defense and indemnification in civil actions brought
against such officer or employee.