The proper operation of democratic government
requires that Town Councilors be fair, impartial and responsive to
the needs of the people and each other in the performance of their
respective functions and duties; that decisions and policy be made
in proper channels of the Town's governmental structure; that public
office not be used for personal gain; and that such Councilors maintain
a standard of conduct that will inspire public confidence in the integrity
of the Town's government. In recognition of these goals, a Code of
Ethics is hereby established for all Town Councilors, which is not
intended to deny Council members their constitutional rights or violate
their civil rights.
As used in this Article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
BUSINESS
Any corporation, partnership, individual, sole proprietorship
or joint venture or any other legally recognized entity organized
for the purposes of making a profit.
FINANCIAL INTEREST
A direct or indirect interest having monetary or pecuniary
value, including but not limited to the ownership of shares of stock.
IMMEDIATE FAMILY
A spouse or domestic partner, and the following when living
in the household of a Town Council member: children, parents, brothers
and sisters, stepparents, stepchildren, stepbrothers and stepsisters.
SPECIAL INTEREST
A person or group having an interest in a particular part
of the economy and receiving or seeking special advantages thereinafter
to the detriment of the general public.
TOWN EMPLOYEE
Any individual working for, on a regular or temporary basis,
and drawing a salary, wages or stipend from the Town of Standish.
The term "Town employee" shall not include consultants or special
personnel providing services on a short-term contractual basis.
The purpose of this Code is to establish ethical
standards of conduct for all Town Councilors by setting forth those
acts or actions deemed to be in conflict or incompatible, or which
create the appearance of conflict or incompatibility, with the best
interest of the Town of Standish.
No Town Councilor shall, without proper legal
authorization, disclose confidential information concerning the property,
government or affairs of the Town, nor shall he/she use such information
to advance the financial or private interest of herself/himself or
others. For purposes of this section, the term "confidential information"
shall mean any information, oral or written, which comes to the attention
of or is available to such Town Councilor only because of his or her
position with the Town and is not a matter of public record. Information
received and discussed during an executive session of the Standish
Town Council or any Town agency shall be considered within the constraints
of this section and shall not be disclosed to any third party unless
permitted by affirmative vote of such body.
No Town Councilor shall accept any valuable
gift, whether in the form of service, loan, thing or promise, from
any person and/or business which to his/her knowledge is interested,
directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever in business dealings
with the Town; nor shall any Town Councilor accept any gift, favor
or thing of value that tends to influence him/her in the discharge
of his/her official duties or grant in the discharge of his/her official
duties any improper favor, service or thing of value.
No Town Councilor shall use or permit the use
of any Town-owned property, including but not limited to motor vehicles,
equipment and buildings, for any private purposes. Nothing herein
shall prohibit the use of Town buildings and equipment at rates and/or
on terms as may be established.
Any Town Councilor who believes he/she or a
member of his/her immediate family has a financial or special interest,
other than an interest held by the public generally, in any proposed
order, ordinance or resolve on the agenda of the Standish Town Council
shall disclose the nature and extent of such interest and have it
recorded by the Clerk on the Town records of such item. Once such
disclosure has been made, such Town Councilor shall refrain and shall
be prohibited, at the discretion of the other members of the Council,
from voting or otherwise participating in the deliberations and the
decision making process on such item. Nothing herein shall be construed
to prohibit any Town Councilor from representing his/her own personal
interest in any such item.
No Town Councilor may use his/her official authority
or position for the purposes of unduly influencing or interfering
with or affecting the results of any election, nor shall he/she solicit
funds or contributions or accept or receive funds or contributions
from Town employees for political purposes.