[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the
Town of Irondequoit 1-20-1977 as Ch. 104 of 1977 Code; amended in
its entirety 12-18-1990 by L.L. No. 3-1990. Subsequent amendments
noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known as the "Ethics Law
of the Town of Irondequoit."
The proper administration of the government
of the Town of Irondequoit requires its officers and employees, whether
elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, to be independent, impartial
and free from conflicts of interest in fulfilling their public responsibilities
so that the public will have confidence in the integrity of its town
government. The purpose of this chapter is to establish minimum standards
for the ethical conduct of town officers and employees to help ensure
that the business of town government is free from improper influence
that may result from opportunities for private gain. At the same time,
it is recognized that public service cannot require a complete divesting
of all proprietary interests, nor impose overly burdensome disclosure
requirements, if local governments are to attract and hold competent
administrators. Although the assurance of ethical conduct will continue
to rest primarily on the personal integrity of the officers and employees
themselves, on the commitment of elected and appointed officials and
on the vigilance of their communities, the establishment of the standards
and guidelines set forth in this chapter is an additional step toward
providing the highest caliber of public administration of local government
and increased confidence in public officials. By requiring public
disclosure of financial interests that may influence or be perceived
to influence the actions of public officials, this chapter is intended
to facilitate consideration of potential problems before they arise,
to minimize unwarranted suspicion and to enhance the accountability
of government to the people.
As used in this chapter, the following terms
will have the meanings indicated:
The Board of Ethics created by this chapter.
The Supervisor, Director of Finance, a Comptroller, Commissioner
of Finance or other officer of the town possessing similar powers
and duties.
The State of New York Temporary State Commission on Local
Government Ethics.
Any claim, account or demand against or agreement with the
town, express or implied, and shall include the designation of a depository
of public funds and the designation of a newspaper, including but
not limited to an official newspaper for the publication of any notice,
resolution, ordinance or other proceeding where such publication is
required or authorized by law.
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing
to a town officer or employee as a result of a contract with the town.
For the purposes of this chapter, a town officer or employee shall
be deemed to have an "interest" in the contract of:
His or her spouse, minor children and dependents,
except a contract of employment with the town which such officer or
employee serves;
A firm, partnership or association of which
such officer or employee is a member or employee;
A corporation of which such officer or employee
is an officer, director or employee; and
A corporation, any stock of which is owned or
controlled directly or indirectly by any such officer or employee.
An elected official of the town except judges or justices
of the unified court systems.
The head (other than local elected officials) of any agency,
department, division, council, board, commission or bureau of the
town and their deputies and assistants, and the officers and employees
of such agencies, departments, divisions, boards, bureaus, commissions
or councils who hold policy-making positions as annually determined
by the appointed authority and set forth in a written instrument which
shall be filed by the appropriate body during the month of February;
except that the term "local officer or employee" shall not mean a
judge, justice, officer or employee of the unified court system.
The same meaning as ascribed to such term by Subdivision
1 of § 73 of the Public Officers Law, as amended or changed.
An officer or employee of the town, whether paid or unpaid,
including members of any administrative board, commission or any other
agency thereof. No person shall be deemed to be a "municipal officer
or employee" solely by reason of being a volunteer fireman or civil
defense volunteer, except a Fire Chief or Assistant Fire Chief.
Such individuals, spouse, child, stepchild, stepparent or
any person who is a direct descendent of the grandparents of the reporting
individual or of the reporting individual's spouse.
The husband or wife of the reporting individual unless living
separate or apart from the reporting individual with the intention
of terminating the marriage or providing for permanent separation
or unless separated pursuant to:
The Town of Irondequoit.
Any son, daughter, stepson or stepdaughter who is under the
age of 18, unmarried and living in the household of the appropriate
individual.
[Amended 2-15-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022]
A.
Except as provided in § 802 of the General
Municipal Law, as amended or changed:
(1)
No municipal officer or employee or local elected
official or local officer or employee shall have an interest in any
contract with the town when such officer or employee, individually
or as a member of a board, has the power or duty to:
(2)
No municipal
officer or employee or local elected official or local officer or
employee may participate in any decision or take any official action
with respect to any matter requiring the exercise of discretion, including
discussing the matter and voting on it, when he or she knows or has
reason to know that the action could confer a direct or indirect financial
or material benefit on himself or herself, a relative, or any private
organization in which he or she is deemed to have an interest or any
private organization in which he or she serves as an owner, officer,
director, or voting member. In the event that this section prohibits
a municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee from exercising or performing a power or duty:
(a)
If
the power or duty is vested in such person as a member of a board,
then the power or duty shall be exercised or performed by the other
members of the board; or
(b)
If
the power or duty is vested in such person individually, then the
power or duty shall be exercised or performed by his or her deputy
or, if the person does not have a deputy, the power or duty shall
be performed by another person to whom the person may lawfully delegate
the function.
(c)
If
the power or duty is vested in an employee, he or she must refer the
matter to his or her immediate supervisor, and the immediate supervisor
shall designate another person to exercise or perform the power or
duty.
(3)
No chief fiscal officer, treasurer or his or her deputy
or employee shall have an interest in a bank or trust company designated
as a depository, paying agent, registration agent or for investment
of funds of the town.
B.
No municipal officer or employee or local elected
official or local officer or employee shall engage in any act which
is in conflict or gives the appearance of conflict with the performance
of his or her official duties. A municipal officer or employee is
prohibited from and deemed to have a conflict of interest if he or
she:
(1)
Directly or indirectly solicits any gift having a
value of $75 or more, whether in the form of money, service, loan,
travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or promise or in any other
form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred
that the gift was intended to influence him or her or could reasonably
be expected to influence him or her in the performance of his or her
official duties or was intended to be an award for any official action
on his or her part;
(2)
Discloses confidential information acquired by him
or her in the course of his or her official duties or uses such information
to further his or her personal interests;
(3)
Receives or enters into any agreement, express or
implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation
to any matter before any town agency of which he or she is an officer,
member or employee or of any town agency over which he or she has
jurisdiction or to which he or she has the power to appoint any member,
officer or employee;
(4)
Receives or enters into any agreement, express or
implied, for compensation for services to be rendered in relation
to any matter before any agency of the town whereby his or her compensation
is to be dependent or contingent upon any action by such agency with
respect to such matter, provided that this subsection shall not prohibit
the fixing at any time of fees based upon the reasonable value of
services rendered; or
(5)
Willfully engages in any business transaction or professional
activity or shall have a financial or any other private interests,
direct or indirect, or incur any obligation of any nature which is
in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his or her official
duties, unless he or she abstains from voting or otherwise officially
acting with respect to the subject matter affected.
(6)
Willfully
participates in any decision or takes any official action with respect
to any matter requiring the exercise of discretion, including discussing
the matter and voting on it, when he or she knows or has reason to
know that the action could confer a direct or indirect financial or
material benefit on himself or herself, a relative, or any private
organization in which he or she is deemed to have an interest or any
private organization in which he or she serves as an owner, officer,
director, or voting member, unless he or she abstains from voting
or otherwise officially acting with respect to the subject matter
affected.
C.
The provisions of this section shall in no event be
construed to preclude the payment of lawful compensation and necessary
expenses of any municipal officer or employee in one or more positions
of public employment, the holding of which is not prohibited by law.
D.
In addition to the foregoing regulations, Article
18 of the General Municipal Law, entitled "Conflicts of Interest of
Municipal Officers and Employees," is incorporated as part of this
chapter as if the same had been set forth in full, together with any
amendments of or additions to said Article hereafter adopted by the
Legislature.
E.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other
provision of law, any person who knowingly and intentionally violates
this section may be fined, suspended or removed from office or employment
in the manner provided by law.
A.
Any municipal officer or any employee or local elected
official or any local officer or employee who has, will have or later
acquires an interest in any actual or proposed contract with the town
shall publicly disclose the nature and extent of such interest, in
writing, to the Town Board thereof as soon as he or she has knowledge
of such actual or prospective interest. Such written disclosure shall
be made part of and set forth in the official record of the proceedings
of such body, and a copy shall be forwarded to the Town Clerk to be
kept in a separate file. Once disclosure has been made by an officer
or employee with respect to an interest in a contract with a particular
person, firm, corporation or association, no further disclosures need
be made by such officer or employee with respect to additional contracts
with the same party during the remainder of the fiscal year.
B.
Any municipal officer or any employee or local elected
official or any local officer or employee, agent or representative
of the town who has or later acquires an interest in any actual or
proposed transaction or matter with the town shall disclose the nature
and extent of such interest, in writing, to the Town Board as soon
as he or she has knowledge of such actual or prospective interest.
Such written disclosure shall be referred by the Town Board to the
Board of Ethics for opinion and decision, in writing, and a copy shall
be forwarded to the Town Clerk to be kept in a separate file.
[Added 2-15-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022[1]]
A.
No municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee shall use his or her municipal position or official
powers and duties to secure a financial or material benefit for himself
or herself, a relative, or any private organization in which he or
she is deemed to have an interest, or any private organization in
which he or she serves as an owner, officer, director, or voting member.
B.
No municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee shall use his or her municipal position or official
powers and duties to influence another person, including municipal
employees, to provide a financial or material benefit for himself
or herself, a relative, or any private organization in which he or
she is deemed to have an interest, or any private organization in
which he or she serves as an owner, officer, director, or voting member.
C.
This chapter's prohibitions on use of a municipal position,
disclosure requirements, and requirements relating to recusal and
abstention shall not apply with respect to the following matters:
[Added 2-15-2022 by L.L. No. 3-2022]
A.
Town resources shall be used for lawful Town purposes. Town resources
include, but are not limited to, Town personnel and the Town's
money, vehicles, equipment, materials, supplies or other property.
B.
No municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee may use or permit the use of Town resources for
personal or private purposes, including the purposes of private organizations,
but this provision shall not be construed as prohibiting:
(1)
Any use of Town resources authorized by law or Town policy;
(2)
Any use of Town resources lawfully authorized by the Town Board;
(3)
The use of Town resources for personal or private purposes when provided
to a municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee as part of his or her compensation; or
(4)
The occasional and incidental use during the business day of Town
telephones and computers for necessary personal matters such as family
care and changes in work schedule.
C.
No municipal officer or employee or local elected official or local
officer or employee shall cause the Town to spend more than is reasonably
necessary for transportation, meals or lodging in connection with
official travel.
A.
The Town Board of the town has previously established
a Board of Ethics by resolution adopted on the sixth day of August
1987, and this chapter confirms the establishment of said Board of
Ethics pursuant to § 808, Subdivision 3, of the General
Municipal Law, as amended or changed, to ensure compliance with the
requirements of this chapter and to review all claims of conflict
of interest. The composition of the Board of Ethics (hereinafter referred
to throughout this chapter as the "Board") shall be as set forth below.
B.
The Board shall consist of five members appointed
by the Town Board, a majority of whom are not otherwise officers or
employees of the town, who shall serve without compensation for terms
of five years. The original members selected shall serve at staggered
terms of five years, four years, three years, two years and one year.
Such Board shall include at least one member who is an elected or
appointed town officer or employee.
C.
The powers and duties of the Board shall include but
not be limited to the following:
(1)
Acting as the sole and exclusive repository for completed annual financial disclosure forms filed pursuant to § 20-7 and reviewing the same for possible conflicts of interest.
(2)
Adopting, amending and rescinding rules and regulations
to govern procedures of the Board which shall include but not be limited
to the procedure whereby a person who is required to file an annual
financial disclosure statement with the Board may request an additional
period of time within which to file such statement due to justifiable
cause or undue hardship; such rules or regulations shall provide for
a date beyond which in all cases of justifiable cause or undue hardship
no further extension of time will be granted.
(3)
Promulgating guidelines to assist the Town Board in determining which persons hold policy-making positions for purposes of § 20-7 of this chapter.
(4)
Making available forms for annual statements of financial disclosure required to be filed pursuant to § 20-7 of this chapter.
(6)
Receiving and hearing all sworn complaints alleging
any violations of this chapter upon the written request of any individual.
This request must be signed by the individual complainant and must
include his or her address.
(7)
Permitting any person required to file a financial disclosure statement to request the Board to delete from the copy thereof made available for public inspection one or more items of information, which may be deleted by the Board upon a finding by a majority of the total number of members of the Board without vacancy that information which would otherwise be required to be disclosed will have no material bearing on the discharge of the reporting person's official duties. If such request for deletion is denied, the Board, in its notification of denial, shall inform the person of his or her right to appeal the Board's determination pursuant to its rules governing adjudicatory proceedings and appeals adopted pursuant to Subsection H of this section.
(8)
Permit any person required to file a financial disclosure statement to request an exemption from any requirement to report one or more items of information which pertain to such person's spouse or unemancipated children, which item or items may be exempted by the Board upon a finding by a majority of the total number of members of the Board without vacancy that the reporting individual's spouse, on his or her own behalf or on behalf of an unemancipated child, objects to providing the information necessary to make such disclosure and that the information which would otherwise be required to be reported will have no material bearing on the discharge of the reporting person's official duties. If such request for exemption is denied, the Board in its notification of denial, shall inform the person of his or her right to appeal the Board's determination pursuant to its rules governing adjudicatory proceedings and appeals adopted pursuant to Subsection H of this section.
(9)
Permitting any person who has not been determined
by his or her appointing authority to hold a policy-making position
but who is otherwise required to file a financial disclosure statement
to request an exemption from such requirement in accordance with rules
and regulations governing such exemptions. Such rules and regulations
shall provide for exemptions to be granted either on the application
of an individual or on behalf of persons who share the same job title
or employment classification which the Board deems to be comparable
for purposes of this section. Such rules and regulations may permit
the granting of an exemption where, in the discretion of the Board,
the public interest does not require disclosure and the applicant's
duties do not involve the negotiation, authorization or approval of:
(a)
Contracts, leases, franchises, revocable consents,
concessions, variances, special permits or licenses as defined in
§ 73 of the Public Officers Law, as amended or changed;
(b)
The purchase, sale, rental or lease of real property,
goods or services or a contract therefor;
(c)
The obtaining of grants of money or loans; or
(d)
The adoption or repeal of any rule or regulation having
the force and effect of law.
D.
The Board may determine a question common to a class
or defined category of persons or items of information required to
be disclosed, where determination of the question will prevent undue
repetition of requests for exemption or deletion or prevent undue
complication in complying with the requirements of such section.
E.
The Board shall inspect all financial disclosure statements
filed with the Board to ascertain whether any person subject to the
reporting requirements of this chapter has failed to file such a statement,
has filed a deficient statement or has filed a statement which reveals
a possible violation of any provision of this chapter or Article 18
of the General Municipal Law, as amended or changed.
F.
If a person required to file a financial disclosure
statement with the Board has failed to file a disclosure statement
or has filed a deficient statement, the Board shall notify the reporting
person, in writing, state the failure to file or detail the deficiency,
provide the person with a fifteen-day period to cure the deficiency
and advise the person of the penalties for failure to comply with
the reporting requirements. Such notice shall be confidential if the
person makes such filing or cures the deficiency within the specified
time period. If the person fails to make such filing or fails to cure
the deficiency within the specified time period, the Board shall send
a notice of delinquency:
G.
If a reporting person has filed a statement which
reveals a possible violation of this chapter or the Board receives
a sworn complaint alleging such a violation or if the Board determines
on its own initiative to investigate a possible violation, the Board
shall notify the reporting person, in writing, describe the possible
or alleged violation of this chapter and provide the person with a
fifteen-day period in which to submit a written response setting forth
information relating to the activities cited as possible or alleged
violation of law. If the Board thereafter makes a determination that
further inquiry is justified, it shall give the reporting person an
opportunity to be heard. The Board shall also inform the reporting
individual of its rules regarding the conduct of adjudicatory proceedings
and appeals and the due process procedural mechanisms available to
such individual. If the Board determines at any stage of the proceeding
that there is no violation or that any potential conflict of interest
violation has been rectified, it shall so advise the reporting person
and the complainant, if any. All of the foregoing proceedings shall
be confidential except if the Board determines that there is a violation
or that any potential conflict of interest violation has not been
rectified. If the Board determines that there is reasonable cause
to believe that a violation has occurred, it shall send a notice of
reasonable cause:
H.
The Board shall be deemed to be an agency within the meaning of Article 3 of the State Administrative Procedure Act, as amended or changed, and shall adopt rules governing the conduct of adjudicatory proceedings and appeals taken pursuant to a proceeding commenced under Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules, as amended or changed, relating to the assessment of the civil penalties herein authorized and Board denials of requests for certain deletions or exemptions to be made from a financial disclosure statement as authorized in Subsection C(7) or (8) of this section. Such rules, which shall not be subject to the approval requirements of the State Administrative Procedure Act, shall provide for due process procedural mechanisms substantially similar to those set forth in such Article 3, as amended or changed, but such mechanisms need not be identical in terms or scope. Assessment of a civil penalty or Board denial of such a request shall be final unless modified, suspended or vacated within 30 days of imposition, with respect to the assessment of such penalty, or unless such denial of request is reversed within such time period, and, upon becoming final shall be subject to review at the instance of the affected reporting individuals in a proceeding commenced against the Board pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules, as amended or changed.
J.
Upon written request from any person who is subject
to the jurisdiction of the Board, the Board shall render advisory
opinions on the requirements of this chapter. An opinion rendered
by the Board, until and unless amended or revoked, shall be binding
on the Board in any subsequent proceeding concerning the person who
requested the opinion and who acted in good faith, unless material
facts were omitted or misstated by the person in the request for an
opinion. Such opinion may also be relied upon by such person and may
be introduced and shall be a defense in any criminal or civil action.
Such requests shall be confidential, but the Board may publish such
opinions, provided that the name of the requesting person and other
identifying details shall not be included in the publication.
K.
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 7 of the
Public Officers Law, as amended or changed, no meeting or proceeding
of the Board shall be open to the public except if expressly provided
otherwise by the Commission.
L.
Any opinion of the Board expressing a conflict of
interest shall be made public pursuant to the rules and regulations
adopted by the Board.
M.
The Board shall have such other powers and duties
as provided to the Commission pursuant to § 813 of the General
Municipal Law, as amended or changed.
N.
The Town Board shall appropriate necessary and sufficient
moneys for the maintenance and personal services to be provided by
the Board.
[Amended 2-4-1997 by L.L. No. 1-1997; 12-15-1998 by L.L. No.
8-1998]
The Town of Irondequoit recognizes that matters
of finance do exist which are so personal in nature and are so unrelated
to the performance and duties of a municipal officer or employee that
no useful purpose can be served by such disclosure. Nonetheless, certain
financial information may be relevant to the duties of a municipal
officer or employee and impact upon the integrity of the town government,
and to that end:
A.
All elected town officials, department heads and their
deputies and assistants, policymakers and those officers and employees
whose duties involve the negotiation, authorization or approval of
any of the matters listed in § 813, Subdivision 9k(i) through
(iv), of the General Municipal Law, as amended or changed, and each
candidate for elected town office shall file with the Board an annual
statement of financial disclosure containing the information and in
the form set forth in Appendix A[1] as the same may be amended from time to time by the Town
Board, provided that any such amendment to the disclosure statement
shall provide for not less than the minimum level of financial disclosure
as required by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, amended or
changed. Such statements shall be filed only with the Board within
90 days after the effective date of this chapter or within 30 days
of taking office and no later than the 15th day of May with respect
to the preceding calendar year. The time for filing such statements
may be extended, pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by
the Board for justifiable cause and/or undue hardship, upon application
to the Board. For the purposes of this section, all persons required
to file an annual statement of financial disclosure will be referred
to as "employees."
[1]
Editor's Note: Said Appendix A is on file
in the Town Clerk's office.
B.
Those municipal officers or local employees or local elected officials or municipal officers and employees who are required to file an annual statement of financial disclosure as required in Subsection A above are as follows:
(1)
Chief fiscal officer.
(2)
Members of the Town Board.
(3)
Town Attorney and any Deputy Town Attorney(s).
(4)
Director of Development Services and any assistants.
(5)
Assessor.
(6)
Commissioner of Public Works/Superintendent of Highways
and any deputy(ies) or assistant(s).
(7)
Director of Planning and Zoning.
(8)
Chief of Police and all Captains.
(9)
Director of Parks and Recreation and any assistant(s).
(10)
Members of the Zoning Board of Appeals.
(11)
Members of the Planning Board.
(12)
Fire Marshal and any deputy(ies).
(13)
Town Clerk and any Deputy Town Clerk(s).
(14)
Library Board of Trustees.
(15)
Sea Breeze Commissioners of Fire and Water Districts.
(16)
Comptroller.
(17)
Budget Officer.
C.
All statements filed with the Board shall become a public record except for categories of amount and except for those matters deleted or exempted in accordance with § 20-5 above.
D.
Any part of a financial disclosure statement that
has been granted confidentiality or exempt status by the Board pursuant
to the employee's request shall be maintained by the Board as confidential
information. It shall be a violation for any Board member or any other
individual, except for the employee who filed the statement, to disclose
any information that has been granted confidential and/or exempt status.
Such violation shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $500,
as may be determined by the Board.
E.
If the Board, in accordance with its rules and regulations, determines that any part of a financial disclosure statement filed with it which has not been granted confidentiality or exempt status by the Board pursuant to a request by the employee should be made public, the same will be filed with the Town Clerk as a public record, and any part of the statement which has been granted exemption or deletion by the Board shall be deleted before the same is so filed, and the original information shall be retained by the Board pursuant to Subsection D above. Categories of amounts shall be confidential.
F.
If, after review of the statement, the Board determines
that a conflict of interest exists or that there appears to be an
impropriety that could reflect upon the integrity of the town government,
the Board shall take the following procedures:
(1)
The Board shall specify by written opinion that a
conflict or impropriety exists, stating its findings and the basis
for its opinion, and shall mail its opinion by certified mail, return
receipt requested, to the employee at the address listed on his or
her personal record and notify the Town Board. Such opinion shall
be confidential.
(2)
The employee shall have 15 days from the date he or
she receives the opinion from the Board to respond, rebut or refute
the Board's findings.
(3)
The Board may recommend to the employee a manner in
which the conflict of interest or appearance of impropriety may be
rectified.
(4)
If the employee fails to respond to the Board within
15 days of the receipt of the Board's opinion of impropriety or if
an agreement to eliminate the conflict cannot be reached with the
employee, acceptable to the Board, the Board shall publicly disclose
the employee's statement or relevant portions of such statement along
with the Board's opinion by filing them with the Town Clerk.
(5)
The Board shall determine such penalties for violation
of any provision of this chapter in accordance with § 813
of the General Municipal Law, as amended or changed.
A.
Recognizing the need for professional integrity and
the fact that various professional associations have set down standards
of conduct for their members, the town hereby requires that each officer
or employee who is affected by a professional Code of Ethics be bound,
in addition to the within chapter, by their respective Codes of Ethics.
Any conflict between the provisions of this chapter and a given officer's
or employee's professional code of conduct is to be resolved by the
Board of Ethics. However, the Board of Ethics must at all times give
the greatest latitude to said individual's professional code of conduct
and, whenever possible, reconcile the within chapter to complement
and respect the individual's professional code of conduct.
B.
Substantial consideration shall be given to the effect
deviation from an individual's professional code of conduct will have
on that individual's ability to practice his or her profession. If
need be, the Board of Ethics is authorized and required to obtain
advisory opinions from the appropriate professional association to
clarify any given situation.
A.
Pursuant to § 807 of the General Municipal
Law, as amended or changed, the Supervisor shall cause a copy of this
chapter and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, as amended or
changed, to be made available to all officers and employees of the
town within 30 days from the enactment of this chapter or as soon
thereafter as practical. The Supervisor shall also cause a copy of
this chapter and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, as amended
or changed, to become posted in each public building under the jurisdiction
of the town in a place conspicuous to its officers and employees and
have copies of the same made available for public inspection at the
Town Clerk's office.
Any person willfully violating this Code of
Ethics shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable in accordance with
the provisions of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, as amended
or changed.
A.
Any elected official guilty of a negligent violation
of this chapter shall be subject to penalties as provided and shall
be subject to a civil penalty of loss of pay not to exceed one month's
salary. In addition to the sanctions for aiding, abetting, seeking
or requesting a violation of this chapter, any person or organization
which willfully attempts to secure preferential treatment in its dealings
with the town by offering any valuable gifts, whether in the form
of service, loan, thing or promise, in any form to any town official
or employee, shall have its current contracts with the town canceled
and shall not be able to bid on any other town contract for a period
of two years.
B.
An employee of the town found guilty of a negligent
violation of this chapter shall be subject to civil penalties up to
and including termination from employment and/or loss of pay not to
exceed one month's salary.
C.
Members of boards and commissions found guilty of
a negligent violation of this chapter shall be subject to immediate
removal from such appointment.
In the event that there are any inconsistencies
between this chapter and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law,
as amended or changed, said Article 18 shall control.
