[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Thomaston 5-13-1996 by L.L. No. 8-1996. This local law repealed former Ch. 19, Ethics, Code of, adopted 7-14-1980 by L.L. No. 19-1980 as Ch. 9, Art. I, of the 1980 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Disclosure — See Ch. 80.
ATTACHMENTS
019a Appendix A
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is:
(1) 
To establish high standards of ethical conduct for officers and employees of the village.
(2) 
To afford officers and employees of the village clear guidance on such standards.
(3) 
To promote public confidence in the integrity of the governance and administration of the village and its agencies and administrative offices.
(4) 
To require public disclosure of financial interests that may influence or be perceived to influence the actions of village officers and employees, to facilitate consideration of potential ethical problems before they arise, minimize unwarranted suspicion and enhance the accountability of government to the people.
(5) 
To provide for the fair and effective administration of this chapter.
B. 
This chapter is enacted pursuant to General Municipal Law § 806 and Municipal Home Rule Law § 10. This chapter is not intended to authorize any conduct prohibited by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law or any conduct prohibited by any other general or special law of the State of New York.
A. 
General prohibition. No village officer or employee shall use an official position or office, nor take or fail to take any action, in a manner which such officer or employee knows or has reason to know may result in a personal financial benefit for any of the following persons:
(1) 
The village officer or employee;
(2) 
Any employer or business of such officer or employee;
(3) 
A member of the household of such officer or employee;
(4) 
A customer or client of such officer or employee;
(5) 
A relative of such officer or employee; or
(6) 
A person from whom the officer or employee has received election campaign contributions of more than $500 in the aggregate during the past 12 months.
B. 
Recusal. A village officer or employee shall promptly recuse himself or herself from acting on a matter before the village, or any board or agency of the village, when acting on the matter or failing to act on the matter may financially benefit any of the persons listed in Subsection A of this section.
C. 
Gifts. No village officer or employee shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any money, gratuity, gift or any other thing of value from any person whom such officer or employee knows or has reason to know is seeking, is about to seek, or has sought or received, within the previous 12 months, a financial or other benefit from the village. No village officer or employee shall solicit or accept, directly or indirectly, any money, gratuity, gift or any other thing of value from any village resident, except compensation paid to such officer or employee from the Village of Thomaston.
[Amended 4-2-2001 by L.L. No. 3-2001]
D. 
Representation. No village officer or employee shall represent any other person in any matter before the village nor represent any other person in any matter against the interests of the village.
E. 
Appearances. No village officer or employee shall appear before any agency of the village, except on such officer or employee's own behalf or as authorized by law on behalf of the village.
F. 
Confidential information. No present or former village officer or employee shall disclose any confidential information obtained by virtue of such person's official position as an officer or employee, nor use such information to further the interests of any person.
G. 
Political solicitation. No village officer or employee shall knowingly request or authorize anyone else to request any subordinate of the officer or employee to participate in an election campaign or contribute to a political committee.
H. 
Revolving door.
(1) 
No village officer or employee shall appear or practice before the village, except on such officer or employee's own behalf, nor receive compensation for working on any matter before the village, for a period of one year after the termination of such person's term of office or employment.
(2) 
No village officer or employee shall appear or practice before the village, or any of its boards or agencies, except on such officer or employee's own behalf, or receive compensation for working on any matter pending before the village, or any of its boards or agencies, at any time if the matter was one on which the village officer or employee personally worked while in village service, or which was under the jurisdiction or authority of such village officer or employee.
I. 
Avoidance of conflicts. No village officer or employee shall knowingly acquire, solicit, negotiate for, or accept any interest, employment or other thing of value which would put such person in violation of this Code of Ethics.
J. 
Inducement of others. No village officer or employee shall induce or aid any other person to violate any of the provisions of this Code of Ethics.
A. 
Whenever a village officer or employee is required to recuse himself or herself under the Code of Ethics set forth in this chapter, such officer or employee shall:
(1) 
Refrain from participating further in the matter.
(2) 
Promptly inform the officer or employee's superior, if any.
(3) 
Promptly file with the Village Clerk a signed statement disclosing the nature and extent of the prohibited action or, if a member of a board, state that information upon the public record of the board at the earliest opportunity.
B. 
An officer or employee shall not be required to make or file a disclosure statement pursuant to this section if with respect to the same matter such officer or employee has filed with the Village Clerk a disclosure statement complying with requirements of § 19-8 of this chapter.
A. 
The provisions of this chapter shall not prohibit, or require recusal or transactional disclosure as a result of:
(1) 
An action specifically authorized by statute, rule or regulation of the State of New York or of the United States.
(2) 
A ministerial act.
(3) 
Gifts:
(a) 
Received by the village officer or employee from such officer or employee's parent, spouse or child;
(b) 
Received by the village officer or employee from any person having an aggregate value of $75 or less during any twelve-month period; or
(c) 
Received by such officer or employee on behalf of the village and transferred to the village.
(4) 
Gifts or benefits having a value of $50 or less that are received by a village officer or employee for the solemnization of a marriage by that officer or employee at a place other than the officer or employee's normal public place of business or at a time other than such officer or employee's normal hours of business.
(5) 
Awards from charitable organizations.
(6) 
Receipt of village services or benefits, or use of village facilities, that are generally available on the same terms and conditions to residents or a class of residents in the village to which the officer or employee belongs.
(7) 
Representation of constituents by elected officials without compensation in matters of public advocacy.
(8) 
Appearing or practicing before the village or any of its boards or agencies, or receiving compensation for working on a matter before the village or any of its boards or agencies, after termination of village service or employment where the officer or employee performed only ministerial acts while working for the village.
A. 
Prohibited interests. No village officer or employee shall have an interest in a contract with the village, or an interest in a bank or trust company, that is prohibited by § 801 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York. Any contract willfully entered into by or with the village in which there is an interest prohibited by that section shall be null, void and wholly unenforceable, to the extent provided by § 804 of that law.
B. 
Discloseable interests. Any village officer or employee who has, will have or later acquires an interest in any actual or proposed contract with the village shall publicly disclose the nature and extent of that interest in accordance with § 803 of the General Municipal Law. The Village Clerk shall cause a copy of that disclosure to be filed promptly with the Ethics Board.
C. 
In addition to any other penalty provided or permitted by law, any village officer or employee who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, to the extent provided by § 805 of the General Municipal Law.
Unless otherwise stated or unless the context otherwise requires, when used in this chapter the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
APPEAR and APPEAR BEFORE
Communicating in any form, including, without limitation, personally, through another person, by letter, or by telephone.
CUSTOMER or CLIENT
Any person to whom a village officer or employee has supplied goods or services during the previous 24 months having, in the aggregate, a value greater than $1,000 or any person to whom a village officer's or employee's outside employer or business has supplied goods or services during the previous 24 months having, in the aggregate, a value greater than $1,000 but only if the officer or employee knows or has reason to know the outside employer or business supplied the goods and services.
ETHICS BOARD
The Ethics Board of the village established pursuant to this chapter.
GIFT and FINANCIAL BENEFIT
Include any money, service, license, permit, contract, authorization, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality or any promise thereof or any other gratuity or promise thereof or anything of value. A financial transaction may be a "financial benefit" but shall not be a "gift" unless it is on terms not available to the general public. "Gift" and "financial benefit" do not include campaign contributions authorized by law.
MINISTERIAL ACT
An action performed in a prescribed manner without the exercise of judgment or discretion as to the propriety of the act.
OUTSIDE EMPLOYER OR BUSINESS
A. 
Includes:
(1) 
Any activity, other than service to the village, from which the village officer or employee receives compensation for services rendered or goods sold or produced;
(2) 
Any entity, other than the village, of which the village officer or employee is a member, officer, director or employee and from which such officer or employee receives compensation for services rendered or goods sold or produced; or
(3) 
Any entity in which the village officer or employee has an ownership interest, except a corporation of which the village officer or employee owns less than 5% of the outstanding stock.
B. 
For purposes of this definition, "compensation" shall not include reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses.
PERSON
Includes both individuals and entities.
RELATIVE
A spouse, child, stepchild, brother, stepbrother, sister, stepsister, parent, stepparent or grandparent of the village officer or employee, or a person claimed as a dependent on the village officer's or employee's most recent individual federal or state income tax return.
SUBORDINATE (of a village officer or employee)
Another village officer or employee over whose activities such officer or employee has direction, supervision or control, except those who serve in positions that are in the exempt classification under § 41 of the Civil Service Law of the State of New York or in unclassified service under Subdivisions (a) through (f) of § 35 of that law.
VILLAGE
The village, and any of its boards or agencies, but shall not include the Village Justice Court.
VILLAGE OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
Any officer or employee of the village, whether paid or unpaid, and includes, without limitation, all members of any office, board, body, advisory board, council, commission, agency, department, district, administration, division, bureau or committee of the village. The term "village officer or employee" shall not include:
A. 
A judge, justice, officer or employee of the unified court system;
B. 
A volunteer fire fighter or civil defense volunteer, when acting in such capacity; or
C. 
A member of an advisory board of the village if the advisory board has no authority to implement its recommendations, to act on behalf of the village or to restrict the authority of the village to act.
A. 
Except as provided in Subsection C(3) of this section, the outside employer or business of a village officer or employee shall not appear before the particular agency in which such officer or employee is employed or of which such officer or employee is a member.
B. 
Except as provided in Subsection C(3) of this section, the outside employer or business of a village officer or employee shall not appear before any village agency if the village officer or employee has the authority to appoint any officer, employee or member of the agency or to review, approve, audit or authorize any budget, bill, payment or claim of the agency.
C. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the outside employer or business of a village officer or employee from:
(1) 
Appearing on its own behalf, or as authorized by law on behalf of the village, before a village agency;
(2) 
Seeking or obtaining a ministerial act; or
(3) 
Receiving a village service or benefit, or using a village facility, which is generally available to the public.
A. 
Certain officers of the village shall be required to file with the Ethics Board a signed annual disclosure statement. Such statement shall be filed within 120 days after the effective date of this section, and no later than May 15 of each year after the first year in which any such filing was made or required.
(1) 
The officers subject to the requirement of this section shall be:
(a) 
The Mayor.
(b) 
Each Trustee.
(c) 
Members of the Board of Appeals.
(d) 
The Village Clerk.
B. 
Changes in disclosed information. Within 30 days after a change in the information contained in the most recently filed annual disclosure statement filed pursuant to this section, an officer required to comply with this section shall file a signed amendment to the statement indicating the change.
C. 
Contents of annual disclosure statement. The annual disclosure statement shall disclose:
(1) 
The location of any real property within the village, or within one mile of the boundary of the village, in which the officer, or such officer's relative, has a financial interest.
(2) 
With respect to each outside employer or business of the village officer:
(a) 
Its name (if any).
(b) 
The nature of its business.
(c) 
Whether such employer or business is self-employment, a sole proprietorship or an entity and, if an entity, what type of entity.
(d) 
The officer's relationship to such employer or business, such as owner, partner, director, member, employee or shareholder.
(3) 
With respect to each outside employer or business of the village officer's spouse, the information required by Subsection C(2)(b) of this subsection.
(4) 
Good faith efforts. Failure to disclose the information required by this section with respect to a village officer's spouse or other relative shall not constitute a violation of this section if the officer has made a good faith effort to obtain the information and if such officer also sets forth a statement of those efforts in the disclosure statement.
A. 
Where a person requests the village or a village officer or employee to take or refrain from taking any action (other than a ministerial act) which may result in a financial benefit both to the requester and to either any officer or employee of the village or one of the other persons listed in § 19-2A of this chapter, the requester shall disclose the names of any such persons, to the extent known to the requester at the time of the request.
B. 
If the request to take or refrain from action is made in writing, the disclosure required by this section shall accompany the request. If the request is oral and made at a meeting of a public body, the disclosure shall be set forth in the public record of the body. If the request is oral and not made at a meeting of a public body, the disclosure shall be set forth in a writing filed with the Village Clerk.
C. 
In addition to the foregoing, every application, petition or request submitted for a variance, amendment, change of zoning, approval of a plat, exemption from a plat or official map, license or permit, pursuant to the provisions of the zoning or planning regulations of the village, shall include a sworn statement of the information required by § 809 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.
D. 
In addition to any other penalties provided or permitted by law, any person who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, to the extent provided by § 809 of the General Municipal Law.
Any contract or agreement entered into by or with the village which results in or from a violation of any provision of this chapter shall be void unless ratified by the village. Such ratification shall not affect the imposition of any criminal or civil penalties pursuant to this chapter or any other provision of law.
A. 
Disciplinary action. Any village officer or employee who engages in any action that violates any provision of this chapter may be warned, reprimanded or suspended or removed from office or employment, or be subject to any other sanction authorized by law or by an applicable collective bargaining agreement, by the appointing authority or person or body authorized by law to impose such sanctions. A warning, reprimand, suspension, removal or other authorized sanction may be imposed in addition to any other penalty contained in this chapter or in any other provision of law.
B. 
Civil fine. Any village officer or employee who violates any provision of this chapter may be subject to a civil fine not to exceed $1,500 for each violation. Such civil fine may be imposed by the Ethics Board and shall be in addition to any other penalty contained in any other provision of law or in this chapter, other than a civil forfeiture pursuant to Subsection D of this section. Any such fine shall be payable to the village.
C. 
Damages. Any person, whether or not a village officer or employee, who violates any provision of this chapter shall be liable in damages to the village for any losses or increased costs incurred by the village as a result of the violation. Such damages may be imposed in addition to any other penalty contained in any other provision of law or in this chapter, other than a civil forfeiture pursuant to Subsection D of this section.
D. 
Civil forfeiture. Any person, whether or not a village officer or employee, who intentionally or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter may be subject to a civil forfeiture to the village of a sum equal to three times the value of any financial benefit such person received as a result of the conduct that constituted the violation. A civil forfeiture may be imposed in addition to any other penalty contained in any other provisions of law or in this chapter, other than a civil fine pursuant to Subsection B or damages pursuant to Subsection C of this section.
E. 
Misdemeanor. Any person, whether or not a village officer or employee, who intentionally or knowingly violates any provision of this chapter shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor and, upon conviction thereof, if a village officer or employee, shall forfeit such village office or employment.
F. 
Debarment.
(1) 
Any person, whether or not a village officer or employee, who intentionally or knowing violates any provision of this chapter shall be prohibited from entering into any contract with the village for a period not to exceed three years, as provided in § 19-21.
(2) 
No person, whether or not a village officer or employee, shall enter into a contract in violation of a bar imposed pursuant to Subsection F(1) of this section.
(3) 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any person from receiving a service or benefit, or from using a facility, which is generally available to the public.
G. 
A corporation, partnership or other entity shall not be debarred pursuant to this section because of the actions of an employee of such entity unless the employee acted in the execution of company policy or custom. A store, region, division or other unit of an entity shall not be debarred because of the actions of an employee of that unit unless the employee acted at the direction, or with the actual knowledge or approval, of the manager of the unit.
A. 
Any resident, officer or employee of the village may initiate an action or special proceeding, as appropriate, in the court of appropriate jurisdiction for injunctive relief to enjoin an officer or employee of the village from violating this chapter or to compel an officer or employee of the village to comply with the provisions of this chapter. In lieu of, or in addition to, injunctive relief, the action or special proceeding, as appropriate, may seek a declaratory judgment.
B. 
No action or special proceeding shall be prosecuted or maintained pursuant to Subsection A of this section, unless the plaintiff or petitioner shall have filed with the Ethics Board a sworn complaint alleging the violation by the officer or employee, it shall appear by and as an allegation in the complaint or petition filed with the court that at least six months have elapsed since the filing of the complaint with the Ethics Board and that the Ethics Board has failed to file a determination in the matter and the action or special proceeding shall be commenced within nine months after the alleged violation occurred.
Within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter, and during the month of March in each year after the year in which this chapter becomes effective, the Village Clerk shall notify all village officers and employees who are required to file annual disclosure statements pursuant to § 19-8 of this chapter. In the event that any such statement is not filed within 60 days after such notification, the Village Clerk shall report such failure to file to the Ethics Board.
A. 
The Village Clerk shall transmit promptly to the Ethics Board each transactional and applicant disclosure statement filed pursuant to this chapter.
B. 
The Ethics Board shall index and maintain on file for such period of time as may be required by law all disclosure statements filed with the Board pursuant to this chapter.
A. 
There is hereby established an Ethics Board consisting of five members.
B. 
No more than one member of the Ethics Board may be an appointed officer or employee of the village. Ethics Board members shall not be required to be residents of the village, but shall be residents of the Town of North Hempstead.
[Amended 9-9-1996 by L.L. No. 13-1996]
C. 
No member of the Ethics Board shall hold elective office in the village. An Ethics Board member may make campaign contributions, but may not participate in any election campaign, for any elected office in the village.
D. 
The term of office of members of the Ethics Board shall be three official years, except that of the members first appointed one member shall be appointed for one official year, two members shall be appointed for two official years and two members shall be appointed for three official years.
E. 
An Ethics Board member shall serve until the successor of such member has been appointed. No person shall serve more than six consecutive years on the Ethics Board.
F. 
The members of the Ethics Board shall not receive compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties.
An Ethics Board member may be removed from office in the same manner in which such member was appointed, after written notice and opportunity for reply. Grounds for removal shall be failure to meet the qualifications set forth in this chapter for members of such Board, substantial neglect of duty, gross misconduct in office, or inability to discharge the powers or duties of office or violation of this chapter.
At its first meeting in each official year, the Ethics Board shall elect a Chair from among its members. A majority of the Board shall be required for the Board to take any action. The Chair or a majority of the Board may call a meeting of the Board.
A. 
The Ethics Board may act only with respect to officers and employees of the village.
B. 
The termination of a village officer's or employee's term of office or employment with the village shall not affect the jurisdiction of the Ethics Board with respect to the requirements imposed on such officer or employee by this chapter.
C. 
The Ethics Board shall have the following powers and duties, in addition to those otherwise provided in this chapter:
(1) 
To prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing its own internal organization and procedures in a manner consistent with this chapter.
(2) 
To maintain on file disclosure statements filed with the Board pursuant to this chapter.
(3) 
To maintain on file, and determine, complaints filed with the Board concerning the provisions of this chapter and to make notifications and conduct investigations in furtherance thereof.
(4) 
To conduct hearings and recommend disciplinary action upon complaints properly before it and to impose penalties or fines for violations of this chapter to the extent permitted in this chapter.
(5) 
To render and maintain on file advisory opinions pursuant to this chapter.
(6) 
To prepare an annual report to the Board of Trustees in May of each year and to review and recommend changes to this chapter where appropriate.
The Ethics Board shall review all annual and other disclosure statements made pursuant to this chapter to determine whether any person required to file such a statement has failed to file it, has filed a deficient statement or has filed a statement that reveals a possible or potential violation of this chapter. If the Board determines that a required disclosure statement has not been filed, is deficient or reveals a possible or potential violation of this chapter, the Board shall give appropriate written notice to the person responsible to file such statement, which notice may include a description of the penalties for such failure to file, incorrect filing or possible or potential violation.
A. 
Upon receipt of a sworn complaint by any person alleging a violation of this chapter, or upon determining on its own initiative that a violation of this chapter may exist, the Ethics Board shall have the power and duty to conduct any investigation necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter. In conducting any such investigation, the Ethics Board may administer oaths or affirmations, subpoena witnesses, compel their attendance and require the production of any books or records which it may deem relevant and material.
B. 
The Ethics Board shall make a written disposition of every sworn complaint it receives and of every investigation it conducts, which disposition shall set forth the reasons for the disposition. All such statements, sworn complaints and dispositions shall be maintained on file by the Board.
C. 
Any person filing a sworn complaint with the Ethics Board shall be notified in writing of the disposition of the complaint.
D. 
Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the Ethics Board to conduct an investigation of itself or of any of its members or staff. If the Ethics Board receives a complaint alleging that the Board or any of its members or staff has violated any provision of this chapter or any other law, the Board shall promptly transmit a copy of such complaint to the Board of Trustees.
A. 
The Board shall conduct and complete hearings with reasonable promptness and in accordance with due process procedural requirements and any applicable provisions of law and collective bargaining agreements.
B. 
After completion of a hearing, the Board may, in its discretion, recommend appropriate disciplinary action pursuant to this chapter. Such recommendation shall be made to the Board of Trustees and to the appointing authority or person or body authorized by law to impose such discipline.
C. 
In its discretion and after a hearing as provided in this section, the Board may assess a civil fine, not to exceed $1,500 for each violation, upon any municipal officer or employee found by the Board to have violated this chapter and/or issue an order of debarment against any person found to have violated any provision of this chapter.
D. 
Damages. The Board of Trustees may initiate an action in the court of appropriate jurisdiction to obtain damages, as provided in this chapter. Any such damages shall be in addition to any forfeiture, debarment, penalty or fine imposed pursuant to this chapter.
E. 
The village may initiate an action or special proceeding, as appropriate, in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, to obtain civil forfeiture, as provided in this chapter. Any such forfeiture shall be in addition to any penalty, debarment, fine or damages imposed pursuant to this chapter.
F. 
The village may initiate an action or special proceeding, as appropriate, in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, for an order of debarment, as provided in this chapter. Any such debarment shall be in addition to any penalty, damages, fine or forfeiture imposed pursuant to this chapter.
G. 
The village may initiate an action or special proceeding, as appropriate, in a court of appropriate jurisdiction, for injunctive relief to enjoin a violation of this chapter or to compel compliance with this chapter.
A. 
Upon written application and upon a showing of compelling need by the applicant, the Ethics Board may in exceptional circumstances grant the applicant a waiver of any of the provisions of Subsections A through I of § 19-2, § 19-3A(1), § 19-7, § 19-8 or § 19-9 of this chapter; provided, however, that no such waiver shall permit conduct otherwise prohibited by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York.
B. 
Waivers shall be in writing and shall state the grounds upon which they are granted. Within 10 days after granting a waiver, the Ethics Board shall publish in the official newspaper designated by the village a notice setting forth the name of the person requesting the waiver and a general description of the nature of the waiver. All applications, decisions and other records and proceedings relating to waivers shall be indexed and maintained on file by the Ethics Board.
A. 
Upon the written request of any village officer or employee, the Ethics Board may render a written advisory opinion with respect to the interpretation or application of this chapter or of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York with respect to the conduct or proposed conduct of any person. Any other person may similarly request an advisory opinion but only with respect to whether such person's own conduct might violate a provision of this chapter or Article 18.
B. 
Advisory opinions and requests for advisory opinions shall be indexed and maintained on file by the Ethics Board.
C. 
Any person aggrieved by an advisory opinion of the Ethics Board may seek judicial review and relief pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules of the State of New York.
D. 
Any person who had submitted to the Ethics Board a written request for an advisory opinion may bring a special proceeding pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules for an order compelling the Ethics Board to issue the advisory opinion. In addition to, or in lieu of, such injunctive relief, the person may seek a judgment in accordance with § 3001 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules determining the question posed in the request for the advisory opinion. No action or special proceeding shall be prosecuted or maintained pursuant to this subsection unless it shall appear by and as an allegation in the petition or complaint that at least six months have elapsed since the filing of the request and that the Ethics Board has failed to file any determination in the matter and the action or special proceeding shall be commenced within 10 months after the submission of the request for the advisory opinion.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Ethics Board may seek judicial review and relief pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules of the State of New York.
The Ethics Board shall:
A. 
Make information concerning this chapter and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law available to the officers and employees of the village, to the public and to persons interested in doing business with the village.
B. 
Develop educational materials and an educational program for the officers and employees of the village with respect to the provisions of this chapter and of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
A. 
The Ethics Board shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Mayor and Board of Trustees, summarizing the activities of the Board. The report may also recommend changes to the text or administration of this chapter.
B. 
The Ethics Board shall periodically review this chapter and the Board's rules, regulations and administrative procedures to determine whether they promote integrity, public confidence and participation in village government and whether they set forth clear and enforceable, common sense standards of conduct.
A. 
Records of the Ethics Board shall be available for public inspection as required by Article 6 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York or by some other state or federal law or regulation.
B. 
No meeting or proceeding of the Ethics Board concerning misconduct, nonfeasance or neglect in office by a village officer or employee shall be open to the public, except upon the request of the officer or employee or as required by the provisions of Article 7 of the Public Officers Law or by some other state or federal law or regulation.
A. 
No existing right or remedy shall be lost, impaired or affected by reason of this chapter.
B. 
Nothing in this chapter shall be deemed to bar or prevent a present or former village officer or employee from timely filing any claim, account, demand or suit against the village on behalf of such officer or employee or any member of such officer's or employee's family arising out of personal injury or property damage or any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
A. 
The Ethics Board shall transmit to the Village Clerk, in a form suitable for posting, copies of those provisions of this chapter which the Ethics Board deems necessary for posting in the village. Within 10 days after receipt of those copies, the Village Clerk shall cause the copies to be posted conspicuously in every public building under the jurisdiction of the village.
B. 
The Ethics Board shall transmit to the Village Clerk, in a form suitable for distribution, copies of those provisions of this chapter which the Ethics Board deems necessary for distribution to the officers and employees of the village. Within 10 days after receipt of those copies, the Village Clerk shall cause the copies to be distributed to every officer and employee of the village and made readily available to the public. The Village Clerk also shall furnish a copy of those provisions to every village officer or employee elected or appointed thereafter within 10 days after such officer or employee enters upon the duties of such officer or employee.
C. 
Failure of the village to comply with the provisions of this section or failure of any village officer or employee to receive a copy of the provisions of this chapter shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with this chapter or on the enforcement of its provisions.