The governing body wishes to ensure that the public
has the highest trust in its officials, employees and members of its
boards, commissions, committees and utilities, and to assure the public
that impartiality and independence of judgment is maintained.
The governing body hopes to prevent the conduct of
the Borough's business from being subject to improper influence or
even the appearance of improper influence.
The policy of the Borough of Spring Lake will be to
prohibit the Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough employees and members
of municipal boards, commissions, committees and utilities from accepting
gifts from persons or parties doing business with or having any direct
or indirect financial relationship with the Borough of Spring Lake.
No Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough employee or member
of any municipal boards, commissions, committees or utilities shall
accept any gift, whether financial, tickets to events, food, entertainment,
services or the like, from any person or party doing business with
or having any direct or indirect financial relationship with the Borough
of Spring Lake.
For the purpose of this article, any "person or party"
means an individual, including the individual's spouse, if any, and
any child living at home; person; firm; corporation; professional
corporation; partnership; organization or association. The definition
of a business entity shall include all principals who own 10% or more
of the entity as well as any subsidiaries directly controlled by the
business entity.
In the case of the Mayor, Councilpersons, Borough
employee or member of any municipal boards, commissions, committees
or utilities there is an exception to this gift ban for in-kind gifts
of not more than $100, in the aggregate, per annum. This exception
is only for in-kind gifts and does not include cash gifts or donations.
This exception does not apply to gifts from any holder of a liquor
license or the applicant for a liquor license or renewal of an existing
license. This exception does not apply to gifts from any developer
or professional who may appear before the Spring Lake Planning Board.
Any person who violates this article shall be subject to the penalties as provided in Chapter 1, Article I, General Penalty, per violation.