[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Hamptonburgh 8-6-1979 as Ch. 10 of the 1979 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A. 
The Governor's Special Commission on Ethical Standards in Public Service has published its report, a part of which is printed here:
In making its study, the Commission found the greatest shortcomings of law in the area of ethics to be the failure to provide municipal officers and employees with adequate and definitive guidelines for their official conduct. They are left uncertain whether any course of action they may take is proper or may become the basis for political attack and public dissatisfaction.
The Town Board of the Town of Hamptonburgh wishes to supply the public officers and employees of the town with rules of ethical conduct so that the officers and employees of the town may conduct themselves in such a manner as to enhance public confidence in local government, and to provide officers and employees of the town with a set of guidelines for their actions. It is also the purpose of this chapter to provide for punishment of violations of such standards and to utilize the County Board of Ethics to render advisory opinions to the town's officers and employees as provided for herein.
B. 
The standards, prohibited acts and procedures established herein are in addition to any prohibited acts, conflict-of-interest provisions or procedures prescribed by statute of the State of New York and also in addition to common-law rules and judicial decisions relating to the conduct of town officers and employees to the extent that the same are more severe in their application than this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated.
INTEREST
A pecuniary or other benefit accruing to a municipal officer or employee, unless the context otherwise requires.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Town of Hamptonburgh, whether paid or unpaid, including members of any administrative board, commission or 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.
A. 
No town officer or employee shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.
B. 
No town employee or officer shall represent private interests before an agency of the town of which he is a member, by which he is employed or to which he renders consulting service.
C. 
No town officer or employee shall accept other employment which will impair his independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties.
No town officer or employee shall accept employment or engage in any business or professional activity which will require him to disclose confidential information which he has gained by reason of his official position or authority.
A. 
Any town officer or employee who has a financial interest, direct or indirect, in any contract with the town or in the sale of any land, material, supplies or service to the town or in a contractor supplying to the town shall make known the interest and shall refrain from voting upon or otherwise participating in the making of the contract.
B. 
Each town officer or employee shall, to the extent that he is cognizant thereof, disclose any interest he may have in legislation before the Town Board.
A. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall have any interest , financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, or engage in any business or transaction or professional activity or incur any obligation of any nature which is in conflict with or might reasonably tend to conflict with the proper discharge of his/her duties in the public interest.
B. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall accept other employment which will impair his/her independence of judgment in the exercise of his/her official town duties.
C. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall engage in, solicit, negotiate for or promise to accept private employment or render services for private interest when such employment or service creates a conflict or impairs discharge of his/her official duties.
D. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall use or attempt to use his/her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself/herself or others.
E. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall by his/her conduct give reasonable basis or the impression that another can improperly influence him/her or unduly enjoy his/her favor in the performance of his/her official duties or that he/she is affected by kinship or rank or position of influence of any party or person.
F. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall within two years after the termination of his/her service accept employment which will require appearances before any board or agency or commission of the Town of Hamptonburgh.
G. 
No town officer, member of any board of the town, town employee or town consultant shall appear before any board, agency or commission of the Town of Hamptonburgh in relation to any case. proceeding or application in which he/she was directly concerned, personally participated or which was under his/her active consideration in the period of his/her service or employment.
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law, any person who shall knowingly and intentionally violate any of the provisions of this Code of Ethics may be fined, suspended or removed from office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.
A. 
The Board of Ethics established by the County of Orange shall serve at the pleasure of the Town Board of the Town of Hamptonburgh.
B. 
The Board of Ethics shall have the powers and duties prescribed by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and shall render advisory opinions to the officers and employees of the Town of Hamptonburgh on a confidential basis with respect to Article 18 of the General Municipal Law and this chapter. The Board of Ethics shall render advisory opinions to town employees and may make recommendations to such Town Board as to any amendments to this chapter.
A. 
Upon adoption of this chapter, the Town Supervisor shall cause a copy thereof to be distributed to every town officer and employee.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Subsection 10-9B, regarding filing with the State Comptroller, which immediately followed this subsection, was deleted at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
Failure to distribute any such copy or failure of any officer or employee to receive such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with such code nor the enforcement of provisions thereof.[2]
[2]
Editor's Note: Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).