As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
INTEREST
A direct or indirect pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a
village employee as the result of a contract with the village. For the purposes
of this chapter, a village employee shall be deemed to have an interest in
the contract of:
A.
His spouse, minor children and dependents, except a contract of employment
with the Village of Lake Grove.
B.
A firm, partnership or association of which such village employee is
a member or employee.
C.
A corporation of which such village employee is an officer, director
or employee.
D.
A corporation, any stock of which is owned or controlled directly or
indirectly by such village employee.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
Any officer or employee of the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove,
whether paid or unpaid, elected or appointed, including members of any administrative
board, commission, committee or other agency thereof. It shall also include
the Village Attorney or any Special Attorneys of the Village of Lake Grove,
paid or unpaid, the Village Justice and Acting Village Justice. 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.
Every officer or employee of the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove
shall be subject to and abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. Gifts. He shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit
any gift or accept or receive any gift having a value of $75 or more, whether
in the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality or
any other form, under circumstances in which it could reasonably be inferred
that the gift was intended to influence him or could reasonably be expected
to influence him in the performance of his official duties or was intended
as a reward for any official action on his part.
B. Confidential information. He shall not disclose confidential
information acquired by him in the course of his official duties or use such
information to further his personal interest.
C. Representation before one's own agency. He shall
not receive, or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before any municipal
agency of which he is an officer, member or employee or before any municipal
agency over which he has jurisdiction or to which he has the power to appoint
any member, officer or employee.
D. Representation before any agency for a contingent fee.
He shall not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for
compensation for services to be rendered in relation to any matter before
any agency of this municipality, whereby his 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 the services rendered.
E. Disclosure of interest in legislation. To the extent
that he knows thereof, a member of the Village Board and any officer or employee
of the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove, whether paid or unpaid, who participates
in the discussion or gives official opinion to the Village Board on any legislation
before the Village Board, shall publicly disclose on the official record the
nature and extent of any direct or indirect financial or other private interest
he has in such legislation.
F. Investments in conflict with official duties. He shall
not invest or hold any investment directly or indirectly in any financial,
business, commercial or other private transaction which creates a conflict
with his official duties.
G. Private employment. He shall not engage in, solicit,
negotiate for or promise to accept private employment or render services for
private interests when such employment or service creates a conflict with
or impairs the proper discharge of his official duties.
H. Future employment. He shall not, after the termination
of service or employment with such municipality, appear before any board or
agency of the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove in relation to any case,
proceeding or application in which he personally participated during the period
of his service or employment or which was under his active consideration.
Nothing herein shall be deemed to bar or prevent the timely filing by
a present or former municipal officer or employee of any claim, account, demand
or suit against the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove or any agency thereof
on behalf of himself or any member of his family, arising out of any personal
injury or property damage or for any lawful benefit or claim authorized or
permitted by law.
The Mayor of the Incorporated Village of Lake Grove shall cause a copy
of this Code of Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee of
the village within 10 days after the effective date of this chapter. Each
officer and employee elected or appointed thereafter shall be furnished a
copy before entering upon the duties of his office or employment.
The Mayor, as chief executive officer of the village, shall receive
any complaint concerning provisions of this chapter and shall cause the complaint
to be investigated. The results of said investigation shall be presented to
the Village Board within 30 days, and the matter may, upon motion of the Board,
be referred to the Suffolk County Board of Ethics, which is hereby adopted
as the Board of Ethics for the village.
Any violation of any provisions of this chapter shall constitute cause
for an imposition of a fine, suspension or removal from office or employment,
in addition to such other penalty contained in or as may be imposed or adjudged
for violation of any provisions of any state, county or village law or ordinance.
An officer or employee who knowingly and willfully makes a false statement
or gives information which he knows to be false in any written statement required
to be filed in reference to any matters pertaining to the provisions as required
in this Code of Ethics shall be guilty of a violation of the provisions of
the Public Officers Law or General Municipal Law or any other state, county
or village law or ordinance.