This chapter is intended to set forth guidelines under which
Town-owned vehicles will be authorized to Town personnel use and the
parameters under which their vehicles shall be used and operated.
The majority of municipal vehicles are highly visible and subject
to public scrutiny. As a result, criticism is frequently received
from the general public concerning improper or unethical use of these
vehicles. This chapter will cause an increase in accountability surrounding
vehicle usage and the liability to the taxpayers of unauthorized use
of vehicles will be limited.
The provisions of this chapter apply to all Town of Marlborough
employees who operate municipal vehicles, inclusive to the Town of
Marlborough Police Department and the Town of Marlborough Highway
Department, except those operators that are regulated by a collective
bargaining agreement. As part of a department head's standard
operating procedure, he may adopt rules of operation that are more
stringent (but not less) than those of this policy.
The Town Board authorizes the following employees to use Town-owned
vehicles:
B. Deputy Highway Superintendent.
F. Code Enforcement Officer.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
EMERGENCY RESPONDER
An employee of the Town that is required to respond to any
state of emergency, fire, flood or other natural disaster on a twenty-four-hour,
seven-day-a-week basis.
INCIDENTAL USAGE
That usage of a municipally owned vehicle by an assigned
operator that is not related to his/her job. Incidental usage can
only occur during the normal working hours of the employee and only
within the legal limits of the Town of Marlborough. An employee may
be authorized in writing by the Town Board on an annual basis to conduct
non-job-related stops at banks, post office, library and schools.
The privilege may be revoked at any time by the Town Supervisor or
his agent.