As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
INTEREST
A pecuniary or material benefit accruing to a municipal officer or
employee, unless the contract otherwise requires.
MUNICIPAL OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE
An officer or employee of the Village of Pelham, 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,
except for a Chief Engineer or Assistant Chief Engineer.
Every officer or employee of the Village of Pelham shall be subject
to and shall abide by the following standards of conduct:
A. Gifts. He shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit
any gift having a value of twenty-five dollars ($25.) or more, whether in
the form of money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing
or promise 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 of 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 the village, 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 Village of Pelham, 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. 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 Village of Pelham 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 Village of Pelham 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 authorized or permitted by law.
The Mayor of the Village of Pelham shall cause a copy of this Code of
Ethics to be distributed to every officer and employee of the village within
thirty (30) 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.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law,
any person who shall knowingly and intentionally commit an offense against
any of the provisions of this chapter may be fined, suspended or removed from
office or employment, as the case may be, in the manner provided by law.