[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Montville 7-12-1993
by Ord. No. O-Y-3 (Part 18 of the 1991 Compilation). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
The proper operation of democratic government requires that public officials
and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that
government decisions and policy be made in proper channels of the governmental
structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; and that the
public have confidence in the integrity of its government. In recognition
of these goals, a Code of Ethics for all Town officials and employees is adopted.
The purpose of this code is to establish standards of ethical conduct for
all such officials and employees by setting forth those acts or actions that
are incompatible with the best interests of the Town and by mandating disclosure
by such officials and employees of private financial or other interests in
matters affecting the Town.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any business, proprietorship, firm, partnership, person in representative
or fiduciary capacity, association, venture, trust or corporation.
A payment, subscription, advance, forbearance, rendering of services,
deposit or money, or anything of value unless consideration of equal or greater
value is received. Gift shall not include a political contribution otherwise
reported as required by law; services provided without compensation by persons
volunteering their time; a commercially reasonable loan made in the ordinary
course of business; a gift to public official or municipal employee from a
member of his/her immediate family; or food, beverage, flowers or miscellaneous
gifts or both, the cost of which is $25 per person; or gifts given by Town
officials and employees to each other.
Monetary or material benefit accruing to a public officer or employee
as a result of a contract or transaction which is the subject of an official
act or action by or with the Town except for such contracts or transactions
which by their terms and by the substance of their provisions confer the opportunity
and right to realize the accrual of similar benefits to all other persons
and/or property similarly situated. For the purpose of this code, a public
officer or employee shall be deemed to have a monetary or material benefit
accruing in the affairs of:
His/her parents, his/her grandparents, his/her siblings, children and
grandchildren; and his/her spouse and his/her parents, grandparents, siblings,
children and grandchildren by blood or by law; and a divorce or separation
between spouses shall not be deemed to terminate any such relationship.
Any person or business entity with whom a contractual relationship exists
with the public officer or employee; except:
Where a municipal employee or public official is employed by a person
who entered into a contract with the Town, where said employee or public official
is not directly involved in the procurement, preparation, or performance of
such contract, and whose remuneration is not, directly or indirectly, derived
from said contract;
If the municipal employee or public official is employed by any newspaper
which publishes any municipal notice, resolution, ordinance or other proceeding
where such publication is required or authorized by law;
If the municipal employee or public official is employed by a public
utility that furnishes public utility service to the Town when the rate or
charges therefor are fixed or regulated by the public utilities control authority;
or
If the municipal employee or public official is employed by a person
or business which has a contract with the Town if the total consideration
thereunder, when added to the aggregate amount of all consideration payable
under contracts in which said employee or public official has an interest
during a calendar year, does not exceed $500.
Any business entity (with the exclusion of nonprofit corporations and/or
organizations) in which the public officer or employee is an officer, director,
or member having a financial interest in or employed by.
Any business entity in which the stock of, or legal or beneficial ownership
of, in excess of 5% of the total stock or total legal and beneficial ownership,
is controlled or owned by the public officer or employee.
Any legislative, administrative, appointive or discretionary act
of any officer or employee of the Town or any agency, boards, committee or
commission thereof.
Any person, officer or employee holding a position by election, appointment
or employment in the service of the municipality, whether paid or unpaid,
including members of any board, committee or commission thereof.
A.
The requirements herein set forth shall constitute a
Code of Ethics establishing reasonable standards and guidelines for the ethical
conduct of public officers and employees of the Town.
B.
Interest in contract or transaction. No public officer
or employee having the power or duty to perform an official act or action
related to a contract or transaction which is or may be the subject of an
official act or action of the Town shall:
(1)
Have or thereafter acquire an interest in such contract
or transaction; or
(2)
Have an interest in any business entity representing,
advising or appearing on behalf of, whether paid or unpaid, any person involved
in such contract or transaction; or
(3)
Have solicited or accepted present or future employment
with a person or business entity involved in such contract or transaction,
prior to the time the contract or transaction is completed;
(4)
Have solicited, accepted or granted a present or future
gift, favor, service or thing of value from or to a person involved in such
contract or transaction.
C.
Preacquisition of interest. No public officer or employee
with respect to any contract or transaction which is or may be the subject
of an official act or action of the Town shall acquire an interest in or become
materially benefitted by such contract or transaction at a time when the public
employee believes or has reason to believe that it will directly or indirectly
be affected by an official act or action of the Town.
D.
Disclosure of information. No public officer or employee
with respect to any contract or transaction which is or may be the subject
of an official act or action of the Town shall, without proper legal authorization,
disclose confidential information concerning the property, government or affairs
of the Town, or use such information to advance the financial or other private
interest of himself/herself or others.
E.
Incompatible service. No public officer or employee shall
engage in or accept private employment or render service, for private interest,
when such employment or service is interfering with proper discharge of his/her
official duties, unless otherwise permitted by law and unless disclosure of
such monetary or material benefit is made as provided in this code.
F.
Public contracts. No public officer or employee who in
his/her capacity as such officer or employee participates in the making of
a contract in which he has a monetary or material benefit, or performs in
regard to that contract some function requiring the exercise of discretion
on his/her part, shall enter into any contract with the Town unless:
(1)
The Town Council waives the requirement of this section
after determining that it is in the best interest of the Town to do so with
the reasons for said waiver to be stated on the record.
G.
Public property. No public officer or employee shall
request or permit the unauthorized use of Town-owned vehicles, equipment,
materials or property for personal convenience or profit.
H.
Special treatment. No public officer or employee shall
grant any special consideration, treatment or advantage to any citizen beyond
that which is available to every other citizen.
A.
Any member of the Town Council who has a monetary or material benefit accruing in any proposed legislation before the Council shall disclose on the record of the Council the nature and extent of such interest and comply with the provisions of § C903, as amended, of the Montville Town Charter and shall be further disqualified to act in any way (including discussion) on the matter.
B.
Any other official or employee who has a monetary or
material benefit accruing in any proposed legislative action of the Council
shall disclose on the record of the Council prior to discussing said matter
the nature and extent of such interest and shall be disqualified to participate
in any way upon such matter.
A.
The Town Council is hereby established as the committee authorized and approved to investigate allegations of unethical conduct against a Town elected or appointed official pursuant to the procedure and powers of C.G.S. § 7-148(j) and Subsections (a) through (e) of C.G.S. § 1-82(a), as amended. A person who believes that a violation of the code has occurred by an elected or appointed Town official may file a complaint with the Town Council in writing, signed, and clearly identifying himself/herself and his/her place of residence, and clearly identifying the accused individual(s) and the alleged violation of this code. Thereafter, the Town Council shall proceed as provided for herein.
B.
The Town Council shall have the power to investigate any complaint for ethic code violations by an elected or appointed Town official after a concurring vote of at least four members after an initial finding of probable cause against any Town elected or appointed official. The complaint and investigation thereof shall be confidential prior to the determination of probable cause (except upon request of the Town official complained of) as set out in C.G.S. § 1-82(a), Subsections (a) through (e), as amended. If probable cause is found, the Town Council shall provide for a hearing with notice in writing to the Town official not less than 10 days prior to said hearing, with said hearing to be held in public if requested by the Town official. At the request of the Town Council, any proper authority may issue a subpoena for the appearance of witnesses and the production of documents, statements, etc. The Town Council shall have the power to call witnesses and provide the Town official with a reasonable opportunity to be heard.
C.
Any Town official who fails to appear, refuses to testify
or is found to be in violation of any provision of the code shall be subject
to the following penalties:
(1)
Elected Town officials shall be censured in writing,
with said written censure read at a regular meeting of the Town Council and
mailed to said elected official.
A.
The Mayor is hereby established as a committee of one to authorize and is empowered to investigate allegations of unethical conduct against a Town employee pursuant to the procedure and powers of C.G.S. § 7-148(j) and Subsections (a) through (e) of C.G.S. § 1-82(a), as amended.
B.
Any person who believes that a violation of the code has occurred by a Town employee may file a complaint with the Mayor in writing, signed and clearly identifying himself/herself, his/her place of residence and clearly identifying the accused individual(s) and the alleged violation of this code. The complaint and investigation thereof shall be confidential prior to the determination of probable cause (except upon the request of the Town employee complained of) as set out in C.G.S. § 1-82, Subsections (a) through (e), as amended. If probable cause is found, the Mayor shall proceed with said complaint, and said Town employee shall be subjected to the grievance procedure in the collective bargaining agreement or the Mayor shall apply the procedure provided for Town elected or appointed officials if the collective bargaining agreement does not apply.
C.
Any Town employee who fails to appear, refuses to testify
or is found to be in violation of any provision of this code shall be subject
to the procedure and penalties set out in the applicable collective bargaining
agreements.
The Town Clerk shall cause a copy of this Code of Ethics to be distributed
to every public officer and employee of the Town within 30 days after enactment
of this code. Each public officer and employee elected, appointed or engaged
thereafter shall be furnished a copy before entering upon the duties of this
office or employment.
