[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Village of Nassau
11-3-70 by resolution. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The Board of Trustees of the Village of Nassau recognizes that there
are state statutory provisions mandating villages to establish rules and standards
of ethical conduct for public officers and employees, which, if observed,
can enhance public confidence in local government. In the light of a tendency
today on the part of some people to downgrade our local governments and to
discredit our public servants and our free institutions generally, it appears
necessary that every effort be made to assure the highest caliber of public
administration of this village as part of our state's important system
of local government. It is the purpose of this Code of Ethics to implement
this objective through the establishment of standards of conduct and to provide
for punishment for violation of such standards.
The standards, prohibited acts and procedures established herein are
in addition to any prohibited acts, conflicts 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 village officers
to the extent that the same are more severe in their application than this
Code of Ethics.
As used in this Code of Ethics, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any board, commission, district, council or other agency, department
or unit of the government of the Village of Nassau.
Any officer or employee of the Village of Nassau, whether paid or
unpaid, whether serving in a full-time, part-time or advisory capacity.
No village employee 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 substantial conflict
with the proper discharge of his duties in the public interest.
A.Â
No village employee shall accept other employment which
will impair his independence of judgment in the exercise of his official duties.
B.Â
No village 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.
C.Â
No village employee shall use or attempt to use his official
position to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions for himself or others.
D.Â
No village employee shall engage in any transaction,
as representative or agent of the village, with any business entity in which
he has a direct or indirect financial interest that might reasonably tend
to conflict with the proper discharge of his official duties.
E.Â
A village employee shall not, by his conduct, give reasonable
basis for the impression that any person can improperly influence him or unduly
enjoy his favor in the performance of his official duties or that he is affected
by the kinship, rank, position or influence of any party or person.
F.Â
Each village employee shall abstain from making personal
investments in enterprises which he has reason to believe may be directly
involved in decisions to be made by him or which will otherwise create substantial
conflict between his duty in the public interest and his private interest.
G.Â
Each village employee shall endeavor to pursue a course
of conduct which will not raise suspicion among the public that he is likely
to be engaged in acts that are in violation of his trust.
H.Â
No village employee employed on a full-time basis nor
any firm or association of which such employee is a member nor any corporation,
a substantial portion of the stock of which is owned or controlled directly
or indirectly by such employee, shall sell goods or services to any person,
firm, corporation or association which is licensed or whose rates are fixed
by the village in which such employee serves or is employed.
In addition to any penalty contained in any other provision of law,
any such village employee 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 in the manner provided by law.
Upon the adoption of this Code of Ethics, the Mayor shall cause a copy
thereof to be distributed to every village employee of this village. Failure
to distribute any such copy or failure of any village employee to receive
such copy shall have no effect on the duty of compliance with this code nor
the enforcement of provisions hereof. The Mayor shall further cause a copy
of this Code of Ethics to be kept posted conspicuously in each public building
under the jurisdiction of the village. Failure to so post this Code of Ethics
shall have no effect on the duty of compliance herewith nor the enforcement
of provisions hereof.
Within thirty (30) days of the adoption of this Code of Ethics, the
Village Clerk shall file a copy thereof in the office of the State Comptroller.
