[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Hellertown 2-8-1977 by Ord. No. 477. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to establish and impose on elected
and appointed officials and employees of the Borough of Hellertown
the highest possible ethical standards.
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the rights
granted under the laws of Pennsylvania or the United States to any
employee or employee organization.
No individual shall be favored or disfavored with respect to
any position or office because of age, sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, political opinions or affiliations or lawful activity
in any employee organization.
No individual who seeks promotions or appointment with respect
to any position or office shall directly or indirectly give, render,
or pay any money, service or other valuable thing to any person for
or in connection with his past appointment, proposed appointment,
promotion or proposed promotion.
A.
Employees of the Borough may participate or refrain from participating
in political activity, but no employee shall engage in political activity
while performing the duties of his or her position with the Borough.
B.
No employee of the Borough shall hold any elective position within
the Borough such as Mayor, Councilman, Auditor, Controller, Assessor
or Tax Collector. Nothing herein contained shall prevent an employee
from running for such an elective position within the Borough, but
upon election, he or she shall forthwith submit his or her resignation
as an employee of the Borough to be effective upon the date such employee
assumes his or her duties as such elected official.
C.
No person in any way shall solicit any assessment, subscription or
contribution for any political party, organization, committee or candidate
from any employee of the Borough.
A.
The purpose of this section is to prevent elected and appointed officials
and employees from securing any financial benefits from their public
positions other than their compensation provided by law.
B.
No elected or appointed official or employee shall receive benefit
from the profits or emoluments of any contract, job, work or service
for the Borough or accept anything of value upon terms more favorable
than those granted to the public generally from any person dealing
with the Borough. No elected or appointed official or employee shall
solicit or receive anything of value for any act done in the course
of public business, except from the Borough. This subsection shall
not be construed to prohibit elected or appointed officials or employees
from accepting group discounts, group insurance, or other economic
advantages offered to all elected and appointed officials and employees.
C.
No elected or appointed official or employee in his official capacity
shall participate in the consideration or approval of any Borough
business in which he or she has a direct or indirect financial interest.
D.
Any elected or appointed official or employee who is aware that he
or she has ownership or any interest in any person, firm or corporation
dealing or doing business with the Borough, shall disclose such interest
by sending a letter setting forth such facts to the Secretary of Borough
Council, who shall distribute copies of the letter to the members
of the Borough Council.
E.
The Borough Council shall determine whether a conflict exists. If
a conflict exists as to a member of the Borough Council, that member
shall not participate in, debate or vote on the matter. The Borough
Council shall have the power to void any contract made in violation
of this section.
Any elected or appointed official or employee who knowingly
and willfully violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall
be dismissed from his office or employment by Council.
