[Adopted 4-18-2001]
A. 
Town of Massena (hereafter known as "Town") will provide, at the Supervisor's discretion, Internet access and Town computer network access to certain authorized personnel. Such access is aimed at the following goals:
(1) 
To expedite and foster internal and external communications.
(2) 
To educate and inform personnel.
(3) 
To improve the speed, accuracy and depth of Town resident service.
(4) 
To foster the speed, accuracy, and depth of research done by personnel.
(5) 
To promote a broader worldwide view of the government service among employees.
(6) 
To enable Town employees to do their job better.
B. 
It must be understood that some material found on the Internet is inaccurate, contrary to prevailing community standards, unreliable, and inconsistent with Town goals and values.
The following uses are strictly prohibited:
A. 
Use for political purposes.
B. 
Use of profanity or inappropriate language in electronic mail.
C. 
Use that disrupts the goals of the Town.
D. 
Allowing nonauthorized persons to use the Internet or the Town computer network in any way.
E. 
Disregard for the intellectual property of others.
F. 
Use that constitutes illegal activity.
G. 
Any attempt to circumvent any computer-related security measures imposed by the Town.
H. 
Acts that waste resources or prevent others from using them.
I. 
Accessing or disseminating information that is defamatory, abusive, racially offensive, sexually offensive, or adult oriented.
J. 
Development or installation of any software or hardware that harasses others, infiltrates others' computer systems, or damages Town's or others' hardware or software.
K. 
Use that leads to excessive use of Town computer storage space.
L. 
Use that enables or promotes unauthorized access to the Town computer network.
M. 
Use to satisfy idle curiosity about the affairs of others.
N. 
Use to destroy files belonging to others.
A. 
Any employee suspecting that another employee is violating this policy shall immediately report such to the Town Supervisor, or his designee.
B. 
The Supervisor, or his designee, will review the specifics of any suspected policy violations.
The Town's policy is to monitor and control the use of the Internet and the Town computer network. Employees using these resources should not have an expectation of privacy. Information stored on the Town computer network is the property of the Town.
A. 
In cases where this policy is violated, the Supervisor will determine the final disciplinary or legal action to be taken. Disciplinary action may include actions up to and including termination. Policy violators may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
B. 
The Supervisor, or his designee, may revoke or suspend Internet and Town computer network access privileges if any violation of this policy is suspected.
C. 
Internet access and Town computer network access is a privilege and should be respected at all times by Town employees as such.
A. 
This policy does not supersede any relevant laws that may already be in place.
B. 
This policy may be updated and amended from time to time at the sole discretion of the Town.