[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Canton 4-15-2009 by Ord. No.
230. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The proper operation of the municipal government of the Town
of Canton requires that all public officials and municipal employees,
whether elected or appointed, paid or unpaid, shall be impartial and
responsive to the public interest; that public office and employment
should not be used for personal gain or advantage; and that the public
have confidence in the integrity of its municipal government. Public
officials must take all steps necessary to avoid even the appearance
of a conflict of interest. Public office is a trust conferred by public
authority for public purpose. Public officials and municipal employees
should not place themselves in positions where private interests conflict
with public duty.
As used in this chapter, the following words or phrases shall
have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Any board, commission, authority and committee of the Town,
including the Board of Education and all ad hoc committees.
The Town's Board of Ethics, as established hereunder.
"Business with which associated" and similar phrasing means
any profit/nonprofit sole proprietorship, partnership, firm, corporation,
trust or other entity in which an official, employee or consultant
or member of his/her immediate family is a director, officer, owner,
limited or general partner, beneficiary of a trust or holder of stock
constituting 5% or more of the total outstanding stock of any class.
"Business with which associated" shall not include a not-for-profit
entity solely by virtue of the fact that the official, employee or
consultant or member of his/her immediate family is an unpaid director
or officer of the not-for-profit entity.
The Code of Ethics.
Information, however transmitted, that is obtained by an
official, employee or consultant by reason of his/her public position
and is of such a nature that, at the time of transmission, it is not
a matter of public record or public knowledge.
Any independent contractor or professional person or firm
that is engaged by and receives compensation from the Town for the
purpose of providing professional services and is in a position to
influence any decision of a Town agency, official or employee.
For purposes of this chapter only, any person receiving a
salary, wages, or stipend for services rendered on behalf of the Town.
Any interest that results or will result in a monetary or
other material benefit, either directly or indirectly, to an official,
employee or consultant or an immediate family member of an official,
employee or consultant, valued at more than $50 in any one calendar
year, and that is not common to all other citizens of the Town.
Anything greater than $5 in value received in any one calendar
year from any one individual or entity to the extent that consideration
of equal or greater value is not received. "Gift" includes, but is
not limited to, entertainment, food, beverage, travel and lodging,
to the extent that the value thereof exceeds $5 for any one occasion,
and loans that are at less than a rate available to the general public.
"Gift" does not include:
A political contribution that is otherwise reported in accordance
with the law.
A loan made on terms that are commercially reasonable and not
more favorable than loans made in the ordinary course of business.
Any gift, regardless of value, received from an immediate family
member.
Certificates, plaques or other ceremonial awards having a value
of less than $75.
Price rebates or discounts on anything of value made in the
ordinary course of business without regard to the recipient's
status.
Items of nominal value, not to exceed $10, containing or displaying
promotional material.
Honorary degrees bestowed by a public or private university
or college.
For an event in which the official or employee participates
in his/her official capacity, the meal provided at and the payment
or waiver of registration or entrance fees to attend such event. Any
costs associated with travel or lodging would be considered a gift.
The spouse, domestic partner, children or dependent relatives
who reside in the official's, employee's or consultant's household.
Any person holding elective or appointive Town office, including
whether paid or unpaid, part-time or full-time, and shall include
members and alternate members of Town agencies, boards, commissions,
committees and subcommittees.
Any involvement of an employee, official or consultant in
which a matter under his/her consideration will result in the employee,
official or consultant, or his/her immediate family member, deriving
an advantage or benefit of a nonfinancial nature.
Determining whether the facts would warrant a reasonable
person to believe that an official, employee, consultant or other
person violated this code; the belief should be more than a mere suspicion
but less than proof beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Town of Canton and, unless the context indicates otherwise,
shall include all political subdivisions and agencies, including the
Board of Education.
A.
Applicability. All officials, employees and consultants shall be
bound by this code.
B.
Use of Town assets restricted. No official, employee or consultant
shall use or permit the use of Town funds, services, property, equipment,
owned or leased vehicles, or materials for personal convenience or
profit, except when such services are available to the public generally
or are provided in conformance with established Town policies for
the use of such officials or employees.
C.
Fair and equal treatment. No official, employee or consultant shall
grant or accept any special consideration, treatment or advantage
to or from any person, beyond that which is available to every other
person, from any individual or entity who or which, to the official's,
employee's or consultant's knowledge, has an interest in matters
pending before the Town.
D.
Conflict of interest.
(1)
A conflict of interest exists when:
(a)
An official, employee or consultant participates in any contract,
transaction, decision, employment or rendering of service that is
incompatible with the proper discharge of his or her official responsibilities
or would tend to impair his/her independent judgment in the performance
of his/her official responsibilities;
(b)
An official, employee or consultant or any member of his/her
immediate family has a financial interest or personal interest in
the outcome of any matter under consideration before such official,
employee or consultant in his or her official capacity;
(c)
An official, employee or consultant accepts employment which
will either impair such individual's independence of judgment
with regard to such individual's official duties or require such
individual to disclose confidential information acquired in the course
of public duties; or
(d)
An official, employee or consultant discloses or uses confidential
information for the purposes of advancing a financial or personal
gain for himself or herself or for an immediate family member.
(2)
An official, employee or consultant does not have a conflict of interest
if the matter involves a determination of general policy and the interest
is shared with a substantial segment of the population of the municipality.
(3)
Disclosure.
(a)
No official, employee or consultant shall appear on behalf of
any private person or party before any Town agency in connection with
any cause, proceeding, application or other matter in which he/she
has a financial interest or personal interest without first disclosing
such interest to the agency, which shall record such disclosure in
the record of the agency's proceeding.
(b)
Any official, employee or consultant who has a conflict of interest
or believes he/she may have a conflict of interest shall disclose
the conflict of interest in writing. Such individual shall submit
such written, signed disclosure as soon as practicable, but in no
circumstances later than 10 days, as follows:
[1]
For an official who is a member of an elective or appointive
agency: to the particular agency of which such official is a member.
[2]
For officials and employees appointed by the Board of Selectmen
or the Chief Administrative Officer: to the Board of Selectmen.
[3]
For Board of Education employees: to the Superintendent of Schools.
[4]
For the Board of Selectmen: to the Board of Ethics.
[5]
For a consultant: to the agent executing the contract on behalf
of the Town or the Board of Education.
(c)
In addition to the disclosure requirements contained above,
each elected official or member of an appointive agency recusing himself/herself
shall, within 10 days of such recusal, notify the Board of Ethics
in writing or by e-mail of such recusal.
(4)
Disqualification. Any official, employee or consultant who has a
conflict of interest or who believes he or she may have a conflict
of interest shall recuse himself or herself from participating in
any matter, transaction or decision. Once an official, employee or
consultant has been recused, the individual shall leave the room and/or
area where any discussions are occurring regarding such matter that
created the conflict of interest.
E.
Gifts and favors.
(1)
No official, employee or consultant or any member of his/her immediate
family shall solicit or accept from any one source during any one-year
period a gift from any person or entity that, to the recipient's
knowledge, is interested directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever,
in any business transactions or matters pending, or anticipated to
become pending, before the Town.
(2)
No official, employee or consultant or any member of his/her immediate
family shall request or accept any special favor, consideration or
treatment or advantage, beyond that which is available to every other
person, from any person or entity that, to the recipient's knowledge,
is interested directly or indirectly, in any manner whatsoever, in
any business transactions or matters pending, or anticipated to become
pending, that are within the purview of such prospective recipient's
official duties and responsibilities.
(3)
For purposes of this section, "matters pending, or anticipated to
become pending" include, but are not limited to, applications to an
agency, bids for work to be performed, applications for employment,
and bids for the furnishing of supplies, equipment or other items.
(4)
If it is impossible or inappropriate for the official, employee or
consultant to refuse a gift, he/she shall promptly turn the gift over
to an appropriate public or charitable institution without claiming
a charitable deduction on his/her tax returns.
F.
Use of influence. No official, employee or consultant shall use his/her
position to seek, demand or influence a financial interest or personal
interest in his/her favor or in favor of any other person or entity.
G.
Equal treatment. Officials, employees and consultants shall treat
each member of the public professionally, courteously, impartially
and fairly. No official, employee or consultant shall grant any special
favor, consideration, treatment or advantage to any person beyond
that which is available to every other citizen of the Town.
H.
Representation of private interests. No official, employee or consultant
or an agent or employee of such consultant, whether paid or unpaid,
shall represent or advise a private person or entity with respect
to a matter that is pending or is expected to be pending in the future
before a Town agency, or in any action or proceeding against the Town's
interest, when to do so could reasonably be deemed to conflict with
or impair the official's, employee's or consultant's judgment
in the performance of his/her official duties. This prohibition shall
continue for a period of one year following the end of service as
an official, employee or consultant.
I.
Appearances before a Town agency. No official or employee, whether paid or unpaid, shall represent or appear on behalf of any private individual or entity, other than himself/herself, a spouse, domestic partner or minor children, before a Town agency, or take any appellate proceedings from any action of such agency, either personally or through an associate or partner, unless there is first a full disclosure in accordance with Subsection D(3) above and unless, further, the matter or transaction for which he/she is appearing is sufficiently remote from his/her official duties that no conflict of interest exists and the official or employee is not in a position to exert improper influence.
J.
Fee or honorarium. No official, employee or consultant shall accept
a fee or honorarium for an article, appearance, or speech, or for
participation at an event, in his or her official capacity.
K.
Competitive bidding. No official, employee or consultant or business
with which such individual is associated, or member of his/her immediate
family, shall enter into a contract with the Town unless it is awarded
through a process of public notice and competitive bidding.
L.
Multiple positions. No official, employee or consultant shall hold
two or more positions in Town government, whether paid or unpaid,
which have a conflict of interest or have the appearance of a conflict
of interest.
M.
Distribution of code. Every official, employee and consultant shall
be furnished a copy of the code within 60 days of the effective date
of this chapter, and each such official, employee and consultant shall
sign and file with the Board of Selectmen an acknowledgment/commitment
form. Any official, employee or consultant upon entering the duties
of his or her office or employment shall be furnished a copy of the
code, and each such official, employee and consultant shall sign and
file with the Board of Selectmen an acknowledgment/commitment form.
All officials, employees and consultant shall annually sign an acknowledgement
form stating that they do not currently have a conflict. The code
will be redistributed to all officials, employees and consultants
biannually.
[Amended 12-14-2011]
N.
Duty to disclose. All officials, employees and consultants who have
knowledge of or believe there to be violations of any provisions of
the code are duty bound to report those violations to the Board. Such
reports shall be in good faith, and the Town in turn guarantees that
no reprisals against a reporter of such violations will be taken,
provided that such charges are not later proven to have been both
malicious and false. All persons against whom such charges have been
made will have full access to all the due process protections as established
by this chapter. Appropriate sanctions may also be given by the Board
against any person who is found to have falsely and maliciously charged
another with a violation of the code.
O.
Employees who serve on agency. No employee serving on an agency shall
participate or vote on any matter involving the Town department or
program employing such employee unless the Town Charter permits such
employee to participate or vote.
A.
Establishment.
(1)
There is hereby established a Board of Ethics consisting of five
members, no more than two of whom shall be of the same political party.
In addition to the regular members, the Board of Selectmen shall appoint
two alternate members who shall not be of the same party. It shall
require a minimum of three affirmative votes by the Board of Selectmen
to approve an appointment to the Board. The two alternate members
shall serve in the absence of a regular member on a rotational basis
with the same powers and authority as a regular member. The members
shall be appointed by the Board of Selectmen and shall serve for a
term of four years, except that at the first appointment made by the
Board of Selectmen three regular members and one alternate member
shall be appointed for two-year terms, with the remaining appointments
being made for four-year terms. No member, regular or alternate, shall
serve as a member of any other Town agency, be an employee or consultant
or have a contractual relationship with the Town.
(2)
No candidate for political office may disseminate information which
indicates that a Board member supports his or her candidacy except
for legally required disclosures.
(3)
Regular and alternate members shall be subject to Town Charter § 6.05G
related to removal for cause. In addition to the attendance requirements
of Town Charter § 6.05G(1), "for cause" means the member's
neglect of duty, misconduct in office, or inability to discharge powers
and duties.
B.
Organization and procedure. The Board shall elect a Chairman, Vice
Chairman and a Secretary and shall establish its own rules and procedures,
which shall be available to the public upon request. The Vice Chairman
shall act as Chair in the absence of the Chairman. The first rules
and procedures shall be established within four months of the effective
date of this chapter. The need to maintain confidentiality in order
to protect the privacy of public officials and employees and citizens
shall be considered when establishing the rules and procedures. The
Board shall keep records of its meetings and shall hold meetings at
the call of the Chairman and at such other times as it may determine.
C.
Powers and duties.
(1)
Pursuant to a written request on a form prescribed by the Board and
signed by an official, employee or consultant, or upon its own initiative,
the Board shall render advisory opinions with respect to the applicability
of the code to specific situations. Such official, employee or consultant
shall have an opportunity to present his or her interpretation of
the facts at issue and the applicable provision or provisions of the
code, as requested by him/her, before such advisory opinion is made.
The Board may require additional information.
(2)
The Board shall meet within 15 days of receipt of all information and shall render its written opinion within 30 days of the meeting, which written opinion shall be sent to the one requesting it and filed with the Town Clerk pursuant to Subsection C(5) of this section.
(3)
The Board of Ethics may also issues guidelines. Such advisory opinions
and guidelines, until amended or revoked, shall be binding on the
Board of Ethics.
(4)
An official, employee, or consultant who in good faith relies on
an advisory opinion or guideline shall not be disciplined if such
proposed action is thereafter found to be a violation of the code.
(5)
All advisory opinions shall be filed with the Town Clerk, but no
such opinion shall be so filed or otherwise made public until deletions
as may be necessary have been made to prevent disclosure of the identity
of the official, employee or consultant involved, so as to protect
the personal privacy of that individual [as defined in General Statutes
§ 1-210(b)(2) by the Connecticut Freedom of Information
Commission and the courts].
(6)
No advisory opinion shall be made except upon the affirmative vote
of three Board members.
D.
Initiation of complaints; form; investigation of complaints; process;
enforcement.
(1)
No complaint may be made under the code except within two years after
the violation alleged in the complaint has been committed.
(2)
The Board shall establish procedures by which the public may initiate
complaints alleging a violation of the code.
(3)
The Board shall have the power to hold hearings concerning the application
of the code and its violation, and the Board may administer oaths
and compel the attendance of witnesses by subpoena. As required by
General Statutes § 7-148h(a), the provisions of General
Statutes § 1-82a(a) through (e) shall apply to all investigations
and hearings before the Board.
[Amended 12-14-2011]
(4)
Upon the complaint of any Town resident or upon the majority vote
of the Board, the Board shall investigate any alleged violation of
the code to determine whether or not there is probable cause to believe
that a violation has occurred.
(5)
Any Town resident (complainant) may file a complaint with the Board
on a form prescribed by the Board. The complaint shall be signed under
penalty of false statement and shall state the name of the person
accused (respondent) and the specific acts alleged to constitute the
claimed violation(s). Specific acts alleged to constitute the violation(s)
of the code must be stated or the Board will dismiss the complaint.
The complainant must sign an acknowledgement, on a form prescribed
by the Board, that the complaint and its contents are confidential
unless and until the Board makes a finding of probable cause or the
respondent requests that they be made public.
(6)
The Board shall send written acknowledgement of receipt of the complaint
to the complainant within 15 days of receipt of the complaint. Not
later than 15 days after its receipt of the complaint, the Board shall
notify, by registered or certified mail or any manner by which service
of process may be made, any respondent against whom such complaint
is filed. Upon receipt the respondent may either request a hearing
or may submit a written statement as to whether the complaint states
a violation. The Board shall set the time for response, which time
shall be not less than seven days nor more than 30 days.
(7)
If after investigation the Board determines that the complaint does
not allege facts sufficient to constitute a violation of the code,
it shall dismiss the complaint. Within three days after the end of
its investigation the Board must notify the complainant and respondent
of its findings and provide a summary of those findings. The Board
shall not be obliged to consider a similar complaint if it determines
that such complaint is based upon substantially the same evidence
and there has been no material change in circumstances.
(8)
If the Board determines that the complaint alleges sufficient facts
to state a violation, the Board shall fix a date for the commencement
of a hearing on the complaint, which shall not be more than 60 days
from the finding of probable cause. The Board shall make public such
a finding of probable cause not later than five business days after
termination of the investigation. At such time the entire record of
the investigation shall become public. The Board shall give notice
of the date fixed for the hearing at least 14 days before the date
of the hearing. The hearing may be continued from time to time at
the Board's discretion. The hearing shall be open to the public.
(10)
The hearing shall be recorded by a stenographer or a recording device
provided by the Board. If the Board does not provide a stenographer,
the complainant or respondent may employ a stenographer at his or
her own expense. If a transcript is made, a copy shall be supplied
to the Board and another made available to the other party upon payment
of 1/2 of the cost of obtaining the transcript (or, if there is more
than one other party, upon payment of the proportionate share of the
cost of obtaining the transcript).
(11)
No finding of a violation of the code shall be made except upon the
affirmative vote of three Board members.
(12)
The Board shall render its findings and memorandum of decision in
writing within 30 days after the conclusion of the hearing on the
complaint. The Board shall send the complainant and respondent a copy
of the findings and memorandum of decision. The Board shall also send
a copy to the Board of Selectmen, except with respect to individuals
under the jurisdiction of the Board of Education, in which cases the
findings and memorandum of decision shall be filed with the Board
of Education. In the case of a consultant, the findings and memorandum
of decision shall also be filed with the agency retaining the consultant.
The Board shall also publish notice of its findings and memorandum
of decision on the Town website and with the Town Clerk.
(13)
Such findings and memorandum of decision shall constitute the Board's
final decision and shall be subject to appeal to the Superior Court
in accordance with the provisions of General Statutes § 4-183.
E.
Penalties.
(1)
If the Board determines the respondent has, in fact, violated the
provisions of this code, it shall file a memorandum of decision which
shall include a recommendation for action with the Board of Selectmen
and the appropriate agency, if any. The authority affected will report
back within 30 days to the Board the action taken or lack of action
and the reasons therefor. In the case of a consultant, it shall also
be filed with the contracting agency. The recommended action may include:
(a)
Reprimand and public censure.
(b)
Termination, suspension of compensation for elected positions,
or suspension of employment for not more than 90 days without pay.
(c)
Termination of contractual status and/or debarment or suspension
from being a contractor or subcontractor under Town contracts.
(d)
A civil penalty of not more than $1,000 per violation.
(e)
Restitution of any pecuniary benefits received because of the
violation committed.
(2)
No action may be recommended which would violate the provisions of
state or federal law. In the case of union employees, such recommended
action does not constitute a unilateral change in conditions of employment.
No such recommendation shall limit the authority of the Board of Selectmen
under the Charter of the Town or under any ordinance, statute, or
any other law.
(3)
Any person who knowingly files a false statement under this code
is subject to criminal prosecution for perjury under the laws of Connecticut.
