[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Pine Plains 5-19-2011 by L.L. No. 2-2011. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This Ethics Law shall be known and may be cited as the "Ethics
Law of the Town of Pine Plains."
A.
The purposes of this Ethics Law are:
(1)
To establish and maintain a standard of uniform ethical conduct for
elected and appointed officers, paid and contractual employees, agents,
appointees and consultants of the Town (hereinafter "officers and
employees");
(2)
To provide the officers and employees with clear guidance and specific
recommendations for adherence to these standards;
(3)
To facilitate the prevention of any intentional or unintentional
infraction of the ethical standards of conduct enacted by the Town,
and avoid and prevent the appearance of any such infractions or unethical
behavior by officers and employees;
(4)
To promote public confidence and trust in the Town's officers and
employees and to provide ethical oversight of the processes and actions
of the Town of Pine Plains;
(5)
To facilitate a wider understanding and recognition of ethical problems
or conflicts of interest before they arise, and to enhance the accountability
of local government to the citizens of the Town by requiring public
disclosure of financial interests, associations or involvements, and
personal and familial relationships that may influence or be perceived
to influence the actions of Town officers and employees;
(6)
To implement these objectives through the establishment of clear
and reasonable ethical standards of conduct;
(7)
To provide and define clear response and to recommend fair and standard
legal sanctions or corrective disciplinary action in the event the
Town's Ethics Law is found to be breached by a Town officer or employee;
and
(8)
To create a Board of Ethics for the Town of Pine Plains to render
advisory opinions and to investigate and act on complaints and provide
counsel on the fair and effective administration of this Ethics Law.
B.
This Ethics Law is enacted pursuant to § 806 of the General
Municipal Law and § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law and
is not intended to authorize any conduct prohibited by Article 18
of the General Municipal Law. Any standards, prohibited acts or conflicts
of interest prescribed herein shall be in addition to those required
by Article 18 or any related New York State statutes.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Communicating in any form, including, without limitation,
personally through another person, by letter, by electronic communication,
or by telephone.
The governing board of a municipality and any municipal administrative
board (e.g., Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals), commission,
or other agency or body comprised of two or more Town officers or
employees.
The Board of Ethics of the Town of Pine Plains established pursuant to § 22-6 of this Ethics Law.
This Ethics Law.
Any work performed or goods delivered by a Town officer or
employee to another person under mutual agreement of the two parties.
Retail sales are excluded from this provision.
Any person for whom a Town officer or employee has directly
supplied contractual goods/services during the previous 24 months.
Retail sales are excluded from this provision.
Includes any money, service, license, permit, contract, authorization,
loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, or any promise thereof,
or any other gratuity or promise thereof, or anything of value. A
financial transaction may be a financial benefit but shall not be
a gift unless it is on terms not available to the general public.
"Gift" and "financial benefit" do not include campaign contributions
permitted by law.
A direct or indirect financial or material benefit, but does
not include any benefit arising from the provision or receipt of any
services generally available to the residents or taxpayers of the
Town or an area of the Town. A Town officer or employee is deemed
to have an interest in any private organization when he or she, his
or her spouse, or a member of his or her household is an owner, partner,
member, director, officer, employee, or directly or indirectly owns
or controls more than 5% of the organization's outstanding stock.
An action performed in a prescribed manner without the exercise
of judgment or discretion as to the propriety of the act.
Any activity, other than service to the Town, from which the
Town officer or employee receives compensation for services rendered
or goods sold or produced;
Any entity, other than the Town, of which the Town officer or
employee is a member, officer, director, or employee and from which
he/she receives compensation for services rendered or goods sold or
produced; or
Any entity in which the Town officer or employee has an ownership
interest, except a corporation of which the Town officer or employee
owns less than 5% of the outstanding stock.
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For purposes of this definition, "compensation" shall not include
reimbursement for necessary expenses, including travel expenses.
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Both individuals and entities.
A spouse, parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, sibling's
spouse, child, stepchild, uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin,
or household member of a Town officer or employee, and individuals
having any of these relationships to the spouse of the officer or
employee.
An individual of the opposite or same sex living in shared
quarters for the purpose of constituting a family unit.
Of a Town officer or employee, means another Town officer
or employee over whose activities he/she has direction, supervision
or control, except those who serve in positions that are in the exempt
classification under § 41 of the Civil Service Law of the
State of New York or in the unclassified service under Subdivisions
(a) through (f) of § 35 of the Civil Service Law.
The Town of Pine Plains, but shall not include the Town Justice
Court.
A.
General standards and prohibitions.
(1)
Town officers and employees shall conduct themselves in an ethical,
fair and unbiased manner so as to fulfill in good faith the public
trust placed upon them by the Town and its citizens.
(2)
Each Town officer or employee shall avoid conduct or actions that
give the appearance of unethical behavior or which tend to suggest:
(a)
That
any person or entity could improperly influence the officer's or employee's
position or decision-making, or unduly enjoy his/her favor in the
performance of his/her official duties; or
(b)
That
he/she may be inappropriately affected in the execution of his/her
official duties by any factor of kinship or influence by any other
private professional entity or relationship or business.
(3)
A Town officer or employee shall not use his/her official position
or office, or take or fail to take any action in any matter he/she
knows or has reason to know may provide a personal financial benefit
or secure unwarranted or unfair exemptions for him/her or for any
of the following persons or entities:
B.
Conflicts of interest. No Town officer or employee shall have or
give the appearance of any personal or professional interest, financial
or otherwise, direct or indirect; engage in any business or transaction
or professional activity; or incur any private business or professional
obligation of any nature which is in substantial conflict with the
proper, unbiased execution of his/her official Town duties. Town officers
and employees shall not knowingly acquire, solicit, negotiate for,
or accept any interest, employment or anything of value which would
put him/her in violation of this Ethics Law.
C.
Recusal.
(1)
A Town officer or employee shall promptly recuse himself/herself from participation, involvement and/or acting on any matter involving, or before, the Town when such participation, involvement, deliberations and/or act may benefit himself/herself, or any of the persons referred to in Subsection A(3) of this section or may give the reasonable appearance of such benefit.
(2)
Whenever a Town officer or employee is required to recuse himself/herself
pursuant to this code, he/she shall: a) immediately recuse himself/herself
and refrain from further participation in the matter; and b) fully
disclose the grounds for such recusal in writing to the chairperson
of the Town board on which such person sits, such person's immediate
supervisor (if an employee) and to the Chairperson of the Town Board
of Ethics. In the event the recusal occurs after the commencement
of, and during, a meeting or public hearing, the recusal of the member
shall not deprive the Board of a quorum for purposes of continuing
the meeting or public hearing. However, the recused board member may
not further participate in that portion of the meeting relating to
the matter causing the recusal.
(3)
Any person who claims that an officer or employee of the Town is
required to recuse himself/herself pursuant to this code shall submit
such claim to the chairperson of that person's board, or to that person's
immediate supervisor (if an employee), and in writing to the Chairperson
of the Board of Ethics. In the event the issue of the recusal of the
officer or employee cannot be resolved by the board, or immediate
supervisor, as the case may be, the matter shall be referred by the
board, or immediate supervisor, to the Board of Ethics for further
proceedings as provided by this code.
D.
Gifts. A Town officer or employee shall not directly or indirectly
accept or solicit any gift valued over $75, whether in the form of
money, services, loan, travel, entertainment, hospitality, thing or
promise, or in any other form, under circumstances in which it could
reasonably be inferred that the gift was intended to influence any
Town officer or employee in the performance of his/her official duties
or that such gift was intended as a reward for any officer action
or inaction on the part of a Town officer or employee.
E.
Confidential information. A Town officer or employee, or any former
officer or employee of the Town, shall not disclose confidential information
acquired during the course of his/her official duties or use such
information to further his/her personal interests or to unduly affect
or influence the outcome of considerations before the Town. This provision
does not prohibit disclosures protected under federal whistleblower's
laws, or any comparable state laws.
F.
Representation. A Town officer or employee shall not represent any
private interest before any Town agency or in any litigation in which
the Town of Pine Plains is a party, or complainant against the private
interest represented. Additionally, a Town officer or employee shall
not receive or enter into any agreement, express or implied, for compensation
for services, or opinion to be rendered, in relation to any matter
before any Town of Pine Plains board or agency.
G.
Appearances or public representation. A Town officer or employee
shall not appear before any board or agency of the Town except on
his/her own behalf, on behalf of his/her spouse or minor children,
or on behalf of, or concern for, the Town. No Town officer or employee
shall use his/her position to officially present, or advocate for,
a person that could be considered in actual or potential conflict
of interest with the Town.
H.
Political solicitation. A Town officer or employee shall not request,
or authorize anyone else to request, any subordinate of the officer
or employee to participate or contribute to any election campaign
or political committee. No Town officer or employee shall permit political
materials to be placed on Town property, except where permitted by
official policies adopted by the Town Board. Town officers and employees
shall comply with all local, state and federal laws, rules and regulations
governing political campaign contributions.
I.
Future employment.
(1)
No Town officer or employee may ask for, pursue or accept a private
post-government employment opportunity with any person or organization
that has a matter requiring the exercise of discretion pending before
the Town officer or employee, either individually or as a member of
a board, while the matter is pending or within the 30 days following
final disposition of the matter.
(2)
No Town officer or employee, for a two-year period after serving
as a Town officer or employee, may represent or render services to
a private person or entity in connection with any matter involving
the exercise of discretion before the Town office, board, department
or comparable organizational unit for which he or she served.
(3)
No Town officer or employee, at any time after serving as a Town
officer or employee, may represent or render services to a private
person or entity in connection with any particular transaction in
which he or she personally and substantially participated while serving
as a Town officer or employee.
J.
Investments. A Town officer or employee shall not invest or hold
any investment directly or indirectly in any business, financial,
commercial or other private transaction which would create a conflict
with his/her official duties.
K.
Inducement of others. No Town officer or employee shall intentionally
induce, encourage, compel or conspire with another Town officer, employee
or person to violate any of the provisions of this Ethics Law.
L.
Nepotism.
(1)
Every officer and employee related closer in degree, by blood or
marriage (including significant others), than first cousin to any
persons seeking employment within any department, section or function
of the Town shall disclose such relationship as provided herein.
(2)
Such disclosure shall be made in writing to the Town Clerk, and shall
be made at the earliest opportunity next following the date upon which
such officer or employee first learns or has knowledge of the application.
M.
Use of public property. No Town officer or employee shall request
or permit the use of Town-owned vehicles, equipment, materials or
property for personal convenience or profit except when such services
are available to the public generally or are provided as Town policy
for the use of such officers or employees in the course or conduct
of their official duties.
N.
Contracts rendered null and void. Pursuant to existing state laws,
any contract entered into by the Town, or by any Town officer or employee
on behalf of the Town, may be rendered null and void, either in whole
or in part, if any of the sections or elements of this Town Ethics
Law are found to have been violated in the course of that contract's
development and/or implementation.
A.
Disclosure. Every application, petition, or request submitted for
a variance, amendment, change of zoning, approval of a plat, exemption
from a plat or Official Map, license, or permit pursuant to the provisions
of any ordinance, local law, rule, or regulation constituting the
zoning and planning regulations of the Town shall state the information
required, to the extent required, by § 809 of the General
Municipal Law of the State of New York.[1]
B.
Violations. Any person who willfully and knowingly violates the provisions
of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, to the extent provided
by § 809 of the General Municipal Law.
A.
Establishment; terms; vacancies; finances; officers; meetings.
(1)
The Board of Ethics shall consist of three members appointed by the
Town Board.
[Amended 9-19-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013]
(2)
The term of office for each member shall be five years, running on
a calendar-year basis. One member shall serve until December 31 of
the year in which the Board members are first appointed, one shall
serve until the second December 31, and one shall serve until the
third December 31.
[Amended 9-19-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013]
(3)
Members of the Board of Ethics may serve up to three consecutive
five-year terms, provided that they adhere to all other provisions
of this code.
[Amended 9-19-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013]
(4)
In the event of a vacancy, the Town Board shall solicit recommendations
for appointment to the Board of Ethics from the Board of Ethics and
from the citizens of the Town.
(5)
The Town Clerk shall keep on file all records pertaining to the appointments,
terms and/or resignations of Board of Ethics members.
(6)
There shall be support staff and sufficient funds (but no less than
$1,000) appropriated annually by the Town Board for the operation
of the Board of Ethics. Additional funds may be allocated as determined
by the Town Board.
(7)
The Board of Ethics shall be advised by an attorney selected by the
Board of Ethics and appointed by the Town Board. Said attorney shall
provide such legal and advisory services to the Board of Ethics as
it may require in the performance of its duties. Such attorney may
be, in the discretion of the Board of Ethics, the Town Attorney or
Attorney to the Town.
(8)
Members shall serve without compensation and will be reimbursed for
all reasonable and necessary expenses, provided they receive prior
approval from the Town Board and proper documentation of those expenses
has been submitted to the Town Board.
(9)
The Board of Ethics shall elect a Chairperson from among its members.
The term of the Chairperson shall be for one year. There shall be
no limitation placed upon the number of consecutive or subsequent
terms a Chairperson may serve.
(10)
The Chairperson or a majority of the Board may call a meeting of
the Board. The Board of Ethics shall meet a minimum of two times per
year.
(11)
A person appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve the unexpired term
of the member he/she replaces.
(12)
Two members of the Board are required for the purpose of conducting
a meeting. A concurring vote of two members shall be required for
the Board to take action, including, but not limited to, initial,
preliminary and final determinations.
[Amended 9-19-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013]
B.
Qualifications for Board of Ethics members.
(1)
All members of the Board of Ethics shall reside in the Town of Pine
Plains.
(2)
No more than two members of the Board of Ethics shall be registered
within the same political party.
[Amended 9-19-2013 by L.L. No. 2-2013]
(3)
No member of the Board of Ethics shall hold office in a political
party committee, or be an officer of another member's election campaign
or committee; be a member of the Pine Plains Town Board; or serve
as a Town Justice during his or her tenure on the Board of Ethics.
(4)
An appointed officer, employee or agent of the Town of Pine Plains
may be a member of the Board of Ethics as long as his or her position
is determined not to constitute an actual or implied conflict with
his or her duties and responsibilities as a Board of Ethics member.
(5)
The Town Board may, by resolution, prescribe initial and/or annual
training requirements for Board of Ethics members and minimum meeting
attendance requirements. Such requirements shall be established by
the Town Board with the advice and consent of the Board of Ethics.
(6)
Members of the Board of Ethics shall record and file their oaths
of office with the Town Clerk.
C.
Removal of Board of Ethics member.
(1)
The Town Board shall have the power to remove, after hearing for
cause, any Board of Ethics member. Cause for such removal shall include,
but not be limited to:
(a)
Failure to adhere to the rules and regulations and the provisions
of this Ethics Law with regard to the organization and procedures
of the Board of Ethics;
(b)
Failure to attend Board of Ethics meetings as prescribed by
the Town Board;
(c)
Failure to attend training sessions as prescribed by the Town
Board; and
(d)
Failure to comply with applicable provisions of this Ethics
Law.
(2)
Prior to the conduct of any hearing for the removal of a Board of
Ethics member for cause, the Town Board shall provide the Board member
with a statement setting forth the alleged grounds for such removal
at least 30 days prior to the conduct of the hearing. During the hearing,
the Town Board shall have the power to hear testimony and receive
evidence presented by the Town Attorney, or the Attorney to the Town,
the attorney to the Board of Ethics, the Chairperson of the Board
of Ethics, and/or any other person in support of the grounds for such
removal. The Board member shall have the right to present witnesses
or evidence in defense of the removal action and the Town Board shall
have the power to hear other witnesses or members of the public and
receive documentation and evidence relevant to the issue of the alleged
cause for the Board member's removal.
(3)
Any determination of the Town Board with regard to removal of a Board
member shall be made by the Town Board in writing and a copy shall
be provided to the Board member and filed in the office of the Town
Clerk and with the Chairperson of the Board of Ethics within five
business days after the Town Board determination.
D.
Powers and duties of the Board of Ethics.
(1)
The Board of Ethics shall have the power and duty:
(a)
To administer and enforce all the provisions of this Ethics
Law and Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.
(b)
To prescribe and promulgate rules and regulations governing
its own organization and procedures.
(c)
To review, index, maintain on file, and hear all signed complaints
that the Board determines to have merit alleging a violation of this
Ethics Law upon the written request of any person. Any such complaint
shall be signed by the complainant and must include the complainant's
address.
(d)
To render, index, and maintain on file advisory opinions on
the requirements of this Ethics Law. Upon the written request of any
Town officer or employee, the Board of Ethics may render a written
advisory opinion with respect to the interpretation or application
of this Ethics Law or Article 18 of the General Municipal Law of the
State of New York.
(e)
To investigate, conduct inquiry and act on any complaint from
any person, or any Town officer or employee, that alleges that a violation
of this Ethics Law has been committed by a Town officer or employee.
Such complaints shall be submitted to the Board of Ethics on a form
prescribed by the Board of Ethics. Complaint forms shall, at a minimum,
bear the legible signature of the person filing the complaint, must
include that person's address and telephone number, and set forth
in reasonable detail, with supporting documentation, if appropriate,
the conduct alleged to have violated the Ethics Law. The completed
form and support materials must be either mailed by certified mail
or personally filed with the Town Clerk. Upon receipt of the complaint,
the Town Clerk shall file the complaint and supporting documentation,
and promptly provide the Chairperson of the Board of Ethics with a
copy of the same. The Town Clerk shall notify the person filing the
complaint that the complaint has been received by the Town. A copy
of the complaint and supporting material shall also be supplied to
the officer or employee named in the complaint. A report shall be
filed with the Town Board on a monthly basis of all complaints received
and the disposition of the same.
(2)
The Board of Ethics shall also have the power, upon resolution enacted
by a majority of its members, to initiate on its own and conduct an
inquiry of any Town officer or employee who may have in the course
of his/her official duties violated the provisions of the Ethics Law.
(3)
In fulfilling its functions, the Board of Ethics shall have the power
to:
(a)
Request and record testimony under oath (under penalty of perjury);
(b)
Request from the officer or employee who is the subject of the
investigation, and/or from the Town Board or Clerk, or from the appropriate
board, agency or subdivision of the Town, such additional materials
and records as the Board of Ethics deems necessary to conduct its
inquiry;
(c)
To refer to the Dutchess County District Attorney for further
action any violation of criminal law which it uncovers during the
course of its investigation; and
(d)
To issue subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum.
(4)
Procedures. All procedures and inquiries conducted by the Board of
Ethics shall be conducted in a manner that preserves, to the extent
reasonably practical, the confidentiality of affected persons and
complies with the requirements of due process of law.
(a)
If the Board of Ethics preliminarily finds pursuant to its review
of a request for an advisory opinion, receipt of a complaint alleging
a violation of this Ethics Law, or pursuant to an investigation initiated
by the Board of Ethics that a possible violation of this Ethics Law
exists, the Board of Ethics may schedule a meeting with the person
who is the subject of the complaint, inquiry or investigation for
purposes of providing that person with a reasonable opportunity to
cure any such violation, or to clarify or gather additional information
concerning the substance of the alleged conduct. Such a preliminary
finding shall be confidential and not subject to public disclosure.
Prior to issuing the preliminary finding, the Board may also schedule
a meeting with the person who has filed the complaint to elicit more
information concerning the substance of the complaint. If the Board
of Ethics determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that
a violation of this Ethics Law has occurred, or after any grace period
for cure granted by the Board of Ethics has expired and such violation
remains uncured, the Board of Ethics shall send a notice of its reasonable
cause determination to the subject of the complaint, investigation
or inquiry; the complainant, if any; and the Town Supervisor and the
Town Board.
(b)
Before any such "reasonable cause" determination shall be made
the Board of Ethics shall:
[1]
Notify in writing the subject of the complaint inquiry or investigation
("subject") as to the possible or alleged violation of this Ethics
Law;
[2]
Afford the subject an opportunity to submit a written response setting
forth such information as said subject deems relevant to the alleged
violation of this Ethics Law; and
[3]
Upon written request of the subject, afford the subject a meeting
wherein the subject may submit a written or oral response setting
forth such information as the subject deems necessary or appropriate
in response to the actions by the Board of Ethics.
(c)
After its preliminary investigation, if the Board of Ethics
should find no reasonable cause for the inquiry or complaint, the
Board may dismiss the action and so notify the complainant, the subject,
the Town Supervisor and the Town Board of its findings.
(d)
In the event the Board of Ethics should find reasonable cause
for the request or complaint, it shall forward its written findings
to the Supervisor and the Town Board, together with copies of all
information and documentation gathered by the Board of Ethics in its
"reasonable cause" determination. The Board of Ethics shall then pursue
the additional investigation and fact-finding as set forth herein:
[1]
The Board shall schedule a hearing on the matter under consideration.
[2]
The Board of Ethics shall have the power to request such additional
documentation or evidence from any person, and shall have subpoena
power.
[3]
All witnesses testifying before the Board of Ethics shall be
sworn under oath, subject to penalty of perjury.
[4]
The subject shall be entitled to appear before the Board and
be represented by an attorney of his/her own choosing.
[5]
At the request of the subject, the subject may be permitted
to provide a written sworn response to questions from the Board of
Ethics in lieu of an appearance before the Board.
[6]
The inquiry of the Board of Ethics shall be confidential, and
no member of the Board shall communicate directly or indirectly with
any party or persons about any issue of fact or law regarding any
investigation, inquiry or complaint before the Board. This shall not,
however, prevent the Board from obtaining legal advice from its legal
counsel.
[7]
Any improper inquiry or attempt to influence a member of the
Board of Ethics regarding an ongoing complaint, investigation or inquiry
shall be immediately reported to the Board of Ethics Chairperson and
to the Supervisor and Town Board, in writing.
[8]
All testimony and documents and materials gathered by the Board
of Ethics during the course of its investigation and/or hearing shall
remain confidential until the investigation has been completed and
the Board's findings are issued.
[9]
In fulfilling its functions, the Board of Ethics shall have
the right to obtain additional opinions from other qualified agencies
or persons with regard to issues before the Board.
[10]
At the conclusion of its investigation, inquiry and proceedings,
the Board of Ethics shall render its finding and disposition, with
recommendations to the Town Board of appropriate sanctions, discipline
or other action to be taken by the Town Board with regard to any violation
of the Ethics Law. The recommendation may include, but shall not be
limited to, a warning, reprimand, suspension, or removal from office.
[11]
Any person compelled to appear in person, or who voluntarily
appears before the Board of Ethics, shall be accorded the right to
be accompanied, represented and advised by legal counsel of his/her
own choosing.
(e)
Advisory opinions.
[1]
In acting on a request for an advisory opinion, the Board of
Ethics, where it deems appropriate, may conduct a hearing following
all of the procedures prescribed herein for such hearings. The Board
of Ethics may, however, in its discretion, where appropriate, render
an advisory opinion after its own investigation and consultation without
the conduct of a hearing, render its advisory opinion to the person
requesting the same.
[2]
A copy of the advisory opinion shall be supplied to that officer
or employee or person requesting the advisory opinion and the subject,
if any, and a copy of the advisory opinion shall be filed with the
Town Clerk, Town Supervisor and Town Board within five business days
after the rendering of the advisory opinion.
(5)
The Board of Ethics may also, if requested to do so by the Town Board,
make recommendations to the Town Board regarding amendments to the
Ethics Law.
E.
Waivers. The Board of Ethics shall also have the following powers:
(1)
Upon written application and proof of compelling need by an officer
or employee, the Board of Ethics may grant a waiver of standards of
conduct and disclosure requirements of this Ethics Law, provided that
no such waiver shall permit conduct otherwise prohibited by Article
18 of the General Municipal Law of the State of New York, and waivers
shall not be adverse to the best interests of the Town of Pine Plains.
(2)
Waivers shall be in writing and state the reasons for granting the
waiver and be made part of the public record.
F.
Public disclosure of proceedings. To provide for public inspection
of records:
(1)
The only records of the Board of Ethics that shall be available for
public inspection are those whose disclosure is required by Article
6 of the Public Officers Law of the State of New York or by some other
state or federal law or regulations.
(2)
No meeting or proceeding of the Board of Ethics concerning an officer
or employee shall be open to the public, except upon the request of
that officer or employee or as required by the provisions of Article
7 of the Public Officers Law or by some other state or federal law
or regulation.
Any person aggrieved by a decision of the Ethics Board may seek
judicial review and relief pursuant to Article 78 of the Civil Practice
Law and Rules of the State of New York.
Wherever the requirements of this Ethics Law are inconsistent
with the provisions of § 808 of the General Municipal Law,
this Ethics Law shall supersede those provisions.
A.
No existing right or remedy shall be lost, impaired, or affected
by reason of this Ethics Law.
B.
Nothing in this Ethics Law shall be deemed to bar or prevent a present
or former Town officer or employee from timely filing any claim, account,
demand, or suit against the Town on behalf of himself/herself or any
member of his/her family arising out of personal injury or property
damage or any lawful benefit authorized or permitted by law.
A.
Within 60 days of the adoption of this Ethics Law, the Town Board
shall cause the distribution of this Ethics Law to all Town officers
and employees and shall post the same conspicuously where public notices
are generally posted within the Town as well as on the Town website.
Copies of the Ethics Law shall be made available through the Town
Clerk for distribution to the public upon request, and copies of this
Ethics Law shall be provided by the Town Clerk to all subsequent officers
and employees, and to any contractual laborer or supplier receiving
a contract from the Town valued over the sum of $2,500. The Town Clerk
shall keep a record of every officer and employee to whom a copy of
this Ethics Law has been distributed.
B.
Failure of the Town to comply with the provisions of this section
or failure of any Town officer or employee to receive a copy of the
provisions of this Ethics Law shall have no effect on the duty of
an officer or employee to comply with this Ethics Law or on the enforcement
of its provisions.
