Code of Ethics of the Town of Milton

The proper operation of a town government requires that its officers and employees be independent, impartial, and accountable to the people: that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that the public office not be used for personal gain; that the public officers and employees observe in their official acts the highest standards of ethics and discharge faithfully the duties of their public office regardless of personal consideration.

All officers and employees shall conduct themselves in a professional and respectable manner towards the public and one another. Realizing what is legal is not necessarily ethical; it is the policy of the Town of Milton and the purpose of this chapter to establish standards and guidelines for the ethical conduct of officers and employees. Though assurance of such conduct will continue to rest primarily on personal integrity and community vigilance, the establishment of standards is another step toward providing the highest caliber of public administration for the town and ensuring that government decisions are arrived at impartially and free of conflict of interest; thereby increasing confidence in public officials.

It is also the purpose of this chapter to protect officials and employees from unwarranted accusations that impugn their integrity by distinguishing material conflicts of interest from those that are inconsequential, recognizing that for local government to attract and hold competent and professional public servants, public service must not require a complete divesting of all proprietary interests. In recognition of these goals, there is hereby established a code of ethics for all officers and employees of the Town of Milton. In the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of this code and the provisions of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, this code shall prevail, except that nothing in this code shall authorize conduct otherwise prohibited by Article 18 of the General Municipal Law.

Read Town of Milton Code of Ethics Policy.