§ 13-1. Declaration of policy.

The proper operation of the Town government requires that its officers and employees be independent, impartial and responsible to the people; that government decisions and policy be made in the proper channels of the governmental structure; that public office not be used for personal gain; that 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; and that the public have confidence in the integrity of its government and the officers and employees thereof. It is the policy of the Town of Carmel and the purpose of this chapter to establish standards and guidelines for 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 interests and thereby increasing confidence in public officials. It is also the purpose of this chapter to protect officials and employees from unwarranted assaults on their integrity by separating real conflict from the inconsequential, recognizing that for local government to attract and hold competent administrators, 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 for all employees of the Town of Carmel, hereinafter referred to as the "Town." In the event of any conflict between the provisions of this code and provisions of Article 18 of the General Municipal Law, the latter shall control.