2011-1112011-111
Resolution Authorizing the Town Attorney to Initiate Revisions to the Town of Wappinger
Ethics Code
At a regular meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Wappinger, Dutchess County,
New York, held at Town Hall, 20 Middlebush Road, Wappingers Falls, New York, on March 14,
2011.
The meeting was called to order by Christopher Colsey, Supervisor, and upon roll being
called, the following were present:
PRESENT: Supervisor - Christopher J. Colsey
Councilmembers - William H. Beale (Arrived at 7:47 PM)
Vincent F. Bettina
Ismay Czarniecki
Joseph P. Paoloni (Arrived at 7:37 PM)
ABSENT:
The following Resolution was introduced by Councilman Bettina and seconded by
Councilwoman Czarniecki.
WHEREAS, the Town Board considered Resolution No. 2010-106 setting financial
disclosure standards for Town of Wappinger public officers on February 22, 2010, and tabled
such for the purpose of seeking further clarification; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Wappinger Employee Personnel Manual, which includes the
Town of Wappinger Ethics Code, was revised and adopted on June 14, 2010; and
WHEREAS, emphasis has been placed on improving the standards of conduct of public
officers through the Office of the Attorney General and New York State Association of Towns;
and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Attorney General announced its efforts to increase its
staffing and investigations in respect to its Public Integrity Bureau; and
WHEREAS, the New York State Associations of Towns held its annual conference in
February 2011 and offered three (3) classes dedicated to the ethical conduct of public officers;
and
WHEREAS, the Town Board believes it to be in the best interest of the residents to
maintain the highest level of ethical standards, to include matters of personal financial disclosure
that may be at variance with the Town of Wappinger Ethics Code, as located within the Town of
Wappinger Employee Personnel Manual, General Municipal Law §806 and any other provisions
of local, State or Federal law; and
WHEREAS, in an effort to develop a process of objectively reporting matters consistent
with General Municipal Law §806, the Town of Wappinger Ethics Code, and in accordance with
the efforts and advisement of the Office of the Attorney General and New York State
Association of Towns, the Town Board hereby authorizes the Town Attorney to initiate Local
Law proceedings in accordance with the educational information provided during the annual
conference of the Association of Towns.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Town Board hereby directs the
Town of Wappinger Attorney to initiate Local Law proceedings consistent with General
Municipal Law §806, the Town of Wappinger Ethics Code and in accordance with the efforts
and advisement of the Office of the Attorney General and New York State Association of
Towns.
The foregoing was put to a vote which resulted as follows:
CHRISTOPHER COLSEY, SUPERVISOR
Voting:
AYE
WILLIAM H. BEALE, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
VINCENT F. BETTINA, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
ISMAY CZARNIECKI, COUNCILWOMAN
Voting:
AYE
JOSEPH P. PAOLONI, COUNCILMAN
Voting:
AYE
Dated: Wappingers Falls, New York
3/14/2011
The Resolution is hereby duly declared adopted.
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j6 C. MA TERSON, TOWN CLERK
New York State Commission on Public Integrity
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Welcome to the New York State Commission on Public Integrity. Here, you will find information
about our mission and how we do our work. This information includes the text of many of our
publications, access to our on-line applications, and information about the members of the
Commission. There also are links to the relevant laws and regulations, as well as to our advisory
opinions.
Our primary objective is to prevent violations before they occur. One of our most important duties is
to advise State officers and employees, as well as lobbyists and their clients, about how the law
affects them. We urge you to utilize our services and seek the Commission's guidance, whether by
phone or letter or formal opinion. Agency managers or trainers as well as lobbyists and their clients,
should contact us to arrange ethics or lobbying training.
The Commission also administers the Financial Disclosure Statement program and the Lobbyist On -
Line Registration Application. Contact us with any of your questions.
Finally, the Commission is authorized to investigate possible violations of law. Call, write or e-mail
us if you think you have evidence of a violation. You do not have to use your name, but if you tell us
how to contact you, it will help us in our investigation.
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About the Public Integrity Bureau
About the Public Integrity Bureau
The Public Integrity Bureau ("PIB") investigates and seeks to vindicate the public's interest in
honest government. When government actors, or private individuals acting in concert with them,
engage in corruption, fraud or illegal behavior in the course of their public duties, the PIB may
investigate or take enforcement action to restore the public's interest in honest government and
the integrity of government officials at the state and local level. Specifically, PIB handles complex investigations into
government corruption, fraud and abuse of authority. Although PIB is part of the Criminal Division, PIB brings cases
pursuant to both civil and criminal authority. The Bureau can also issue reports about its investigations and findings.
In 2007, the Attorney General made public integrity a primary focus in his efforts to restore the public's faith in honest
government and to promote transparency throughout state government. The Attorney General has tasked the PIB to take
on milestone public integrity initiatives, including a thorough review of approximately 6,000 legislative budget member
items, a multi -layered legality review of any further proposed items, "Project Sunlight," a statewide Internet database
where New Yorkers can examine links between elected officials, campaign donations, lobbyists, special interests, and/or
state contracts (•www.sunlightnv.com), as well as the issuing of reports and maintaining an ongoing effort to prosecute
those who abuse their positions in state government and/or defraud public officials.
When was the PIB established?
The Attorney General established the Public Integrity Bureau upon taking office in 2007. Prior to that, there existed a
smaller Public Integrity Unit which handled similar matters. Attorney General expanded the unit into a bureau and tripled its
size as part of his consistent effort to make public integrity a primary focus in restoring the public's faith in honest and
transparent state government.
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