Date: Fri 25-Dec-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Rosenthal-ethics-gifts

Full Text:

Rosenthal Issues A Reminder To Town Employees About Accepting Gifts

BY STEVE BIGHAM

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal issued a memo to all town employees this week

regarding the acceptance of gifts from the public.

Several departments have been showered with gifts this holiday season and the

first selectman said he wanted to remind town employees of the town's policy.

"I just wanted to make sure everyone was on the same page," he said. Several

town department heads have called the first selectman's office asking if they

can accept gifts.

The town wants to avoid any appearance that accepting gifts from businesses

might inappropriately influence or pose a conflict for town employees.

According to the town's code of ethics, only perishable gifts that can be

shared by the entire department can be accepted. Gifts to individual employees

should not be accepted. Workers cannot accept alcoholic beverages, either.

Mr Rosenthal said perishable items should be placed in an area for the entire

department and the public to enjoy.

"Tokens of appreciation from the public which are non-perishable, or which

cannot be consumed on the premises should be donated to social services, the

Newtown Fund, the Food Pantry or returned to the donor," he said.

According to the code of ethics, individuals receiving gifts must share them

with their departments and the public. Plants and floral arrangements are to

be accepted as gifts to the town and remain on public display.