LIVERMORE FALLS — Selectmen voted Jan. 15 to accept a Code of Ethics for town officials and employees, and a Code of Conduct for appointed and elected officials. 

Board Chairwoman Heather Bronish asked Town Manager Stephen Gould to determine if the codes could go before voters in a warrant article. 

Among the points outlined in the ethics code is that every resident, who is entitled, shall receive a fair and impartial hearing on any matter coming before the Select Board, its appointed agencies or any employee of the town. 

It also states that the conduct of public business shall be free of any hidden personal or financial interest of any public official or employee.

According to the code, it is the obligation of every public official to faithfully discharge the duties of his/her office. In the conduct of public business, no public official shall be excused from voting except on matters involving consideration of his/her own official conduct or where his/her financial interests are involved.

The code also recognizes that the use of public trust for private gain is in conflict with good government. It also requires public officials not to violate the provisions of Maine state statutes and to uphold the lawful orders and policies of the select board. 

The Code of Conduct outlines behaviors expected in the positions officials hold. Among them is for elected and appointed public officials to be responsible to attend meetings or notify the staff of inability to attend and to make policy decisions based on the available facts and appropriate public input. 

Under the compliance section, it states that a violation of the Code of Conduct may be addressed by the town Select Board and may result in removal as authorized by law.

In order for the board to remove an elected official in town government, the town would need a recall ordinance or some other option approved by voters.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net 

Livermore Falls selectmen voted to adopt a Code of Ethics for town officials and employees, and a Code of Conduct for appointed and elected officials on Jan. 15. From left are Selectmen Rodney Heikkinen, Nixon Ortiz, Town Manager Stephen Gould, board Chairwoman Heather Bronish and Selectman Sarah Flagg. (Sun Journal photo by Donna M. Perry)