Informal Opinion No.

David L. Levinson, Esq. Village Attorney, Goshen

You have asked whether a member of a board of trustees of a village who is also an employee of the town in which the village is located may vote on matters that affect the town which come before the board of trustees for consideration.

The development of ethics standards to define when employment or actions are in conflict with the official duties of a local government officer or employee has been left to the governing body of the municipality (General Municipal Law, § 806[1]). Municipalities are required to adopt a code of ethics, which must…