Source: https://www.ecode360.com/14382356
Timestamp: 2019-04-21 12:23:12+00:00

Document:
§ 22-3 Provisions for defense by Village.
§ 22-6 Limitation of applicability.
§ 22-7 Effect on insurer.
§ 22-8 Effect on pending proceedings.
§ 22-9 Construal of provisions.
Code of ethics — See Ch. 28.
Personnel policies — See Ch. 135.
The purpose of this chapter is to provide legal and financial protection for those individuals serving the Village of Farmingdale from losses which may result from legal actions which may be brought against them in their individual capacity for actions taken while in the performance of their official duties and responsibilities. In enacting this chapter, the Board of Trustees finds that the State of New York has enacted similar provisions for the legal and financial security of its officers and employees, and further finds that such security is also required for local personnel. By enactment of this chapter, the Board of Trustees does not intend to limit or otherwise abrogate any existing right or responsibility of the Village or its employees with regard to indemnification or legal defense. It is solely the intent of this chapter to provide similar coverage for local employees as is presently provided for state employees, so as to continue to attract qualified individuals to local government service.
Any person holding a position by election, appointment or employment in the service of the Village of Farmingdale, whether or not compensated, or a volunteer expressly authorized to participate in a municipally sponsored volunteer program, but shall not include an independent contractor. The term "employee" shall include a former employee, his estate or judicially appointed personal representative.
Upon compliance by the employee with the provisions of § 22-5 of this chapter, the Village shall provide for the defense of the employee in any civil action or proceeding, in any state or federal court, arising out of any alleged act or omission which occurred or is alleged in the complaint to have occurred while the employee was acting within the scope of his public employment or duties or which is brought to enforce a provision of 42 U.S.C. § 1981 or 1983. This duty to provide for a defense shall not arise where such civil action or proceeding is brought by or on behalf of the Village of Farmingdale.
Subject to the conditions set forth in Subsection A of this section, the employee shall be entitled to be represented by the Village Attorney or such other private counsel as is selected by the Board of Trustees in any civil judicial proceeding where the Village Attorney determines, based upon his investigation and review of the facts and circumstances of the case, that representation by the Village Attorney would be inappropriate. The Board of Trustees may require, as a condition to the payment of the fees and expenses of such private representations, that appropriate groups of such employees be represented by the same counsel.
The Village shall indemnify and save harmless its employees in the amount of any judgment obtained against such employees in any state or federal court or in the amount of any settlement of a claim, provided that the act or omission from which such judgment or settlement arose occurred while the employee was acting within the scope of his public employment or duties. The duty to indemnify and save harmless prescribed by this section shall not arise where the injury or damage resulted from intentional wrongdoing or recklessness on the part of the employee.
An employee represented by private counsel shall cause to be submitted to the Board of Trustees any proposed settlement which may be subject to indemnification by the Village and, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, the Mayor shall certify such settlement and submit such settlement and certification to the Village Attorney. The Village Attorney shall review such proposed settlement as to form and amount and shall give his approval if, in his judgment, the settlement is in the best interest of the Village. Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the Village to indemnify or save harmless an employee with respect to a settlement not so reviewed and approved by the Village Attorney.
Upon entry of a final judgment against the employee or upon the settlement of the claim, the employee shall cause to be served a copy of such judgment or settlement, personally or by certified or registered mail, within 30 days of the date of entry or settlement, upon the Mayor, and, if not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, such judgment or settlement shall be certified for payment by such Mayor. If the Attorney concurs in such certification, the judgment or settlement shall be paid upon the audit and warrant of the Village Clerk-Treasurer.
The duty to defend or indemnify and save harmless provided by this chapter shall be conditioned upon delivery to the Village Attorney or his assistant, at his office, by the employee of the original or a copy of any summons, complaint, process, notice, demand or pleading within five days after he is served with such document and the full cooperation of the employee in the defense of such action or proceeding and in the prosecution of any appeal. Such delivery shall be deemed a request by the employee that the Village provide for his defense pursuant to this chapter.

References: § 22

§ 22

§ 22

§ 22
 § 22
 § 1981