DEFINITIONS
Whenever used in this chapter, the following terms shall
have the following meanings, unless the context requires
otherwise:
Adjudicatory proceeding means a formal, confidential
investigation conducted by the commission, in which all
parties in interest have an opportunity to be heard;
Affinity means related by marriage;
Amount means a category of value, rather than an exact
dollar figure, as set forth in M.G.L.A. c.268B, § 1(a);
provided, however, that the commission may adopt
different categories by a roll call vote of the commission;
and provided, further, that the mayor, board of aldermen
and school committee shall be notified, in writing, of any
such action of the commission along with reasons for
such action.
Whenever this form asks for an “amount”, the reply may be
a category of value, as follows:
Greater than $1,000.00 but not more than
$5,000.00;
Greater than $5,000.00 but not more than
$10,000.00;
Greater than $10,000.00 but not more than
$20,000.00;
Greater than $20,000.00 but not more than
$40,000.00;
Greater than $40,000.00 but not more than
$60,000.00;
Greater than $60,000.00 but not more than
$100,000.00; and
Greater than $100,000.00;
Application means a proposal or similar document
written to apply for any grant and/or trust fund program.
Business means any corporation, partnership, sole
proprietorship, firm, franchise, association, organization,
holding company, joint stock company, receivership,
business trust, or other legal entity organized for profit or
charitable purposes; provided, however, any relationship
which would appear to be a business association to an
objective, reasonable person, regardless of the formal
relationship, shall be considered a "business" for the
purposes of this chapter; and provided, further, that this
term shall include any fee splitting arrangement with a
person subject to the requirements of this chapter;
Business Associate means any relationship which
would appear to be a business association to an
objective, reasonable person, regardless of the formal
relationship, including any fee splitting arrangement.
Candidate for public office means any individual who
seeks nomination or election to the office of mayor,
alderman or school committee;
City means the City of Somerville;
City agency or department shall have the same
meaning as municipal body.
City charter means the Charter of the City of Somerville;
City official or employee means any person performing
services for the city or holding an office, position,
employment or membership in a city agency, whether by
election, appointment, contract of hire or engagement,
whether serving with or without compensation, on a full,
regular, part-time, intermittent, or consultant basis.
City solicitor means the city solicitor for the city;
Commission means the ethics commission created
pursuant to this chapter;
Consanguinity means related by blood;
Designated municipal official means any of those city
employees who hold the positions specified on a list
submitted by the mayor to the commission by January 31
of each year; provided, however, such list shall include
only those employees whose total compensation from
the city for the reporting period is amongst the top 150
and who hold major policy making positions and in
addition, any city employee(s) in the title of "project
manager," who shall have the responsibility for managing
projects of building construction or any other public
works where the total expenditure for such project is
estimated or expected to exceed $1,000,000.00;
provided, further, that the commission may request the
mayor to add a specific position to the list and, if the
mayor declines, may request the board of aldermen to
add such position by a two-thirds roll call vote;
Direct and substantial interest in a particular matter
shall be applied as interpreted under M.G.L.A. c. 268A,
commonly known as the Conflict of Interest and Code of
Conduct Law;
