Ethics — Vermont Code § 7

§ 7. Ethics

• (a) Policy statement. Accepting a position as a public official carries with it the acceptance of trust
  that the official will work to further the public interest. Maintaining that public
  trust is critical to the continued operation of good government. In addition, public
  decision-making should be open and accessible to the public at large. To preserve
  this public trust, there are five principles to which public officials should adhere: (1) A public official should represent and work toward the public interest and not toward
  private or personal interests. (2) A public official should accept and maintain the public trust (i.e., he or she must
  preserve and enhance the public’s confidence in its public officials). (3) A public official should exercise leadership, particularly in the form of consistently
  demonstrating behavior that reflects the public trust. (4) A public official should recognize the proper role of all government bodies and the
  relationships between the various government bodies. (5) A public official should always demonstrate respect for others and for other positions. (b) Policy or ordinance authorized. In order to promote these principles, the Selectboard may adopt, by resolution or
  ordinance, a formal, binding policy or ordinance on ethics. (Added 2003, No. M-11 (Adj. Sess.), § 2, eff. May 3, 2004.)