Marlborough City Zoning Code
CHAPTER 47
Vehicles, Town-Owned
§ 47-1 Purpose and background.
This chapter is intended to set forth guidelines under which Town-owned vehicles will be authorized to Town personnel use and the parameters under which their vehicles shall be used and operated. The majority of municipal vehicles are highly visible and subject to public scrutiny. As a result, criticism is frequently received from the general public concerning improper or unethical use of these vehicles. This chapter will cause an increase in accountability surrounding vehicle usage and the liability to the taxpayers of unauthorized use of vehicles will be limited.
§ 47-2 Applicability.
The provisions of this chapter apply to all Town of Marlborough employees who operate municipal vehicles, inclusive to the Town of Marlborough Police Department and the Town of Marlborough Highway Department, except those operators that are regulated by a collective bargaining agreement. As part of a department head's standard operating procedure, he may adopt rules of operation that are more stringent (but not less) than those of this policy.
§ 47-3 Use of Town-owned vehicles.
The Town-owned vehicles are not personal vehicles and are not for personal use. The Town Board may grant incidental usage, but that must be given in writing and renewed on an annual basis.
Town vehicles must be viewed as belonging to the taxpayers of the Town and are assigned solely for the purposes consistent with providing services to those citizens.
Employees of the Town who use municipal vehicles may be subject to income tax as set forth by the IRS. Those employees should consult with the Town Budget Officer regarding tax consequences and proper withholding (Publication 15-B).
Log books detailing the daily usage of each vehicle must be maintained by the employee using the vehicle. Log books will be reviewed on a monthly basis by the department head or his agent.
No passengers shall be permitted in the vehicle, except those directly involved in the municipal work activity.
All vehicles shall have the Town logo prominently displayed on the two front doors, except unmarked police vehicles.
Town vehicles shall be assigned for use either directly to the employee or to the department head only by approval of the Town Board.
The Town is not liable for the loss or damage to any personal property that may be on or in the vehicle. Such property is the responsibility of the operator of the vehicle.
All vehicle and traffic laws for operating a motor vehicle shall be obeyed by the operator of the vehicle.
Traffic summonses received while the motor vehicle is in the employee's possession shall be the responsibility of that employee.
Failure to abide by any of the terms in this chapter shall result in the suspension of privileges and may result in termination of employment.
§ 47-4 Employees authorized to use Town-owned vehicles.
§ 47-5 Use of employees' vehicles for Town business.
Employees who are authorized to use their personal vehicles in the conduct of Town business shall be reimbursed for said use on a mileage basis at the rate established by the Town Board at the annual organizational meeting.
Any employee using his or her vehicle for Town business must:
Obtain written authorization to use their vehicle from the Town Supervisor.
Carry a minimum automobile insurance coverage on the vehicle of $300,000/$500,000 liability/bodily injury and $50,000 property damage.
Verify in writing that the insurance coverage applies to municipal usage of the personal vehicle.
Maintain a log book detailing mileage for reimbursement from the Town.
§ 47-6 Definitions.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
An employee of the Town that is required to respond to any state of emergency, fire, flood or other natural disaster on a twenty-four-hour, seven-day-a-week basis.
That usage of a municipally owned vehicle by an assigned operator that is not related to his/her job. Incidental usage can only occur during the normal working hours of the employee and only within the legal limits of the Town of Marlborough. An employee may be authorized in writing by the Town Board on an annual basis to conduct non-job-related stops at banks, post office, library and schools. The privilege may be revoked at any time by the Town Supervisor or his agent.