It is the general policy of the town to discourage and prohibit employees frown accepting gifts and/or benefits in exchange for or as an inducement to enter into contracts on behalf of the town and/or to provide services or privileges to those providing the gifts and/or benefits, except to the extent that such gifts and/or benefits are of de minimis value. This policy is not meant to discourage negotiations with vendors and others who contract with the town where such negotiations are designed to acquire the best contractual arrangement or to derive a benefit for the town.
('80 Code, § 2.02.020 I.)