The purpose of this article is to establish ethical and legal standards of conduct for all public officials of the Town and to require disclosures by all public officials of private, financial, or other interests in matters that may affect the Town; and it is the policy of the Town that in all cases its elected and appointed officials perform their duties for the benefit of the citizens of the Town and that they shall conduct the government of the Town with loyalty, integrity, and impartiality, without allowing prejudice, favoritism, or the opportunity of personal gain to influence their decisions or actions or to interfere with serving the public interest.