All the inhabitants dwelling within the lawfully
defined territorial limits of the town of Guilford shall continue
to be a body politic and corporate under the name of the "Town of
Guilford" hereinafter called "the town". As such it shall have perpetual
succession and may hold and exercise all powers and privileges heretofore
exercised by the town and not inconsistent with the provisions of
this charter and all powers and privileges conferred upon towns under
the general statutes of the state of Connecticut.
All property interests, both real and personal,
all actions, causes of actions, defenses thereto and rights of every
description and all liens vested or inchoate which the town possesses
as of the effective date of this charter shall be continued in the
town. The town shall continue to be liable for all debts and obligations
of every kind for which the town is liable on that date. Nothing herein
shall be construed to affect the right of the town to collect any
assessment, charge, debt, or lien. Any rights or obligations of any
town agency that would fail, lapse or fall into breach by reason of
any change in the powers, organizations or duties of the agency resulting
from this charter shall be assumed by the Board of Selectmen, unless
otherwise provided by ordinance, resolution or the terms of this charter.
[Amended referendum 11-4-2008, effective 12-4-2008]
In addition to all powers granted to towns under
the constitution and the Connecticut General Statutes, the town shall
have all powers granted by this charter and all powers proper, incidental
or convenient to their exercise and all other powers incident to the
management of the property, government and affairs of the town including
the capacity and power to enter into contracts with the United States
or any federal agency, the State of Connecticut or any political instrumentality
thereof for purposes not prohibited by law.
This charter shall be the organic law of the
town in the administration of its local affairs. Special acts and
ordinance provisions inconsistent with this charter shall have no
further force or effect after the effective date of this charter.
Other special acts affecting the town and all other ordinance provisions
and resolutions duly adopted and in force before the effective date
of this charter remain in force.