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.