This Charter and all amendments thereto shall
constitute the form of government for the County of Putnam and shall
be known and cited as the "Putnam County Charter."
Among the purposes of this Charter are: to secure
the maximum self-government for the people of Putnam County through
the exercise of home-rule powers granted under the Constitution and
under the laws of the State of New York; to establish through such
home-rule powers an effective and responsible County government, and
to separate County legislative and executive functions.
The County of Putnam shall
continue to be a municipal corporation and shall
have all the powers and perform all the duties now or hereafter conferred
or imposed upon it by this Charter or applicable law, together with
all rights, privileges, functions and powers necessarily implied or
incidental thereto.
(a)
"Administrative Code" or "Code" shall mean the Administrative
Code adopted by and for the County and all amendments thereto.
(b)
"Charter" shall mean this Putnam County Charter and
all amendments thereto.
(c)
"County" shall mean the County of Putnam.
(d)
"County Executive" shall mean the County Executive of Putnam County as more fully provided in Article 3 of this Charter and the Administrative Code.
(e)
"Executive Branch" shall mean the County Executive
and all units of government within his or her jurisdiction.
(f)
"Local Law" shall mean a law adopted pursuant to this
Charter or the Administrative Code within the power granted by the
Constitution of the State of New York, an act of the State Legislature
or a provision of this Charter or the Administrative Code, but shall
not include legalizing acts or resolutions.
(g)
"Qualified Elector" shall mean a person qualified
to cast a ballot in a Putnam County election.
(h)
"Resolution" shall mean a legislative act other than
a local law or legalizing act, adopted pursuant to this Charter or
the Administrative Code, but not subject to referendum.
(i)
"Day" to be construed in accordance with the New York
State General Construction Law.
Any state law which is inconsistent with this
Charter shall be superseded by the provisions hereof to the extent
of its inconsistency, except where supersession is restricted by law.
Except to the extent to which they may be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Charter, all existing local laws, resolutions,
rules and regulations heretofore adopted shall continue in force and
effect until amended, superseded or repealed.
