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.
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Charter shall be superseded by the provisions hereof to the extent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effect until amended, superseded or repealed.