All General Laws applicable to the Town, all enabling legislation
adopted by the Town, and all ordinances and bylaws of the Town shall
continue in full force and effect, except as they are inconsistent
with the provisions of this Charter. All Special Acts or parts of
Special Acts relating to the Town that are not inconsistent with the
provisions of this Charter shall continue in full force and effect.
The powers which are conferred and the duties which are imposed
upon any Board, office, or agency under the Statutes, Special Acts
concerning the Town, or any ordinance in force at the time this Charter
shall take effect, thereafter may be exercised and discharged by the
Board, office or agency upon which are conferred such powers and imposed
such duties under the provisions of this Charter.
Any person holding Town office, whether elected or appointed,
any person holding a position of employment, and any person who is
a member of an existing Board or Town agency at the time of the effective
date of this Charter shall continue in his/her respective position.
Those holding elective or appointive terms of office or memberships
on Commissions and agencies shall continue to serve in their respective
capacity for the duration of their terms, unless otherwise prescribed
by law.
The amendment of this Charter may be initiated either by a two-thirds
vote of the entire Board of Selectmen or by a petition signed by no
less than ten percent of the electors of the Town as determined by
the last completed registry of the Town; and this initiation, in either
instance, shall result in the appointment by the Board of Selectmen
of a Charter Revision Commission which shall consider any proposed
amendments to the existing Charter, present these at one or more public
hearings, and submit its report for review to the Board of Selectmen,
as prescribed in Chapter 99 of the Statutes. Such amendments shall
not become effective until they have been approved by a majority of
the Town electors voting thereon at a municipal election, or by a
majority equal to at least fifteen percent, at a special election.
If in any court of competent jurisdiction, any Section of this
Charter is restricted, prohibited, or unenforceable, such section
shall be restricted, prohibited, or unenforceable only to the extent
of such restriction, prohibition, or unenforceability, without affecting
the validity or enforceability of any other sections of this Charter.
This Charter shall become effective 31 days after it is adopted.
For referenda see the Statutes.
