It is the intention of the people of the Town of Rockland, pursuant to Article LXXXIX of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to reaffirm the customary and traditional liberties of people with respect to the conduct of the affairs of the Town of Rockland in local matters, subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and in connection therewith and in furtherance thereof, this Charter is adopted so that the affairs of the Town of Rockland may be carried out in a democratic and efficient manner and that the duties and responsibilities of the officials of the Town of Rockland may be clearly established and responsive to the will of the people of Rockland.

It is the purpose of this Charter, which may from time to time be amended, to provide an organizational framework within which the Town can govern itself as well as to provide broad guidelines for the principal administrative functions of the Town as herein set forth.

The specific instructions and duties of the officials of the Town are briefly described so that the townspeople may be fully aware of the authority vested in their officers.