[HISTORY: Adopted 3-8-1969 Annual Town Election, effective 1-1-1970. Amendments noted where applicable.]
PREAMBLE
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.