8-1-1. 
M.G.L.A., town by-laws, votes of the town meeting, rules and regulations of or pertaining to the town which are in force when the charter takes effect and which are not specifically or by implication repealed directly or indirectly hereby shall continue in full force and effect until amended or rescinded by due course of law or until they expire by their own limitation.
8-2-1. 
Amendments to the charter shall take effect upon adoption by the voters of Bellingham.
8-2-2. 
Until such time as the town meeting may act, by by-law, to amend, repeal or revise them, the following provisions shall have the force of town by-laws:
(a) 
Date of town meetings. The annual town meeting shall be held on the fourth Wednesday in May at a time as set by town by-law. The date and time of the fall town meeting shall be set by town by-law.
(b) 
Date of town elections. The annual town election for the election of town officers and for the determination of other matters to be referred to the voters shall be held on the month and day specified by town by-law.
(c) 
Town administrative organization. Until such time as a different form of organization shall be provided, in accordance with the provisions of article 5 of this charter, the following outline or organization shall be operative:
1.   The Board of Selectmen shall appoint the following:
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Town Administrator for a three (3) year term;
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Affordable Fair Housing Commission in the manner set by M.G.L.A.;
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Cultural Council, as provided by M.G.L.A.;
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Board of Assessors to consist of three (3) members appointed for terms of three (3) years each;
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Board of Health to consist of three (3) members appointed for terms of three (3) years each;
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Board of Registrars of voters in the manner provided by M.G.L.A.;
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Cemetery Commission and Sextons to consist of three (3) members appointed for three (3) year terms each;
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Conservation Commission to consist of seven (7) members appointed for three (3) year terms’ each;
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Council On Aging, as provided by town by-law; to ensure continuity, members shall be appointed in 3-year terms each so arranged that the terms of as nearly an equal number as possible shall expire each year;
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Bellingham Historical Commission, to serve for terms of three (3) years each, as provided by town by-law;
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Industrial Development Finance Commission in the manner provided by M.G.L.A.;
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Capital Improvement Committee, as provided by this charter and by town by-law;
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Insurance Commission, as provided by town by-law;
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Memorial and Veterans Day Committee, as provided by town by-law;
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Parks and Recreation Commission to consist of three (3) members appointed for terms of three (3) years each;
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Town Counsel appointed for a term of one (1) year;
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Veterans’ Grave Agent, for a one (1) year term;
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Zoning Board of Appeals, as provided by M.G.L.A.
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Town Common Trustees Committee, as provided by CH 201 of the Acts of 1998 (M.G.L.A.).
2.   The Town Moderator shall appoint:
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Finance Committee as provided by town by-law.
3.   The Town Administrator shall appoint:
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Police Chief and other police officers to serve for indefinite terms;
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Fire Chief who shall be Forest Warden, to serve for an indefinite term;
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Field Assistant Assessor/Appraiser for a one (1) year term and who shall be assigned to serve under the Chief Financial Officer;
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Treasurer-Collector for a three (3) year term and who shall be assigned to the finance officer;
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Chief Financial Officer for a three (3) year term and who shall head the finance office;
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Director of Public Works for a three (3) year term;
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Animal Control Officer (s) to serve for a one (1) year term;
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Inspector of Buildings (building inspector/zoning agent) to serve for a three (3) year term and who shall head the department of inspections;
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Inspector of Plumbing and Gas to serve for a one (1) year term under the director of the department of inspections;
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Inspector of Wires to serve for a one (1) year term under the director of the department of inspections;
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Sealer of Weights and Measures to serve for a one (1) year term under the director of the department of inspections;
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Veteran’s Agent and Director of Veterans’ Services to serve for a one (1) year term;
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Workmen’s Compensation Agent to serve for a one (1) year term;
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Civil Defense Director, to serve for a one (1) year term;
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Civilian Defense Auxiliary/Special Police to serve for one (1) year terms.
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Tree Warden, to serve for a three (3) year term.
4.   The Board of Health shall appoint:
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Health Agent for a term of one (1) year and who shall serve under the director of the department of inspections for purposes of coordination of inspections.
5.   The Library Trustees shall appoint:
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Director of the public library and other professional librarians, for terms as determined by the library trustees, but not to exceed 3 years.