All the inhabitants dwelling within the territorial limits of
the Town of East Hampton, as heretofore constituted, shall continue
to be a body politic and corporate under the name of the "Town of
East Hampton," hereinafter in this charter called, "the town", and
as such shall have perpetual succession and may hold and exercise
all powers and privileges heretofore exercised by said town and not
inconsistent with the provisions of this charter, the additional powers
and privileges herein conferred, and all powers and privileges conferred
upon towns under the general law of the State of Connecticut.
All property, both real and personal, all rights of action and
rights of every description and all securities and liens in said town
as of the date when this charter shall take effect are continued.
The town shall continue to be liable for its debts and obligations.
Nothing herein shall be construed to affect the right of the town
to collect any assessment, charge, debt or lien. If any contract has
been entered into by said town prior to the effective date of this
charter or any bond or undertaking has been given by or in favor of
said town which contains provisions that the same may be enforced
by any office or agency therein named, which may at any time be abolished,
such contracts, bonds, or undertakings shall be in no manner impaired
but shall continue in full force and effect. The powers conferred
and the duties imposed with reference to the same upon any such office
or agency shall, except as otherwise provided in this charter, thereafter
be exercised by the Town Council of said town.
The town shall have, in addition to the powers specifically
granted by this charter, all powers vested in the town or any officer,
board or commission thereof at the effective date of this charter,
all powers fairly implied in or incident to the powers expressly granted
herein, and all other powers incident to the management, government
and affairs of the town including all powers hereafter conferred upon
the town or towns by General Statutes or Special Acts of the State
of Connecticut and also including the power to enter into contracts
with the United States Government, the State of Connecticut, or any
political subdivision thereof for services and the use of facilities,
the exercise of which is not expressly forbidden by the Constitution
of the United States of America or the Constitution or General Statutes
of the State of Connecticut. The enumeration of particular powers
in this and any other chapter of this charter shall not be construed
as limiting this general grant of power but shall be considered as
an addition thereto.
The term of office of the Town Council shall commence on the
first Wednesday following the regular election and biennially thereafter.
The term of office of each other elected town official shall likewise
commence on the first Wednesday following the regular election, unless
such official is elected for a term commencing at a specified future
date. All elected officials shall be sworn in by the Town Clerk or
other authorized individual prior to beginning their service in office.
