This Charter shall become effective for all purposes on and after the first business day of the of the first month following its adoption by the voters of Camden.
All members serving on the Select Board at the effective date of this Charter shall continue to hold office until their prescribed term expires and their successors are elected and qualified.
All existing codes, ordinances, and policies, including the by-laws of Atlantic Engine Company #2 and those of the police department, will remain in effect until altered, amended, or rescinded, except where these codes, ordinances, and policies are inconsistent with this Charter.
(1) 
Rights and Privileges Preserved. Nothing in this Charter, except as otherwise specifically provided, shall affect or impair the rights or privileges of persons who are Town officers or employees at the time of its adoption.
(2) 
Continuance of Office or Employment.
(a) 
Except as specifically provided by this Charter, if at the time this Charter takes full effect, a Town administrative officer or employee holds any office or position which is or can be abolished by or under this Charter, they shall continue in such office or position until the taking effect of some specific provision under this Charter directing that they vacate the office or position.
(b) 
All established boards and committees not inconsistent with this Charter shall continue in effect until changed by Select Board action, and the incumbent members shall serve their appointed terms or until replaced.
(c) 
Personnel System. An employee holding a Town position at the time this Charter takes full effect, who was serving in that same or a comparable position at the time of its adoption, shall not be subject to competitive tests as a condition of continuance in the same position, but in all other respects shall be subject to the personnel system provided for under this Charter.
(3) 
Budget Committee. All Budget Committee members serving at the time this Charter takes full effect, shall serve until the expiration of their term. Upon the expiration of their term, they may run for election to any existing vacancy on the Budget Committee as provided for in Charter Article VI, 6.03(1). The terms of future members are to be staggered. A schedule shall be drawn up showing how many are to be elected for 3-year, 2-year and 1-year terms.
(4) 
Personnel Board. As of the date of adoption of this Charter, each of the three (3) members elected by the Town voters to the currently existing Personnel Board and serving at the time of the adoption of this Charter shall serve until the expiration of their terms. The Select Board may then make appointments to fill the vacancies on the newly appointed Personnel Committee.
(1) 
If a department, office, or agency is abolished by or under this Charter, the powers and duties given it by law shall be transferred to the Town department, office, or agency designated in this Charter, or if the Charter makes no provision designated by the Select Board.
(2) 
Property and Records. All property, records, and equipment of any department, office, or agency existing when this Charter is adopted shall be transferred to the department, office, or agency assuming its powers and duties. But, in the event that the powers or duties are to be discontinued or divided between units, or in the event that any conflict arises regarding a transfer, such property, records, or equipment shall be transferred to one or more departments, offices, or agencies designated by the Select Board in accordance with this Charter.
All rights, claims, action, orders, contracts, and legal or administrative proceedings shall continue except as modified pursuant to the provisions of this Charter and in each case shall be maintained, carried on or dealt with by the Town department, office or agency appropriate under this Charter.
All Town ordinances, resolutions, orders, and regulations which are in force when this Charter becomes fully effective are repealed to the extent that they are inconsistent or interfere with the effective operation of this Charter or of ordinances or resolutions adopted pursuant thereto. To the extent that the Constitution and laws of the State of Maine permit, all laws relating to or affecting this Town or its agencies, officers, or employees which are in force when this Charter becomes fully effective are superseded to the extent that they are inconsistent or interfere with the effective operation of this Charter or of ordinances or resolutions adopted pursuant thereto.
GLOSSARY
Administrative Ordinance — The body of laws that governs the administration and regulation of government agencies.
Board — Select Board, when the words are capitalized.
Camden Code — see Codification.
Capital Expenditure — The expenditure of funds for assets of a permanent or fixed nature.
Citizen's Initiative and Referendum — Initiative guarantees the right by which citizens can propose a law by petition and ensure its submission to the electorate. Referendum is the actual submission of a proposed public measure or statute to a direct popular vote.
Codification — The process of collecting or arranging all the ordinances and resolutions of the Town that have the force and effect of law into a uniform and complete system, called the Camden Code.
Digital Recording — Audio and/or video signals picked up by a microphone and/or a camera then recorded to a storage device.
Electronic — relating to technology having electric, digital, magnetic, wireless, optical, electromagnetic or similar capabilities.
Electronic Record — means a record created, generated, sent, communicated, received or stored by electronic means.
Ensuing Year — One year from a stated date.
Fiscal Year — The year by which accounts are reckoned.
General Assistance — A program designed to assist persons in meeting their basic needs for housing, utilities, personal needs, and transportation.
Legislative Body — Voters of the Town.
Local Banks — Banks that maintain banking facilities within the Town of Camden.
Manager — Town Manager.
Qualified Voter — A resident of Camden and a U.S. citizen who is at least 18 years of age. Title 21-A MRS § 111.
Overseers — Supervisors, public officers whose duties involve general superintendence of the inhabitants of the municipality with monies furnished to them by State, Federal or local authorities.
Recording — A relatively permanent oral or written record.
Residence — That place where the person has established a fixed and principal home to which the person whenever, temporarily absent, intends to return to. Title 21-A MRS § 112.
Resident — A person occupying a residence within the Town with intent to make that place their permanent home.
Select Board — The elected Town Officials.
Statute — A written law passed by a legislative body.
The Town — Camden.
Town Officer — One who is invested with some portion of the functions of the government to be exercised for the public benefit.
Warrant — A document issued by the Select Board to call a Town meeting and lists items to be voted at Town meeting.
Written Record — A written document preserving knowledge of facts or events such as the proceedings of Town Boards, Committees and Commissions.