All bylaws, resolutions, rules, regulations and votes of the town meeting which are in force at the time this charter is adopted, not inconsistent with the provisions of this charter, shall continue in force until amended or repealed, and including, if any, bylaws which have been passed and have been approved by the attorney general but have not yet been published.
All committees, commissions, boards, departments, officers and other agencies of the town shall continue to perform their duties until reappointed, reelected, or until the successors to their respective positions are duly appointed or elected or their duties have been transferred.
Any person holding an office or position in the administrative service of the town, or any person serving in the employment of the town shall retain such office or position and shall continue to perform his duties until provisions shall have been made in accordance with this charter for the performance of said duties by another person or agency; provided, however, that no person in the permanent full time service or employment of the town shall forfeit his pay grade or time in service. All such persons shall be retained in a capacity as similar to their former capacity as it is practical so to do.
All records, property and equipment whatsoever of any office, department, or agency or part thereof, the powers and duties of which are assigned in whole or in part to another office or agency shall be transferred forthwith to the office, department or agency to which such powers and duties are assigned.
This charter shall become effective upon its approval by the voters of the town of Northborough and in accordance with the following schedule:
(a) 
A special election to increase the number of selectmen from three to five was held on June 2, 1970. Candidates were nominated, and election was held, in accordance with the general laws relating to town elections. The candidate who received the highest number of votes at this election was to serve until the town election in 1973, and the candidate who received the next highest number of votes was to serve until the town election in 1972; thereafter candidates were to be elected to fill expiring terms as provided in section 3-2. The term of office of incumbent selectmen shall not be affected by this section.
(b) 
As soon as practicable after the election and qualification of the two new members, the board of selectmen was organized by the election of a chairman, vice-chairman and a clerk. The board then proceeded to commence to search for a qualified person to fill the position of administrative officer. The appointment of administrative officer was made effective October 1, 1970 or as soon thereafter as it was possible to do.
(c) 
The administrative officer appointed in the fall of 1970 was held responsible only for the preparation of the budget, as provided in article VI, during the first six months following his appointment. It is the intention of this section that he and the selectmen be given the opportunity to develop a rapport and to gain a full understanding of the requirements and duties of office imposed by this charter before the full provisions of Article IV become effective.
The selectmen and the administrative officer may, however, by mutual consent provide for the gradual transfer of such other duties listed in section 4-4 as seem necessary or expedient within the said period of six months.
(d) 
The provisions of article III with respect to elective office was effective at the town elections in March 1971. All other offices which prior to the adoption of this charter were filled by ballot shall become appointive in accordance with the provisions of this charter, provided, however, that if a vacancy occurs before the expiration of a term of office it shall then become appointive.
Notwithstanding the provisions of any bylaw to the contrary, the 1971 annual town meeting for the transaction of prudential affairs of the town of Northborough was held on the first Monday in May. The intention of this provision was to allow for a smooth transition to the new fiscal year which was required of all cities and towns in the commonwealth under the provisions of chapter 849 of the acts of 1969. Should the effective date of that legislation be extended beyond that presently stipulated therein, this provision would be null and void.
The date of future annual town meetings shall be provided in section 2-3 of this charter.