All general laws, special laws, city ordinances, city council votes, and rules and regulations of or pertaining to the city that are in force when this charter takes effect, and not specifically or by implication repealed hereby, shall continue in full force and effect until amended or repealed, or rescinded by due course of law, or until they expire by their own limitation.
All city agencies shall continue to perform their duties until re-elected, re-appointed, or until successors to their respective positions are duly appointed or elected, or until their duties have been transferred and assumed by another city agency.
All records, property and equipment whatsoever of any city agency, or part thereof, the powers and duties of which are assigned in whole or in part to another city agency, shall be transferred forthwith to such agency.
Any person holding a city office, or a position in the administrative service of the city, or any person holding full-time employment under the city, shall retain such office, position or employment and shall continue to perform the duties of such office, position or employment until provision shall have been made for the performance of those duties by another person or agency; provided, however, that no person in the permanent full-time service of the city shall forfeit their pay grade or time in service of the city. All such persons shall be retained in a capacity as similar to the capacity in which they were serving at the time this charter is adopted as is practicable and any reduction in the personnel needs of the city shall be accomplished through a policy of attrition, unless specific provision is otherwise made in this article.
All official bonds, recognizances, obligations, contracts, and other instruments entered into or executed by or to the city before the adoption of this charter, and all taxes, assessments, fines, penalties, forfeitures, incurred or imposed, due or owing to the city, shall be enforced and collected; and all writs, prosecutions, actions and causes of action, except as herein otherwise provided, shall continue without abatement and remain unaffected by this charter; and no legal act done by or in favor of the city shall be rendered invalid by reason of the adoption of this charter.
(a) 
Certain special laws recognized and retained - The following special acts are hereby especially recognized and retained:
An act passed by the legislature of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay on November 7, 1668 (old style calendar), providing, in part, That Basse River be henceforth a touneship of themselves . . . and that it be called Beverly.
And an act passed on May 28, 1679 (old style calendar) in which the Boundaries between Beverly, Salem and Wenham are established and clarified.
And an act passed by the legislature of the Province of the Massachusetts Bay on September 13, 1753, entitled, AN ACT FOR SETTING OFF THE INHABITANTS, AS ALSO ESTATES OF THE PROPRIETORS, OF THAT PART OF THE PRECINCT OF SALEM AND BEVERLY, SO-CALLED, WHICH IS PART OF SALEM, TO THE TOWN OF BEVERLY.
And an act passed by the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1857, Chapter 90, entitled, AN ACT TO SET OFF A PART OF THE TOWN OF BEVERLY, AND ANNEX THE SAME TO THE TOWN OF DANVERS.
(b) 
Certain special laws recognized and retained, in part - The following special acts which were enacted for the purpose of enabling and authorizing the city to exercise certain powers or functions, which prior to the enactment of Article 89 of the Amendments to the State Constitution of the Commonwealth may not otherwise have been available to the city, are hereby recognized, so much of these acts which might grant a power to the city which it otherwise might not have are hereby retained, but all such powers shall be exercised in a manner consistent with this charter:
1885, Chapter 294
AN ACT TO FURNISH THE TOWN OF BEVERLY WITH WATER AND TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY THEREOF
1927, Chapter 8
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE MEDICAL TREATMENT FOR THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CHILDREN OF SAID CITY
1953, Chapter 552
AN ACT PROVIDING THAT THE CITY OF BEVERLY MAY IMPROVE CERTAIN WATER COURSES FOR THE PROTECTION OF PUBLIC HEALTH
1960, Chapter 113
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SEPARATE ACCOUNT IN THE TREASURY OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY CONSISTING OF RECEIPTS OF ITS RECREATION COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURES THEREFROM WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION
1968, Chapter 313
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO REVOKE ITS ACCEPTANCE OF THE LAW APPLICABLE TO TENEMENT HOUSES IN CITIES
1969, Chapter 308
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A SEPARATE ACCOUNT IN THE TREASURY OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY CONSISTING OF RECEIPTS OF ITS YOUTH ACTIVITIES COMMISSION AND PROVIDING FOR EXPENDITURES THEREFROM WITHOUT FURTHER APPROPRIATION
1974, Chapter 735
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ENTER INTO A CERTAIN CONTRACT WITH GORDON COLLEGE FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
1983, Chapter 250
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE LICENSING AND KEEPING OF DOGS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1986, Chapter 366
AN ACT FURTHER AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ENTER INTO A CERTAIN CONTRACT WITH GORDON COLLEGE FOR SEWAGE DISPOSAL
1993, CHAPTER 30
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO AMORTIZE THE REVENUE DEFICIT OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS
1994, Chapter 228
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ENTER INTO A CERTAIN CONTRACT FOR THE DISPOSAL OF SEWAGE
(c) 
Certain obsolete borrowing authorizations, repealed - The following special acts which authorized the city to borrow certain sums of money, for certain purposes, are hereby recognized as obsolete and are to stand repealed:
1874, Chapter 168
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF BEVERLY TO ISSUE BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ITS DEBIT
1881, Chapter 231
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF BEVERLY TO REFUND ITS INDEBTEDNESS
1893, Chapter 250
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE LIMIT FIXED BY LAW, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTION A SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE
1893, Chapter 259
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF BEVERLY TO CANCEL CERTAIN OF ITS BONDS NOW HELD IN ITS SINKING FUND
1894, Chapter 29
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWN OF BEVERLY TO ISSUE BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF FUNDING ITS WATER LOAN
1896, Chapter 271
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE LIMIT FIXED BY LAW, FOR PARK PURPOSES
1898, Chapter 398
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND ITS DEBT LIMIT, FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
1900, Chapter 288
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE LIMIT FIXED BY LAW, FOR THE PURPOSE OF CONSTRUCTING A SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE
1901, Chapter 475
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
1902, Chapter 421
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
1903, Chapter 182
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE LIMIT FIXED BY LAW, FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING ITS SYSTEM OF SEWERAGE
1903, Chapter 183
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND THE LIMIT FIXED BY LAW, FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXTENDING ITS WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
1903, Chapter 263
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR SCHOOL AND STREET PURPOSES
1905, Chapter 132
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND ITS DEBT LIMIT, FOR WATER SUPPLY PURPOSES
1905, Chapter 143
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS BEYOND ITS DEBT LIMIT, FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
1906, Chapter 110
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR SEWERAGE PURPOSES, BEYOND THE STATUTORY LIMIT
1906, Chapter 388
AN ACT TO DETERMINE THE INDEBTEDNESS OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY INCURRED FOR WATER SUPPLY PURPOSE
1913, Chapter 298
AN ACT RELATIVE TO SEWER LOANS OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1914, Chapter 321
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF ITS HARBOR AND SHORES
1914, Chapter 768
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELAYING CERTAIN WATER MAINS
1915, Chapter 266
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR THE PURPOSE OF RELAYING CERTAIN WATER MAINS
1921, Chapter 453
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCUR INDEBTEDNESS FOR A HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING
1948, Chapter 500
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO BORROW MONEY FOR FIRE STATION AND SIGNAL STATION BUILDING PURPOSES
1949, Chapter 120
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO BORROW MONEY FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
1950, Chapter 642
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO BORROW MONEY FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES
(d) 
Certain other obsolete special laws repealed - The following special laws which were enacted for special purposes and were limited in time by their own provisions are hereby recognized as obsolete and are to stand repealed, but all acts taken under the authority of the said special laws is hereby preserved:
1910, Chapter 505
AN ACT TO CONFIRM CERTAIN PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1912, Chapter 544
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO DISCONTINUE THE USE FOR PLAYGROUND PURPOSES OF A CERTAIN PARCEL OF LAND NEAR THE POOR FARM IN THAT CITY
1914, Chapter 650
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PENSION GEORGE O. OBEAR
1920, Chapter 275
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO CONTRIBUTE A SUM OF MONEY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE USED IN THE IMPROVEMENT OF BEVERLY HARBOR
1922, Chapter 87
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A SUM OF MONEY TO THE ESTATE OF PATRICK GALLAGHER FOR TAXES ERRONEOUSLY ASSESSED AND COLLECTED
1922, Chapter 155
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A SUM OF MONEY TO THE WIDOW OF JAMES J. FAGAN
1923, Chapter 356
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PENSION WALTER FARNHAM
1924, Chapter 125
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PENSION NATHANIEL W. CORLISS
1924, Chapter 333
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A SUM OF MONEY TO THE WIDOW OF JAMES J. FAGAN
1925, Chapter 275
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPROPRIATE MONEY TO PROVIDE FACILITIES FOR HOLDING IN SAID CITY DURING THE CURRENT YEAR THE STATE CONVENTION OF THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS OF THE UNITED STATES
1936, Chapter 142
AN ACT PLACING UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE LAWS THE OFFICE OF CHIEF OF POLICE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1938, Chapter 203
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE PLACING OF THE OFFICE OF CHIEF OF FIRE DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE LAWS
1938, Chapter 375
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO REFUND CERTAIN TAXES ERRONEOUSLY ASSESSED UPON AND COLLECTED FROM ALONZO B. MORSE
1941, Chapter 469
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO TAKE BY EMINENT DOMAIN FOR PUBLIC AIRPORT PURPOSES CERTAIN PROPERTY IN THE TOWN OF DANVERS
1943, Chapter 429
AN ACT RELATING TO THE ACQUISITION OF CERTAIN PROPERTY BY THE CITY OF BEVERLY FOR A PUBLIC PARK
1946, Chapter 113
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE NUMBER OF MEMBERS OF THE RESERVE POLICE FORCE IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1951, Chapter 187
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A CERTAIN CLAIM LEGALLY UNENFORCEABLE BY REASON OF FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF ITS CITY CHARTER
1959, Chapter 162
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE GRANTING OF A LICENSE FOR THE SALE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES TO VITTORI ROCCI POST #56 OF THE ITALIAN-AMERICAN WAR VETERANS
1959, Chapter 204
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY SUMS OF MONEY TO WILLIAM DEVITT, ALICE P. HUSON, BAYARD D. HUSON, LAWRENCE LAPOINTE, MARIE AND ANTHONY VACCARO AND CLIFFORD M. AND HENRIETTA C. CAVERLY
1959, Chapter 434
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A CERTAIN UNPAID BILL TO MERRIMACK-ESSEX ELECTRIC COMPANY
1962, Chapter 118
AN ACT PROVIDING LIFE TENURE FOR GORDON T. RICHARDSON, INCUMBENT OF THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF PUBLIC WORKS OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1963, Chapter 139
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ACQUIRE LAND AND CONSTRUCT AN OFF-STREET PARKING AREA AND TO BORROW MONEY FOR THE CONSTRUCTION THEREOF
1965, Chapter 588
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR LIFE TENURE FOR WALTER T. BARNES, INCUMBENT OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COLLECTOR OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1966, Chapter 568
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE PAYMENT OF, AND TO PAY, CERTAIN UNPAID BILLS
1967, Chapter 146
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY A CERTAIN UNPAID BILL TO SID'S DONUTS, INC.
1968, Chapter 571
AN ACT VALIDATING A CERTAIN BUILDING PERMIT ISSUED BY THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1970, Chapter 624
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE PAYMENT OF, AND TO PAY, A CERTAIN UNPAID BILL
1970, Chapter 661
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPROPRIATE MONEY FOR THE PAYMENT OF AND TO PAY A CERTAIN UNPAID BILL
1973, Chapter 196
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPROPRIATE AND PAY A SUM OF MONEY TO MICHAEL J. FRASCA
1973, Chapter 1139
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO CONVEY CERTAIN LAND IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1974, Chapter 64
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO CONVEY CERTAIN LAND IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1975, Chapter 423
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO REDRAW ITS WARD LINES
1983, Chapter 493
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO ACQUIRE EASEMENTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF CERTAIN SEWERAGE FACILITIES
1986, Chapter 533
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF LAND IN THE TOWN OF WENHAM BY THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1989, Chapter 136
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY CERTAIN RETROACTIVE COMPENSATION
(e) 
Certain other obsolete special laws repealed - The following special laws which established and amended the charter for the city of Beverly are hereby recognized as obsolete and are to stand repealed, but all acts taken under the authority of the said special laws are hereby preserved:
1894, Chapter 161
AN ACT TO INCORPORATE THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1898, Chapter 319
AN ACT RELATIVE TO STREETS AND HIGHWAYS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1910, Chapter 542
AN ACT TO REVISE THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1911, Chapter 267
AN ACT RELATIVE TO WIRES AND ELECTRIC APPLIANCES IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1913, Chapter 398
AN ACT RELATIVE TO PRINTING PROPOSALS FOR CONTRACTS WITH THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1913, Chapter 208
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO APPOINT THE SCHOOL PHYSICIANS FOR THAT CITY
1915, Chapter 72
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY PERMANENT MEN IN ITS FIRE DEPARTMENT THREE DOLLARS A DAY
1915, Chapter 141
AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO PAY SALARIES TO THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1919, Chapter 75
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE PAYMENT OF SALARIES IN THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1920, Chapter 26
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE SALARIES OF THE MAYOR AND OTHER PUBLIC OFFICERS OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1921, Chapter 9
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1922, Chapter 140
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR A PRELIMINARY SELECTION FOR THE CHOICE OF MUNICIPAL OFFICERS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1927, Chapter 279
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1934, Chapter 159
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1936, Chapter 29
AN ACT ESTABLISHING BIENNIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY AND MAKING CERTAIN OTHER CHARTER CHANGES
1936, Chapter 46
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1939, Chapter 135
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1941, Chapter 223
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1943, Chapter 112
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE HOLDING OF BIENNIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY IN ODD-NUMBERED YEARS AND ESTABLISHING THE DATE OF SAID ELECTIONS
1943, Chapter 198
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO COMPENSATE THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1945, Chapter 144
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE POLLING HOURS AT ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1947, Chapter 162
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION OF THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1951, Chapter 238
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE HOLDING OF BIENNIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY IN ODD-NUMBERED YEARS AND ESTABLISHING THE DATE OF SAID ELECTIONS
1952, Chapter 236
AN ACT CREATING A DEVELOPMENT AND INDUSTRIAL COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1952, Chapter 336
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE CITY OF BEVERLY TO INCREASE THE COMPENSATION OF THE MEMBERS OF ITS BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1953, Chapter 95
AN ACT RELATIVE TO ADDITIONS TO OR ALTERATIONS OF CERTAIN BUILDINGS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1954, Chapter 602
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE ELECTION OF CERTAIN OFFICIALS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
1955, Chapter 478
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE SALARIES OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY.
1957, Chapter 133
AN ACT PROVIDING THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY BE ELECTED BY WARDS
1960, Chapter 155
AN ACT PROVIDING FOR THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM FOR THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1962, Chapter 112
AN ACT CHANGING THE DATE OF BIENNIAL MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1969, Chapter 74
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE AWARDING OF CONTRACTS FOR THE PURCHASE OF MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES OR FOR LABOR TO BE FURNISHED EXCEPT LABOR TO BE RENDERED IN PERSON, WITHOUT ADVERTISING IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1993, Chapter 230
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF BEVERLY
1993, Chapter 330
AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCILOR IN THE CITY OF BEVERLY