The powers reserved or granted to the Town of Hopkinton under this Charter are to be construed liberally and interpreted broadly in its favor, and the specific mention of any particular power is not intended to limit in any way the general powers of the Town of Hopkinton as set forth in Section 1-3.
At least once in every ten (10) years, a special committee shall make a report, with recommendations, to the Town Meeting concerning any proposed amendments to this Charter that said committee may determine to be necessary or desirable. The committee shall be established no later than the year preceding each such report. The committee shall consist of seven (7) members who shall be appointed as follows: The Select Board, School Committee and Appropriation Committee shall each appoint one person; the remaining four (4) members shall be appointed by a committee consisting of one (1) designee each of the Select Board, the School Committee, the Appropriation Committee, the Town Moderator and the Town Clerk.
If any provision of this Charter shall be found invalid for any reason in a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall be construed as narrowly as possible, and the balance of this Charter shall be deemed to be amended to the minimum extent necessary, so as to secure the intent and purposes thereof, as set forth in Section 1-3.
The provisions of this Charter shall become fully effective on the first (1st) day of July next following their approval by the voters. Prior to such date, the provisions of the Charter adopted on May 15, 2006 shall be in full force and effect.