ARTICLE XVII. - SUCCESSION IN GOVERNMENT

Section 17.01. - Continuation of Laws and Ordinances.#

All town ordinances, resolutions, orders and regulations which are in force when this Charter becomes effective are repealed to the extent that they are inconsistent with or interfere with the effective operation of this Charter, or of ordinances, resolutions, orders and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. To the extent that the Constitution and laws of the State permit, all general laws or special acts relating to or affecting the Town or its agencies, officers or employees which are in effect when this Charter becomes effective, are superseded to the extent they are inconsistent with or interfere with the effective operation of this Charter, or of ordinances, resolutions, orders and regulations adopted pursuant thereto. The Town Council shall proceed to enact or adopt as promptly as possible any ordinances, rules, resolutions and orders which may be necessary to implement provisions of this Charter.

Section 17.02. - Continuation of Tax Obligation.#

All taxes levied or assessed by the Town prior to the effective date of this Charter, which have not been collected by the Town, shall be collected with any penalties and interest thereon by the Town government hereby established, in accordance with this Charter.

Section 17.03. - Continuation of Government.#

All committees, commissions, boards, departments or officers, whether elected or appointed, shall continue in the performance of their powers, duties and functions until their successors have been elected or appointed as provided in this Charter to perform their respective powers, duties and functions.

Section 17.04. - Transfer of Records and Property.#

All records, property and equipment of any office, commission, department or agency or part thereof, the powers and duties of which are assigned in whole or in part to another office, commission, department or agency shall be transferred and delivered forthwith to the office, commission, department or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned. In the event of a disagreement over transfer, the Town Manager shall make the final decision.

Section 17.05. - Existing Contracts.#

All contracts, leases, franchises and other obligations entered into by the Town, or for its benefit, prior to the effective date of this Charter, shall continue in force and effect.

Section 17.06. - Pending Actions and Proceedings.#

No action or proceeding, civil or criminal, in law or in equity pending at the time when this Charter shall take effect, brought by or against any office, commission, department or agency or officer thereof, shall be affected or abated by the adoption of this Charter or by anything in this Charter.

Section 17.07. - Effective Date.#

The original Charter became effective on January 1, 1989.

Section 17.08. - Charter Amendments.#

The first amendment to the Charter, as approved by the electorate on November 6, 1990, became effective January 1, 1991.

The second amendment to the Charter became effective January 1, 1997.

The third amendment to the Charter became effective January 1, 2005.

The fourth amendment to the Charter became effective January 1, 2011.

The fifth amendment to the Charter became effective January 1, 2017.

The sixth amendment to the Charter became effective January 1, 2023.

(Res. of 06-22-2022 (1))