ARTICLE XXIII. - TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS

Footnotes:

--- (5) --- Editor's note— This article is renumbered because of the Recall Article added by Question 6 approved on February 8, 1994, Special Election.

2301. - Adoption of Charter.#

This Home Rule Charter for the Town of West Warwick shall be submitted to the electors of the town at the general election to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1986 in such manner as is provided by state law.

2302. - Effective date.#

This Charter shall take effect on the first Monday in December 1988 at twelve o'clock noon if the same shall have been approved by the electors as provided in Section 2301 hereof and such approval shall have been certified by the canvassing authority; provided, however, that such provisions of this Charter as relate to the election of the mayor, the members of the town council, and the school committee shall be deemed to have taken effect on the first day prescribed by state law for the filing of declarations of candidacy for the general election to be held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1988.

2303. - First election under Charter.#

At the general election held on Tuesday after the first Monday in November 1988, the electors of the town shall vote for a mayor, five (5) members of the town council, and two (2) members of the school committee to fill the offices established by this Charter in Article III, Section 301, Article IV, Section 401, and Article XIX, Section 1901, respectively. Said officials thus elected shall take office on the effective date of this Charter as prescribed in Section 2302 of this Article.

2304. - Continuation in office.#

All officials of the town, elective and appointive, shall continue in office following the effective date of this Charter, and shall exercise the powers and duties of their respective offices as these were constituted at the time of their election or appointment, until successors have been elected and qualified or duly appointed under the terms of this Charter, or until their offices have been abolished by ordinance in implementation of this Charter.

2305. - Continuation of personnel.#

All persons employed in the service of the town at the effective date of this Charter shall continue in such employment until their status is altered in accordance with the provisions of this Charter or regulations enacted pursuant thereto.

2306. - Transfer of appropriations.#

The town council shall have the authority to make any changes or transfers in appropriations existing when this Charter takes effect where such changes or transfers are required for the operation of the town government under the provisions of this Charter.

2307. - Ordinances to implement Charter.#

The town council shall proceed to enact or adopt as promptly as possible all ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations which may be necessary to implement the provisions of this Charter.

2308. - Transfer of records and property.#

All records, property, and equipment whatsoever of any office, department, or agency, or portion thereof, all of the powers and duties of which are assigned to any other office, department, or agency shall be transferred and delivered to the office, department, or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned. If part of the powers and duties of any office, department, or agency, or portion thereof, are assigned to another office, department, or agency, all records, property, and equipment relating exclusively thereto shall be transferred and delivered to the office, department, or agency to which such powers and duties are so assigned. In the event of disagreement over the transfer of the same, the town manager shall make the final decision. Editor's note— "Mayor" has been changed to "town manager" to reflect the transfer of duties from the mayor to the town manager upon the town's adoption of a managerial form of government.

2309. - Continuance of contracts and obligations.#

All contracts and obligations entered into by the town prior to the effective date of this Charter shall continue in full force and effect.

2310. - Pending actions and proceedings.#

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

2311. - Continuation of tax obligations.#

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 interest and penalties thereon by the town government hereby established in accordance with state law.

2312. - Continuance of ordinances.#

All ordinances, resolutions, rules, and regulations of the town in force at the time when this Charter takes effect not inconsistent with this Charter shall continue in force until amended or repealed.

2313. - Town meeting referendum.#

At the regular town election in November 1990, the town council shall present to the voters of the town, for their approval or rejection, an amendment to this Charter providing for the elimination of the financial town meeting.

2314. - Instances not covered by this article.#

In all instances involving the transition of the town government from that under the previous laws governing the town to that under this Charter which are not covered by the provisions of this article or by other provisions of this Charter, the council shall supply necessary details and procedures and may adopt such rules, regulations, and ordinances as may be required therefore [therefor].