All special acts, bylaws, resolutions, rules, regulations and
notes 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shall continue in force until amended or repealed, including bylaws,
if any, which have been passed and have been approved by the Attorney
General but have not yet been published.
All departments, boards, commissions and other Town agencies,
and members thereof, whether elected or appointed, shall continue
in the performance of their powers, duties and functions until successors
have been elected or appointed as provided by this Charter.
Any person holding an office or position in the administrative
service of the Town at the time this Charter takes effect shall retain
such office or position and continue in the performance of his duties
until provision shall have been made, in accordance with this Charter,
for the performance of such duties or the discontinuance of such office
or position.
All contracts or obligations, entered into by the Town prior
to the effective date of this Charter shall continue in full force
and effect.
No action or proceedings, whether civil or criminal, pending
at the time this Charter shall take effect, brought by or against
the Town or any department, board, commission or other Town agency
thereof, shall be affected or abated by the adoption of this Charter
or by anything therein contained.
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 thereon, by the duly established
Town government and officers under this Charter.
All records, property and equipment whatsoever of any office,
department or agency or part thereof, the powers and duties of which
are assigned shall be transferred forthwith to the office, department
or agency to which such powers and duties are assigned.
Except for terms of office for elected officials whose terms
have been changed by this Charter, the Charter shall become effective
July 1, 1977. All officers elected in Town elections beginning with
annual elections in 1978 shall serve for the terms specified by the
Charter.