1-1-1.
The inhabitants of the Town of Bellingham within the corporate limits
as established by law shall continue to be a body corporate and politic
with perpetual succession under the name “Town of Bellingham”.
1-2-1.
This instrument shall be known and may be cited as the Bellingham
Home Rule Charter.
1-3-1.
Subject only to express limitations on the exercise of any power
or function by a municipality in the Constitution or Laws of the Commonwealth,
it is the intent and the purpose of the voters of Bellingham to secure
through the adoption of this charter all of the powers it is possible
to secure for a municipal government under the Constitution and Laws
of the Commonwealth.
1-4-1.
All legislative powers of the town shall be exercised by a town meeting
open to all voters. The administration of all town fiscal, prudential
and municipal affairs shall be vested in the executive branch headed
by the board of selectmen, the town administrator and elected officers
and boards.
1-5-1.
The powers of the Town of Bellingham under this charter are to be
construed liberally 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 Bellingham as stated in section 1-3-1.
1-6-1.
Consistent with any applicable constitutional or statutory provisions,
the town may exercise any of its powers, or perform any of its functions
and may participate in the financing thereof, with any one or more
civil divisions, subdivisions or agencies of any state or the United
States government.
