The inhabitants of the Town of Chatham, Massachusetts, within its territorial limits as now or may hereafter be established by law, shall continue to be a body politic and corporate, known as the Town of Chatham.
This instrument may be cited and shall be known as the Chatham Home Rule Charter.
[Amended 1-13-2021 by Chapter 344, Acts of 2020]
All legislative powers of the Town shall be vested in 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 select board and town manager.
[Amended 1-10-2013 by Chapter 457, Acts of 2012]
The intent and purpose of this charter is to secure for the Town of Chatham, through the adoption of this charter, all the powers possible for town government under Article LXXXIX (89) of the Amendments to the Constitution of the Commonwealth and Laws of the Commonwealth, as fully as though each such power were specifically and individually enumerated herein.
The powers of the town under the charter shall be construed and interpreted liberally in favor of the town and the specific mention of any particular power is not intended to limit in any way the general powers of the town as stated in Section 1-4.
[Added 5-11-2009 ATM by Art. 31, approved 5-13-2010 Annual Town Election[1]; amended 1-10-2013 by Chapter 457, Acts of 2012]
Where provisions of this charter conflict with provisions of town by-laws, rules, regulations, orders, general laws, special acts and acceptances of general laws, the charter shall govern. All town by-laws, rules, regulations, orders and special acts not superseded by this charter shall remain in force.
[1]
Editor's Note: This article also redesignated former Section 1-6 as Section 1-7.
[Amended 1-10-2013 by Chapter 457, Acts of 2012; 1-13-2021 by Chapter 344, Acts of 2020]
The town, through the select board, may enter into agreements with any other unit of government to perform jointly or in cooperation, by contract or otherwise, any of its powers or functions.
[Added 5-11-2009 ATM by Art. 31, approved 5-13-2010 Annual Town Election; amended 1-10-2013 by Chapter 457, Acts of 2012]
Elected and appointed officers, officials and employees of the town of Chatham are expected to demonstrate, in their general conduct and in the performance of their duties and responsibilities, the highest ethical standards. Elected and appointed officers, officials and employees of the town of Chatham are expected to recognize that they hold their offices or positions for the benefit of the public and that while acting in their official capacities they are expected to faithfully discharge the duties of their offices in the public interest, regardless of personal considerations. Elected and appointed officers, officials and employees of the town of Chatham shall not use their official positions to secure or to grant special consideration, treatment, advantage, privilege or exemption to themselves or to any other person beyond that which is available to every person.