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; 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by-laws, rules, regulations, orders and special acts not superseded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.
[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.