Hampshire Council of Governments Charter

1. Continuation of Government
All committees, commissions, boards, departments, and other agencies of Hampshire County shall continue to perform their duties until reappointed, or their duties have been transferred or eliminated.

2. Continuation of Personnel
Any persons holding a county office or employment under Hampshire County on the date this charter amendment becomes effective shall retain the office or employment and shall continue to perform their duties until provision shall have been made in accordance with the charter for either the elimination of the duties or the performance of the duties by another person or agency. No persons in the permanent full-time service or employment of Hampshire county thus transferred shall forfeit their pay grade or time in service.

3. Continuation of Contracts
All leases, contracts, franchises and obligations entered into by the county or for its benefit prior to the effective date of this charter, with the exception of those leases, contracts, franchises and obligations entered into by or for the Hampshire County Jail and House of Correction, Registry of Deeds, and Maintenance and Security Departments, shall continue in full force and effect.

4. Transfer of Records and Property
All records, property and equipment whatsoever of any agency or part thereof which are assigned in whole or in part to Hampshire County, and not transferred to the Commonwealth by the enabling act, are hereby transferred to the Hampshire Council of Governments with all right, title and interest. The transfers under this section shall be effective and shall bind all persons, with or without notice, without any further action or documentation. The Council of Governments, or its successor, may, from time to time, execute and record and file for registration with the Registry of Deeds or Land Court, a certificate confirming the Council' ownership of any real property or interest therein, formerly held by Hampshire County.

5. Special Law Specifically Retained:
Chapter four hundred nineteen of the acts of nineteen hundred and seventy-six (Hampshire County Housing Authority) is hereby recognized, confirmed and retained.

6. Time of Taking Effect
After approval by the voters, this charter shall take effect on January 1, 1999.

a. Members of the Hampshire County Commissioners shall be deemed to be the Hampshire Council of Governments Councilors representing their respective municipalities for all the purposes of this charter until the occurrence of the next municipal general election in each municipality when their seats shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of this charter.

b. Hampshire County Commissioners serving as members of the Executive Committee, as chairs of standing committees, and as moderator, shall remain in those offices until the positions have been filled in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Code.

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