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Charters

Charters
11/7/2024

Onancock, Town of

County of Accomack

History of incorporation

Incorporated by an 1882 Act of Assembly.

Charter, 1882, c. 127; repealed 1962, c. 53.

Charter, 1962, c. 53; repealed 1976, c. 480.

Current charter

Charter, 1976, c. 480.

Amendments to current charter

1998, c. 136 (§§ 4, 5)

§ 1. The inhabitants of the territory embraced within the present limits of the town of Onancock, in Accomack County, Virginia, as hereinafter defined, or as the same may be hereafter altered or established by law, shall constitute and continue a body politic and corporate, to be known and designated as the town of Onancock, and as such shall have and may exercise all powers which are now, or hereafter may be conferred upon or delegated to towns under the Constitution and laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, as fully and completely as though such powers were specifically enumerated herein. No enumeration of particular powers by this charter shall be held to be exclusive.

The town shall have, exercise and enjoy all the rights, immunities, powers and privileges and be subject to all the duties and obligations now appertaining to and incumbent on said town as a municipal corporation, and shall have perpetual succession, may sue and be sued, implead and be impleaded, contract and be contracted with, and may have a corporate seal which it may alter, renew, or amend at its pleasure by proper ordinance. (1976, c. 480)

§ 2. The boundaries of the town of Onancock, Virginia, shall be and remain as now established, but the boundaries thereof are incorporated herein by reference to an act of the General Assembly entitled "An act to provide a charter for the town of Onancock, Accomack County, Virginia", approved February 15, 1882, and by reference to the recordation in the Clerk's Office of Accomack County, Virginia, in the court where deeds are admitted to record, of the final decree or order of the court establishing such boundaries which final decree or order was entered May 29, 1957, in said Clerk's Office in Common Law Order Book 1954-1958, Page 367. (1976, c. 480)

§ 3. The powers set forth in §§ 15.1-837 through 15.1-907 of Chapter 18 of Title 15.1 of the Code of Virginia as now exist, and as hereafter amended, are hereby conferred on and vested in the town of Onancock. (1976, c. 480)

§ 4. One elector of the town of Onancock shall be elected as mayor of the town on the first Tuesday in May, 1976, for a term of two years and at two-year intervals thereafter to succeed the elector elected as mayor in the year 1974, and his compensation shall be fixed by the council. The term of office of the mayor shall begin on the first day of July next following his election. (1976, c. 480; 1998, c. 136)

§ 5. Three electors of the town of Onancock shall be elected as councilmen of the town on the first Tuesday in May, 1976, for a term of four years and at four-year intervals thereafter to succeed the three electors elected as councilmen in the year 1972. Three electors of the town of Onancock shall be elected as councilmen of the town on the first Tuesday in May, 1978, for a four-year term and at four-year intervals thereafter to succeed the three electors elected as councilmen in the year 1974. Terms of office shall begin on the first day of July next following their election.

Each councilman elected as hereinabove provided shall serve for the term stated or until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. Vacancies in the council shall be filled within sixty days after such vacancy occurs for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining members; provided, that if the term of office to be filled does not expire for two years or more after the next regular election for councilman following such vacancy and such vacancy occurs in time to permit it, then the council shall fill such vacancy only for the period then remaining until such election, and a qualified person shall then be elected by the qualified voters and shall from and after the date of his election and qualification succeed such appointee and serve the unexpired term. The number of candidates for council equal to the number of vacancies to be filled for full terms receiving the highest number of votes shall be entitled to such full terms and the candidate receiving the next highest number of votes shall be entitled to the unexpired term caused by such vacancy. (1976, c. 480; 1998, c. 136)

§ 6. All town officers and employees heretofore elected or appointed shall remain in office and continue in their employment and be vested with the powers and duties heretofore imposed upon them by the council or by operation by law or hereafter imposed upon them under the provisions of this act until their successors are duly elected or appointed as provided by law or until action is taken by the town as set forth in § 15.1-845 of Chapter 18 of Title 15.1 of the Code of Virginia as now exist, and as hereafter amended. (1976, c. 480)

§ 7. All ordinances and resolutions heretofore made and adopted by the town, not in conflict with this charter shall be and remain in full force and effect until altered, amended or repealed by the council of the town. (1976, c. 480)