2006 New York Code - Legislative Intent.

 
    § 50. Legislative intent. 1. It is the intention of the legislature by
  this  chapter  to provide for carrying into effect provisions of article
  nine of the constitution and the statute of  local  governments  and  to
  enable  local  governments to adopt and amend local laws for the purpose
  of fully and completely exercising the powers granted to them under  the
  terms and spirit of such article.
    2.  There  is  hereby  reserved  to  the board of supervisors of every
  county not wholly included in a city,  the  board  of  aldermen,  common
  council,  council,  commission or other board or body of every city, the
  town board of every town and the board of trustees of every village  all
  the  rights,  privileges, powers and jurisdiction now conferred on it by
  law until such rights,  privileges,  powers  or  jurisdiction  shall  be
  abolished, transferred or changed by law.
    3.  It  is  not  the intention of the legislature hereby to abolish or
  curtail  any  rights,  privileges,  powers  or  jurisdiction  heretofore
  conferred  upon  or  delegated  to any local government or to any board,
  body or officer thereof, unless a contrary intention is clearly manifest
  from the express provisions of this chapter or by  necessary  intendment
  therefrom,  or  to  restrict  the powers of the legislature to pass laws
  regulating matters other than the property,  affairs  or  government  of
  local  governments  as  distinguished  from  matters  relating  to their
  property, affairs or government.