N.Y. MHR Law § 50

§ 50. Legislative intent. 1. It is the intention of the legislature by\nthis chapter to provide for carrying into effect provisions of article\nnine of the constitution and the statute of local governments and to\nenable local governments to adopt and amend local laws for the purpose\nof fully and completely exercising the powers granted to them under the\nterms and spirit of such article.\n 2. There is hereby reserved to the board of supervisors of every\ncounty not wholly included in a city, the board of aldermen, common\ncouncil, council, commission or other board or body of every city, the\ntown board of every town and the board of trustees of every village all\nthe rights, privileges, powers and jurisdiction now conferred on it by\nlaw until such rights, privileges, powers or jurisdiction shall be\nabolished, transferred or changed by law.\n 3. It is not the intention of the legislature hereby to abolish or\ncurtail any rights, privileges, powers or jurisdiction heretofore\nconferred upon or delegated to any local government or to any board,\nbody or officer thereof, unless a contrary intention is clearly manifest\nfrom the express provisions of this chapter or by necessary intendment\ntherefrom, or to restrict the powers of the legislature to pass laws\nregulating matters other than the property, affairs or government of\nlocal governments as distinguished from matters relating to their\nproperty, affairs or government.\n