Section 2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law to the contrary, the government of each abolished county, except the office of county treasurer, is hereby abolished as of the transfer date for all purposes, including, but not limited to, the purposes established pursuant to chapters 34, 34A, 35 and 36 or as otherwise authorized by this chapter. The office of an abolished county’s treasurer shall expire on December 31, 2002. Nothing in this chapter shall affect the existing county boundaries.