Amendment S.3013

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Becca Rausch

The select board may approve payroll and expense warrants when the town administrator is absent or vacancy, ensuring timely payments and authority delegation to an interim administ

See H3911

Summary of Bill: S.3013 (Amendment S.3013) — Town of Millis Charter

Purpose

To amend Section III-5 of Article III of the Town of Millis charter to clarify and expand who may approve payroll and expense warrants for town funds, and under what circumstances.

Key Provisions

Adds a new clause (k) to Section III-5 of Article III:

The select board’s approval of payroll and expense warrants will constitute sufficient authority to authorize payment by the town treasurer.
Special cases and delegations:
If the town administrator is absent, the select board shall have the authority to approve payroll and expense warrants.
If there is a vacancy in the office of the town administrator, the select board may approve all such warrants, or may delegate this authority to an interim town administrator.

Affected Roles and Entities

Town administrator: Previously a central approving authority for payroll/expense warrants; under the amendment, the select board can approve warrants in the administrator’s absence or vacancy.

Select board: Given explicit authority to approve payroll and expense warrants in specified circumstances (absence or vacancy of the town administrator); may also delegate this approval to an interim town administrator when there is a vacancy.

Town treasurer: Receives warrants that have been approved by the select board as sufficient authorization for payment.

Operational/Procedural Implications

Clarifies chain of approval for payroll and expense warrants, ensuring continuity of payments during administrative disruptions.

Formalizes the select board’s fallback or interim authority to authorize expenditures when the town administrator is unavailable or when the position is vacant.

Potentially reduces delays in processing payments by empowering the select board (or an interim administrator) to act as the approving authority.

Timeline and Effective Date

The act shall take effect upon passage.

Jurisdiction and Context

Jurisdiction: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Town of Millis.

Legislative context: Senate amendment (Senator Becca Rausch as co-sponsor) to House Bill No. 3911 revising Millis’ town charter. The text indicates the amendment is part of the 194th General Court (2025-2026).

Practical Considerations

The change aims to maintain timely financial operations in scenarios where the Town Administrator is not available, reducing risk of payment delays.

It concentrates temporary financial approval power in the select board, which may have implications for checks and balances during administrative vacancies or absences.