reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MA Gen L ch 41 § 41b (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 41b - Payment of Public Employees by Direct Bank Credits

Section 41B. The treasurer of any city, town or district which accepts this section may pay salaries, wages, or other compensation to any person in the service of such city, town or district by means of deposits to a deposit account or accounts of such person in any one or more savings or cooperative banks, trust companies, or credit unions incorporated in or chartered by the commonwealth; in any one or more national banking associations, federal savings or loan associations or federal credit unions located in the commonwealth; in any one or more banking companies or Morris Plan companies subject to chapter one hundred and seventy-two A; or any one or more savings or loan associations under the supervision of the commissioner of banks; provided, that such person has specifically authorized such deposits, and provided further, that if such deposits are made initially to accounts established for such persons in any one such bank, trust company, credit union, or association, the depository shall have agreed with the treasurer on terms satisfactory to the treasurer for the immediate direct transfer of such deposit to any other such bank, trust company, credit union, or association designated by each such person.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 41c (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 41c - Deposits in Credit Union; Pension or Retirement Allowances

Section 41C. The treasurer of any city or town may deduct from the pension or retirement allowance of a retired employee of that city or town such sum as such retired employee may specify in writing and shall transmit the same to a credit union designated by such retired employee.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 42 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 42 - Contents of Pay Roll

Section 42. Every such pay roll, bill or account shall contain the following information: First, full name of each employee; second, title of office or position authorized by the division of personnel administration wherever applicable, otherwise title authorized by appointing authority; third, salary, wages or other compensation; fourth, dates of employment.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 43 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 43 - Penalty

Section 43. Each appointing, employing or other officer, who wilfully refuses or neglects to comply with any provision of the two preceding sections shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five nor more than one hundred dollars.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 43a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 43a - Defense of Actions Against Treasurers and Collectors; Indemnification

Section 43A. If it appears to the mayor and city council of a city or the selectmen of a town, upon petition of the collector of taxes or the treasurer, that an action or suit has been brought against him for damages resulting from his acts as collector or as treasurer, as the case may be, wherein an attachment has been made of the goods, estate, effects or credits of such collector or such treasurer, by trustee process or otherwise, or the disposition of his property has been restricted by injunction and that such acts were performed in good faith, without negligence, and in the belief that he was acting in the interest of the city or town, the city solicitor or town council shall be required by said mayor and city council or selectmen to defend the action or suit or, in case of a town having no town counsel, an attorney shall be employed by the selectmen to defend such action or suit, and the mayor or chairman of the board of selectmen, as soon as may be, shall execute a certificate setting forth the findings of the mayor and city council or selectmen upon such petition and shall cause such certificate to be filed in the court in which such action or suit is pending, and, in the case of attachment of real property, shall cause a certified copy of such certificate to be filed in the registry of deeds for the district in which the property is situated, or, in the case of registered land, in the office of the assistant recorder of the land court for said district, and, in the case of attachment of goods, estate, effects or credits by trustee process, shall cause a certified copy of such certificate to be served upon the trustee thereof, and, in the case of attachment of personal property by mesne process, shall cause a certified copy of such certificate to be served upon the officer who made the attachment of said property, and thereupon any such attachment shall be dissolved by operation of law and any such injunction shall be dissolved by order of the court upon motion. Upon presentation to the treasurer of a city or town by an officer qualified to serve civil process of an execution or attested copy of a decree issued or made against the collector or against the treasurer in an action or suit in which an attachment or injunction has been so dissolved, the treasurer, after an appropriation therefor has been voted to be raised by taxation or from available funds, shall pay the amount payable under said execution or decree. If the tax rate for the current year shall have been fixed the city or town by a two thirds vote may incur debt, within the limit of indebtedness prescribed in section ten of chapter forty-four and subject to the pertinent provisions of said chapter, payable within one year, for the purpose of paying the amount of the execution or decree.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 44 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 44 - Sinking Fund Commissioners; Election; Tenure; Appointment of Secretary and Treasurer

Section 44. A city or town having a sinking fund as provided in section forty-seven of chapter forty-four shall elect each year for terms of three years the number of sinking fund commissioners equal to the number whose term then expires. In towns they shall be elected by ballot at town meeting, and in cities by concurrent vote of both branches of the city council. In case of a vacancy the remaining member or members shall exercise the powers of the board until the vacancy is filled. The city or town treasurer shall not be eligible as a commissioner, and the acceptance by a commissioner of the office of treasurer shall render his former office vacant. The foregoing provisions as to the mode of electing commissioners shall not apply to boards of sinking fund commissioners which were established before the thirteenth day of June in the year eighteen hundred and seventy-five. The commissioners shall choose a treasurer, who may be the city or town treasurer; and if the city or town treasurer is chosen his bond shall apply to and include duties performed as treasurer of the sinking fund. If any other person is chosen treasurer he shall give a bond, with sureties, to the satisfaction of the commissioners, for the proper performance of his official duties. The commissioners may also choose a secretary.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 45 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 45 - Board of Commissioners of Trust Funds; Membership; Powers and Duties

Section 45. Any city or town, except Boston, may create a board of commissioners of trust funds, consisting of three persons who shall have the management of all trust funds given or bequeathed for the benefit of the town or the inhabitants thereof, unless the donor in making the gift or bequest shall otherwise provide. In cities the commissioners shall be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the council. In towns they shall be elected in the same manner as other town officers. At the time of creating said board there shall be appointed or elected one member for one year, one member for two years, and one member for three years; and there shall be appointed or elected annually thereafter one member for three years. Vacancies shall be filled by the mayor, with the approval of the council, or by the selectmen.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 45a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 45a - Commissioners in Towns Under Five Thousand Population

Section 45A. If a town having less than five thousand inhabitants votes to accept this section, the board of selectmen of such town shall thereafter have all the powers and duties of commissioners of trust funds, as provided in sections forty-five and forty-seven, until such time as the number of inhabitants of said town shall exceed five thousand.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 46 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 46 - Town Treasurer; Duties; Bond

Section 46. The town treasurer shall be the custodian of all funds and securities of such trust funds, shall invest and reinvest them and expend therefrom moneys as directed by the commissioners. The treasurer shall furnish a bond satisfactory to them for the faithful performance of his duties.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 47 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 47 - Powers and Duties

Section 47. The said board of commissioners shall, so far as consistent with the terms of the trusts, manage and control the same, and distribute the income in accordance with the terms of the respective trusts. The board shall keep a record of its doings, and at the close of each financial year shall make a report to the town, showing the total amount of the funds, and their investments, receipts and disbursements on account of the same, setting forth in detail the sources of the receipts and the purposes of the expenditures.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 48 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 48 - Tenure of City Auditor

Section 48. In cities which accepted chapter three hundred and seventy-three of the acts of nineteen hundred and five, the auditor shall hold office for three years from the date of his election or appointment and until his successor is qualified, unless sooner removed; provided, however, the appointing authority may, by written contract, appoint an auditor for a term not to exceed five years. A person chosen to fill a vacancy shall hold the office until the end of the unexpired term of his predecessor.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 49 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 49 - Vacancy in Office of Auditor

Section 49. If the office of an auditor in a town is vacant, the remaining auditors, if any, may perform the duties thereof and may appoint a person to aid them. If there is no remaining auditor, the selectmen shall appoint an auditor to serve until another is qualified.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 49a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 49a - Assistant Auditors; Powers and Duties; Compensation

Section 49A. The auditor, accountant, or officer having similar duties, of a city or town, may in writing appoint, with the approval of the mayor or the selectmen thereof, an assistant, who shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties, and a record shall be made of his appointment and oath. Unless a temporary officer is appointed in accordance with law, the assistant may, in the absence of the appointing officer, perform his duties and when performing such duties shall have the powers and be subject to the requirements and penalties applicable to him. The person appointed as assistant hereunder may receive a salary from the city or town for services as such.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 50 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 50 - Powers and Duties of Auditors

Section 50. The auditors of a town shall examine the books and accounts of all its officers and committees intrusted with the receipt, custody or expenditure of money, and all original bills and vouchers on which money has been or may be paid from its treasury. They shall have free access to such books, accounts, bills and vouchers as often as once a month for the purpose of examination, and shall examine the same at least once in each year, and annually report in writing the result of their examinations. They shall, at least once in each year, verify the cash balance of each of such officers and committees by actual count of the cash and by reconciliation of bank balances, and shall insert in their annual report their certificate under oath of the facts so found.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 51 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 51 - Accounts Payable; Notice to Creditors; Part Payments

Section 51. An auditor may notify a person to whom money is due from the town that a certain designated amount, which may be either the whole or a part of the money so due, is payable to him upon application to an officer named in the notice, and, unless payment is refused upon such application, no interest shall accrue on said designated amount after the giving of the notice. A part payment authorized by this section shall not affect a right of tender, lien or other provision of law for the recovery of the amount of the debt, or interest or costs thereon, remaining due; but if the part payment is more than the debt as finally determined, the excess, without interest, shall be repaid to the town.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 52 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 52 - Approval of Bills

[ Section impacted by 2020, 92, Secs. 12, 13, 16 and 17, as amended by 2020, 201, Secs. 39 to 42 and 2021, 24, Secs. 83 to 86 effective November 10, 2020, relating to service contracts in order to address disruptions caused by the outbreak of COVID-19.]  Section 52. All accounts rendered to or kept in the departments of any city shall be subject to the inspection of the city auditor or officer having similar duties, and in towns they shall be subject to the inspection of the selectmen. The auditor or officer having similar duties, or the selectmen, may require any person presenting for settlement an account or claim against the city or town to make oath before him or them, in such form as he or they may prescribe, as to the accuracy of such account or claim. The wilful making of a false oath shall be punishable as perjury. The auditor or officer having similar duties in cities, and the selectmen in towns, shall approve the payment of all bills or pay rolls of all departments before they are paid by the treasurer, and may disallow and refuse to approve for payment, in whole or in part, any claim as fraudulent, unlawful or excessive; and in that case the auditor or officer having similar duties, or the selectmen, shall file with the city or town treasurer a written statement of the reasons for the refusal; and the treasurer shall not pay any claim or bill so disallowed. The board of selectmen may designate any 1 of its members for the purpose of approving bills or payrolls under this section; provided, however, that the member shall make available to the board, at the first meeting following such action, a record of such actions. This provision shall not limit the responsibility of each member of the board of selectmen in the event of a noncompliance with this section. This section shall not abridge the powers conferred on town accountants by sections fifty-five to sixty-one, inclusive.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 53 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 53 - Auditing of Public Trusts

Section 53. Town auditors shall at least once every year, and so much oftener as they deem necessary, audit the accounts of the trustees of any property the principal or income of which, in whole or in part, was bequeathed or given in trust for public uses for the benefit of the town or any part thereof, or for the benefit of the inhabitants of the town or of any part thereof, and examine and estimate the funds, securities and evidences of property held by such trustees. Said trustees shall give said auditors free access to their accounts, funds, securities and evidences of property; and any such trustee refusing to exhibit the same shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty nor more than two hundred dollars. Town auditors shall include in their annual reports a report of such auditing and investigation; and if they discover any fraud or irregularity they shall immediately report the same to the mayor and city treasurer or to the selectmen and town treasurer. They shall, at least once in each year, verify the cash balance of such trustees by actual count of the cash and by reconciliation of bank balances, and shall insert in their annual report their certificate under oath of the facts so found; provided, however, that they need not so verify the cash balance by actual count of the cash if the trustee is a bank, banking association or trust company.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 54 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 54 - Notice to Auditor of Payment of Public Funds to Treasurer

Section 54. Whenever any officer of the commonwealth, or of a county, city or town, makes a payment of public money to the treasurer of a city or town in the commonwealth, he shall furnish at the same time to the auditor of such city or town, or to the town accountant, if there is no auditor, a written statement of the amount of the payment, and the date and purpose thereof.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 54a (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 54a - Notification to Assessors of Receipts

Section 54A. The auditor or similar officer in cities and the town accountant, if any, otherwise the town treasurer in towns, shall notify the assessors, not later than August first in each year, of the total receipts of the preceding fiscal year, except from taxes, loans and trust funds, and shall specify in detail the source of such receipts.
MA Gen L ch 41 § 55 (2021)
2021 Massachusetts General Laws|Part I - Administration of the Government|Title VII - Cities, Towns and Districts|Chapter 41 - Officers and Employees of Cities, Towns and Districts|Section 55 - Town Accountant; Tenure; Powers and Duties

Section 55. Any town may authorize the selectmen to appoint a town accountant, who shall perform the duties and possess the powers of town auditors as defined in sections fifty to fifty-three, inclusive. In towns so authorizing the appointment of a town accountant the office of town auditor may, if the town so vote, be abolished. In towns which have accepted chapter thirty-one or corresponding provisions of earlier laws, the appointment of the town accountant shall be subject to the civil service rules. The town accountant shall be sworn to the faithful performance of his duties, shall hold no other town office involving the receipt or disbursement of money, shall hold office for three years and until a successor is qualified; provided, however, that at the discretion of the appointing authority, a person may be appointed to the position of town accountant for a term of not more than five years and until a successor is qualified. The town clerk, if he holds no other office involving the receipt or disbursement of money, may be appointed to the position of town accountant.