Massachusetts town's payroll processing could be changed by ballot
An upcoming election in Dedham, Massachusetts includes a ballot question that could alter the town's Home Rule Charter in an effort to expedite the payroll process, according to The Dedham Transcript. The current law requires signatures from three members of the town's Board of Selectmen to ensure that town employees are paid, and the amendment would only require the town administrator and the finance director to sign.
"Statutory and contractual deadlines for payment of certain obligations, especially payroll, make it nearly impossible for a majority of the selectmen to sign all warrants prior to issuance of checks," said a statement sent out to voters in support of the change. "Nevertheless, the town is required to make timely payments to avoid being in violation of the law."
A year ago, town voters rejected the measure by a count of 878 to 740 - largely, according to Selectmen Chairman Sarah MacDonald, because people did not understand what the ballot question was about.
The vote is not the only payroll-related issue affecting the town - jeans company Levi Strauss recently agreed to pay more than $1 million in overtime back wages to employees nationwide, including at its store in Dedham.
"Statutory and contractual deadlines for payment of certain obligations, especially payroll, make it nearly impossible for a majority of the selectmen to sign all warrants prior to issuance of checks," said a statement sent out to voters in support of the change. "Nevertheless, the town is required to make timely payments to avoid being in violation of the law."
A year ago, town voters rejected the measure by a count of 878 to 740 - largely, according to Selectmen Chairman Sarah MacDonald, because people did not understand what the ballot question was about.
The vote is not the only payroll-related issue affecting the town - jeans company Levi Strauss recently agreed to pay more than $1 million in overtime back wages to employees nationwide, including at its store in Dedham.
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