Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Cemetery Funds topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council tables Bellevue Cemetery revolving‑fund reauthorization after questions about overtime charges
Summary
Councilors tabled reauthorization of the Bellevue Cemetery revolving fund after questioning overtime charges and whether fringe benefits had been included when wages are paid from the fund.
The Lawrence City Council voted to table the reauthorization of the Bellevue Cemetery revolving fund on June 30 after councilors asked for detailed payroll and overtime accounting.
Council members noted the packet showed roughly $29,738 in overtime charged to the cemetery account and raised whether the revolving fund properly covered wages without also paying fringe benefits (health insurance, Medicare) as required by state law. A staff reading of Mass. Gen. Laws, ch.44 §53E1 was repeated during the meeting: the statute permits revolving funds but places conditions and reporting requirements on their use.
An administration official explained that cemetery staff respond to burials and other time‑sensitive events outside regular hours and that overtime is sometimes necessary; the director said seasonal and after‑hours work (snow removal, weekend burials) can drive overtime. Councilors asked staff to return with a payroll and benefit breakdown and to show how overtime and any associated fringe charges were charged to the revolving account.
The motion to table carried after roll call. Councilors and staff agreed to follow up with the requested documentation so the council can decide on the reauthorization in a later meeting.
