The treasurer is responsible for the receipt, investment, and disbursement of all municipal funds. This official works with the community’s financial advisors, manages banking services, handles the issuance of debt, and prepares associated financial reports. The position’s key duties include the following:
- Receive, take charge of, and account for all monies belonging to the municipality and report same to the accountant/auditor (MGL c. 41 § 35 and MGL c. 44, § 53). This includes processing the turnovers of payments from municipal departments, in addition to revenues that the treasurer’s office receives directly.
- Maintain a cashbook; provide for adequate funds for current obligations (through short- or long-term debt issuances); and invest the municipality’s funds (MGL c. 41 § 35 and c. 44 §§ 4, 6A, 55, 55B ).
- Disburse public money to pay vendor bills and employee payroll upon authorization by the accountant/auditor (MGL c. 41 §§ 52, 56).
- Process payroll for all municipal employees (MGL c. 41, § 41) and ensure the accuracy of applicable deductions, including: deferred compensation and individual retirement accounts (MGL c. 44, §§ 67 and 67A); credit union or other financial institution (MGL c. 149 § 178B); group life insurance (MGL c. 175 § 138A); union dues, community chest, teacher income protection insurance; commuter pass; teacher association dues; and insurance benefits (MGL c. 180, §§ 17A, 17D; 17H; 17I; 17J).
- Administer unemployment compensation programs (MGL c. 40 § 5E).
- Negotiate all borrowings, prepare necessary documents and notes, and report the same to the Director of Accounts (MGL c. 44, §§ 23, 24, 28).
- When budgets are submitted, report to the accountant/auditor the amount of debt and interest due in the next fiscal year (MGL c. 41 § 59).
- Maintain custody of stabilization funds, pension reserve funds, trust funds, investments, and other funds not allocated to other agencies (MGL c. 40 §§ 5B, 5D, and c. 41 § 46).
- Maintain tax title accounts; conduct sales of land; and prepare documents to petition for foreclosure (MGL c. 60 §§ 50, 61, 61A, 62, 62A, 63, 76, 76A, 76B, 76C, 77, 77A, 77B, 77C, 79,80, 80A, 80B, 80C).
- On a periodic basis throughout the fiscal year, reconcile all books and accounts, including the cashbook, warrants, bank accounts, payroll withholdings, insurance programs, retirement funds, debt records, and tax title accounts.
- Prepare reports, including:
- Weekly or monthly reports to the accountant/auditor of receipts, balances, and payroll deductions
- Annual report of all receipts and disbursements for the fiscal year (MGL c 41, § 35)
- Reports submitted annually to DLS, including the statement of indebtedness, treasurer’s cash report, and treasurer-accountant cash reconciliation report
Related Resources
| Date published: | April 1, 2026 |
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| Last updated: | March 27, 2026 |