An Act To Abolish the Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville

Emergency preamble. Whereas,  acts and resolves of the Legislature do not become effective until 90 days after adjournment unless enacted as emergencies; and

Whereas,  the Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville have been understaffed and losing members; and

Whereas,  the Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville are currently being administered by only one part-time employee and one trustee; and

Whereas,  work on the transition to turn the administration of the public cemeteries over to the City of Waterville has been conducted for the past year; and

Whereas,  in the judgment of the Legislature, these facts create an emergency within the meaning of the Constitution of Maine and require the following legislation as immediately necessary for the preservation of the public peace, health and safety; now, therefore,

Sec. 1. City of Waterville to assume responsibility. The City of Waterville shall assume responsibility over all public cemeteries located within the City of Waterville formerly assumed by the Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville.

Sec. 2. P&SL 1943, c. 51  is repealed.

Sec. 3. Transition. The following provisions govern the transition of the powers, duties and functions of the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville to the City of Waterville.

1. The City of Waterville is the successor in every way to the powers, duties and functions of the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville.

2. All existing rules, regulations and procedures in effect, in operation or adopted by the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville or by any of their administrative units or officers are hereby declared in effect and continue in effect until rescinded, revised or amended by the proper authority.

3. All existing contracts, agreements and compacts currently in effect entered into by the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville continue in effect.

4. Any positions authorized and allocated subject to the personnel laws to the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville are transferred to the City of Waterville and may continue to be authorized.

5. All records, property and equipment previously belonging to or allocated for the use of the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville become, on the effective date of this Act, part of the property of the City of Waterville.

6. All proceeds currently deposited in any fund administered by the former Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville must be maintained and administered by the City of Waterville and expended in compliance with any conditions upon which the proceeds were received.

Emergency clause. In view of the emergency cited in the preamble, this legislation takes effect when approved.

SUMMARY

This bill abolishes the Trustees of Public Cemeteries for the City of Waterville and transfers all duties and responsibilities for the care and upkeep of the public cemeteries in the City of Waterville to the City of Waterville.