§ 160-a. Unexpended welfare balances. 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general special or local law, where a city is no longer responsible for the cost of public assistance or care or any form thereof as provided by sections seventy-two and seventy-three of this chapter or operates pursuant to section seventy-four-a of this chapter, any unexpended city welfare funds not due and owing to the state or to a social services district which shall remain in the treasury of such city on the first day of January of any year may be transferred, appropriated and expended for any lawful city purpose.

2. Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or special law, where a town is no longer responsible for the cost of any type of public assistance or care, any unexpended town welfare funds which shall remain in the hands of the supervisor or any other town officer on the first day of January of any year and which are not due and owing to the state or to a public welfare district may be transferred, appropriated and expended for any lawful town purpose.