BOS to consider changes to employee health plans

The Board of Selectmen approved a motion earlier this week allowing the board to engage in a process to review changes to the health insurance plans for town employees and retirees.

Selectmen Chairman John Connolly stressed to a dozen union representatives who attended Tuesday’s public meeting that there is no guarantee that changes will be made. Any changes that are approved would take effect at the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, which also corresponds with the end of all municipal and school union contracts.

Selectmen approved the motion 4-0, with Avril Elkort abstaining because her daughter is employed by the town and because she takes the town health insurance.

A new state law, approved last year, allows cities and towns to negotiate with employees’ unions on changes to health insurance, and if negotiations prove unsuccessful, a state health board would step in and mediate the process. A committee made up of various municipal and school union representatives can negotiate with selectmen and members of town boards.

Connolly and Town Administrator Bill Friel said it is their hope that they will be able to duplicate the success achieved a number of years ago, in which the unions agreed to health plan changes that were beneficial to both sides. The success of the town’s unions working with selectmen on that agreement served as a model for state legislation.

Connolly said the reason that the motion was made Tuesday night was to give selectmen options in negotiations.

Pat Phelan, president of the Canton Teachers Association, said she would like to see the town retain the local option and not go the route of joining the state’s Group Insurance Commission, which she said does not include Blue Cross-Blue Shield and has no reserve fund. She also expressed concerns that joining the GIC would result in higher premiums and more deductibles.

Scott Connor, head of the Canton Police Officers Association, asked why the town would initiate such a process after the unions recently agreed to a contract with no pay increases.

Connolly said the selectmen “take no joy” in zero percent raises. “This is a two-way street,” he said. “We are trying to save jobs. We want to keep our options open and give raises as to what we can afford.”

In other news, Connolly acknowledged that the town has begun the search process to hire a new recreation director to replace Jeff Kaylor, who has served in that position for 35 years. Kaylor will step down from his post at the end of March. Connolly said Kaylor told the board a year ago of his intention to leave.

A search committee made up of recreation commissioners and town officials will recommend a new appointment to selectmen. Connolly said the goal is to select a new director before Kaylor leaves the position.

Selectmen will next meet on Tuesday, February 7, when municipal department heads are scheduled to make budget presentations.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jan 25 2012. Filed under News, Town Government. Both comments and pings are currently closed.