HomeMy WebLinkAbout1984-01-30 Board of Selectmen Minutes Meeting Notes
1/30/84
Members Present: J. Russell, P. Dustin, M. Rosenthal and P. Landers.
The Board opened the meeting with a meeting of the representatives of Blue Cross/
Blue Shield, John McCabe, local representative and Joseph Seminera, regional
representative, Joseph Schlotman from Fred James Co. , Ted Cohen, Town Counsel,
Hugh Troutman of the Insurance Committee, Jim D'Angelo and Henry Murphy of the
Treasurer's Office. A long and .lengthy discussion took place by those present.
Prior to the meeting Blue Cross had presented to the Selectmen 'a plan in which
a major rise in rates for the coming year would be charged to those persons on
the Town pension program. The Selectmen felt this was not fair to the
pensioners and asked for a melded rate where the increase would be spread across
both the- pension people and the regular employees. This increase would amount to
about 30% across the board. Blue Cross agreed that the pension group had the
highest cost experience. The Board finally asked if legally they could take the
melded rate and if Blue Cross would give them one bill for the melded rate
instead of two; one for pension people and one for the active. Blue Cross
agreed to sending one melded bill but reserved the right to change the rate
further if the number of people leaving the group increased, thereby changing
the makeup of the group. As the Selectmen had voted at last week's meeting to
accept the melded plan, no action was necessary. Mr. Dustin, however, did move
that the Selectmen instruct the Insurance Committee to examine the problems of
rising health insurance and to investigate alternate solutions and report back to
them by January for next years budget. It was so voted. Joseph Schlotman then
went over the regular insurance budget for F/Y'85 with the Board. One of the
items discussed was a renewal of the Police Liability budget. Mr. Schlotman
stated he could get insurance up to 2 million per person vs. 500,000 current
coverage for a slightly less premium. The Board voted to have him provide this
new coverage. After further discussion Mr. Rosenthal moved the sum of $370,776
pending revision of the loss fund as the Insurance budget total for F/Y'85. It
was so voted. In response to a letter from the Fred James Co. , Mr. Dustin moved
that the Selectmen approve a bill on Accident Policy ABL639343 covering the Town's
Police & Fire Auxiliary in the amount of $1,141.25. It was so voted.
The Board discussed a letter from Allan Drachman in which two options were given as
to his costs for F/Y'85. After a brief discussion, Mr. Dustin moved that the
Selectmen approve Option B with a $12,000 retainer. It was so voted.
In response to a letter from the Mass. Division of Employment Security regarding a
denial of our protest in the case of Nora Gray, the Board instructed the Executive
Secretary to appeal the finding.
In response to a letter from Robert McCarthy of Dobbin Co. ,regarding the appraisal
of the John Street land, Mr. Landers moved that the Executive Secretary reply
stating that he is to arrive at fair market value free of the incumberances he
questioned. It was so voted.
2/3/84