Getting town employees onto the state insurance plan referred to as GIC (Group Insurance Commission) was the key topic at last night’s session. Here is a rundown the meeting.
Marion McEttrick requested that Article 44 be made the first article for consideration on the second night of Town Meeting. This article relates to the town’s using eminent domain to obtain access to the location for the construction of a wind turbine. The land is owned by the town but leased to Quarry Hills, owners of the Granite Links golf course. They believe that the construction of the turbine will negatively impact their business. The Selectmen on advice of Town Counsel seek eminent domain as a means to quickly resolve the impasse. The reason McEttrick asked it to be moved up is to ensure that Rich Kleiman, Chairman of the Wind Committee is present.
Rick Ward, town meeting member of Precinct 9, took issue with Article 12 which would “see what sum of money the Town will vote to appropriate for the purpose of funding cost items not in departmental budgets for the twelve month period beginning July 1, 2010 for Chapter-13 employees and for collective bargaining agreement reached before or after this Town Meeting between the Town and bargaining unit representing Town employees.”
Mr. Ward’s took issue with the resistance to date on the part of the unions to join the state insurance plan known as GIC which would reportedly save the town a considerable amount in health insurance costs. He argued that by pledging funds the negotiating position of the town was compromised and leverage for getting the unions onto the GIC lost. Complicating this is the fact that Chapter 13 employees (largely administrative employees such as Library Director, Director of Parks Rec etc) are not in a union but are in process of organizing. However, not all Chapter 13 employees will be in the union. Hence. Ann White, Chairman of the Personnel Board, argued strenuously that this would be unfair to those employees. “People who fall out of the union get nothing, “she said. Ward acknowledge, “Thats a dilemma.” White offered a friendly amendment that Ward supported. A motion was made and approved to delay a vote until counsel can review possible legal issues. It will be brought up after discussion of Article 44. Town Meeting Bill White also rose to speak on the issue, saying there needed to be “shared sacrifice” among both the public and private sectors. The unions to date have resisted joining the GIC unless the town increase their contribution of insurance coverage from 85% to 90%. You can learn more about the GIC, coverage etc here.
New town meeting member John Hajjar from Precinct 9 rose on a couple of occassions (Articles 15 & 16) to challenge increases to budget. He said that “costs are out of line . . . we can no longer tolerate overrides . . . We have to make due with less.” He asked, “Do these numbers ever go down?”
Aside from Article 12, Town Meeting passed all articles 1 – 21. You can find the full text of the 2010 Warrant here.