Reilly told the thirty employees present that the reason for the meeting was to determine what the costs, savings and benefits would be to the Town if the Act is accepted. He said no action would be taken at this meeting. He also said the Board is looking for input from Hull
Among those present were: Eleanor McGonagle, of Human Resources; Maria Hortaridis, Retirement Board Administrator; Leonard Colton and Maurice Murphy, members of the Retirement Board, Carolyn McNeil, Treasurer, Kenneth Resnick, Accountant and Firefighter; Police Chief Donald Brooker; Acting Fire Chief, Robert Hollingshead; and James Tobin, Finance Committee.
McGonagle gave an overview stating the eligibility is age 55 with ten years, or 20 years of service. The retiree has the option of increasing by 5 years either the age or length of service. If the Act is adopted, applicants must file an application as determined by the Selectmen, but in no case after December 2, 2002. Effective date of retirement is December 31, 2002. There are three categories of employees, of which Hull as just two: Category 1-General Employees; Category 2-Public Safety Employees. The Selectmen, she said, determines the number of early retirements permitted in each category.
McGonagle told the Members that according to the Stone Study, Hull has 34 eligible, with 17 expressing interest. She said since the study, of these 17, four no longer interested. She cautioned that until the application deadline has been met, no one can truly predict how many will seek retirement.
Police Chief Donald Brooker, submitted a letter of support, and read from that letter.
Acting Fire Chief Robert Hollingshead also spoke in support of early retirement stating he has four interested employees whom he will replace with paramedics. In response to a question from McLaughlin, Hollingshead answered that medical calls represented 70% of all the departments' calls.
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Selectmen Minutes, 9/25/02
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Leonard Colton, Chairman of the Hull Retirement Board, told the Selectmen that the Board takes no position at this time, and it had hired an actuary to do an assessment. Colten and member Maurice Murphy expressed concern in regard to the under-funding of the Town's pension system and the legal obligation to repay the fund by the year 2028. Another concern was that the State may be extending the veteran's buyback, which will be an additional expense to the fund.
Also speaking in support were Police Union President and Detective John Coggins; Police Union National Representative, Garrett MacKenzie; Firefighters Christopher Russo and Ted Cox; Police Sergeant Robert Tompkins; and Town Accountant and Firefighter Ken Resnick, who read from his detailed financial study which showed a savings to the Town.
Finance Committee Member, James Tobin thanked Resnick for his report, but said he felt more information is needed.
Some reasons offered by those speaking for supporting early retirement were: replacing longer term, higher salaried employees with more vacation time, with new employees earning less, and with less vacation time; that new employees are required to pay a higher percentage into the fund than older employees, thereby increasing the fund; and, in the case of the Fire Department replacing firefighters with paramedics.
Other reasons to take into consideration offered were for not supporting early retirement were: the program was designed for cities which were overstaffed and would not replace those employees; possible extra cost to the pension system; cost to the taxpayer of any added debt; and loss of experience.
Hersch suggested that the Board follow the advise of Former Town Manager, Philip Lemnios that the Town hire the firm that did Natick's Study, Segal and Company.
MOVED-Hersch: To take the matter under advisement
SECOND-Burke
VOTE: UNANIMOUS in Favor
February 4, 2003
Approved
