Town of Nottingham
Selectmen’s Workshop Minutes
January 5, 2009
8:40 AM Acting Chair Bonser opened the workshop and asked those present to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.
Members Present: Mary Bonser, and Peter Bock. Bill Netishen was excused.
Others Present: Charles Brown, Town Administrator, Marge Carlson, Paul Colby, Rhoda Capron, Janet Horvath, Danielle Krenzer, John Trumbull and Larry Rondeau.
Members of the Highway and Police Departments were unavailable.
Ms Bonser read a message sent by Board of Selectmen Chairman, Bill Netishen. Mr. Netishen was unable to be present due to illness.
Ms Bonser asked Mr. Brown to begin with an explanation of the process used by the Selectmen in making the choices regarding COLA increases for 2009, the changes to the health plan prescription benefit, and the requirement for all employees to contribute to the cost of the health plan.
Mr. Brown paraphrased the process indicating the many ideas expressed and effort to come up with a reasonable and fair outcome. There were numerous proposals that culminated with the final decision.
Mr. Bock added that the Board also looked at a survey of other similar size New Hampshire towns to determine how Nottingham would fit into what is an ever-increasing climate of cost cutting. It was apparent that we would not be making an extreme change by implementing the proposed changes.
Most everyone had similar questions regarding the actual impact these changes would have. Mr. Brown also stated the actual monthly cost of our existing insurance plan which helped to bring these changes into perspective.
The final determination was to provide a 1.5% COLA increase, change the prescription benefit option to a 10/20/45 co-pay and to require all participating employees to contribute 3.5% of the cost of the health care plan premium.
A single plan participant’s share will be $18.09 per month, a two person plan participant’s share will be $36.17 per month and a family plan participant’s share will be $48.83 per month.
Mr. Bock and Ms. Bonser spoke in regard to the planned increases in the school district and that the Town has no control in this area. The large increases are set by contract which was approved during better economic times. It is unfortunate that even the non-union employees will be receiving a much higher increase than town employees.
Having no further business,
Motion: Bonser, second Bock to adjourn.
Vote: All in favor. Motion passed 2-0.
Meeting adjourned at 9:04 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Charles A. Brown
Town Administrator
Approved as written at the 1-20-2009 meeting
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