Board of Selectmen’s Meeting

November 1, 2006

A meeting of the Board of Selectmen was called to order by the Chairman Charles Ampagoomian, Jr. at 7:30 PM, Northbridge Town Hall, 7 Main Street, Whitinsville, MA. Present: Messrs. Montecalvo, Audette and Marzec. Selectman Davis was absent and it is duly noted.

Also Present: Ken Lombardi, Ed Burns, and Jack Dolan representing EBS Foran, Employee Benefit Specialists.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those present.

Discussion was around the current self-funded system in place, and how it has been exposed to the health care trends of higher costs.

A comment was made that the Town Health Insurance plan at the 90/10 split was very “robust”.

Discussed in the PowerPoint presentation were the numbers and possible solutions to the problem, including going to a joint state insurance commission.

If the trends continue, our health care costs being self-funded would approach $6.8-$7 M for FY 2010 (est.).

The discussion also involved possible solutions, such as flexible spending accounts, which the Town does not currently use, or raising co-pays.

IBNR was also looked at as an issue, and looking at the costs month to month was suggested.

Russ VanderBaan spoke on the issues as a citizen, and stated that we should implore that no bargaining be started until the Health Insurance issue is placed on the table and dealt with.

The discussion wrapped up with the fact that we need to address this growing problem sooner rather than later.

Meeting Adjourned: 8:40 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

James Marzec, Clerk

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