Politics & Government

Home Rule Petition Goes To Town Meeting Monday

The article, #5, asks to authorization for selectmen to petition the Legislature, asking for an exception to retirement and health benefits mandated by the state.

 

Article 5 seeks authorization for selectmen to ask lawmakers to pass legislation giving Swampscott the option to offer alternative retirement and health insurance benefits for new town employees in collective bargaining with unions.

The article needs majority support from town meeting members.

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In February selectmen voted to recommend the article, though they did so by a 3-2 vote at a meeting that drew lots of audience members and generated debate. 

Selectman Barry Greenfield introduced the idea, saying the town is having problems funding the mandated pension program.

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Supporters said alternatives are a financial necessity.

Opponents disagree.    

Opponents said the proposal is a black eye for the town, marking it as a municipality interested in offering less to its future employees than other towns and cities in the commonwealth.

Supporters disagree.

As it stands, pensions and health benefits are mandated by the state.

ARTICLE 5.    To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to file a petition with the General Court for special legislation as set forth below to allow the Town to provide new employees hired after the effective date of this act retirement and/or health insurance benefits outside of the provisions of Chapters 32 and 32B of the General Laws c. 32 and 32B; provided, however, that the General Court may make grammatical or editorial changes of form only to such bill, unless the Board of Selectmen approves amendments to the bill before enactment by the General Court, and that the Board of Selectmen is authorized to approve amendments which shall be within the scope of the general public objectives of the petition; or to act in any manner in relation thereto. 

An Act relative to Retirement and Health Insurance Benefits in the Town of Swampscott 

SECTION 1. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 4B of Chapter 4 or of Chapters 32 and 32B of the General Laws, or of any other general or special law to the contrary, the town of Swampscott shall have the option at the discretion of the board of selectmen of providing a retirement/pension plan and/or health insurance benefits to employees hired after the effective date of this Act, including health insurance to such employees upon retirement on such terms and conditions as said board of selectmen determines to be fair, reasonable and equitable, and in the best interests of the town. Prior to providing such plans or benefits, said board of selectmen shall hold at least one public hearing, notice of which shall be provided in a newspaper of general circulation in the town in each of two weeks immediately prior to said hearing. Said retirement/pension plan and/or health insurance benefits shall be subject to bargaining under chapter 150E of the General laws for employees represented by employee organizations that are covered by said chapter. The Town may provide different premiums, contribution rates, plan designs, and/or retirement benefits to different groups or classes of employees. 

SECTION 2. Section 1 shall not affect the health insurance or retirement benefits of employees or retirees that were employed for the Town prior to the effective date of this Act. Section 1 shall also not affect the retirement/pension plan of any teacher or retired teacher regardless of their date of hire. 

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect ninety (90) days following its passage or upon the July 1st immediately following its  passage, whichever date is later. 

Sponsored by the Board of Selectmen 

Comment: This Article provides the Selectmen to file a home rule petition which would authorize them to negotiate an alternative pension plan with newly hired municipal employees excluding teachers.  


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