1993-11-BOS-min - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Meeting of November 8, 1993 3 Mr. white discussed health insurance issues, and reported on the work of the Ad Hoc Benefits Committee made up of representative from all organized and unorganized health insurance recipients in Town. He reported that the Committee met approximately 20 times since last March, gathering information and that its next step is to begin to discuss alternative ways to provide health insurance. Assistant Town Manager Novak said that assuming no change in the health insurance programs offered by the Town, there will be approximately an $800,000 increase in health insurance benefit costs. She explained that all towns must offer indemnity plans, such as Blue Gross Master Health Plus; that Lexington has the highest percentage of participants in this most expensive type of health insurance; and she compared Lexington's benefit packages with other Towns. Assistant Town Manager Novak reported on the Benefits Open House held September 28 - 30 in Cary Hall to which all employees, families and retirees were invited, where a survey to provide feedback from all who attended, was distributed; and which resulted in over 200 responses. She distributed a memorandum, dated October 25, 1993 reporting the results of the open house. Mr. Dailey opened the meeting for discussion, which included a question from Dr. Szonyi, 177 Cedar Street, on what school enroll- ment projections were based on and whether they were accurate, which was answered by a school administrator, and with comments from Mr. Collier, 2 Barberry Road. Support was expressed by a resident for the reopening of Hastings School. Also asked was why the Ad Hoc Benefits Committee was not further along. Mr. white explained the collective bargaining process and the problems it makes with the development of a health care process. TMMA President Peter Enrich discussed the resolution passed at Town Meeting resulting in the formation of the Strategic Planning Group; noted the meeting of TMMA scheduled for next week; and said that TMMA needs to know where the Town stands on these matters. Mr. Dailey summarized what the Selectmen considered the problem to be - the 5 million dollar increase in the budget, and how to fund it. He said the selectmen hope to meet with the Capital Expenditures Committee and the Appropriation Committee very soon and whatever funds become available will g❑ for school needs, to deal with the projected increase in enrollment of 220 children. The Board was asked whether it would support an override this Year. Mr. Dailey commented that the Board was not prepared to answer this question yet, and that it depended on the amount of the override, among other things. Appropriation Committee Chairman George Burnell reported that the Committee is examining criteria for class sizes in order to develop a recommendation. He suggested that health care figures be compared with private sector companies} and reported that the Committee was working on ways to privatize and regionalize services offered by the Town. He invited Board members and School Committee members or designated representatives to join their deliberations.