April 21, 2005
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Raynham
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Joseph Gillis Jr.
You can do something!
Just like last year, there is a good deal of discussion about the fact that Elected Officials in Town who receive a stipend (like Selectmen, Board of Health, Water & Sewer Commissioners, etc...) are also entitled to health insurance benefits. Mass General Law (MGL) Chapter 32 B {link to MGL ch32B here} describes how these individuals are entitled to health insurance.
The issue is not so much the small stipend these individuals receive, but rather the huge cost to the Town for health insurance. [In my elected position as a B-R School Committee Member, I do not receive a stipend and therefore are not eligible for the health insurance.] I believe that there are good reasons for these stipends, although I do have questions about why some elected officials receive these stipends while others are not entitled to them. These elected individuals are providing a service to the community, and therefore should be compensated in some form for their service. More importantly though, by their receiving compensation they are being PAID to provide service to the community. They cannot say that they are volunteering for the role; they are paid and therefore have a greater degree of accountability.
As far as the health insurance, other communities in Massachusetts have sought legislation to opt-out of the requirements of MGL ch32B. I have found four communities so far, and provide the information and links to the legislation below:
Seekonk, Chapter 148 of Acts of 1998
Carver, Chapter 480 of Acts of 1998
Richmond, Chapter 100 of Acts of 2004
Swansea, Chapter 156 of Acts of 2004
I would like to see this approach to the issue. Hopefully the Board of Selectmen will vote to bring the issue before a Town Meeting. If not, then as citizens we can put together a Citizens Petition to call for the Article before a Town Meeting.
