Minutes
Board of Selectmen
June 9, 2004
2:30 p.m. Work Session
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Burt. She announced that, going forward, Selectmen reports or information would be moved to the end of the meeting. Public information would remain at the start.
Town Clerk Lillian Lamperti and Treasurer/Tax Collector Joan Plante were present to discuss the results of their recent review of health insurance benefits for elected officials. Ms. Plante explained that she had researched Chapter 32B health insurance eligibility and the statute is clear that health insurance for elected officials is limited to compensated elected officials. Both the Town Clerk and Treasurer/Tax Collector stated that Elementary School Committee members are not compensated. They receive a $100 stipend, which the Clerk opined was a historical mileage/expense reimbursement. Elected officials compensation is considered by Town Meeting in a separate article. Elected officials not included are not compensated.
Ms. Plante went on to explain that the Board of Selectmen, by statute, decide which, if any, elected officials will be eligible to receive health insurance if they meet the Chapter 32B requirement of being “compensated.”
Selectman Brookshire suggested that the Board grandfather eligibility for elected officials who are receiving health insurance but not extend the benefit to others. Also, she offered that “full-time elected officials such as the Town Clerk and the Treasurer/Tax Collector should be eligible. Selectman Brookshire did not feel that Selectmen, although compensated and thus eligible under 32B, should take health insurance. Selectman Peter Whitlock, however, expressed his interest in health insurance for himself.
Selectman Collins reminded the Board that the issue is that the $100 stipend is an expense payment and, therefore, as uncompensated elected officials School Committee members are not eligible for health insurance.
In response to a question about who is eligible as an elected official for health insurance, Ms. Plante responded, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer/Tax Collector, Board of Selectmen and Town Moderator. Those officials’ compensation is voted by Town Meeting in the article for elected officials compensation.
After some additional discussion and comments from Selectmen Sandblom and Burt, a motion was made. Selectman Brookshire moved to advise the Eastham Elementary School Committee that as uncompensated elected officials they are not eligible for health insurance and any official currently receiving this benefit will have the benefit discontinued as of September 1, 2004. The motion was seconded by Selectman Whitlock and voted 5 - 0 in favor.
Minutes -2- June 9, 2004
After additional discussion, Selectman Whitlock made a motion to discontinue health insurance for all compensated elected officials except for the Town Clerk and the Treasurer/Tax Collector. Selectman Brookshire seconded the motion which was voted 2 - 3 (motion failed.) Selectmen Burt, Sandblom, and Whitlock voted in opposition.
The Town Administrator then reviewed with the Selectmen a list of potential Eagle Scout projects which department heads had generated at the morning staff meeting (attached.)
Selectman Whitlock also mentioned getting a cameraperson to tape Board of Selectmen meetings and community CPR certification classes.
At 4:15 p.m. on a motion by Selectman Collins, seconded by Selectman Brookshire, the Board voted 5 - 0 to adjourn.
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