Four boards voted to pay the lesser 1.4% Consumer Price Index (CPI) COLA, despite the fact that the $12,000 COLA base skews the true percentage to less than 1.4% and members receiving pensions lower than $12,000, in many cases, are living on poverty level incomes.

These four boards are Easthampton, North Attleboro, Gardner and Peabody. At the latter two boards, the two retiree-employee elected members of each board voted for 3% but were out-voted by a 3-2 margin. However, the elected members of the Easthampton and North Attleboro Boards failed to support their retiree members and voted along with their fellow board members for 1.4%.

Jim Dunham, an elected member of the Easthampton Board, did say that he moved for a 3% COLA, but couldn't get a second on his motion.

Members will recall that it was our Association's legislation (Ch. 17) in 1997 that put each year's COLA vote in the hands of local retirement boards, rather than city councils or town meeting. The law allows the Boards to vote for 3% rather than a lesser CPI percentage or no COLA at all.

"At the very least we expect the two elected members of each board to support their retirees and survivors to the full extent," said Association President Ralph White. "And in almost every case this was not only true, but also the board's other three members backed the retirees' 3%, resulting in 5-0 favorable votes."

On behalf of our local government retirees and survivors, our Association expresses its appreciation to these boards that, without hesitation and little fanfare, went ahead and did the right thing despite occasional opposition from local officials.

It should be noted that Stoneham, Framingham, and Worcester, which had earlier voted for 1.4%, reconsidered their vote and subsequently voted for 3%. Also, Somerville voted for a 2.5% COLA, and Beverly had postponed its vote until the end of August.

Members on the retirement rolls prior to July 1, 2002 were eligible for this July's COLA. Members, retired since July 1, 2002 and prior to July 1, 2003, will be eligible for next July's COLA.