On August 11, the selectmen held a public hearing where the town's plan was presented to the retirees. At this meeting the retired teachers in attendance voted 52-0, with 2 abstentions, to maintain their present coverage (GIC) and against the selectmen's switching coverage to the town plan, as recommended by Town Manager Bill Gustus.

Only a large turnout by retirees and strong arguments by various speakers sidetracked board approval of the switch. All three Lynnfield Selectmen - Board Chairman Bob Whalen, Marc Miller and Harry Lecours - have indicated their readiness and willingness to approve the measure.

In a show of support, Association Legislative Chairman Bill Hill also testified against the proposed change. Before the hearing itself, Association staff worked with opposition leaders, analyzing the plan and conferring on the best strategy.

This outpouring of opposition to the measure prompted the selectmen to table their vote on this issue until October 9 - shortly after we went to press. If the measure is approved, it would take effect July 1, 2004.

Town Manager Bill Gustus has proposed three different plans for town coverage, one of which selectmen must choose to become effective when and if teacher retirees come into the town insurance fold. He claims savings of $111,000 to $158,000, but not everyone buys that.

John Brouder, an employee benefits consultant who has collaborated with our Association in the past, noted that the $2 million lifetime cap on compensation under the provisions of the MIIA indemnity plan option (currently 37 Lynnfield retirees subscribe to an indemnity option with GIC) is "not a particularly good provision." As we noted during our original analysis and was emphasized at the hearing, another shortcomng of the town's proposals is their failure to cover hearing aids, which under the GIC plan are reimbursed at 100% for the first $500 and at 80% of the next $1,500 per person over a two year period.

"There's an inherent danger in changing retired teachers' benefits," says Lynnfield's Phil Buchek, who spoke at the August 11 meeting. "Once a precedent is set, it becomes easier and easier to make further changes, and because some retirees don't live in town, they become an easy target (as a constituency)."

Joining with Buchek were several other retirees. Included among them were Harry Jameson, Carol Carter, Judy Angelini and former Superintendent of Schools Bernie Huntley, all of whom gave fiery speeches in support of the retired teachers retaining the GIC.

Lynnfield joined the GIC in 1972 for its retired teachers, while its other retirees and survivors participate in the town plan. Along with Lynnfield, there are 76 municipalities and school districts whose retired teachers are insured by the GIC. (See July 2003 Voice for more details.)

In 1999 an earlier proposal by Lynnfield's Selectmen to move retired teachers out of the state's insurance plan was "indefinitely postponed." At that time, 250 active and retired teachers voiced opposition during a hearing held in the high school auditorium. (See May 1999 Voice for more details.)

"Our Association maintains that outside of their pension, the most valuable asset a retiree has is their health insurance coverage," according to Hill. "And that since these retirees are in their twilight years, and over many decades have made a significant contribution to the Town of Lynnfield, it is only fair that they be allowed to select the coverage that best suits their needs. It would be unworthy of a very fine community like Lynnfield to deprive them of this."