At press time, the Franklin Town Council was scheduled to conduct an April 13 hearing for the purpose of discussing the possibility of transferring Franklin's retired teachers from the RMT plan to the Town plan. Under law, retired teachers were notified that they would have an opportunity to speak at this hearing and take a vote of those teachers present.

However, as we've learned from the recent Lynnfield Teachers RMT case, a vote of the retired teachers means little if the town wants to revoke participation in the state plan in favor of the local plan, which in most cases is less costly to the town, but usually inferior to the state plan.

Retired Lynnfield teachers unanimously voted to stay with the state's RMT Plan, but were transferred to the Lynnfield plan last year. The retired teachers did manage to delay the selectmen's vote several times, but ultimately the transfer vote took place.

The retired Franklin teachers aren't giving up without a fight. Led by Rose Turco and Marybeth Cook, a quickly established committee has contacted all 134 retired Franklin teachers and formulated a game plan to attempt to convince the Franklin Town Council not to vote to leave the state plan. The Franklin teachers union has also been asked to assist their retired teachers in their quest to remain with the Commonwealth's RMT Plan.

“This was very short notice to give these retirees,” said Association President Ralph White. “This is definitely a move to transfer these teachers into the town plan before the July enrollment period. In fairness, the Town Council should vote either to keep the teachers in the state plan or table the vote until the next fiscal year.”