Town Meeting Rejects Citizen Petition to Slash Town Health Insurance Contributions for New Hires
Key Points
- Proposed reducing the town's 90% health insurance contribution for future hires.
- Petitioner Richard Serkey cited long-term fiscal sustainability as the primary driver.
- Opponents argued the change would harm town recruitment and labor relations.
- The petition was defeated by a wide margin.
A contentious citizen petition seeking to reduce the town's future financial liabilities was soundly defeated at Special Town Meeting. Article 10, brought forward by Richard Serkey, proposed a Home Rule Petition to the state legislature that would have capped or lowered the town's health insurance contribution rates for employees hired after the effective date of the change.
Serkey argued that Plymouth’s 90% contribution rate for retirees is among the costliest in the Commonwealth and unsustainable. The union leaders wrap themselves in the flag of the public interest, but the public interest in this case is merely a fig leaf for self-interest,
Serkey told the body. However, the proposal met fierce resistance from union representatives and town officials. Tom Pinto argued the move would damage recruitment and undermine years of collaborative trust, while Select Board member Betty Cavacco urged the body to be adults
and work through existing advisory committees rather than attacking employee benefits.
Motion: To petition the General Court to amend the contribution rates for employees hired after the effective date.
Vote: Failed 34-112-6