NOVEMBER 16, 2009

Special meeting of the Town Board of the Town of Chester was held November 16, 2009 at 7:30pm in the Town of Chester Municipal Center, Chestertown, NY.

Roll Call: Frederick H Monroe, Edna Wells, Karen DuRose and Steve Durkish. Mike Packer - absent

Others in attendance: local CSEA bargaining unit Jamie Dunkley (President) and Mike Peet (Vice-President), John West, Brett Hitchcock and Jim McDermott.

Purpose of the Special meeting was to review health insurance options with the bargaining unit and any other such business that should come before the board.

RESOLUTION #150: APPROVE NORTH WARREN TRAILBLAZERS CLUB REQUEST TO MAKE AN AGREEMENT WITH NATIONAL GRID FOR USE OF POWER LINE FOR SNOW MOBILE TRAIL.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose to approve North Warren Trailblazers Club request to make an agreement with National Grid for the use of the power lines for the snow mobile trails.

AYE 4 NO 0

RESOLUTION #151: AUTHORIZE CLERK TO ADVERTISE FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS ON 2010 CONTRACTS.

Introduced by Mr.Packer, 2nd by Mrs.Wells authorizing clerk to advertise for public hearings on December 8th, 2009 at 7:35 pm at the Town Hall, Chestertown, NY on proposed contracts with:

North Warren Chamber of Commerce, Inc. to act as advertising agent for the Town of Chester in the amount of $14,000. (code A6410.4)

Contract with North Warren Emergency Squad to furnish emergency ambulance service in the Town of Chester in the amount of $60,000 (code A4540.4)

Contract with North Creek Fire District to provide fire protection in the amount of $30,000 per year; contract with Riverside Volunteer Fire Co. to provide fire protection in the amount of $7,000 (SA3410.41) and Chestertown Fire Company to also provide protection in the Riverside Fire Protection District in the amount of $5,000. (SA3410.42) AYE 4 NO 0

Health Insurance - MVP Tri Vantage EPO Plan

Supervisor Monroe stated that there is the possibility of a December 1, 2009 renewal, which would be a savings in premiums.

Handouts that showed a comparison for current and new premiums and the savings per month and per year for employee only (S), employee +1 (2), family (f) and retirees (m).

Proposed that savings be 50-50 between town and employees. Town number of employees per plan: 9 singles, 10 two people, 9 family, and 2 Medicare. Total savings would be approximately $76,982.76 which could be split two different ways for the health reimbursement account. 50% per plan or 50% across the board. The board and the bargaining unit felt that the 50% per plan was a better choice for the employees. (Examples: $646.14 S, $1180.62 2, $2144.28 F, and $785.70 M instead of a straight $1283 for everyone).

Health care reimbursement rolls over from year to year for amounts not used by the employee.

Discussion on vision rider would also be available to non union members.

RESOLUTION #152: TOWN BOARD IN FAVOR OF PROPOSED MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT WITH THE CSEA UNIT FOR HEALTH INSURANCE.

Introduced by Mrs.Wells, 2nd by Mrs.DuRose:

Town Board of the Town of Chester is in favor of the proposed Memorandum of Agreement with the CSEA Unit for health insurance with the following corrections and/or additions:

Paragraph 3. remove “in the amount of $1,000 (one thousand dollars) per year” and change to the schedule “50% per employee:

S $646.14; 2 $1188.62; F $2144.28 and M $785.70”

Paragraph 5. To include the “new” section 8: Vision insurance under the CSEA EBF Gold 12 Vision Plan or the plan offered through MVP. All employees should have the same plan.

Retirees continue for the new year with the Blue Shield Medicare Vantage Plan. AYE 4 NO 0

Union members will meet Tuesday morning and will contact Supervisor as to the vote.

Applications will be needed for both union and non union members.

Motion by Mr.Durkish meeting was adjourned at 8:00pm.

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Town clerk