Dracut selectman: End health-insurance option for elected officials [The Sun, Lowell, Mass.]

Apr. 5--DRACUT -- Elected officials could lose the option of enrolling in the town's health-insurance plans under a proposal making its way to Town Meeting.

Selectman John Zimini plans to submit a warrant article for the June Town Meeting that would end the taxpayer-funded option for elected officials.

"I'm doing it simply because we ought to tighten our belts to show solidarity with all town employees who received a zero increase in their salary last year and will most likely receive a zero increase this year in light of tough economic times," he said. "I believe we need to show leadership by doing this."

Zimini and his family receive health insurance through his job at MassHousing, a quasi-public agency. He said he previously used town health coverage for about a year through his wife's job at the School Department after he was laid off two years ago.

At a recent selectmen's meeting, Zimini's proposal to eliminate the stipends and gas allowance failed when no other selectman seconded the motion.

The Sun reported earlier this month that selectmen -- in addition to their $2,000 annual stipend -- each receive a $940 gas allowance. Selectmen stipends, gas allowances and health insurance for current and former elected officials will cost the town roughly $74,300 this fiscal year, according to the town Treasurer's Office.

Two selectmen, Robert Cox and George Malliaros, receive town-paid health insurance, according to Town Treasurer Ann Vandal. Under

Zimini's proposal, both selectmen would lose that option if it is approved as a Town Meeting article.

Malliaros said he pays about $4,500 per year for his health insurance. The town pays the rest of the coverage, which he estimates costs about $18,000.

Malliaros said he's comfortable receiving the benefit because he works at least 10 hours per week as board chairman.

"I don't set the rules in regard to health insurance," he said. "I'm eligible for health insurance and I have health insurance."

Cox did not return a call seeking comment.

According to Vandal, four current and former elected officials, including the wife of a deceased selectman, receive town-paid health insurance under different eligibility rules. None would be affected under Zimini's proposal because holding elected office isn't the sole reason they receive town health insurance.

They are Selectman Joe DiRocco, the former fire chief who receives benefits through his pension; School Committee member Michael McNamara, who receives health insurance through his wife, a Dracut School Department employee; former 24-year Selectman Warren Shaw, who receives a Middlesex County Retirement System pension and health benefits from the town; and Kathleen DiTillio, the widow of former Selectman Jack DiTillio, who died while in office after serving 11 years on the board.

The town provided DiTillio's family with health-insurance coverage before his death. If a government employee dies, the employee's spouse and family are eligible to continue receiving health insurance, according to state law.

Shaw is eligible for town health-insurance benefits because he contributed money to the Middlesex County Retirement System and now receives a pension, according to Vandal.

Elected officials must serve a minimum of 10 years to pay into the retirement system, and each municipality has discretion over whether to provide health-insurance benefits to those in the retirement system, according to Thomas Gibson, chairman of the Middlesex County Retirement Board.

"I don't think it should be done away with," Shaw said of Zimini's proposal. "I think it's up to the people to decide whether they want their selectmen on town health insurance."

Shaw said he believes the quality of board members would decrease if selectmen weren't given stipends or other benefits.

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