Plainfield Mayor Addresses "Misinformation" Regarding Retired Firefighers' Health Benefits

PLAINFIELD, NJ — At the January 2025 Plainfield City Council meeting, two retired firefighters spoke on behalf of themselves and five colleagues who claimed that their health insurance benefits were being denied by the City of Plainfield.

"I just implore you and ask if you could check into it and find out why seven members of your department are being refused the benefit that they're entitled to," said retired firefighter Bradford Artis.

"What is going on here, Mr. Mayor? Why are you fighting us?" said retired firefighter Charles Holmes. "I loved being a fireman. We gave 150%. We gave our all to everybody here, and some of the guys that Mister Artis was talking about are paying like $500 to $800 per month."

After the men spoke, Plainfield Corporation Council David Minchello pushed back on their claims, and the documentation they submitted to the council during the meeting.

"What was put in front of you—you were made to believe that this was somehow a decision, an order of a court, that stated that these firefighters were entitled to certain benefits. That's not what you got. What you have in front of you is a brief that was written by their attorney in the Appellate Division with regard to an arbitration decision."

Minchello said he did not believe either man had been aggrieved.

On the evening of Friday, February 7, the Office of Mayor Adrian Mapp released a full statement regarding these firefighters and their benefits. We have chosen to publish in its entirety below.

Statement from the Mayor's Office:

Plainfield's Commitment to Retiree Benefits: Setting the Record Straight

Recent discussions and public statements have raised concerns about retiree health benefits for members of the Plainfield Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association (FMBA). It is essential to clarify the facts surrounding this issue and reaffirm the City of Plainfield's unwavering commitment to providing high-quality benefits to our retired first responders.

Fact: No FMBA Retiree is Without Health Benefits

The City of Plainfield has always provided health benefits to FMBA retirees and continues to do so. Every retiree who qualifies under the established guidelines receives City-funded health benefits. Any retiree who does not currently have coverage has voluntarily decided to opt-out. Moreover, these benefits remain among the most comprehensive available in New Jersey. Retirees under 65 are covered under a low copay Horizon health plan. At the same time, those over 65 are on the Braven Medicare Advantage plan, which includes $0 copays and reimbursement for Medicare Part B costs twice a year.

Fact: The City Continues to Fulfill Its Obligation to Retirees

Contrary to any misinformation suggesting otherwise, the City has never attempted to stop covering retiree health benefits. The concern raised by certain retirees relates to statutory contribution requirements under Chapter 78, a state law enacted in 2011 by Governor Chris Christie. This law was designed to ensure that public employees and retirees contribute a percentage of their health insurance premiums to reduce the financial burden on taxpayers. This law is particularly important given the constantly rising costs of healthcare, which significantly impact municipal budgets. The percentage required for contribution is determined based on salary (for active employees) or pension amounts (for retirees) and ranges from 5% to 35% of the premium cost. For example, if a retiree receives a $60,000 annual pension and is enrolled in a family Horizon health plan costing $4,000 per month, their required contribution could be 17% of the premium, amounting to approximately $680 per month. Even with this contribution, the city budget continues to cover the majority of the cost of these benefits. The purpose of Chapter 78 is to ensure that taxpayers do not bear the entire financial burden of public employee and retiree health benefits. This has been especially important in recent years as health insurance rates have skyrocketed and play a significant role in the City's operating budget.

Fact: The Contribution Requirement is a State Mandate, Not a City Decision

The specific group of retirees raising concerns did not have 20 years of service in the pension system as of June 28, 2011. Under Chapter 78, only employees who reached that service milestone before this date are eligible for fully City-funded health benefits in retirement. As per the statute enacted into law in 2011, retirees without 20 years of pensionable service by June 28, 2011, must pay a portion of their retiree benefits.

Our Commitment Remains Unchanged

The City of Plainfield deeply values the service and dedication of our retired firefighters. We remain committed to ensuring that all retirees receive the benefits they are entitled to under the law. However, it is equally important to recognize that the contribution structure in question is a state law and not a policy decision enacted at the municipal level.

The City will continue to uphold its responsibilities while ensuring fiscal responsibility to our taxpayers. Any assertions to the contrary are not based on fact. We encourage open and honest dialogue to address concerns. Still, it is imperative that discussions are based on accurate information and a clear understanding of the laws governing public employee benefits.

We appreciate the dedication of our retired and active FMBA members and remain committed to supporting them in accordance with state statutes and our fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers of the City of Plainfield.