Retiree Health Care Premium Change-Winchester League of Women Voters Hot Topic

Across the country, cities and states are dealing with the issue of funding health insurance benefits for retired government employees.  As part of the effort to fund these obligations, in November 2012, the Winchester Board of Selectmen voted to address this issue by making changes to the health insurance plan for retirees in 2013 and then, as of July 1, 2014, decreasing the town’s contribution to premium costs for retirees.  The Board also voted to address the hardship for some retirees by setting up a mitigation fund.  The current Board is now deciding the structure of that mitigation fund and will vote by mid-March.  


These issues are not just important to  town employees and retirees but to all the town residents.  Therefore, the League of Women Voters of Winchester is holding an educational forum on Wednesday, March 26, from 7 to 9 p.m., at the Winchester High School Auditorium.  

Speakers will include:

• Town Manager Richard Howard,

• Board of Selectmen representative,

• Finance Committee representative Patty Clewley,


• Shawn Duhamel from the Retired State, County, and Municipal Employees Association of Massachusetts,


• Katie Sagarin McCue from the Massachusetts Municipal Association


• Janice Dolan, retired Winchester teacher


• John Frongillo, Winchester firefighter, President, Firefighters Local 1564


• Peter Haley, former member of the Winchester School Committee and Board of Selectmen.


The speakers will also answer questions submitted in advance to the League of Women Voters.  THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO SUBMIT QUESTIONS BY NOON MARCH 19, 2014 TO THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF WINCHESTER AT hottopic@lwvwinchester.org or mail to P.O. BOX 1033 IN WINCHESTER.  Please note that no questions will be asked from the floor during the forum.