The Town of Winchester Retirees spoke in front of the Board of Selectmen on Monday, October 21, addressing the issue of the impending increase to retirees’ share of healthcare premiums.On November 5, 2012, Town Manager Richard Howard proposed a motion which would raise retirees’ premiums by 50 percent effective July 2014.
The Board of Selectmen voted in support of the measure. In response, The Town of Winchester Retirees gathered over 600 signatures requesting that the board rescind the 2012 vote and pursue more equitable policies to balance the town’s budget.
“We understand that the unanimous vote of the selectmen on the recommendation of the Town Manager to increase the insurance premiums was absolutely legal,” Jan Dolan wrote to the Board. “We understand that Retirees have no rights in this matter. Our days of collective bargaining are long gone.”
According to Dolan’s letter, Town Manager Richard Howard told the Retiree Committee that they did not have to include them in the decision.
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The Board voted no action on this issue.
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