Selectmen discuss changing insurance coverage policy
By Ken Powers Community Reporter

Southborough - In the wake of a disagreement between the town and a recently retired teacher, Southborough is investigating a change of policy regarding insurance coverage for town employees.

Karen Hierman, who retired in June 2007 after teaching in town schools for 30 years, believed she would be able to receive the benefits of the town's insurance package after she retired, even though she was not a member of the program during her time as a teacher.

"I spoke to the person in charge of benefits for the town and was told that I could join after retirement," said Hierman, who explained that she was covered under her husband's insurance plan when she taught in the town.

While it's unclear who provided Hierman with that information, Southborough Treasurer/Collector Brian Ballantine told the selectmen at their March 4 meeting that despite not having a documented policy, it was his understanding that the town did not provided coverage for retired employees who were not part of the plan while they worked for the town.

"I've been here for four years," Ballantine said, "and that's been the operating procedure during those four years."

Selectmen Bill Boland said he would like to see the town adopt an official policy, even if it's the one the town has been unofficially operating under, and have that policy in writing, on file and distributed to all town employees.

Included in the policy, Boland said, would be a proviso that included the scenario of a retired town employee who was covered under the town policy at some point in his or her municipal career, but not at retirement.

"If you don't have insurance from the town when you retire, then you don't get to have it after you retire," Boland said.

The proposed policy will be formally presented to the board at an upcoming meeting, perhaps as soon as the next one, Tuesday March 18. Town Administrator Jean Kitchen stressed the need for the town to move quickly on this item so that the information can be provided to employees during the town's open-enrollment insurance period, which occurs in May.

Knowing they need to be covered at the time of retirement may prompt some employees that aren't in the program but are nearing retirement to decide to join.

Boland asked town officials to investigate Hierman's situation and see if it can be rectified, regardless of whether or not the town adopts the proposed policy.

Selectmen Chair Bonnie Phaneuf agreed with that course of action.

"The information flow was not accurate," Phaneuf said, "and I think we need to correct that - now and in the future."