11 BEACON STREET, BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS 02108-3024 March 2021 STATE HOUSE BEGINS NEW SESSION ASSOCIATION LEGISLATION FILED

MARIANO ASSUMES REINS MASS RETIREES 2021-2022 AS HOUSE SPEAKER LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

RETIREE ALLY, HEAVILY FOCUSED ON HEALTHCARE PACKAGE INCLUDES NEW INNOVATIVE PROPOSALS rior to becoming he new two-year legislative session is PSpeaker of the Tnow underway, with House and Senate House of Representatives members having been sworn in on January in late December, Ron 6th. While the ongoing pandemic resulted in Mariano (D-Quincy) may the normal pomp and circumstance of Beacon not have been a house- Hill’s opening day being far subdued, there is a hold name to those not renewed sense of urgency and focus amongst involved in the day-to-day the 200 legislators. work on Beacon Hill. But To start the new session, Mass Retirees RON MARIANO HOUSE SPEAKER to Mass Retirees, the new filed a legislative package that includes 16 House Speaker has long been a go-to legisla- bills covering a wide range of issues directly tor when it comes to retiree health insurance impacting public retirees. The new legislative session also marks a

CONTINUED ON PAGE 2 u CONTINUED ON PAGE 5 u GIC WEIGHS FY22 HEALTH PLAN DESIGN etirees and active employ- NO WIDESPREAD monthly premiums. ees, insured through the CHANGES ANTICIPATED While only those retirees insured Rstate’s Group Insurance through the GIC are directly impacted Commission (GIC), received some Extension (OME) Plan. by the Commission’s decisions, state welcome good news in January: Plan design encompasses both law allows cities and towns to mimic Few, if any, plan design changes are the benefits offered by a specific the GIC’s plan design within their anticipated for Fiscal Year 2022. health insurance plan, as well as own insurance plans. This can be News for the Medicare enrolled any copayments, deductibles and done without negotiation and out- retirees is even better. At the pres- provider networks. Insurance premi- side of collective bargaining. ent time, no changes whatsoever ums, which will be set by the GIC in At the GIC’s January 21st meet- in plan design are being considered early March, are not considered plan ing, which partly focused on plan for the GIC’s Medicare supplement design. However, plan design does design for FY22, the Commission’s plans. This includes the highly pop- impact the overall cost of insurance professional staff and outside ular UniCare Optional Medicare and therefore strongly influences CONTINUED ON PAGE 12 u The Voice of the Retired Public Employee

of our Association. He and his staff Brad Jones (R-North Reading) Mariano have worked closely with us over was re-elected to lead his caucus. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 u the years, particularly on issues Serving as Republican Leader since related to health insurance,” said 2002, Jones has worked closely with and healthcare in general. Mass Retirees Legislative Chairman Mass Retirees throughout his time in During his nearly 10-years as Tom Bonarrigo. “Given the ongo- the Legislature. House Majority Leader, Mariano ing focus and overall importance of “Brad Jones and I worked was a frequent lead sponsor of insurance and healthcare policy in together as aides in the House of Mass Retirees’ legislation aimed Massachusetts, we are fortunate to Representatives in the early 90s. at protecting and reforming retiree have a speaker with a background He was elected to the House at the health insurance benefits. As the for- steeped in these issues. It will not be same time I joined the staff at Mass mer Chairman of the Committee on surprising to see a significant focus Retirees,” recalls Association CEO Financial Services, Mariano carved on these issues over the next two Shawn Duhamel. “The issues of out a niche as an expert with insur- years.” direct importance to public retirees ance and healthcare policy – complex As we go to press in early are not partisan issues and should issues of great importance to retir- February, Mariano had yet to not be viewed in that light. Leader ees, as well as the Massachusetts announce appointments within the Jones understands that and has economy. House to fill his senior leadership always had an open-door policy Prior to entering public office, team or Committee assignments. in working with us. Most of what Mariano worked as a public school Leadership appointments are antic- we have been able to achieve over teacher in his native Quincy. ipated to take place this winter. the years, legislatively, has come “There is no question that On the Republican side of through bipartisan cooperation and Speaker Mariano is a friend and ally the aisle, House Minority Leader compromise.” LEGACY OF FORMER SPEAKER BOB DeLEO

devastating economic blow of the of DeLeo’s speakership were marked recession. by several major reforms of pen- Twelve years later, when he sion and health insurance benefits. resigned to take a position at Despite the intense budgetary pres- Northeastern University, DeLeo sures during those years, Bob DeLeo leaves the House as its longest made a point of protecting existing serving speaker, with a legislative retirees. He did not think it was right legacy that includes several land- to pull the rug out from underneath mark changes in state law. Several retirees. of these changes, such as reforms “Growth in the COLA base, at of the public pension system, as both the state and local levels, were BOB DeLEO FORMER HOUSE SPEAKER well as municipal health insurance, done with Bob DeLeo’s support. The have had a major impact on public same applies to the requirement that ormer Rep. Bob DeLeo retirees. each city and town have a retiree, (D-Winthrop) became “To the general public, Speaker appointed by Mass Retirees, on the FSpeaker of the House at DeLeo will best be remembered for local Public Employee Committee. the height of the Great Recession ushering in the casino gambling That law was strengthened back in in January 2009, just seven days law, as well as landmark gun con- 2011.” after Barack Obama was inaugu- trol, health care and criminal justice Mass Retirees would like to rated as the 44th President of the reforms. He also helped usher in an thank Speaker Bob DeLeo for his United States. Having previously agreement with the business com- support of public retirees and his served as Chairman of the House munity to incrementally increase the willingness to work closely with our Ways and Means Committee, DeLeo minimum wage to $15 an hour, as Association. We wish him well in his was well versed in the nuances well as played an important role in new career in higher education and of state finances and the budget. rebuilding our state’s economy in the welcome him to the ranks of Mass This proved to serve both him and aftermath of 2008,” said Association Retirees as a new state retiree. the Commonwealth well as the President Frank Valeri. “Triggered by state fought to recover from the the Great Recession, the early years

22 March 2021 AS RETIREES HARMED GROWS SO DOES NATIONAL DEMAND FOR WEP REFORM

or the nearly 100,000 harmed by the WEP. Back then, few repeal WEP, has helped grow the Massachusetts public retir- people had ever heard of the WEP. national coalition working to reform Fees harmed by the Social As the number of people effected the federal law, with organizations Security Windfall Elimination has grown, so has the awareness of such as the LA County Retirees Provision (WEP), it may feel like they the economic damage being done Association recently joining our alone have had their hard-earned to retirees,” explains Mass Retirees efforts. Social Security benefit unfairly CEO Shawn Duhamel. “This has reduced. However, they led to an ever-growing are not alone. number of retirees and CHAIRMAN NEAL REFILING Across the country, organizations from across REFORM BILL roughly 2 million public the country pushing retirees are impacted by Congress to Act. While our national coalition the WEP law, each see- “The fact that efforts grow, work on Capitol ing their monthly Social President Biden included Hill continues with the first order Security benefit reduced WEP and GPO as part of of business being the refiling of by hundreds of dollars. his campaign platform Chairman Richard Neal’s WEP

The number of retirees SHAWN DUHAMEL also speaks to the grow- reform proposal. The previous bill, harmed by WEP grows MASS RETIREES CEO ing number of retirees H.R.4540, expired at the close of the each day, as new retirees begin to impacted by these laws. These are 2019-2020 Congressional session collect their benefits. no longer issues that go unnoticed. this January. As the total number of retir- Over the past few months there Neal’s new bill is expected ees effected grows, so does the have also been several reports on to reflect his previous bill, which national demand that Congress act our efforts to reform or repeal WEP would restore up to $150 a month to change this unfair law. When in the press. One article, published ($1,800 per year) in Social Security the WEP law was created in 1983, by Forbes Magazine, specifically benefits reduced by WEP. The bill retirees and employees, who were cited the worked done by Mass also holds harmless future retirees eligible to retire at that time, were Retirees to help find a reasonable from a reduction in benefits that grandfathered and held harmless compromise and pass a reform could result from calculating Social from benefit cuts. law.” Security benefits based on the new “It was not until the late 90s The article published by Forbes, formula. when new retirees really began to be which was critical of efforts to fully UPCOMING TELE-TOWN HALL MEETINGS

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and public SPECIAL health protocols, Mass Retirees will continue GUEST SPEAKER HOW TO to hold virtual-only meetings through the first few PARTICIPATE months of 2021. MARCH 5, 2021 MARCH 26, 2021 AUTO-CONNECT: At the time of the event Mass (FRIDAY) AT 1:00PM (FRIDAY) AT 1:00PM Retirees members will receive a call from Special Guest: STATE GROUP INSURANCE 833-491-0336. Simply answer the call and COMMISSION remain on the line to join the meeting. REP. KATHERINE CLARK FEATURING UNICARE FEDERAL & GENERAL MANAGER DIALING IN: Mass Retirees members can also CONGRESSIONAL OUTLOOK DAVID MORALES CONGRESSWOMAN directly dial into the tele-town hall meetings, KATHERINE CLARK at the time of the event, by calling 833-491-0336. CONTINUED MA FIFTH ON DISTRICT PAGE 18 u

3 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee RETIREMENT BOARDS ELECTIONS & APPOINTMENTS

Berkshire County – Town receiving 324 votes to defeat Police President and an executive board of Stockbridge Treasurer Karen Sergeant Thomas St. Cyr who member of the Mass. Association of Williams won re-election receiving received 82 votes. Also serving on Contributory Retirement Systems 398 votes, while retiree Thomas Board with Paul are Board members (MACRS). The other members on Webb from the Town of Clarksburg Sharyn Riley, Debra Boronski, retired the Board are retired Agawam Town received 188 votes and Nancy Firefighter Timothy O’Shea* and Clerk Richard Theroux*, Laurel Giradina, Town of Lanesboro trea- David Ference. The Board’s execu- Placzek, retired Palmer Town Clerk surer, received 124 votes. This will be tive director is Anna Maria Hamblin. Patricia Donovan, and Patrick O’Neil. Karen William’s 2nd term. Michael Greenfield – After serving The executive director is Julianne Ovitt* was also re-appointed 15 years as the elected member, Bartley. Chairman of the Berkshire County Marilyn Matysiewicz did not run Hampshire County – Incumbent Retirement Board. They will join the for re-election and Elizabeth Sugrue chose not to run other Board members, Richmond the only qualified for re-election and the members Treasurer Paul Lisi, retired Lanesboro candidate nomi- elected retired PERAC Chief Auditor, Police Chief, Mark Bashara and Beth nated for the posi- Harry Chadwick as Matson, who also serves at the tion was Firefighter one of the elected North Adams Retirement adminis- Kyle Phelps. members to the trator. Sheila LaBarbera serves as Consequently, the Hampshire County the Board’s executive director. Board declared him Retirement Board. KYLE PHELPS Boston – In the last Boston GREENFIELD the winner. Marilyn Chadwick, the for- Retirement Board election, members is the retired Board mer Hampshire Michael O’Reilly administrator and former Montague reelected Firefighter HARRY CHADWICK County Treasurer received 3,435 votes and Michael Board member. Also serving on the HAMPSHIRE COUNTY and chairman of McLaughlin, elementary school rep- Board is Elizabeth Gilman, Betty the Hampshire resentative for the Boston Teacher’s Rice, retired Firefighter William County Retirement Board, topped Devino*, and Frances Stotz. The the ticket, receiving 320 votes in current Board administrator is Shari his return to the public retirement Hildreth. community. Also, candidates Sean Hampden County – The Mangano, and Joseph Shea each Hampden County Advisory Council received 162 votes in the election. acting as the election board for the In addition, the Board members Hampden County Retirement Board reappointed Northampton Auditor tabulated the votes to determine Joyce Karpinski as their 5th mem- MICHAEL O’REILLY MICHAEL McLAUGHLIN BOSTON BOSTON that incumbent Board member Karl ber to the Board and the Advisory Schmaelzle was victorious by a Council re-elected Jane Wolfe to her Union, received 3,324 votes to top large margin. Karl received 1,121 of 2nd term as their representative. The the ticket, that included a total of 11 the total vote cast, other two members on the Board candidates, and were successfully 69% of the total are Patrick Brock* who was also just re-elected. It will be O’Reilly’s 3rd with Longmeadow reappointed chairman and Joseph term and McLaughlin’s 5th term on CFO Paul Pasterczk Wilhelm, III. The Board administra- the Boston Board. The other Board receiving 279 and tor is Mary Baronas. members include Maureen Joyce, Monson Assistant Hull – In a concurrent elec- Daniel Greene,*Esq. and Thomas Treasurer Audra tion held by the Hull Retirement Jackson. The Board’s executive offi- Staples receiving Board, both seats were filled with- cer is Timothy Smyth. KARL SCHMAELZLE 234 votes. Karl out opposition by Building Inspector HAMPDEN COUNTY Chicopee – Retired Fire Captain also serves as our Paul Mailhott was re-elected Association’s Western Mass. Vice CONTINUED ON PAGE 8 u

4 March 2021 COVID-19 VACCINATION UPDATE Retirees Prioritized as Phase 2 Begins assachusetts has priori- in Phase 2. Thankfully, most difficult part of the tized the vaccination of all Governor Baker agreed process. Our hope is that Madults age 65+ in the early and changed the state’s by the time our members stages of Phase 2 of the state’s vaccine policy,” said Mass Retirees read this in mid-February, process. Phase 2 began on February President Frank Valeri. the delivery process has 1, with all adults age 75+ being eligi- “The major challenge been largely ironed out.” ble to receive the vaccine. now is really twofold: Members are encour- In January, Mass Retirees played First, ramping up the pro- aged to monitor our a key role in urging Governor Charlie duction of the vaccines to Association’s various Baker and state officials to break from increase the supply from FRANK VALERI communications plat- earlier plans and accelerate the vacci- 80,000 shots per week in MASS RETIREES PRESIDENT forms for the latest infor- nation of those age 65+ - the age group Mass. that we have in early February. mation. This includes our toll-free most at risk of severe illness, hospital- As we go to press, the hope is that hotline, website, Facebook page ization and death from COVID-19. Massachusetts will receive between and weekly video news updates “I need to thank Norfolk County 100 to 130,000 shots per week by the published each Friday. In addi- District Attorney Michael Morrissey end of the month. tion, please visit www.mass.gov/ and House Speaker Ron Mariano for “There of course is the logistical covid-19-vaccine for the most up-to- the work they have done to put the challenge of administering the shots date factual information from the spotlight on the fact that those most at to nearly the nearly 7 million people Commonwealth. risk from COVID-19 must be prioritized living in Massachusetts. This is the

have been conducted virtually. within the time frame set forth in the Legislative “At this point, there are so many law. Finally, Representative Claire unknowns caused by the pandemic Cronin (D-Easton) has filed legisla- Program that have resulted in a major change tion that would allow survivors, who CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 u in how business is conducted,” are receiving a retirement allowance notes Association Legislative Liaison from one of the state’s 104 retirement Nancy McGovern. “We are in reg- systems, the right to vote in the elec- new era of leadership in the House. ular contact with our bill sponsors, tion of their retirement board’s third In late December Speaker Robert as well as with members of leader- and fourth (elected) members. DeLeo (D-Winthrop) retired from the ship. As soon as more information Three pieces of legislation legislature and the House elected becomes available, we will report it will be filed in both the House and House Majority Leader Ronald to our members.” Senate for this session. The first Mariano (D-Quincy) as Speaker of Included in the legislative pack- filed by Representative John Lawn the House. (For details, see articles age are three new bills this session. (D-Watertown) and Senator Brendan page 1 & 2). Speaker Mariano will put The first, the Enhanced COLA, which Crighton seeks to increase the basic together his leadership team over is filed by Senator Brendan Crighton life insurance benefit from $5,000 the coming weeks and both he and (D-Lynn). This legislation is a result to $10,000. Representative Michael Senate President Karen Spilka will of work done by the Association, Day (D-Stoneham) and Senator announce committee assignments. Senator Crighton and the Committee Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) have Members tracking specific bills on Public Service at the end of last sponsored legislation that would know that the end of 2020 marked session. The legislation will provide maintain insurance premium con- the end of the 2019-2020 legisla- for an enhanced COLA for long term tribution rates for municipal retir- tive session. Any bill that had not retirees, those retired 15 years or ees, bringing it in line with the state been passed into law by midnight more. The second piece is legislation retirees. Finally, Representative on January 5th must be refiled and that seeks to address a long-stand- Jerald Parisella and Senator John begin the legislative process anew. ing issue that has impacted new Velis (D-Westfield) filed legislation With the State House expected to retirees for years and would ensure to increase the Veteran’s Bonus to a remain closed to the public for the that new retirees received a first maximum of $1,000 annually. immediate future, the public hearing pension payment in a timely man- schedule and process for the new ner. The legislation, filed by Jerald SEE BILL SPONSORS session remains unknown at this Parisella (D-Beverly), would require & EXPLANATIONS time. Since March 2020, legislative an estimated payment be issued if a PAGES 6-7 & 10-11 meetings, hearings and sessions full first payment cannot be issued

5 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee

MASS RETIREES 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM INITIATIVES ON A WIDE RANGE OF RETIREMENT ISSUES

INSURANCE 32A) new OOP maximums of $2,500 for an individual and $5,000 for a family to better assist those who are being hurt by exorbitant OOP costs. State and local 1. RAISE STATE BASIC LIFE INSURANCE COVERAGE retirees insured by the GIC would be helped. This ini- Sponsors: Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) & Rep. John tiative also establishes local OOP maximums by statute Lawn (D-Watertown) (Chapter 32B) at the same maximums as the state.

3. LOCAL RETIREE INSURANCE PROTECTION Sponsors: Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) & Rep. Michael Day (D-Stoneham)

SEN. BRENDAN CRIGHTON REP. JOHN LAWN In order to offer a more comprehensive life insur- ance benefit that appropriately reflects current funeral/ burial costs, our bill raises the basic life insurance ben- efit for state retires who are insured through the state’s SEN. PAUL FEENEY REP. MICHAEL DAY Group Insurance Commission (GIC) from $5,000, which Currently, local governments can elect to have their was set in 1985 – more than 35 years ago – to $10,000. retirees contribute less than 50% of the total health As a result of Association sponsored legislation, munic- insurance premium; however, the percent under 50% ipalities already have the option of setting higher basic can be increased on all existing and future retirees at life insurance benefits; therefore, no further legislation is any time without their approval. Under the state GIC, required for the local level. any increases in the state retiree’s premium contribution have been applied prospectively to future retirees and 2. GIC OUT-OF-POCKET (OOP) MAXIMUMS not retroactively to existing retirees. Our bill amends the Sponsor: Rep. John Mahoney (D-Worcester) municipal insurance law so that when an increase in the Currently the Group premium contribution by local retirees is implemented, Insurance Commission (GIC) it will be applied only to those who retire after the imple- has an established policy mentation date. Those, who are retired before the imple- that retirees and employees, mentation date, will be held harmless from the increase, enrolled in its Active/Non- which is consistent with the established state policy. Medicare plans, will pay no more than $5,000 for an indi- 4. LOCAL WITHDRAWAL FROM GIC vidual and $10,000 for a family Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Golden (D-Lowell) in annual out-of-pocket (OOP) Under the Municipal Insurance Law (Chapter 32B), costs (copays, deductibles and municipalities, school districts and other local units, REP. JOHN MAHONEY coinsurance). In July 2017, we whose retirees and employees are insured by the state experienced an increase in deductibles and copayments, GIC (Group Insurance Commission), must notify the GIC which marked the second increase in OOP in just two by a December 1 deadline if it intends to withdraw from years. Our bill would establish statutorily (in Chapter the GIC effective on the next July 1. Currently the GIC

6 March 2021

MASS RETIREES 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM INITIATIVES ON A WIDE RANGE OF RETIREMENT ISSUES

determines plan design (i.e., According to the triggering deductibles, copayments, tier- mechanism, if the average rate ing) and premium rates, effec- of return on investments over tive on July 1, during February the previous two years exceeds of that same year – but some 3 the assumed rate of return by months after the December 1 at least two percent, then the deadline of the prior year. COLA Base may be increased Our members who are serv- to an amount as determined ing on local health insurance by the General Court. With negotiating groups, known Chapter 188, Acts of 2010, local REP. THOMAS GOLDEN as PECs (Public Employee REP. DANIELLE GREGOIRE retirement systems, with local Committees), have voiced serious concerns that this legislative approval, are allowed to increase their COLA “time gap” (between the December 1 deadline and the Base to an amount greater than $12,000. More than a GIC’s decisions during the next February) prevents them majority of the 102 local retirement systems, including from properly comparing the GIC with other municipal all county/regional systems, have increased their COLA health insurers and making the best possible decision Base above $12,000. to remain in or leave the GIC. Our bill seeks to address their concerns by eliminating the existing time gap and 7. COLA ENHANCEMENT FOR LONG-TERM NEW extending the deadline by 3 months (from December 1 “CAREER” RETIREES to March 1) so that the PECs and local officials can make Sponsor: Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) a more informed decision on whether to remain or leave In addition to raising the COLA Base for all retirees the GIC. and survivors (see Initiative #6 above), Mass Retirees believes that an added COLA amount is warranted for 5. GIC COMPOSITION certain long-term retirees. While still paying the regular Sponsor: Sen. Paul Feeney (D-Foxborough) COLA to all eligible retirees, this Enhanced COLA would Currently the state Group Insurance Commission be paid by a retirement system to their retirees who are (GIC) is governed by a 17-member Commission, includ- former “career” employees (at least 20 years of public ing just one state retiree who is appointed by the gover- service), have been retired for at least 15 years and are nor. The Commission also includes six “public members” receiving a pension less than the current average pen- appointed by the governor without any qualifications for sion. If our bill is adopted by a system, then an eligible their appointment. Our bill seeks to provide a second, retiree would have $100 added to their annual COLA stronger voice for state and local retirees enrolled in the after being retired at least 15 years and $200 after 20 GIC by replacing one of the governor’s six public mem- years out. The Enhanced COLA is automatic for the state bers with the Mass Retirees president or their designee. employees and teachers’ retirement systems, with an option for local systems to do the same.

COST-OF-LIVING 8. COLA FINANCING Sponsor: Rep. Mark Cusack (D-Braintree) 6. STATE & TEACHERS’ COLA BASE In 1997, the State Legislature created two separate Sponsor: Rep. Danielle Gregoire (D-Marlborough) COLA laws – one for state and teacher retirees (Section Currently, cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) for 102) and one for local retirees (Section 103). And since state/teacher retirees are calculated on the first $13,000 then, our members have been well served by these of a retiree’s pension (COLA Base). Our bill increases laws. That said, the Association continues to advance the state/teacher COLA Base from $13,000 to $16,000 in three annual installments beginning July 1, 2020, with a triggering mechanism beginning March 1, 2022. CONTINUED ON PAGE 10 u

7 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee Elections & Appointments STATE BOARD CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 u ELECTION Bartley Kelly and Assistant Building Inspector Jason Harris. Neither incumbent, retired Firefighter Jay MASS RETIREES King or Firefighter, Brian Thompson ENDORSES THERESA ran for re-election. They will join McGOLDRICK McGOLDRICK the other three members, Michael Buckley*, Eileen White and Gregory For state retirees and employ- her, Valeri had the following to Galvin. The retirement administrator ees an election is now underway say: “For some years, I’ve had is Lauren Durham. for one of their two represen- the pleasure of working together Lowell – The long-standing tatives on the State Retirement with Theresa on the Board and Lowell Retirement Board member Board. Association President seeing her in action. Her dedica- and Chairman Joseph Mahoney Frank Valeri holds one of the tion and commitment, on behalf chose not to run for re-election and elected seats. of retirees and employees, is truly retired Fire Captain Bob Littlefield This election is for the other impressive. was elected by seat. Theresa McGoldrick, a career “I’m proud to serve with her the members DOR-CSE attorney and NAGE Unit and hope to be in the future. to replace him. 6, Local 207 President, currently Please give every consideration holds that seat and is now seeking Littlefield defeated to voting for Theresa. As I see it, re-election. Police Officer Barry she deserves your vote.” Mass Retirees endorses Golner receiv- As we went to press, ballots McGoldrick for election to a new ing 712 votes to three-year term. We ask that our were being issued by the State Golner’s 461 votes. Board. Votes must be received BOB LITTLEFIELD state members and subscribers LOWELL Mr. Littlefieldwill consider casting their vote for or ballots postmarked by Friday, serve with the McGoldrick. March 19, 2021 to the Board or its other Board members, Tina Masiello, In summing up his vote for designated agent. Firefighter David Keene, retired Fire Chief William Desrosiers* and Comptroller Domenic Fermano, City Margaret Shea. Michael Brennan. The Retirement Comptroller Charles Ranaghan and Middlesex County – The Board administrator is Shannon Scott Lucey, Esq. The retirement Middlesex County Retirement Dowd. director is James Ryan, CPA. Board members voted to reappoint Malden – After neglecting to Marlboro – Retired Police Officer Robert Healy as their 5th member grant a cost-of-living for the Malden Gregory Brewster* was re-elected after conducting due diligence for retirees earlier this year, the mem- to his 10th term the appointment. In addition, retired bers of the system voted to elect (294 votes) and Burlington Treasurer Brian Curtin retired Firefighter Donald Boyce, Firefighter William was reappointed as the Board’s who topped the ticket with 330 votes Taylor to his 8th second member by his fellow trea- to defeat incumbent retired Police term (264 votes) surers in the system. Other mem- Officer Douglas Eisner who received on the Marlboro bers on the Board include retired 246 votes. However, retired Deputy Retirement Board. Wilmington Fire Lieutenant John Fire Chief Warren Atkinson* was In a concurrent Brown who also serves as the Vice re-elected with 284 votes running in GREGORY BREWSTER election for the two President of the Mass. Association MARLBORO second place and the fourth nomi- elected seats they of Contributory Retirement Systems nee, Superintendent of Cemeteries defeated two chal- (MACRS), Thomas F. Gibson*, Esq, James Cahill had a strong show- lengers, City Councilor Mike Ossing and Tewksbury Fire Captain Joe ing getting 230 votes. The Malden (116 votes) and Rauf Guimaraes Kearns. The chief administrative offi- Retirement Board was the only (64 votes). The other members of cer for the Board is Lisa Maloney. system in the state not to grant a the Board are Diane Smith, Daniel Montague – The Montague COLA this year. The other members Stanhope, and David Keene who Retirement Board members reap- of the Board refusing to take up a also serves on the Lowell Retirement pointed retired Greenfield Board COLA vote this year were retired City Board. The Board director is CONTINUED ON PAGE 18 u

8 March 2021 GIC MEDICARE RETIREES PAYING MORE THAN A FAIR SHARE

n our last (January) Voice, $1,782 for 2021. And lest we forget, premium costs that were paid over we not only reviewed the GIC the Congress capped the 2021 Part a 10-year span (2011 – 2020) by GIC I(Group Insurance Commission) B increase at 25% of the projected retirees, who retired from the state finances over a 10-year span (FY09 – increase. on or after February 1, 2010 and pay FY19), but also demonstrated how Some communities, like the City 20% of their supplement premium. retirees are paying a fair share of of Boston (see July 2020 Voice), and For our purposes here, we applied their healthcare costs – plan pre- the Town of Weston (see pages 13 the premiums for the GIC’s Medicare miums and out-of-pocket (OOP) supplement plan with expenses. For our Medicare retirees the highest enrollment, there is another key ingredient in “Simply put, you can’t appreciate fully what the OME (Optional their total insurance coverage that Medicare Extension) costs are being paid by Medicare retirees tends to be overlooked by officials plan. when addressing costs. without factoring in the Part B premium.” Valeri continued, We’re referring to their Medicare “Our graphics show FRANK VALERI Part B premiums. And when one MASS RETIREES PRESIDENT that the combined OME considers this very important aspect and Part B premiums of their coverage, it’s clear that these for these retirees have retirees are paying more than a fair &17), recognize the financial impact continued to go up by more than share of their total insurance costs. of this federal insurance premium 32% over the past 10 years. Even According to state law, a state and refund a portion of it to their more importantly, they show that or local retiree, at age 65 and eligi- retirees. Regrettably most, includ- this increase is attributable in major ble for free Part A (inpatient hospital ing the state, do not provide a Part part to Part B premiums that have services), must enroll in Medicare, B refund and their retirees must pay risen by 50% from 2011 to 2020, an including Part B which covers phy- the entire premium annually. average of 5% per year. sician, outpatient hospital services “One can’t achieve a complete and durable medical equipment. picture of the cost unless you also While Part A is free for these retir- OME & PART B PREMIUMS CONTINUE look at the Part B premium that state ees, the same can’t be said with Part GOING UP and most local retirees are paying in B. “Part B is integral to the total full. As we see it, these retirees are State and local retirees, enrolled insurance cost for these retirees and paying more than a fair share of their in Medicare, must pay a monthly should not be set apart,” according total insurance – both state and fed- premium for Part B. Currently they to President Frank Valeri. eral combined.” are paying a standard premium In the chart and bar graph of $148.50 each month, totaling included here, one can review the CONTINUED ON PAGE 13 u

$250.00

$200.00 GIC MEDICARE ENROLLEES: $150.00

Looking at $100.00 Premium Increases Over $50.00 Ten Years $0.00 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Medicare Part B OME 20%

9 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 7 u MASS RETIREES 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

bills to enhance COLA bene- heard complaints from members who have returned fits (see page 7) including this or wish to return to public service but couldn’t or had new initiative. Our bill creates a to stop. That’s because while their wages were in low- separate COLA Reserve Fund in er-salaried positions, they would exceed the 960-hours each of the 104 state, teachers’ limit before even coming close to their total earnings and local retirement systems. A limit. Consequently, they couldn’t accept such a position system will make deposits into or terminate prematurely. Our bill seeks to address that the Reserve Fund, depending problem for these retirees, wishing to resume public ser- upon the return on investment vice on a part-time basis, by increasing the restriction of its pension fund. If a system’s from 960 hours to 1,200 hours – still part time work but REP. MARK CUSACK investment return exceeds its retaining the current earnings restriction. Please note: assumed (projected) rate of return, then a proportional Under an emergency order, the hour/earnings restric- share of the excess investment return, that is attribut- tions are temporarily waived this year only. able to retiree/employee contributions in the pension NEW fund, will be deposited in the Reserve Fund for future 11. ESTIMATED FIRST PENSION PAYMENT COLA liabilities. Sponsor: Rep. Jerald Parisella (D-Beverly) Currently state law requires PENSIONS that a retiree receive their first full pension payment within 9. RELIEF FOR PRE-JULY 2004 OPTIONS (b) & (c) a prescribed timeframe that RETIREES ranges from 28 to 62 days Sponsor: Rep. Thomas Golden (D-Lowell) (Chapter 32, Section 13 (1) (b)). As part of the FY05 State Budget, anyone who retires While there may be very valid on or after July 1, 2004 and selects Option (b) or (c), has reasons why the processing of their retirement benefit calculated, using an updated the first full payment may be mortality table. The new table replaced the 1928 mor- delayed beyond the prescribed REP. JERALD PARISELLA tality table, which had been in effect for some 60 years. timeframe, any prolonged delay Under our bill, the pensions of anyone, who retired prior may cause undue anxiety for retirees, who are awaiting to 7/1/04 and chose Option (b) or (c), would be increased their much needed first payment. We believe that our bill prospectively by the following schedule. Option (b): would help to mollify their stress by requiring that if the $66 for state retirees, $97 for teacher retirees and an first full payment cannot be made within its prescribed amount determined by each local retirement board for timeframe, then an estimated pension payment will be their retirees; and Option (c): $200 for state retirees, $290 made to the retiree. for teacher retirees and an amount determined by each local retirement board for their retirees. SURVIVORS 10. POST RETIREMENT PUBLIC SERVICE Sponsor: Rep. Mark Cusack (D-Braintree) 12. INCREASE IN OPTION (d) MINIMUM PENSION Under the retirement law, retirees can return to pub- Sponsor: Sen. Cindy Friedman (D-Arlington) lic service under two restrictions. First, they can only Upon the death of an active work for the public employer a total of 960 hours in a employee outside of work, their calendar year, nothing more. Second, during the 960 spouse may be entitled to an hours or less that they work, they can earn only so much Option (d) survivor pension, – the difference between the current pay for their for- which is similar to survivor mer job and their pension, plus an additional $15,000 benefits afforded under Social which is triggered after the first 12 months following Security. Currently, the minimum their retirement. (Please note that these restrictions Option (d) pension for state/teach don’t apply if a public retiree works in the private sector survivors is $6,000, while the or for the federal government). Over the years, we’ve SEN. CINDY FRIEDMAN CONTINUED ON PAGE 11 u

10 March 2021 MASS RETIREES 2021-2022 LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM

amount can be either $3,000 or $6,000 depending upon the state’s 104 retirement systems, the right to vote in the local retirement system. Our bill increases the Option the election of their retirement board’s third and fourth (d) minimum from $6,000 to $9,000 for state/teacher sur- (elected) members. vivors, with an option for local systems to do the same.

13. SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE VETERANS Sponsor: Rep. Marjorie Decker (D-Cambridge) (a) Minimum Contribution by 15. VETERANS’ BONUS Local Governments. Sponsors: Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) & Rep. Jerald Currently there are local Parisella (D-Beverly) governments that make no con- Currently a superannuation tribution to the premium paid or accidental disability retiree by a survivor. As part of its 2012 who is a veteran receives an report, the Special Commission additional annual allowance or veterans’ bonus equal to on Retiree Healthcare recom- $15 for each year of creditable mended that communities pay service up to 20 years, so that at least 50% of the premium the maximum “vets bonus” is REP. MARJORIE DECKER paid by a survivor. Our bill $300 annually. It was some 57 reflects the Commission’s recommendation for a mini- years ago when the vets bonus mum 50% contribution by a community to a survivor’s SEN. JOHN VELIS was passed into law. Our bill premium. would update the bonus formula to $50 for year of cred-

itable service up to 20 years, so that the maximum “vets (b) Retention of Insurance Coverage. All survivors, insured by the state (Chapter 32A) or bonus” is $1,000 annually. There is a local option provi- locally (Chapter 32B), can continue their health insurance sion for acceptance by local retirement systems. coverage but forfeit it when they remarry. Our bill would allow survivors to remarry and continue their coverage 16. EXTEND DEFINITION OF VETERAN FOR VETS upon a showing that they are not eligible for any other BONUS group heath insurance coverage except for Medicare. If Sponsor: Sen. John Velis (D-Westfield) enacted, this proposal would place the health insurance In 2004, the definition of veteran expanded for retir- law in parity with the survivor’s pension retention law. ees to include those who served during non-wartime periods, as well as National Guard duty in limited cases. 14. EXTEND VOTE TO SURVIVORS IN NEW Unfortunately, this law was only applied prospectively, BOARD ELECTIONS from 8/26/04 forward. Sponsor: Rep. Claire Cronin (D-Easton) That meant the expanded definition of veteran did One of the Association’s not apply to those, who retired on a superannuation landmark achievements during (regular) retirement before 8/26/04 and had non-wartime its early years was the enact- military service (or National Guard duty in limited cases). ment of legislation that allowed These veterans were not eligible for the vets bonus (up retirees to vote in a retirement to $300 annually), despite their military service. board elections and also serve Our bill would extend the expanded definition of on them. Mass Retirees has veteran to those, who have the requisite non-wartime always supported the funda- or National Guard duty and retired on a superannuation mental principle that stakehold- retirement before 8/26/04 for purposes of the vets bonus ers should have a voice in the only. If enacted, they would then be eligible to receive REP. CLAIRE CRONIN decisions impacting their retire- the vets bonus prospectively from the effective date of ment, including the election of those who sit on their the law. There is a local option provision for acceptance retirement board. With this initiative, that principle is by local retirement systems. now being applied once again by extending to survivors, who are receiving a retirement allowance from one of

11 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee GOVERNOR PROPOSES FY22 BUDGET INCLUDES STATE/TEACHERS’ 3% COLA

he beginning of 2021 $45.6 billion, it will fund operations the Group Insurance Commission means the start of the for the Commonwealth for FY22 (GIC), Governor Baker proposed to Tannual budget process which will begin July 1, 2021. keep in place the current premium with Governor Baker filing his rec- The proposal includes a recom- splits they will pay monthly. The ommendations for the upcoming mendation for a 3% cost-of-living Commission has not set the pre- Fiscal Year 2022. While it seems like adjustment (COLA) for retired teach- mium rate for FY22 as of press time, just yesterday ers and state but we will have a full update in when we were employees who the May edition of the Voice. Also, alerting you to retired before as a reminder, there have been no the completion of July 1, 2020. The proposed increases to copays and a final Fiscal Year 3% COLA will be deductibles for FY22. 2021 budget, it’s applied to the This is welcome news given time once again first $13,000 of the challenges still facing the for the process to a retiree’s pen- Commonwealth with the ongoing begin. sion. It’s note- pandemic. However, H1 is our first On January worthy that the look at the FY22 budget. We will con- 27th, Governor Governor has tinue to monitor its development as Baker filed his GOVERNOR CHARLIE BAKER included a state/ the House and Senate debate their proposed budget teachers’ 3% versions, traditionally in April and with the House of Representatives, COLA in every fiscal budget that he May. A final version is due by June where it has been numbered and has filed with the Legislature. 30, 2021. known as House 1 (H1). Totaling For state retirees insured by

the emergency room visit copay- coinsurance, could be harbingers GIC ment from the current $100 to $200. of things to come in future years. CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 u The copayment is waived if the It goes without saying, but Mass patient is admitted to the hospital. Retirees is dead set against any Another option, which Mass proposal that would leave retirees consultants publicly stated their Retirees considers to be highly holding the bill for a portion of their shared belief that no widespread objectionable, would be to create a healthcare costs. These are the types plan design changes be made for new coinsurance structure under the of ideas that can lead to bankruptcy. FY22 – including increases in copay- non-Medicare plans. Under such a They have no place here,” said Mass ments or deductibles. proposal, which has gained popu- Retirees CEO Shawn Duhamel. “I do However, the 17-member larity in the private sector, the GIC understand the need for the GIC to Commission was presented with a would be responsible for the first be aware of trends in the market- range of four options that could be 90% of coverage after copayments place and talk through the potential implemented for the non-Medicare and deductibles have been met. This impact. This is another example of a plans for the coming year – should would leave the enrollee responsible bad idea from the private sector that the Commission decide to do so. for the remaining 10% of the cost. should never see the light of day.” For the most part these poten- “While the good news is that it Members can anticipate a full tial changes could be considered is unlikely that GIC enrolled retir- update on FY22 plan design, as well cost-shifting, as they would repre- ees will see any increases in copay- as the monthly premiums in the May sent increased costs on enrollees. ments or deductibles for FY22, edition of The Voice. One option would be to increase we’re concerned that options, like

12 March 2021 LOCALS STAYING WITH GIC Not Always An “Easy Path”

or cities, towns and districts (contribution split) of the insurance in the state GIC (Group premiums. FInsurance Commission), INTENSE NEGOTIATIONS IN WESTON “Since we would not agree to December 1 is a very pivotal date on their initial proposal, negotiations their calendars. By that date, local Weston was among the commu- continued and became more con- officials must notify the GIC that nities that had to decide whether to tentious. Officials began to play their they will not be renewing their term stay in the GIC by this December. version of hard ball. in the GIC health insurance program While they eventually decided to “In fact, the Town Manager per- on July 1 of the following year. Ed stay with the GIC, the negotiations sonally delivered a letter to my home, Note: Mass Retirees has introduced were intense. notifying me that unless certain con- legislation that would extend the According to Dailey, ”COVID- ditions were met by the PEC, the December 1 deadline to March 1 of 19 hampered our negotiations with Town Selectmen would take a vote to the next year. See pages 6 & 7. everything basically shutting down revoke the Coalition Bargaining Law “Being in regular contact last March. But even then, it was (Section 19) that Weston adopted with our PEC (Public Employee evident that while we would stay in in order to join the GIC in the first Committee) designees, we hadn’t the GIC, the Town was looking for place. While we believe such action heard of anyone planning to leave concessions. the GIC on July 1, and as it turns “And what they out, everyone will be staying were proposing “We need more communities on,” reports our PEC Coordinator would have shifted Tricia Igo. “But that doesn’t mean significant costs on like Weston. ... They should that the path to that decision was to my fellow retir- be contributing to Part B.” always easy, particularly where ees and survivors. NANCY McGOVERN local officials propose shiftingNamely, they were LEGISLATIVE LIAISON costs onto retirees and employ- proposing that any ees. Just ask Carol Dailey, retired new agreement teacher and our Weston designee.” require us to pay a higher percentage CONTINUED ON PAGE 17 u

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9 u PART B & OME PREMIUMS (2011-2020)

YEAR MEDICARE PART B OME* TOTAL In closing, Valeri summarizes 2020 $144.60 $88.52 $233.12 the retirees’ total Medicare 2019 $135.50 $85.58 $221.08 costs explained here with the facts presented in the January 2018 $134.00 $84.51 $218.51 Voice’s lead article. “If you take 2017 $109.00 $84.41 $193.41 into consideration the increase 2016 $104.90 $83.18 $188.08 in out-of-pocket expenses and premium increases we identi- 2015 $104.90 $88.85 $193.75 fied earlier (in January), along 2014 $104.90 $84.21 $189.11 with the transfer of huge health care liabilities to the Medicare 2013 $104.90 $84.58 $189.48 plan, plus retirees assuming the 2012 $99.90 $82.86 $182.76 entire premium costs stated here, 2011 $96.40 $79.69 $176.09 it’s easy to understand how the Commonwealth’s net costs have * Optional Medicare Extension (w/CIC) for insureds who retired from the state after essentially been level funded over February 2010 and are paying 20% of the Premium. For a couple, double the Part B the past decade!” & OME premiums shown above.

1313 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee MACRS & PERAC AT WORK DURING PANDEMIC CONTINUING TO EDUCATE BOARD MEMBERS

uring this past year 2020, pandemic? periodic tele-town hall meetings, COVID-19 has forced orga- Beginning in March we realized weekly facebook videos and email Dnizations and groups, such that communication with our mem- messages. as ours, to implement new innova- bers required the foresight that our According to former Association tive ways to continue daily oper- greatly valued area meetings would President Ralph White, “Over the ations and ongoing contact with have to be postponed. With that, it past year, I’ve heard from mem- membership. As champions of the was vital that our issues and legisla- bers who very much appreciate the public sector, Mass Retirees has tion agenda still be met head-on and Association’s strong commitment to always recognized its fundamental shared with our members. keep things up and running during obligation to give our members the As we’ve been reporting on the pandemic. I’d like to express very best possible representation. extensively, our lines of communi- my thanks, along with that of fellow And that includes the cation remained open and remark- members, for the diligence and fore- Association’s educational compo- ably, have been expanded! This was sight of CEO Shawn Duhamel and nent to keep members well informed achieved by not only maintaining President Frank Valeri, as well as our and knowledgeable on a wide range established methods, such as The other well-trained officers and staff.” of retirement issues. But how do we Voice, weekly Hotline Messages and achieve that very important edu- open phone lines, but also incorpo- cation goal when combating the rating new digital media, such as Solid Connections With MACRS

To satisfy educational respon- Retirement Board executive director. Voice, many Association members sibilities, we’re not alone in over- While Kathleen is still employed sit on the 12 county/regional boards coming the challenges posed by and can’t join the Association for across the state. That also holds true COVID-19. Organizations and agen- now, we can point to other MACRS with the other 90 local boards. cies, with whom the Association officers who are, including member “Needless to say, there are solid works closely, are doing the same, John Brown who is that organiza- connections with MACRS,” observes including the Massachusetts tion’s Vice-President. John, a retired Association President Frank Valeri Association of Contributory Wilmington fire lieutenant, is also an who, as a State Retirement Board Retirement Systems (MACRS) and elected member of the elected member, also the Public Employee Retirement Middlesex Retirement belongs to MACRS. “That Administration Commission Board. unbreakable bond has (PERAC), the state pension oversight Another is MACRS served both organizations agency. Treasurer Bob Moynihan, extremely well in their Briefly, MACRS is the official a retired Springfield advocacy for retirees, sur- representative organization of the police lieutenant who vivors and their families.” retirement board members who is that city’s retire- Over its many sit on the State, Teachers’ and 102 ment board chairman. decades of work, a focus local retirement systems. Currently, Interestingly, Bob signed of MACRS has been edu- Kathleen Kiely-Bechetti, a long- up with the Retirees right KATHLEEN KIELY-BECHETTI cating board members on standing friend of the Association, after he retired. Along MACRS President the complexities of this serves as MACRS President, having with John and Bob, several other state’s retirement law (Chapter 32), succeeded Denis Devine, himself Association members are on the regulations, policies and practices. an Association vice-president and MACRS Executive Board. Before COVID-19, the centerpiece Woburn Retirement Board chairman. Mass Retirees officers also serve for MACRS’s educational pro- Kathleen serves on the Watertown on retirement boards, which means gram has been its two semi-annual Retirement Board as its fifth mem- that they also belong to MACRS. ber and is also Norfolk County And as reported in the November CONTINUED ON PAGE 15 u

14 March 2021 MANDATORY TRAINING STILL BEING COMPLETED

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 14 u (Springfield) during October each to have a very important public fig- year. ure, like the late U.S. Senator Ted conferences, usually three days in These conferences are both Kennedy, stop by the conference length. Traditionally, one has been well attended, with about 500 Board and say hello to the attendees and held during late spring in east- members and 100 staff in eastern thank them for their service. (See ern Mass. (Hyannis) and a second Mass. and a relatively smaller num- photo box below) fall conference in western Mass. ber out west. And it’s not unusual PERAC Assumes Prominent Role

Some ten years ago, the educa- 1996 (Chapter 306) and currently the three-year term of an elected tion of retirement board members headed by Executive Director John member). If a member fails to com- took on even greater importance Parsons, Esq. A major duty of its plete their training, then they are under state law. That’s 50-member staff is audit- prohibited from serving beyond the because the 2011 Pension ing and assisting the term for which the training require- Reform Law (Chapter 176) Commonwealth’s retire- ment was not met. mandated that retirement ment systems. Also, board members complete PERAC’s top-level legal training during each year department makes count- MEMBER TRAINING CONTINUES of service on a retirement less retirement decisions DESPITE PANDEMIC board. in resolving cases that Under this law, PERAC otherwise might end up In addition to PERAC, Chapter assumes a prominent role in the courts. 176 creates a major role for MACRS in providing member training. While in developing and admin- JOHN PARSONS, ESQ. Chapter 176 requires istering the education PERAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR that a retirement board PERAC sponsors at least 9 hours of (training) program. Briefly, PERAC member complete 18 hours of train- is a well-trained agency, created in ing during their term (for example, CONTINUED ON PAGE 16 u

MACRS CONFERENCES: REMEMBERING EARLIER TIMES WARM WELCOME FOR TED KENNEDY Final evenings of the MACRS surprise drop-in and, as always, sur- we say blessings to you Peter, and conferences are somewhat festive rounded by retirees who gave him blessings to the late, great Ted occasions. While many public fig- a warm welcome. In this informal Kennedy. ures are scheduled during the ses- photo it should be sions, the informal last evening is noted that the fig- left open and its well-known that this ure behind Ted’s presents an excellent opportunity top right shoulder, for such friends to blend within our is retired Taunton membership in an informal atmo- Police Office Peter sphere. All are welcome without any Corr, a former fanfare. elected member On one occasion, 40-year U.S. of the Taunton Senator Ted Kennedy dropped Retirement Board in from his nearby home of for 30 years. Peter Hyannisport, two years prior to his has been in ill WARM WELCOME FOR TED KENNEDY death in 2009. Ted was his usual health lately and

15 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee PERAC NEWS COMMISSIONER BOB McCARTHY RETIRES

PFFM President Rich MacKinnon, Jr. Becomes His Successor McCarthy has also served firefighter with 20 years of service, on the Board of Trustees at also serves on the State Board of the Fitchburg State Joint Labor Management and the Fire University, as well Service Commission. He succeeded as the Blue Cross Ed Kelly as PFFM President, who Blue Shield Trustees now serves as the General Secretary- and a Mass Retirees Treasurer for the International member since his Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) in retirement. Washington, D.C. ROBERT McCARTHY RICHARD MacKINNON, Jr. FORMER PERAC COMMISSIONER PFFM PRESIDENT He will be replaced as Upon learning of State Auditor fter serving 50 years of Commissioner by the cur- Suzanne Bump’s appointment of Rich public service, Robert rent PFFM President and Whitman MacKinnon as the AFL-CIO’s nom- AMcCarthy has decided to Firefighter/Paramedic Richardinee, President Valeri was pleased step down as PERAC Commissioner. MacKinnon, Jr. As the AFL-CIO nom- with the choice stating, “The contin- Bob served on the Commission at inee to replace McCarthy, he will uation of having a PFFM official at the its inception in 1996 while serving continue the tradition of having a PERAC table just shows the respect concurrently on the Commission and PFFM officer to serve in that capacity. and recognition they have for public President of the Professional Fire Former PFFM Secretary-Treasurer and retiree benefits and I am confident Fighters of Massachusetts (PFFM). His late Senator Ken Donnelly had served Rich will serve as Bob has – a strong extensive background includes ser- as PERAC Commissioner in between voice for all public employee and vice in the U.S. Navy, and Chairman Bob’s initial appointment until later retiree benefits.“ of the Watertown Retirement Board. when Bob returned as Commissioner. A career firefighter, Commissioner MacKinnon, a third-generation

member training,” according to board members like myself have MACRS Valeri. “I’ve found them to be very been able to complete our training CONTINUED FROM PAGE 15 u professional and highly informative. requirements. “Not surprisingly that all “Hopefully at some point later training on required and elective changed due to the pandemic, with this year, I’ll again be meeting topics, an additional 9 hours on PERAC’s in-person training sessions, with my fellow board members at topics, prescribed by PERAC, are as well as the MACRS spring and an in-person session. While the provided by MACRS or other local, fall conferences, not being held last Webinars afford quick easy access, state, regional or national entities year. But it did not signal the end of there’s something to be said about designated by PERAC. member training. in-person. It offers an excellent Since mandatory training ses- “To the contrary, PERAC opportunity to engage with other sions began in 2012, PERAC has replaced in-person sessions with professionals and officials in the conducted its own in-person train- a robust program of online train- retirement community with whom ing sessions. In addition, PERAC has ing with “Webinars.” This resem- you can exchange respective knowl- coordinated training sessions with bles the approach to the pandemic edge and experience. MACRS during its spring and fall taken by us when we substituted our “But in the meantime, we’ll con- conferences. area meetings with tele-town hall “While serving on the State meetings. tinue to receive topnotch training Board, I’ve attended PERAC in-per- “I’ve taken advantage of the online. Thanks PERAC and MACRS son sessions and the MACRS con- Webinars without a hitch. So for the work you are doing for us.” ferences in order to complete my despite the pandemic, retirement

16 March 2021 CONTINUEDHARVARD FROM PAGE 16 u PILGRIM & TUFTS SET TO MERGE No Immediate Impact on Enrollees

he start of 2021 brought news that the merger their policy as a result of the merger and should con- between Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) tinue using their current member ID card. Tand Tufts became official on January 1. Together, the combined company will serve 2.4 mil- lion enrollees – including tens of thousands of public retirees and active employees. Health insurance plans “This merger brings together two of the leading offered by the two companies have been a staple of those offered by the state’s Group Insurance Commission for names in health insurance coverage for GIC decades. Both Tufts and HPHC offer both Medicare and members, and we are hopeful that it will produce non-Medicare plans through the GIC, as well as at the municipal level. cost savings to the GIC and our members over In fact, as the most popular non-Medicare plan offered by the GIC, Tufts Navigator is used as the state- time,” said Matthew Veno, Executive Director wide benchmark for non-Medicare plan design. While the long-term impact of the merger remains to of the Group Insurance Commission. “The GIC be seen, members insured under Tufts or HPHC are not looks forward to working with the leadership expected to see much, if any difference in their coverage in the foreseeable future. Both companies will continue teams of both companies to ensure a smooth tran- to carry their current insurance products under their cur- rent brands through 2021. sition for GIC members enrolled their plans.” GIC members enrolled in health insurance plans with either company will see no immediate change to

GIC PARTIAL REFUND OF MEDICARE PART B non-Medicare retirees will contrib- ute slightly more each year, but it’s CONTINUED FROM PAGE 13 u Under Weston’s new PEC less than the Town’s original pro- Agreement, the Medicare Indemnity Plans remain unchanged. As import- posal. Currently these retirees are ant, the Town’s Medicare retirees paying 15% of the HMO premiums will continue to receive a quarterly and 17% of the PPO/PSO premiums. by the Selectmen was not legally refund on a portion of their monthly By the Agreement’s third year (July permissible, the threat was made. ” Part B premium, currently at $60.21 1, 2023 – July 1, 2024), they will be With the deadline fast approach- each month subject to an escalator contributing 17.5% (an added 2.5% ) ing, the PEC and Town officials clause beginning this July. of the HMO premium, 21% (an added needed to talk. During that time, “This is very good news for these 4%) of the POS premium and 22% Dailey reached out to the Association retirees,” comments our Legislative (an added 5%) of the PPO premium. staff for guidance on the law and the Liaison Nancy McGovern. “We need McGovern continued, “From best strategy. more communities like Weston, rec- our contacts with Carol (Dailey), “I appreciated the staff’s quick ognizing that the shift to Medicare, and thorough responses to my ques- especially Part B, imposes a sub- we know how hard she worked tions,” continued Dailey. “As a result stantial cost on their retirees, while with the others to get a deal done. of some very hard work by many, wiping out huge premium costs and She’s just one example of the excel- we were able to reach a new three- liabilities for them. They should be lent service being performed by year agreement to remain in the GIC contributing to Part B.” See related our PEC volunteers throughout the beginning this July through June 30, article, page 9. Commonwealth. Thank you.” 2024.” Over the Agreement’s term,

17 The Voice of the Retired Public Employee

She replaces Kimberly Fletcher*, receiving a strong Elections & Esq., retired First Administrative 530 votes to Appointments Magistrate of the Division of defeat Light Plant CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 u Administrative Appeals and well-re- Engineer Zachary spected scholar of public pension Sousa who received Administrator Marianne Fiske law who had served 12 years as 168 votes and Richard as their 5th member. It will be the Board’s 5th member. The Board Assessor members making the appointment Conti who got 68 Marianne’s 6th term as the Board’s DENNIS SMITH 5th member who has also served were Susan Dzikowski, Anthony TAUNTON votes. Also serv- as the Montague retirement admin- Logalbo, Paul Bianchi and Thomas ing on the Board Anne Marie Hebert* Gill Enos, istrator before retiring from the Lopez. The Board director is Kelly are , Thomas Bernier Greenfield Retirement Board. Also, Byrne. Fire Lieutenant and Town Accountant Carolyn Olsen* Norfolk County – With Michael Bristol County Registry of Deeds Barry Amaral was elected chairperson. The other Bellotti* elected to replace outgo- . The executive director Paul Slivinski Board members include Town ing Treasurer James Timilty, as the is . Wakefield Administrator Steven Ellis, retired new Treasurer he – The members of Wakefield Retirement System Firefighter David Dion and Cheryl will assume the the Dennis Fazio Clark. Debra Underhill is the retire- role as Norfolk re-elected to his second ment board administrator. County Retirement term, he is the supervisor of forestry, Natick – Town of Natick Board Chairman. parks and cemetery at the DPW. The retired Building Inspector Michael Also, upon the other members on the Board include Kevin Gill* Joseph Melchiorri* was re-elected with- retirement of the , Fire Lieutenant Albert, Jr. Sherri Dalton out opposition to his 7th term on Norfolk Advisory and . The 5th MICHAEL BELLOTTI Council’s appoint- member on the Board is vacant. The the Natick Retirement Board. The NORFOLK COUNTY Cathy other members on the Board include ment, Karen Jelloe, Board’s executive director is Cheek Arti Mehta, Eliot Lurier retired the Council appointed Lisa Sinkus, . Waltham – Retired Firefighter Police Chief, Nicholas Mabardy and as its new appointment. In addi- Billy MacDonald* was re-elected Michael Reardon. The Retirement tion, with incumbent retired Sharon receiving 507 votes with Firefighter board director is Kathleen Bacon. FirefighterEdwin Little the only can- John Bonadito Newburyport – Retired didate nominated for election, he receiving 317 Firefighter Joe Spaulding* was was declared re-elected by Board members. The other two members votes. It will be re-elected to his 4th term on the Mr. MacDonald’s Newburyport Retirement Board on the Board are retired Randolph Town Administrator Paul Connors 9th term on by the members of the system. the Waltham Joe received 230 votes to Human and retired Sheriff Josephine Shea. The Board’s executive director is Retirement Board. Resource Officer Donna Drelick’s 55 The other mem- votes. He will be joined by Firefighter Kathleen Kiely-Becchetti, Esq., who also serves as the President of the WILLIAM MacDONALD bers serving are Jeff Cutter, Ethan Manning, retired WALTHAM Paul Centofanti, Mass. Association of Contributory Salisbury Town Administrator John Elizabeth Arnold, Retirement Systems (MACRS). Moak and retired State Veteran’s Police Officer Scott Hovsepian and Swampscott – The Swampscott Agent Alexander Kravchuk. The Mary Rosen, Esq. The executive Retirement Board declared retired Newburyport’s retirement director is director is Karen Doucet. Police Officer John Behen re-elected Laurie Burton. Weymouth – Retired Police as he was the only candidate nomi- Newton – The Board members OfficerRichard (Dick) Hayes received nated in their recent election. John of the Newton Retirement Board 261 votes to defeat retired Police will begin his 8th term as an elected appointed Lisa Maloney, Esq. as Officer John Burke who received member on the Board. He will be their 5th member. 152 votes by the members of the joined by Superior Court Clerk of Lisa is also the 5th Weymouth Retirement System. It Court Thomas Driscoll, Jr.* Esq., Fire member of the will be Dick’s 4th term on the Board. Kevin Breen, Robert Powell, III Blue Hills Regional Chief Joining Mr. Hayes on the Board are Retirement Board and Amy Sarro. The Swampscott Patrice Cook, Gregory Hargadon, and the Chief Board administrator is Nancy Lord. retired Fire Chief Joseph Davis* and Administrative Taunton – Incumbent retired Barbara Costa. The Board director is Officer of the Police Officer Dennis Smith was Ed Masterson. LISA MALONEY Middlesex County re-elected by the members of NEWTON Retirement Board. the Taunton Retirement System *Denotes Chair

18 March 2021 DECEASED MEMBERS The following members of our Association have recently passed away. We extend our deepest sympathy to their families.

ACKERMAN, EDWARD – Teaticket, MA (State Department of Public Welfare) DREIST, CHARLES F. – Stoughton, MA (UMass Amherst) (Department of Social Services) CARLSON, NANCY S. – N. Eastham, MA (State Welfare Department) HARRINGTON, NANCY D. – Salem, MA ADAMCZYK, BOLESLAW R. – South Hadley, MA (Springfield Teacher) DUNAJSKI, LORRAINE – Peabody, MA (Salem State College) (Westfield Gas & Electric) CARO, FRANCIS G. – Brookline, MA (Danvers State Hospital) HARRIS, CHARLES W. –Yarmouthport, MA ADAMS, JOHN C. – Brockton, MA (UMass Boston) DUPONT, GLORIA – South Hadley, MA (Belmont Fire Department) (Mass Highway Department) CARPENTER, MARIANNE J. – Lexington, MA (Survivor, Hampshire County) HARTLING, RICHARD G. – Waverly, OH ALDEN, HARVEY – Raynham, MA (Mass. Rehab Commission) DYSON, ELEANOR T. – Harrisville, RI (Danvers Teacher) (Town of Somerset) CARR, ROBERT P. – Jamaica Plain, MA (Bellingham Teacher) HARTNETT, JOHN F. JR. – Wilmington, MA ALDRICH, ROBERT J. – Hernando, FL (Boston Police Department) ELLIS, EARL W. – Laconia, NH (Wilmington Teacher) (Wellesley Teacher) CARTER, CAROL S. – Lynnfield, MA (Saugus Teacher) HAYNES, LOWELL K. – Brewster, MA ALLEN, RUTH C. – Naples, FL (Lynnfield Teacher) FALES, JOAN M. – Quincy, MA (City of Newton) (State Dept. of Public Welfare) CASSIDY, BERNARD F. – Chelmsford, MA (Quincy School Department) HAYON, CARLOS – Andover, MA ANDERSON, CLAIRE M. – Salem, MA (City of Lowell) FARELLI, FLORENCE L. – Reading, MA (State, Mass Health) (Salem Teacher) CAUBLE, KATHRYN C. – Bedford, NH (Reading Elder Services) HEADSPETH, WILLIAM L. – Mattapan, MA ANDREWES, CHARLES G. – Naples, FL (State, BHCC) FEENEY, FRANCIS X. – South Weymouth, MA (Boston Teacher) (Springfield Teacher) CHEDEKEL, DAVID S. – Salem, NH (Boston Fire Department) HERRMANN, DORIS L. – West Boylston, MA ANNESE, JOSEPH E. – West Newton, MA (State, Department of Mental Health) FELTCH, JOHN P. – Hobe Sound, FL (UMass Medical Center) (Massport) CICCONE, ALLAN L. – Newton, MA (Stoneham Teacher) HOGAN, JOSEPH M. – The Villages, FL ANTONAKOS, SOPHIE K. – Chelmsford, MA (Newton Police) FERNANDES, DONALD C. – Dowingtown, PA (Mass Trial Courts) (State Dept. of Revenue) CLARE, WALTER F. – Quincy, MA (Mass. Highway Department) HOWANCE, STEVEN J. – Fall River, MA ARTHUR, HOLLY L. – Hyde Park, MA (Quincy Fire Department) FIELDMAN, NOAH – Brookline, MA (Taunton State Hospital) (Watertown Teacher) COLLEARY, PETER F. – Medford, MA (Melrose Teacher) HOWLETT, THERESE L. – Baldwinville, MA BARRY, PATRICIA A. – Westboro, MA (Cambridge Teacher) FINNERTY, JOHN H. – Amherst, NH (Mt. Wachusett Community College) (Mass Highway) CONLON, JUSTINE V. – Worcester, Ma (Weston Fire Department) HUNT, GERALD E. – North Billerica, MA BELANGER, JOHN J. – Carver, MA (Worcester School Department) FISHER, MERRILL B. – Fairhaven, MA (Billerica Teacher) (Braintree School Department) COOKE, DONALD T. – Largo, FL (New Bedford District Court) HUNT, RALPH J. – Fall River, MA BENOIT, KATHERINE A. – E. Dublin, GA (Middlesex Sheriff’s Department) FITZGERALD, JAMES E. JR. – Cambridge, MA (Bristol County House of Correction) (Town of Westport) COPPARINI, PAUL A. – Mansfield, MA (Cambridge Fire Department) HURST, CHARLES P. – Dedham, MA BERGNER, DOROTHY R. – Tucson, AZ (Mansfield Police Department) FLYNN, BRIAN E. – Quincy, MA (State, Division of Employment & Training) (Survivor, Newton Teacher) CORMIER, DOROTHY L. – Littleton, MA (Boston Legal Services) IANNAZZO, QUIRINO M. – Wakefield, MA BERNIER, FRANCES R. – Worcester, MA (State) FOLEY, GAIL – Hudson, FL (Mass Emergency Management) (Grafton Teacher) COSTELLO, JOHN W. – Weston, MA (Charlton Police Department) JACKSON, JOHN A. – Havre DeGrace, MD BERTONE, ANTHONY C. – Peabody, MA (State Representative) FOLEY, MARGARET V. – South Boston, MA (Mass. Maritime Academy) (Danvers State Hospital) COTUGNO, HELEN R. –West Roxbury, MA (Boston Court) JACOBSON, EDWARD C. – Easton, MA BLACK, CHARLES E. – Hingham, MA (State Labor Relations Committee) FORBES, JOHN L. – Quincy, MA (Easton D.P.W.) (State Trial Court) COX, HAROLD V. – N. Attleboro, MA (State Treasury Dept.) JERAULD, RALPH SR. – Lakeland, FL BORYS, KATHLEEN A. – North Andover, MA (Boston Police Department) FRANCIOSI, EUGENE A. – Bridgewater, MA (City of Waltham) (Lowell Teacher) CRAWFORD, MARTHA E. – Wolfeboro, NH (Brockton Teacher) JONES, JOHN M. – Worcester, MA BOUCHER, VICTORIA – East Bridgewater, MA (North Attleboro School Department) FROIAS, ARTHUR – North Dartmouth, MA (Worcester Health Department) (E. Bridgewater Library) CRESCENTINI, LOUIS A. – Arlington, MA (Dartmouth Hwy.) JOLY, ROBERT D. – Athol, MA BOWLER, JOAN F. – Florence, MA (Somerville Fire Department) FUREY, WILLIAM – Winthrop, MA (Ralph C. Mahar RSD Teacher) (Survivor, Northampton Fire Department) CROWLEY, PATRICK C. – Boston, MA (Revere Housing Authority) KEENAN, JAMES W. – North Andover, MA BOZEK, WANDA EL – Stoneham, MA (State, Highway Department) GABOURY, DANIEL A. – Falmouth, MA (Boston School Department) (Dracut Teacher) CUMMINGS, THOMAS R. – Holbrook, MA (Town of Mansfield) KELL, MARGARET E. – Millis, MA BREDBURY, WARREN A. – Salem, NH (Town of Holbrook) GABRIEL, NANCY J. – Boston, MA (Wrentham State School) (Lawrence Housing Authority) CURLL, HAROLD K. SR. – Arlington, MA (State Environmental Police) KELLEY, CARMELLA J. – Rockland, MA BRODIE, PAULA J. – Winter Garden, FL (Cambridge Police Department) GATES, EVELYN H. – Sun City Center, FL (Survivor, Boston) (Nashoba Assoc. Boards of Health) CURTIS, NANCY A. – Chesterfield, MA (Ashland Teacher) KEYES, SYLVIA – The Villages, FL BROWN, ERNEST C. –Debary, FL (Ware Teacher) GEBO, DAVID A. – Port Orange, FL (Bridgewater State College) (Middlesex Sheriff’s Office) CUSICK, HENRY W. – Charlotte, FL (Raynham Housing Authority) KIELY, JOHN V. – Nashua, NH BROWN, PAUL N. – Concord, MA (Blue Hills Regional) GILLIS, ELIZABETH J. – Dedham, MA (Teacher, Franklin & Walpole) (Lexington Teacher) D’AMBROSIO, ERNEST N. – Derry, NH (Boston Municipal Trial Court) KIRBY, ROBERT L. – Dracut, MA BUECHE, SHIRLEY B. – W. Suffield, CT (Boston Water & Sewer Commission) GOODHALL, CORINNE L. – N. Chatham, MA (Department of Correction) (Wilbraham Teacher) DALEY, PATRICK W. – Chelmsford, MA (Holland Teacher) KLOCKER, ANN D. – Framingham, MA BUNNELL, ROBERT E. – Suffield, CT (Chelmsford Police) GOODWIN, THOMAS F. – Chelmsford, MA (State Department of Employment Security) (Norwell Teacher) DALY, CHRISTOBEL – Dorchester, MA (Boston Fire Department) KONETCHY: CORRECTION BUONAUGURIO, MARIE T. –Medford, MA (Boston State Hospital) GRANT, ROBERT D. – South Dartmouth, MA In our January Voice, we reported that New Bedford (Medford Teacher) DALY, FRANCIS H. – Norwood, MA (New Bedford Fire Department) Housing Authority retiree Edward Konetchy of Texas BURDEN, RICHARD M. – Winchendon, MA (Dedham Court System) GREANEY, GERALD T. – Holyoke, MA had passed away but it was his wife Janice who had (State, Treasury Department) DEMARCO, PATRICIA K. – Foxboro, MA (Holyoke Housing Authority) passed. We apologize for this and extend our sympa- BUTLER, SALLY A. – Buzzards Bay, MA (Survivor, State Procurement) HAINES, LEONARD C. – North Billerica, MA thies to Ed for his loss. (Bourne School Department) DePAOLO, MICHAEL – Nahant, MA (Tewksbury State Hospital) KRISCIUKAITIS, ANTANAS D. – Westwood, MA CADY, JOHN J. – Hudson, MA (Swampscott Fire Department) HALE, ROBERT C. – Port Charlotte, FL (State Department of Revenue) (MCI Concord) DOHERTY, JOSEPH – Norwood, MA (State Dept. of Mental Health) KUCZENSKI, MYRTLE – Northampton, MA CANNEY, LORRAINE L. – East Boston, MA (Department of Correction) HANAS, MILDRED E. – Conway, MA (State Department of Mental Health)

Continued on back page 19 RETIRED STATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES NONPROFIT ORG. ASSOCIATION OF MASSACHUSETTS U.S. POSTAGE 11 BEACON STREET • BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS • 02108-3024 PAID BOSTON, MASS. FRANK VALERI, President PERMIT 54933 SHAWN DUHAMEL, Chief Executive Officer JOSEPH CONNARTON, Treasurer JUDITH LANGONE, Secretary THOMAS BONARRIGO, Legislative Chairman PAUL SHANLEY, Executive V. Pres. RALPH WHITE, V. Pres., At Large TIM HANNIGAN, V. Pres., Berkshire District KARL SCHMAELZLE, V. Pres., Western District ED PIETREWICZ, V. Pres., Central District DENIS DEVINE, V. Pres., Middlesex District JOE DiFRANCO, Sr., V. Pres., Northern District BILL FLIPPIN, V. Pres., Eastern District STEVE RIVARD, V. Pres., Southeastern District ROBERT POWILATIS, V. Pres., Plymouth Cape/Islands CHERYL STILLMAN, Executive Board DAN TURCO, Executive Board ANNE WASS, Executive Board WILLIAM G. REHREY, Legal Counsel NANCY McGOVERN, Legislative Liaison

VISIT OUR ASSOCIATION’S WEB SITE: www.massretirees.com God Bless America. March 2021

DECEASED MEMBERS (continued)

LANDMAN, DAVID A. – Lexington, MA MERRITT, JAY – Saugus, MA PETTY, EMMA R. – Windemere, FL SULLIVAN, EILEEN E. – Belmont, MA (UMass Lowell) (State, Probation Dept.) (Methuen Teacher) (Revere Teacher) LAWSON, KEVIN W. – Whitinsville, MA MONTAGNA, MARY K. – Sandwich, MA PINHO, EDWARD – Palm Bay, FL SULLIVAN, RAYMOND J. – Lowell, MA (Upton Teacher) (Town of Barnstable) (Peabody Teacher) (Teacher, Greater Lowell Reg. School Dist.) LE CLAIR, JOSEPH A. – Brooksville, FL MORAN, THOMAS P. – Bridgewater, MA POOLE, WILLIAM F. – Beverly, MA SULLIVAN, THOMAS F. JR. – Tewksbury, MA (Worcester Teacher) (Teacher, Bridgewater/Raynham) (Salem Teacher) (Tewksbury School Department) LENNON, WALTER – Byfield, MA MORIARTY, AILEEN A. – South Hadley, MA RASH, ROSEANN – Rockport, MA TARRANT – Plymouth, MA (Worcester State College) (Survivor, Holyoke Housing Authority) (Rockport Teacher) (Franklin Teacher) LOUZAN, MARION – Weymouth, MA MOYNIHAN, JAMES F. – Taunton, MA RULIERA, JOHN J. – Marblehead, MA TEBO, JOHN J. – Bradenton, FL (Weymouth Teacher) (Taunton Teacher) (State/M.D.C. Police) (Survivor of Marilyn, State) MacDONALD, DONALD H. – Danvers, MA MULA, MAUDE A. – Waltham, MA SALTZMAN, IRENE – North Dartmouth, MA TENORE, ELIZABETH J. – St. Helena Island, SC (State Police) (Needham Teacher) (New Bedford School Department) (Bunker Hill Community College) MAGNER, ANNE F. – Chelsea, MA MURPHY, HAROLD F. JR. – Cambridge, MA SEVERINO, DANIEL P. – Hyannis, MA TERKLA, DAVID – Arlington, MA (Everett Teacher) (Cambridge Police Department) (Somerville Teacher) (UMass Boston) MALAMUD, WILLIAM – Newton, MA NOLAN, THOMAS F. – Beverly Farms, MA SHEA, JEROME P. – Holyoke, MA TOOHEY, DANIEL J. SR. – Lowell, MA (State, Department of Mental Health) (Beverly Fire Department) (Springfield Teacher) (M.C.I. Concord) MANNING, JOHN P. – Middleboro, MA O’BOY, VIRGINIA M. – West Roxbury, MA SHEA, PAUL R. – Cambridge, MA TOWNSHEND, BRUCE D. JR. – Zephyrhills, FL (Bridgewater/Raynham Teacher) (Boston School Department) (Middlesex County) (Lowell Teacher) MARONEY, JESSICA M. – Dalton, MA O’CONNELL, ROBERT E. – Exeter, NH SHONIO, DORANNE – Monson, MA TYRELL, MARY ELLEN – Wakefield, MA (State, Welfare Department) (Newburyport Teacher) (Monson Developmental Center) (Wakefield Teacher) MATARESE, FRANK R. – Woburn, MA O’CONNELL, WILLIAM I. – Quincy, MA SILVA, JEAN S. – Camden, ME WAHL, MARY T. – St. Francis, WI (Stoneham Teacher) (Boston School Department) (Reading Teacher) (Medfield State Hospital) MAWHINNEY, JACQUELYN – Bellevue, WA OEI, JANE SH – Lexington, MA SMITH, DAVID A. – Gloucester, MA WALSH, JOANNE G. – Newton, MA (Minuteman Reg. Voc. Tech. Teacher) (Middlesex County Hospital) (M.W.R.A.) (Newton Traffic Supervisor) MAYHEW, SHIRLEY W. – West Tisbury, MA PAPILE, MADELINE C. – Los Ranchos, NM SMITH, JEANNE M. – Winchester, MA WOLK, MILTON J. – Randolph, MA (Edgartown Teacher) (Quincy Teacher) (State, Department of Public Health) (State, Department of Public Health) McDONALD, JOSEPH M. – Swansea, MA PEARY, ROBERT E. – Woburn, MA SMITH, PETER M. – St. Augustine, Florida ZANI, LEONARD P. – Danvers, MA (Fall River Teacher) (Woburn Fire Department) (Dedham Teacher) (Salem State College) McGUIRE, FRANCIS J. – W. Palm Beach, FL PERNO, JULIO F. – Somerville, MA SAULICH, EVELYN R. – Bedford, MA ZELETSKY, RICHARD E. – Salem, NH (Town of Framingham) (Somerville School Department) (Middlesex Community College) (Boston D.P.W.) MENARD, ARMAND J. – Lowell, MA PERRY, BRUCE F. – Lynn, MA SPECK, FRANCIS W. – Sioux City, IA ZIELINSKI, EDWARD J. – Salem, MA (Lowell, Cemetery Dept.) (Lynn School Department) (Gloucester Teacher) (Salem Teacher)