Retiree Health Insurance ("OPEB")
December 11, 2017 - Andover wins OPEB lawsuit
July 11, 2017 - Teacher's union join OPEB lawsuit against Andover taxpayers
August 13, 2016 - Eagle Tribune reports: "Retirees file class action lawsuit against Andover"
Click here to read the Eagle Tribune story.
August 11, 2016 - Andover Townsman reports: "Town vows to ignore Legislature. Issue statement that veto override doesn't apply"
Click here to read the Andover Townsman story.
August 4, 2016 - OPEB reform plan will remain in effect. Board of Selectmen issued the following public statement.
"After consultation with counsel, we have concluded that the moratorium on changing retiree premiums in G.L. c. 32B,
sec 22(e), which the Legislature has again just extended to July 1, 2018, does not apply to the Town. The Town completed all actions under sec. 22 and sec. 9E while the moratorium date in effect was July 1, 2016. In addition, the moratorium has always applied only to "the first time" that the Town implements plan design changes under the Municipal Health Reform Law in sec. 21-23. The Town went in "the first time" in 2012 and the moratorium (which at the time was July 1, 2014) applied. The Town came out of secs. 21-23 in 2015 and now has gone back in. This, therefore, is "the second time" and not the "first time" that the Town has implemented plan design changes under the law. We believe that a court should apply the plain English used in the statute."
Click here to read my email on this topic.
July 31, 2016 - State Legislature overrides Governor Baker' veto of harmful OPEB amendment
Click here to read my email on this topic.
July 8, 2016 - Governor Baker vetoes L'Italien's harmful OPEB amendment
Click here to read the Eagle Tribune story.
July 7, 2016 - OPEB FACT CHECK! Senator L'Italien's defense of her harmful OPEB amendment is nonsense. Andover retiree David Mickee thinks that "Andover leaders should be ashamed" of the OPEB Reform Plan.
See below for my detailed rebuttal to Senator L'Italien and retiree David Mickee:
Click here for my response to Senator L'Italien's statements on OPEB
Click here for my response to Retiree David Mickee's Letter to the Editor on OPEB
June 2, 2016 - State Senator Barbara L'Italien's reckless effort to sabotage OPEB reform
Click here to read the Andover Townsman story.
April 25, 2016 - Selectmen approve OPEB Reform Plan in a 3-2 vote
On April 25, 2016, Selectmen approved Town Manager, Andrew Flanagan's OPEB reform plan entitled: "OPEB: A Pathway Forward".
Meeting Videos
Final OPEB Reform Vote (11 minutes)
Full Meeting (2 hours and 15 minutes)
April 20, 2016 - "OPEB": A Pathway Forward" (Town Manager's Plan)
Click the images below to watch the video or download a copy of the presentation.
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February 1, 2016 - "Retiree Health Insurance (OPEB): A Roadmap for Reform" (my plan)
OPEB is the retiree health insurance benefit provided to former town/school employees. We spend $6 million per year on this retiree benefit and have an unfunded liability of $160 million and rising. It is one of the major financial challenges we face as a community. I prepared the report below to help us move toward reform.
Click "Download File" below for a copy of the report.
| Retiree Health Insurance "OPEB": A Roadmap for Reform |
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Campaign video below explains OPEB
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OPEB Report Source Documents
| OPEB Advisory Committee Final Report 3/31/2016 |
| Andover OPEB Sub-Committee Report 11/24/2014 |
| Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) 2013 Survey - Summary of Results |
| Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) 2013 Survey - Retiree Premium Contributions |
| 2012 Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation OPEB Study |
| 2011 MTF Study "Retiree Health Care - The Brick That Broke Municipalities Backs" |
| Andover OPEB Valuation 2011 |
| Andover's OPEB Valuation.2013 |
| MA Special Commission OPEB Report January, 2013 |
| OPEB Trust Quarterly investment Report as of 9/30/2015 |