HEALTH INSURANCE CHANGES BRING SAVINGS TO MONTPELIER

by Harold Glenn Brock III

     The Montpelier Common Council voted yesterday to change the health insurance coverage for the city's employees, effective January 1, 2009.

     By a unanimous vote, the city will cover 25 percent of the employee's health insurance.  The employee will then pay $38.44 monthly for individual coverage, $92.54 monthly per child, and $123.70 monthly for a spouse.  An employee's deduction will rise from $1000 to $2000, also beginning on January 1, 2009.  This will save the city of Montpelier $43,176 annually.

     Employees who wish not to be covered by this plan may choose their own health insurance.

     In another move concerning city employees, starting on January 1, 2009, paychecks will be bi-weekly, instead of bi-monthly.  Though this does not present any savings to the city, this move will make it easier for employees to get their checks.  Employees will still recieve their next check on Dec. 31, then the next check on January 16, 2009, then every two weeks on fridays from that point on.

     The council  continues to improve the city's emergency preparedness.  Two more diesel generators have been acquired for no charge from government surplus.  One has been installed at the police station, another will be installed to run city hall, and another will run the sewage plant.  Once these generators are installed, the police department, fire department, city hall, water plant and sewage plant will be able to continue services in case of loss of electricity.

     Of the five generators, only the fire department's was purchased, for $5,000.  The others were acquired for no charge from government surplus.

     The council also agreed unanimously to turn off services to the Cueconnex antenna until services and payment are provided.  Cueconnex was to provide 25 radio-read meters to measure signal strength, in exchange for the antenna to provide internet access.  After preliminary discussions with Mayor McPherson, no further contact has been made, despite numerous attempts by Mayor McPherson.  There is also a bill of $15 to be paid by Cueconnex, said Mayor McPherson.

     In other city business, the long-awaited grant to study the leak in the water tank has been promised, but not yet sent, according to Mayor Jim McPherson.  The company that will do the study, Commonwealth Services, is ready to proceed to the point that they will cover their cost of the study, until the grant arrives, said Mayor McPherson.  The council voted unanimously to allow the study to begin so solutions to the leak can be found in an expedient manner.

     The council also advised the members and those present to remind all residents to have winterproofing to houses done soon, if not now, to help reduce calls to the city's Water department.  Also, the police department recommended that all residents make sure any dogs have plenty of food, water and shelter outside to help reduce the number of calls to the police department.