SPECIAL
MEETING OF THE TOWN BOARD OF
THE
TOWN OF NEW HARTFORD, NEW YORK,
HELD
AT THE KELLOGG ROAD COMMUNITY CENTER
BUILDING
ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28, 2006 AT 4:42 P.M.
In the absence of the Town Supervisor who had been detained on business, Deputy Town Supervisor/Councilman David Reynolds called the meeting to order at 4:42 P.M. and led those in attendance in the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag. The roll was then taken with the following Town Officials and Department Heads being present during the progress of the meeting:
TOWN BOARD MEMBERS: Councilman Robert A. Payne III
Councilman John C. Waszkiewicz III
Councilman David M. Reynolds
Councilman Richard B. Woodland, Jr.
Supervisor Earle C. Reed – arrived 4:59 P.M.
OTHER TOWN OFFICIALS: Director of Senior Services M. Eileen Spellman
Town Clerk Gail Wolanin Young, CMC/RMC
Thereafter, a quorum was declared present for the transaction of business. The purpose of this Special Meeting primarily was to consider insurance proposals for renewal of the Town’s various policies that expire June 30, 2006.
Director
of Senior Services:
Having reviewed the matter with the Personnel Department, Director of Senior Services Eileen Spellman proposed the following Resolution, which was introduced by Councilman Waszkiewicz and duly seconded by Councilman Woodland:
(RESOLUTION NO. …
OF 2006)
WHEREAS, a regular employee at the New Hartford Adult and Dining Activity Center has been out of work due to a non-work related injury and is expected to be out of work for an indeterminate length of time;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the New Hartford Town Board does hereby appoint Mary Bolton as a Sub Clerk/Food Service Helper, effective June 29, 2006 at the hourly wage of Seven Dollars and Seventy-five Cents ($7.75), payable bi-weekly.
The Resolution was subject to a vote upon roll call that resulted as follows:
Councilman Waszkiewicz - Aye
Councilman Woodland - Aye
June 28, 2006
Page 2
Councilman Reynolds - Aye
Councilman Payne - Aye
Supervisor Reed - ABSENT.
Deputy Supervisor/Councilman Reynolds declared the Resolution unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED.
Deputy Supervisor/Councilman Reynolds acknowledged receipt of proposals from
· Gates-Cole
· Bailey, Haskell & LaLonde
· Scalzo, Zogby & Wittig, Inc.
Councilman Woodland had canvassed the proposals, noting that
Gates-Cole and Bailey, Haskell & LaLonde were within Fifty-five Dollars
($55) after removing the “consent to settle” provision in Bailey, Haskell &
LaLonde’s proposal.
William Gates of Gates-Cole was present and thanked Deputy Clerk Margaret Jones and Town Clerk Gail Wolanin Young for a lot of hard, time-consuming work on submission of applications and extended his appreciation to Councilman Woodland for his time in canvassing the proposals. Mr. Gates reviewed his proposal and insurance coverages, noting that the Owners Contractor Protective (OCP) can be raised to $2,000,000. With regard to Trident, this company doesn’t offer a “consent to settle” clause – they find it dangerous and don’t recommend it. Discussion included earthquake and flood insurance, the deductibles and blanket limits. The Law Enforcement Policy proposed offers a $50,000 death payment for a felony in line of duty (Town currently has this) and also offer $50,000 dismemberment, etc. that doesn’t have to relate to a felony, but in the line of duty. Further, Trident offers identity theft for all town employees including related expenses.
Supervisor Reed arrived at 4:59 P.M.
In the line of duty, includes paralysis, quadraplegia, paraplegia, hemiplegia, etc.
To Councilman Waszkiewicz’s inquiry, Mr. Cole responded that municipal employees also have other options or companies separate from this, such as workers compensation. He questioned if Gates-Cole proposal is equal to the Town’s current insurance; Mr. Cole responded affirmatively, except that Trident doesn’t offer Consent to Settle. He said his proposal meets or exceeds existing coverage.
June 28, 2006
Page 3
At 5:12 P.M. Robin Lowitz [Marketing Manager] and Chip Roe [Manager] of Bailey Haskell & Lalonde were introduced. Ms. Lowitz reviewed the highlights of the Arrowhead (police professional) policy, law enforcement and public officials policies. There is coverage for EEOC and a sub-limit for defense. Their insurance proposal provides for “Consent to Settle” stating that attorneys like to have this in the policy even though it may have a downside to it; and it allows the Town to select a local attorney.
Mr. Roe explained that the deductible on the policies includes loss adjustment, attorney fees, etc., capped at 50% of deductible and the deductible is $10,000. Arrowhead has the broadest coverage in the market for municipalities. From law enforcement – wrongful death , defense costs are in addition to the limits. Deductible on law enforcement is on the occurrence not each complainant.
The Automobile policy was quoted with an option to increase the deductible to $1,000 ---- an increase from $500 to $1,000 costs $800+. Not cost effective. The Town’s vehicle listing had been reviewed by the Highway Superintendent and Personnel Technician II.
General Liability – Arrowhead has medical payments in the amount of $5,000 – good will or first aid benefit to anyone who falls on Town property, in an attempt to prevent a lawsuit.
Public Officials and Employment Practices – if the Town wishes to remove the Consent to Settle, there would be a credit of $615 and $400, respectively, and about $820 on the law enforcement policy. Umbrella goes over all these policies. Their presentation concluded at 5:30 P.M.
By taking out the “consent to settle” clause from Bailey,
Haskell & LaLonde and comparing the quote with Gates-Cole, the latter
company is $55 lower “apples to apples”, according to Councilman Woodland.
Thereafter, Councilman Woodland introduced the following Resolution for adoption, seconded by Councilman Payne:
(RESOLUTION NO. …
OF 2006)
RESOLVED that, after canvassing all proposals
received, the New Hartford Town Board does hereby accept the insurance
proposals submitted by Bailey, Haskell & LaLonde, the Town’s current agent,
for the period June 30, 2006 through June 30, 2007 for the amount of $133,000.
SPECIAL TOWN BOARD MEETING
June 28, 2006
Page 4
It was noted that the Town will realize a savings of about $12,000 over the existing policies and the Town did not lose any reduction in coverage. The Board then voted upon roll call:
Councilman Waszkiewicz - Aye
Councilman Woodland - Aye
Councilman Reynolds - Aye
Councilman Payne - Aye
Supervisor Reynolds - Aye.
The Resolution was declared unanimously carried and duly ADOPTED. The Town Supervisor asked Councilman Woodland to draft letters to the three (3) companies who had submitted quotations.
There being no further business to come before the Town Board, upon motion duly made and seconded, the meeting was adjourned at 5:44 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Gail Wolanin Young, CMC/RMC