Insurance Advisory Committee (IAC)

Town of Berlin

Insurance Advisory Committee Membership and Charge

COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

The Select Board shall appoint a committee to be known as the Insurance Advisory Committee, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, to meet for the reasons specified in its charge. Pursuant to the provisions of Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 32B, Section 3, the Committee shall be composed of eight (8) members as follows: one (1) person duly elected to membership by each organized collective bargaining group in the Town of Berlin, one (1) member who shall be a retiree of the Town of Berlin, and the remaining persons who shall be from different Town departments. No more than one person from a single department or organized group shall be appointed to the Committee.

COMMITTEE CHARGE – (pursuant to MGL Chapter 32B, Section 3)

The Town of Berlin Select Board (the “appropriate public authority”) shall negotiate with and purchase insurance policies covering employees, on terms as it deems to be in the best interest of the Town and its employees.

Prior to the purchase or execution of insurance agreements or contracts as identified in MGL Chapter 32B, Section 1 affecting active Town employees, their spouses or dependents, or  former employees of the Town of Berlin, having retired, and their spouses or dependents who  may be eligible, the Select Board, through the Town Treasurer and Town Administrator, shall  consult with the Committee for the purpose of receiving written recommendations of a majority  of the membership of the Committee. The Select Board, through the Town Treasurer, Town Administrator and benefits consultant shall provide sufficient notice to the Committee with detailed information on the purchase of insurance policies, any agreements or contracts pertaining to said policies, or amendments thereto. The Committee may establish a procedure to provide a reasonable opportunity for all interested employees and retirees to provide input so that the recommendations of the Committee will be a fair representation of Berlin employees and retirees. The Committee shall conduct their timely review of the information provided. In the event that the Committee submits a written recommendation of a majority of its members to the Select Board, the Select Board shall consider and take it under advisement. If the Select Board finds that the Committee's recommendations, in whole or in part, cannot be included within the aforementioned insurance agreements or contracts, the Board shall so notify the Committee of such. At the written request of any member of the Committee within thirty (30) days from the effective date of the agreements or contracts, the Select Board shall submit to said member in writing the reason(s) for the rejection of any or all of the recommendations of the Committee. The Select Board may choose to submit to the Committee for its review, other changes affecting insurance benefits as described in MGL c. 32B, as amended, to Berlin employees, retirees, their spouses and dependents. 

The Committee shall meet as often as necessary to complete the tasks associated with its charge. Members of the Committee shall be appointed annually. Meetings of the Committee or any subcommittee established by the Committee are not subject to the Open Meeting Law, but shall be posted on the Town website and be held in a location accessible to all employees. Proceedings of each meeting shall be recorded by a Committee member and approved by the Committee within a reasonable time after said meeting and distributed to the Select Board.

Date approved by the Select Board: 1/25/2021