Council's Latest Attempt at Veterans' Benefit Blocked
NORTH ADAMS — The mayor once again torpedoed attempts by the City Council to adopt a state law giving an extra benefit to military veterans disabled while working for the city.Mayor John Barrett III vetoed what councilors had hoped was a suitable compromise measure approved three weeks ago. It was the second time the mayor had used the veto to prevent the city paying out an estimated $57,000 to the 14 or so veterans who fall under the state law.
"You can approve it and say we would like to see these conditions put upon it but according to the Legislature, you have accepted divison two of this law," said the mayor at Tuesday's City Council meeting. "You can say anything ... but it means nothing. You have accepted it."
The council has been grappling with the two-part legislative measure for two years. The law allows municipalities to adopt one or both parts of the law, both regarding veterans' benefits. The city adopted the first part two years ago; the second part, which offers retroactive benefits, has been a bone of contention between the councilors and the mayor for months.
The council has tried on several different compromises, all geared to reduce the city's payout over a number of years and have the North Adams Contributory Retirement Board make the upfront payments.
Three weeks ago, the council adopted the measure with the caveat that the Retirement Board agree to pay the benefit and be reimbursed by the city over a 20-year period.
But the mayor said the city solicitor didn't think the conditions would get the city off the hook for the money. Barrett also raised doubts that the Retirement Board could fulfill any conditions set by the council.
"You also should ask the Retirement Board if they can do this with PERAC," he said. "I don't think they have the authority to do that."
PERAC, the Public Employee Retirement Administration Commission, has oversight of the local Retirement Board.
Councilor Michael Bloom, who had not attended the last meeting, moved to vote the issue up or down. "I don't think postponing it two more weeks will make a difference," he said. "Let's dispense with this and move on."
Councilor Richard Alcombright, who had proposed the amended version three weeks ago, wasn't ready to concede defeat yet and urged that council to delay a vote until the Retirement Board could weigh in on the issue.
"If they do make a satisfactory arrangement we can come back," he said, adding if the board didn't, the vote was moot.
The head of the Retirement Board had verbally agreed to some sort of arrangement two years ago but his board had never raised or voted on the issue. Chairman Alan Marden, who also sits on the Retirement Board, said it would be benefit issue would be taken up this month. The board meets monthly but no date had yet been set for August's meeting.
"I don't want papers handed to me on the 26th," said Councilor Lisa Blackmer, because that wouldn't be enough time to make an informed decision.
Councilor Gailanne Cariddi, who crafted a couple compromise attempts including the first one vetoed, said it was worth holding off until the Retirement Board sought its own opinion and decided the issue. Then, she said, it "would be official."
The council voted 7-1, with Bloom the only naye, to postpone action on the veto until September. Councilor Clark Billings was absent.
Energy Awareness
The City Council unanimously approved a resolution supporting the Take Charge Project being spearheaded by the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition.
The initiative seeks to raise awareness and educate individuals and businesses to energy-saving measures and alternatives.
The project, under the coordination of Morgan Goodwin, had a successful launch at the National Night Out event last week. Goodwin said he was worried no one would come to the project's information booth. Instead, there was a line and the initiative exceeded its goal of signing up participants.
A press conference on the project will be held at the library at 11 a.m. on Thursday with local leaders including the mayor in attendence; there also will be an information table set up at the Mayor's Downtown Celebration next Wednesday.
