Franklin Lakes April 18, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Council tables union contracts for health plan review by Frank J. McMahon The Franklin Lakes Council has tabled several resolutions pertaining the contract agreements with the Policemen’s Benevolent Association and with the American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees Local 2274B, which represents many of the other employees of the borough. Resolutions to terminate the borough’s state health benefits plan and approve an agreement with the Gateway BMED medical plan, and to approve collective bargaining agreements with the two unions were about to be passed by the council at a recent special/work session. However, the PBA had not yet voted to ratify its agreement with the borough, which included the switch of medical plans. In addition, there was no general agreement among the ASFCME members about approving an agreement that included the switch of medical plans. About 35 employees, both members of ASFCME and non-members, attended the meeting and many of them continued to voice their objection to the change in medical plans because their doctors, on whom they said they have relied for years, are not part of the network of doctors in the BMed plan. Kathleen Mazzouccolo, the staff attorney and representative for ASFCME Council 52, asked the council to consider the impact of switching plans on the employees. “The difficulty is which providers are covered,” Mazzouccolo said, “and the BMed plan has fewer providers than the state plan.” Two employees, one of whom is an ASFCME member, voiced their concerns to the council about switching plans. Deputy Municipal Clerk Jennifer Crespo said she understood that the state and BMed plans are similar, and the borough has the right to decide which medical plan will be provided to employees, but she has certain doctors who are not in the BMed plan. She said the switch of plans would be “hard hitting” for borough employees who don’t make a lot of money. “I came here for good health benefits,” Crespo said, “and I hope you take that into consideration.” Beverly Bently, who has been working in the building department for five years, said her family has health problems and their doctor is like a father to them. “Being asked to change doctors whom we have had for 20 years is really difficult and I don’t know what I’ll do,” Bently said. “I can’t go out of pocket and who do I trust with my life? Gregory Hart, the borough’s business administrator, (continued on page 16)