Extending outgoing First Selectman Bob Koskelowski’s life insurance benefits entered round two as Board of Finance member Michele Pavlik attempted to bring the matter before her own board after failing to convince the Board of Selectmen to reject the notion.
Pavlik’s motion to add the discussion under new business at Wednesday’s meeting of the Board of Finance failed to pass.
Koskelowski protested the motion itself, stating that acting on it was improper. There was no financial issue for the board to discuss, according to the First Selectman.
Under a recommendation from Frank Loda, Pavlik and Koskelowski stated their positions under the guise of public comments.
“It’s not a debate,” Loda added. “you cannot go back and forth.”
Pavlik went first, reading off a list of notes concerning the proposal to extend Koskelowski’s life insurance coverage to beyond the conclusion of term.
She noted that the insurance company cannot directly bill Koskewlowski so the town would — but without a policy in place to oversee the process, the town would incur administrative costs.
Pavlik also noted that no previous town employee had been given this option and there were not, in her understanding, any precedents to justify the decision.
However, according to Koskelowski, several former town employees currently benefit from the town’s medical coverage plan. They are allowed in on the group rates and handle their own payments in full, much like a COBRA plan. Koskelowski argued that not only is that precedent, but it is also more dangerous for the town than what he is requesting.
When someone claims against the town’s medical coverage it can affect future rates.
“Life insurance does not go up,” said Koskelowski, noting that the type of insurance he is seeking to extend is not subject to those same rules.
He also said when everything was finalized, the town would not incur any additional administrative costs.
Koskelowski remarked about public officials making misleading statements. He called the attempt to bring the issue up an “insult to the town.”
“It’s making it sound like I am getting something no other town employee has ever got,” said Koskelowski.
In a set of recommendations she intends to make to the Board of Selectmen, Pavlik suggests a policy should be implemented immediately to govern the extension of benefits, it should include a small fee for administrative costs and there should be a signed legal agreement locking in the terms and conditions.
“This isn’t at no cost to the town,” she said.
“There is no cost at all to administer the life insurance policy,” retorted Koskelowski during his turn to speak.
After Koskelowski made his comments, including those concerning medical benefits extensions for former and non town employees, Pavlik had another go at public comment.
Koskelowski protested additional remarks, since as stated it was not a debate.
Pavlik wanted to note that some of the information the First Selectman was presenting was contradictory to what she understood from the Board of Selectmen meeting.
“It is not my intention to mislead the public or anybody,” she said.
On Dec. 2, the Board of Selectmen are expected to present a policy to formalize the already voted upon agreement to extend Koskelowski’s life insurance benefit.
That meeting will be Koskelowski’s last as First Selectman.
This Board of Finance meeting was Pavlik’s final as a member of the board. She said she will be at the Board of Selectmen meeting voice her concerns and make her recommendations, as a member of the public.
