Town employee proposes holding Special Town Meeting to address health insurance costs

SOUTHWICK — A lieutenant in the town’s Fire Department appeared before the Select Board Monday to request scheduling a Special Town Meeting to ask residents to allow the town to increase the amount it pays for each employee’s health insurance, which is currently 50%.

“As of right now, the town and employees share a 50/50 contribution of health insurance, which is the state minimum. The employees of our town would like the opportunity to negotiate this coverage to make it a more desirable place of employment for both new and existing employees,” said Fire Lt. Brian Schneider at the meeting.

He added that it was “no secret” the town has lost a few employees over the last year, in part, because of the unaffordable health insurance premium.