Buckeye Water District Special Meeting

Thursday – January 27: The BWD Board of Trustees held a Special Meeting at 1 PM this past Thursday at the Water Treatment Plant. Present at the meeting was Board President Mike Ryan, Board Members Rick Williams, Bob Wines, Tim O'Hara, Cal Carney, Jack Call & Roy Dray. Also attending was District Manager Al DeAngelis and Legal Advisor Fred Emmerling. Board Members Gene McGaffick and Dave Lloyd were absent. The purpose of the Special Meeting was to select a health insurance carrier for all full-time BWD personnel.

At the December, 2010, Board meeting, Insurance Committee Chairman Jack Call reported the BWD was no longer eligible to piggy-back on the Columbiana County group health insurance policy as has been done for over 20 years. Morris Financial Group, the County's insurance broker, had advised authorities that coverage was only for county employees working at least 30 hours per week and receiving either a W-2 or Form 1099 from the County. A Form 1099 is for independent contractors doing work that was out sourced by the County. County authorities had notified the Water District officials that BWD will be dropped as of March 1, 2011.

After the Special Meeting opened this past Thursday the Board immediately went into a 19 minute Executive Session to discuss personnel matters for compensation. Upon returning Ryan turned the meeting over to Insurance Committee Chairman Call.

Call reported that the Committee is recommending the Water District go with Cooper Insurance as their broker for new insurance coverage with Anthem Blue Access. The insurance with the county was also with Anthem but it would be a new policy brokered through Cooper Insurance. That recommendation was approved by the Board.

It appears the Morris Financial may have done a favor for BWD. The new health insurance coverage will cost the district $17,435 per month, nearly $1,000 less than before. Board member Tim O'Hara remarked “it's better coverage at less cost” plus it includes disability. The insurance will be provided to the employee at no cost to them. There were some changes in the employee's deductible, urgent care and Emergency Room visit costs noted.

The meeting adjourned at 1:21 PM. The next regular scheduled Board of Trustee's meeting is Thursday, February 17 at 9 AM at Wellsville Village Hall.

After the meeting Legal Advisor Emmerling was asked the status of the EL litigation. Emmerling stated there is currently an exchange of information taking place between both parties. There is a telephone conference scheduled with the judge and both parties on February 10 and the garnishment hearing is still scheduled for February 24. There is a BWD Litigation Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, February 2, at 1 PM at the Water Treatment Plant. However, there was no reasons given with the announcement about why the committee is meeting.


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