2023-04-04 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Public Service
2023-04-04 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Public Service
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
There are a number of hearings going on. We're back to live action here in the state house with community hearing. So that's good. We just had a member. I I think there's a hearing going on right in 82.
Good morning. Welcome to today's hearing of the Joint Committee on Public Service, I'm Representative Kenneth Gordon and I'm61 joined here by my Co Chair and colleague, Senator, Michael Brady. Welcome senator.
I appreciate everyone's time and attention. To the matters before us today. The subject of today's hearing is agency recommendations and local matters, and we have 38 bills before us. For consideration today. I'm gonna take a moment to recognize the House members who have joined us here today. We have our vice chair, Natalie Higgins. We have Kate Dunahue. We have our ranking member David De Coast. And we have we're here.
You guys. You're in you're in saunders. Let's make sure you're here. Okay. We're in saunders. Okay.
Anybody else? Yeah. Okay.
We don't we it should be a relatively short hearing. Or aren't that many when this is signed up? What I'd like to do I'm sorry?
Oh, okay.
And
this is new. You just you just got that. This we133 are this is our first hybrid hearing. So we have some live people. We137 have some people who are gonna138 come in on on virtually. And what I'd like to do is kind of go sort of back and forth so that we will take legislators but we're also gonna give the public an opportunity to not have to wait till the end for all the legislators. So we're gonna kinda go back and forth in that way. So be a little patient because you may be called up at any time. In Cody Case, our staff director may have a list. Do you have a list of sort of the orders? No.
Alright. Do I? Alright. I have a list. Do they do the witnesses know when they might be coming up? That's what I mean. No. Okay. Alright. Well, I guess, be ready.
And then at that point, So this time, that's fine. In the future, when there's a lot of witnesses, I think we'd like to have a list so that you know if you need to use a restroom or something that that you're not next up.
Let's see.
Senator Brady, do you have any remarks you'd like to share? There you go.
Thank you, Mr. chairman. I wanna thank everyone showing up here today and on line as well. This is a new system we're using this year. I'm glad we're back in action live in person, but we also for the convenience of people that live far213 away have busy schedules we are doing online as well216 as as my coach, Jay mentioned. And I'm gonna pass it over to you, Mr. Chairman, I I will have some senators arriving as the day goes on. So we want to do some as they
arrive.
Thank you, Mr. chairman.
Thanks, Mr. chairman. I appreciate we have representative, Idar Oven, who has joined us.
Just logistically, we have 3 microphones that are working. In order to be238 heard virtually, you have to use the microphone. So that's the most important reason for that. So we have the chairs. We'll share this 1, and you can move that 1. There should be enough slack so that you can move those down the line. They are live. So expect that if you're speaking to each other, it can be heard. If you need to mute it for any reason, you can push that little button. Okay. Let's say, witnesses are allotted 3 minutes to provide their testimony. And I appreciate you sticking to that. I think there's gonna be a timer that's gonna come up. That's really out of respect for the witnesses who are later on the list so that they don't have to wait too long. You're all welcome to submit written testimony. In fact, we're gonna keep the deadline for written testimony open for a week until April eleventh. So if you feel that there's more that you wanted to say, you can certainly give it to us in writing. For those of you testifying verbally will recognize each of you who has signed up.
Let's say, we're using the Teams platform online, but you probably know that because you're online using the Teams platform. I asked that if you experience an issue during the hearing, you send a message into the chat. A member of the community staff is monitoring the chat and will respond to that as soon as possible. I ask, can you refrain from using the chat feature for any substantive conversations as those chats are not recorded in the live screen? And therefore they're not we're not able to make that part of the public record.
And in order to have everyone be heard, please mute yourselves. If you're not speaking.
Okay. Yes.
Oh, okay. And we will put the order of speakers in the chat Oh, which helps the people virtually, but I'll put the people here
here. Where here will they
see that? Alright. Some of you will get the benefit of the names in the chat, and some of you again could get called pretty soon. Okay. Now here's my order. Let's see. Okay. First bell to come up. Allison girly s 16 87 here has a panel with Joanne Songiki, if I spelled Okay. Saund? Saundry. Saundry, Alison, Marie Mario Olivera. Oh, welcome. We'll come back. I know 1. Test it might be for it. Welcome back.
JOANNE SONGI - CONCERNED CITIZEN - SB 1687 - Good morning, and thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify before you today. My name is Joanne Songi. I am the widow of detective John Songi of the Rutland Police Department who died after contracting COVID 19 in line of duty in April of 2020. John was diagnosed with COVID 19 on April 23rd. He battled this virus at home until May second. When I found him on his hands and knees in the shower, telling me he could not breathe to call 911.Paramedics arrived in Hazmat Suits and took John away on a gurney, the image of John looking up at me from the437 shower floor unable to catch his breath.
And the marks in our gravel driveway from the Gurney are forever embedded in my mind. Due to CDC guidelines and restrictions, I was not allowed to be by his side during his hospital stay. The only time I was allowed into the hospital was when they thought he was going to die. John suffered multi organ failure due to COVID 19. He suffered respiratory failure and was placed on a ventilator, a collapse long resulting in the care team cutting his upper back open so that they could place a tube. Heart failure resulting in several episodes of CPR. Kidney failure requiring hemodialysis. All of which I witnessed.
John died on 05/29/2020 after a 36-day battle with his deadly virus. Since this date, I have been left with being solely responsible for John's debt. All of our household financial obligations such as mortgage payments, homeowners insurance, home maintenance and repairs, yard maintenance, mowing, snow removal and upkeep along with groceries, utilities, heating bills, car payment, medical bills not covered by insurance. I work on average 50 to 60 hours a week, days and nights, just to try to maintain a steady income to cover my responsibilities. Responsibilities that we were once shared together with both of our incomes.
The death and denial of John's benefits has caused me financial, physical, and emotional distress, causing me to seek professional psychological help. I not only grieve the loss of my husband, but I also now suffer from533 panic attacks, anxiety, depression, and sleepless nights were living the pain and suffering, John and I both endured and worrying about how I will continue to manage on my income alone. John took an oath as a law enforcement officer to serve and protect his community, and that is exactly what he did. While most were ordered to stay at home during the pandemic, John continued going to work every day performing his duties.
I have no doubt that John contracted COVID 19 in the line of duty resulting in the ultimate sacrifice. The federal government has recognized COVID 19 as a legitimate cause of line of duty deaths within law enforcement. My husband's name was forever etched in stone at the law enforcement memorial in Washington DC last year. As well as the law enforcement memorial just outside this building. It is my hope that the state of Massachusetts acknowledges John's death from COVID-nineteen as a line of duty death.
Receiving the state line of duty death benefits will not only will not bring my husband back. Nor will it end my grief. Rather, it will hopefully help me find my new normal and provide some closure to this nightmare that I've lived for the past three years. In closing, I'm asking that this committee gives strong consideration to my testimony and will favorably on Senate Bill S 1687. I would like to end my testimony with a quote that resonates with me. It is set in part There is no closure to grief. Just the beginning, a middle, and the rest of your life. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you for your testimony. Thank you. Alright.
MARIO OLIVEIRA - CONCERNS OF POLICE SURVIVORS - SB 1687 - Good morning, Gina Brady. James Gordon, members of the committee joint committee on public service. My name is Mario Olivera I am the president of the New England Chapter Concerns of Police Survivors, also known as COPS. COPS is a nationally known peer support organization that assists survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. We helped them rebuild their shattered lives. According to a recent article in the Office of662 Down Memorial page, an estimated 460 police officers died nationwide of COVID.
Ever since COVID plagued God great nation in 2020, I have been made aware of seven different law enforcement officers who died as a result of COVID 19 in this state. Each of these deceased officers have already either been approved for line of duty deaths on the federal level or in the process. Of being approved. one of the seven families I just mentioned was detective John Songi, from the Rutland Police Department. I have seen firsthand the amount of sorrow and pain each of the survivors in these line of duty deaths have endured. I can attest that after receiving the federal and state line of duty death benefits.
707 They707 provide much needed hope and financial peace and stability to their surviving families. What Mrs. Songi hasn't do it over the last 3 years has been, in my opinion, unnecessary, unfortunate, and extremely detrimental to her health. I am asking that this committee rule favorably on senate bill S 1687, which will provide Mrs. Songi with her state line of duty death benefits. Benefits that will provide her with some peace, financial relief, and with hopes of finding her new normal. 1 without fear, anxiety, and the feeling of abandonment. Thank you for the opportunity to testify in front of you today. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank
you, Mr. Sherr, Mr. Coache.
Good English.
Oh, the witnesses too, folks. You can only be heard
from her. Right. Thank you very much.
ALISON GORLEY - JOANNE SONGI’S COUNSEL - SB 1687 - Thank you, Mr. Chair, Mr. Co Chair, distinguished council members. My name is Alison Gorley. I am Counsel for. I represent Joanne before the Worcester Retirement Board and the State Retirement Board in her drawn out legal battle for the death benefits owed to her. Arising from detective Songi’s tragic death in 05/29/2020, from COVID 19, at age 48. Time and time again, families and spouses of law enforcement officers are told if anything happens to me you'll be taken care of. Something tragic happened to John Songi and Joanne has not been taken care of.
One of the literally unseen risks of being a police officer is the number of highly contagious diseases they can be exposed to during a normal encounter with a civilian or a suspect. Joanne, as well as John's chief Nicholas Monaco803 of the Bratlin Police, would tell you that detective Songi was out in807 the community all the808 time. Under the law, if he was shot or involved in a collision, we would not be here today. We're here because the nation was faced with a novel pandemic that was not819 contemplated when the laws were drafted and became the number one killer of law enforcement in 2020.
825 Joanne825 faces a bureaucratic problem that though John's death was undoubtedly in the line of duty, it does not fit squarely within the language of the existing statutes. Now this committee has the power to close loopholes in the law when it's warranted. I remind you of the benefits awarded by this legislature to the family of officer Mani Familia, whose accidental drowning did not fall squarely within the language of the law, but it was the right thing to do. We will present written evidence of including a board survey the report of the board certified infectious disease specialist Todd Ellerin, who opines to a reasonable degree of medical certainty. That based on all of the evidence, John's death was a865 line of duty death.
Remember today, we're not asking868 you to decide any sweeping changes to the Commonwealth's retirement system, we're only asking you to decide this single compelling case. It helps to analyze John's death in the context of when it occurred, which was the early days in the pandemic. He did not have the option of a vaccine PPE was in shortage and the CDC had not even recommended widespread use of masks by the public. He completed his duties to our Commonwealth Well, Joanne stayed at home with the rest of us for the stay at home order. We will submit his complete duty log for the days and weeks before his diagnosis. And any one of these calls could have caused detective Songi to be exposed to the virus.
We may never know the exact moment he was exposed to COVID 19, but Cory Booker stated in support of the Federal presumption bill We must eliminate the instances in which families920 are asked to prove921 what is often unprovable.922 Both the town of Scotland and the federal government has recognized John's ultimate forces a line of duty death. On top of grieving, Joanne has spent nearly three years after her husband died fighting to make ends while struggling for these benefits. The evidence warrants the passage of this bill, and it represents the fulfillment of our moral obligation to those who served and protected our commonwealth during this emergency. Thank you.
REP GORDON - Thank you all for your test. Good morning. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I speak for the committee. We're sorry for your loss, and we appreciate your sacrifice. And these presumption bills especially this one. They are important because we faced a different era in our history coming out of COVID. They know that this committee reported this out favorably in the last session. It's no coincidence that you're up in our first hearing. We will we will look at this and get to work on this. Thank you for thank you for taking the time to come and speak to the committee. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
before you leave. Thank you. Let's go check.
SEN BRADY - Thank you, Mr. chairman. And Ms. Songi, I give you credit and strength and testifying today. I I lost my brother to COVID three years ago. And, like, how it goes out to you and your family and anything we can do. And and I would just ask the information you have on those other things that got passed. If you can get that information to us, that would be very helpful.
SONGI - Absolutely.
BRADY - If we move it favorably out of this committee, so wherever it lands next, it'll give it a strike.
SONGI - Absolutely. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chegg.
Thank you. Members of the committee, any questions? No. K. I'll do that. Okay. Thank you
very much. Thank you. Thank you all.
Yep.
Okay. Let's see here. Okay. Okay. So I can't easily see if anybody can. The names who are virtual, who are waiting in the 1 in particular ones I'm looking1036 for, would be legislators.1037
Is it can you see that? I
can't see that.
Okay. I feel a little better.
So is if any if we have a staff or who can kind of monitor who can see the names and tell me if we have a registered who's appearing virtually. Okay.
So I see it.
Yep. I see it. Okay. Let's do that. So we're Oh, rep Garcia is here. Right. It's virtual. Okay.
Alright. We'll get there.
And and leave center view reflecting on my
Okay. Then why don't we do that? Why don't we take senator Are you there? There
you go. Good morning. Good
morning.
Okay. Center. Are you okay. You're here are you here with the panel?
I am here with the panel. Yes.
Okay. On S369369.
Is your panel all virtual?
They are, Mr. chairman.
I I'm sorry. Is your panel virtual? Yes. Okay. Then let's call S2369
all Jake, Craig Hardy, and Travis Lucha.
Okay. There you are. K. We we're
good to get started. Good to hear, man. Yes, please. All right.
SEN VELIS - SB 2369 - Thank you, Mr. Chairman, Chair Gordon and Chair of Brady and all the members of the Public Service Committee for allowing me to testify on this legislation that I filed on behalf of the City of Westfield and former Westfield firefighter Greg Heath. I'm joined today on this panel by Paul Jakes and Craig Hardy from the PFFM and Travis Lucia, the president of IAFF, Local 1111 from the city of Westfield. I have known firefighter Heath for many years registered the Westfield Fire Department from 1996 to 2019. And in 2014, he tragically received a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. And was forced by the illness to retire in 2020.
Many of you know the effects of Parkinson's, but less of you may know that the incurable neuro degenerative disorder has been found at a much higher rate in firefighters than in the general public. Since 2017, I've been proud to work with Greg and PFFM to make Parkinson's disease a presumptive disease for firefighters. Legislation that has been re filed this session in the senate and the house. Okay. While we continue to work on this general legislation, the city of Westfield has pushed for this specific home rule on Greg's behalf to ensure that he's able to get the benefit and the support that he needs. Greg currently received a 50% regular retirement benefit tax.
The proposal passed by the Westfield City Council, and included in his home rule petition would allow Greg a full accidental disability retirement benefit that is 72% tax free as retroactive as to as repart retirement. This legislation has been reviewed by the city's retirement commission as well as the state public employer retirement administration who made edits to keep the language consistent with similar home rules. Is my hope that we'll be able to continue this1240 expedient work with this committee on behalf1242 of the city of Westfield and firefighter Heath. And I would allow it turn it over to my other panelist and thank the committee for their consideration for this legislation. Thank you very much. Paul, if you wanna go.
PAUL JACQUES - PROFESSIONAL FIREFIGHTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS - SB 2369 - Good morning, chair Gordon. chair Brady, members of the committee and staff. Thanks for the opportunity to testify before you today on such an important piece of legislation that Senator Vias an it's broad members of my families. For the record, my name is Paul Jakes, legislative agent for the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts. I'm joined today by Craig Hardy. Legislative agent, professional firefighting in Massachusetts, and Travis Lucia president of what field firefighting is local 111. We will be submitting written testimony, but would like to go on the record in support of Senate Bill 2369.
Act relative to the retirement of Greg Heath, a former firefighter of the city of Westfield. Many of you have heard from us in the past in testimony on this job related exposure to toxic chemicals and side effects that result from such parts and disease among our members. In this case, Westfield firefighter Greg Heath, has been diagnosed and suffering from Parkinson's disease as a result. Disease has resolved and this would have an early having comprised of this. Greg's1321 circumstances were directly tied to prolonged exposure to burning tires and other toxic chemicals during the1327 fire1327 that he and his crew responded1328 to as Westfield firefighters.
As a result, all of our four firefighters on his responding engine company have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. Set at bill 2369 will help make things right, for our friend Greg and his family by providing Greg with the correct retirement under Section 7 of Chapter 32. This will be based on his diagnosis for Parkinson's disease as a result of his employment with Westfield Fire Department as a job related injury. As mentioned, we will be re including written testimony. I would like to provide some further testimony from Travis Lucia after viewing the registration. Testimony that we submit. We1372 request that in favor of what development we can do. I'd like to turn it over to Travis at this time.
TRAVIS LUCIA - INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS LOCAL 1111 - SB 2369 - Good morning. My name is Travis Lucia. First off, thank you for the opportunity to testify here today. I'm a firefighter in and resident of the city of Westfield. I am the president of the International Association of Firefighters local 1111 and represent 80 plus firefighters and captains in the Westfield the fire department. I wanna quickly thank everyone for their hard work with the legislation including Greg himself who has worked tirelessly since 2017 with Senator Velis, Dave Adams, Paul Jakes of the PFFM.
All the other members of the PFFM, and1413 our previous president, Keith Sapinski, as well as anybody who's lent a ear and put an eye on an on the cause for us here. Greg Heath was a firefighter and the superintendent of alarms was the fire department for over 20 years. And he was reluctantly forced to retire due to his diagnosed of Parkinson's disease. This state of Massachusetts currently recognizes the presumption of cardiac conditions and cancer as it relates to1436 the toxins that firefighters are exposed to, but has yet to officially recognize Parkinson's disease. This results in a much lower retirement opportunity for the firefighters despite scientific evidence.
Some of that scientific evidence comes from the neurotoxin Institute. They indicated that Parkinson's1453 disease was significantly more common in firefighters than in the1457 general pop population. The general population has a rate of Parkinson's disease of 0.3 cases for every 1000 individuals, whereas it's they have found it can be 30 cases in 1000 firefighters. When the home rule made it to the mayor of Westfield, Mike McCabe, He called the union. He called myself specifically within hours to throw his complete support behind getting this accomplished. As well as it went through the city's legal department, the retirement commission, and, ultimately.
It went in front of the 13 members of the city council where twice it was going to unanimously to approve and move on and do it back to the hands of senator Velis of the united states. I just wanna quickly stress and cannot stress enough how much the local union, the city government, as well as senator Velis has supported the home rule. I hope this needs and I hope that ultimately this presents an opportunity to go in front of the entire state and protect all of our firefighters across the Commonwealth as it has since 2016 or 2017 in the states of New York, in the states of Indiana as well where they have recognized this as a presumption for all firefighters. So again, thank you for the opportunity to testify. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Is that everyone on the panel? Nope.
I'll I'll I'll be quick check-in order. I'd like to thank you for not see a great time.
7 of me instead, you know, also present. Okay.
That this is the right thing to do. I think we can do the free to you, man.
You can't hear me?
No. Can you hear me now?1567 Yeah. Maybe speak a1569 little slower not because you're speaking too fast. It's either Mike.
CRAIG HARDY - PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF MASSACHUSETTS - SB 2369 - I just wanted to echo what everyone stated here. And that Greg Heath, I just wanna put on the record that years ago. He didn't wanna do a home rule petition because he wanted it to be for everyone. He just wanted to be for him. And that's just the character of man, he is. But now that he was forced off the job, I mean, he was pushed to no other way where we do have our legislation filed statewide as Senator Velis stated earlier. I just wanted to protect Greg and his family in the future because it's needed, and it is the right thing to do. So I just asked you to report out favorably is Bill, which is kind of Bill 2369. And I thank your time.
GORDON - Thank you for your testimony. My memory is that This was a late file in the last session. Is that right? As a home role? And I1623 don't think it got to the committee. So this is the first time we've heard it.1627
VELIS - You're correct, Mr. chairman.
GORDON - Okay. Alright. And and again, these presumption bills are important. They're really worth spending, you know, a lot of time looking at it because of the conditions that you described, the firefighters are there to protect us. And we need to look at ways that we can protect our firefighters. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you
very much.
And just thank you all for your testimony. Very important. Thank you.
Thanks, Patricia.
I
just had that
question on the volume. Please turn on the you know, because I'm having trouble hearing the testing. I'll be able to hear this.
Yep. Let me turn
it off
the bot.1666 Yeah. Got it. Okay. Thanks for the question.
Okay. Representative.
Okay. Alright.
Well, thank you, Chad Gordon, and Chad Brady, great to see you. And members of the committee, although heavily weighted to the right side of the room. I don't know what's uncomfortable about the chairs and the other side, but
actually, the microphones that don't exist.
I see. Oh, I see. Well There's
a reason for everything in it. Can't join
committee on public. That's
great.
REP ROY - HB2649 - Well, thank you. Well, thank you for the opportunity to testify testifying on age 26 49, which is and act to1720 restore retirement benefits to Donald Lawler, who's the surviving beneficiary of Robert Lawler, who died unfortunately from cancer in February of 20 20. Donna is at home today. Watching this hearing as as it goes on live, and she asked me to testify on her behalf. She has been denied retirement benefits from the city of Boston despite her husband's longtime employment as a Boston police officer because of a clerical error.
And this legislation is designed to fix that clerical era. She has been without any income for the past three years. And we've submitted detailed testimony. I'm not going to repeat what is in the letter, but the letter also included the home rule petition that we did not have last year from the city of Boston. You did report this bill out favorably, but it got stuck. In the clerk's office because of the lack of a home rule petition. But we also have a resolution from the city of Boston that is supportive of1789 this change in the1791 clerical era.
The people work does not that was submitted and is relied upon by the city of Boston does not support the denial of survivor benefits. As it's missing Donna's signature, which is required under general laws, Chapter 32, Section 12. The city admits that it has lost paperwork and we need this bill to remedy this particular error, rectify the injustice, and restore Donna's benefits. Again, you redid reported favorably last session, and we would respectfully request that you report this bill favorably. As soon as possible so we can restore her benefits. And thank you for your time today.
Representative. I I very well remember that we did refer this out favorably. In part, you know, your your constituent was watching because chairman Roy stayed after this and spoke to us. At the heros in the steakhouse, sometimes outside of the steakhouse. This was so important to you. Is SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
That why you blocked my number from your cell phone?
Well, talk about that. But, really, you worked so hard on behalf of this constituent,1859 and so I thank you for that. And we did refer out favorably before, and we'll take them with it again.
Thank you so much. Thank you.
You, buddy?
Bye. Bye.
1872 Alright.1872 I don't see I know that senator Timothy said he'd be your1875 he will be here. I don't1876 I don't see your initials up there anyway. So we're going1879 to go with I put them down. Yeah.
I'm left1882
here. Oh, there you are?
Yes. We'll get you. Okay. Senator Timothy.
SEN TIMILTY - SB 1738 - Chair Gordon. Thank you very much. Greatly appreciate and Chad Brady and distinguished members of the committee for this opportunity to testify in front of the joint committee and public service. Just as an aside, chief Tony Marag, our outstanding police chief in Randolph is also in the queue. Waiting to testify on behalf of this whole petition that I have filed in conjunction with senator Mike Brady, state representative Bruce Ayers, and state representative Bill Driscoll. This home rule petition is Senate Bill 1738 An Act relative to the disability retirement of Casey L'Italien, a police officer in the city known as the town of Randolph.
This home rule petition specifically addresses the need for one of Randolph's heroes. Officer Casey L'Italien sustained a permanent disability in the performance of her duties as a Randolph police officer. Enduring a vicious assault while arresting a violent criminal. As a result of this vicious assault, Office L'Italien has sustained multiple serious head injuries. Office L'Italien has served the Randolph Police Department with distinction for more than 10 years and is in 19 excuse me. Is a 2016 recipient of the distinguished Robert P. Data Award in recognition of exemplary police work and valor associated with stepping into harm's way, not once, but as a way of life.
As I mentioned at the outset of my remarks, in May of 2021, Office L'Italien was severely injured, while on duty as a result of a vicious assault, while she was trying to apprehend a violent suspect, but multiple domestic violence offenses. Specifically, as a direct result of this assault, Office L'Italien sustained a concussion, a twin internal carotid artery at the base of her skull, and a pseudo aneurysm. These horrific injuries that obsolescence sustained as a result of a brutal attack have resulted in partial facial paralysis, visual and auditory complications, as well as neurological and cognitive disabilities and challenges. Moreover, at the time of the attack, Office L'Italienwas it is the mother of two small children who at the time were two years old and nine months old at the time.
Tragically, these injuries have impeded, Office L'Italien's ability as a mother to care for her children properly and have permanently incapacitated rotated her from performing the essential duties of a police officer. Therefore, I, in conjunction with senator Brady, Representative Driscoll and Representative Ayers have filed this home petition to ensure that Office L'Italien will be paid a pension equal to what she would have been paid had she continued serving as a police officer. Moreover, her pension will be back paid and become effective from the time she stopped receiving regular compensation. Quite simply, this is the right thing to do.
With that, Chair Brady, Chair Gordon, I respectfully request a favorable report of this home rule petition. Senate Bill 1738 Act relative to the disability retirement of Casey L'Italien, a police officer in the city known as the town of Randolph. With that Chair Brady, Chair Gordon I look forward to collaborating on this bill with my colleagues on this committee and with yourselves and with your staff. And also, I thank you very much in advance to chief Marag for collaborating on this very important bill with myself and, also, I thank, Office L'Italien for her heroism2100 each and every day as a police officer and in her daily life. In her efforts to recover from this injury. Thank you very much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you, Sarah. Chair, Prate, you may
wanna Thank you, and thank you to my colleague, senator Timothy, and and thank you for your strong effort because he's on this, and and I'm honored to be on this speak with yourself as well and and our colleagues and also represent the running the representing the town of Rayonau. Thank
you.
No. We've spoken about this bill. You've been a great advocate for it. So thank you for presenting it. Anyone on the committee have any questions? Thank you.
Let's see. I am gonna go back to the public, and I'm gonna go back to in person. So let's go to chief Aaron Kennedy. You know that you that does there there's another witness on this bill, but we'll get to that.
Wanna think of
Okay. Hold on. Okay. I'm
sorry, John. That's That's chief Marag is the other witness from the town of Randolph. So thank you very much.
So it's2169 chief yeah. It's2170 chief Marag. Are you here? Yes. Are you here? Wanna yeah. Let's bring up chief Merag next. Thank you very
much.
Okay. After chief Merag, I'm looking we're gonna look for someone who's present in the building because I wanna go back and forth.
Thank you, Trevor. Go ahead. Okay. Well,
CHIEF ANTHONY MARAG - RANDOLPH POLICE DEPARTMENT - SB 1738 - Thank you, Senator Timilty. To the committee, thank you for having2195 me here today to testify regarding Office2203 Casey L'Italie. Senator Timilty laid the groundwork really of what happened that day, but I'd like to go a little more into that because Office L'Italien, really was the standard for a police officer for the town of Randolph. On that day his girlfriend multiple times. When she tried to take him into custody, she was violently thrown to the ground, striking her head on the pavement.
Multiple offices helped her out, tried to detain the suspect. But she got back in the fight after striking her head on the pavement. She got back into it. And again, she was thrown to the ground, striking her head a second2252 time. Eventually, that party was taken into custody. And while at the hospital, He took a scalpel and broke off the top and hit it in his mouth. And when he came back to the station, he said he was gonna make police officers believed that day. That's who she was dealing with, a violent2274 repeat offender.
And he changed the Randolph PD and Office L'Italien forever. Office L'Italien had an amazing future. She was a victim advocate at Quincy District Court before she became a police officer. And the sad thing about this is she became the victim that day. She was an advocate for all victims within that apartment. Related to that domestic violence, she would reach out to victims. Show support. And now we have that hole and then out of common because of what happened that day.
She was a dedicated officer and also Her husband is a dedicated Randolph police officer who was there that day during that violent assault. She has forever changed and can never work with an out of pocket again. I know she has struggles constantly with what happened that day. I believe she's here watching what's going on, and I know it's dramatic for her. But I do wanna show that it means something what happened that day. So I asked for your support to push this forward, and I appreciate the time today. And also, I'd like to thank Senator Timilty Senator Brady, representatives, Driscoll and Ayers for the support of this. Thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you for your testimony.
Anybody from the committee?
And
Okay.
I am good. I'm gonna go next to chief Kennedy from Lamington. Good
morning.
Thank you. I know. I was on again off again. I get it.
Sorry about that.
That's alright.
CHIEF AARON KENNEDY - LEOMINSTER POLICE DEPARTMENT - HB 2555 - Good morning again. I wanna thank you for the opportunity to testify in front of the host chairman and the senate chairman on Leominster home rule petition H 2555, to raise the age limit from 32 to the age of 40 for police officers in the city of Leominster. There are several potential benefits to raise the age Increased life expectancy with the offices are, like, more life experience than younger offices,2411 which could have give greater ability to really and to communicate with people that are diverse backgrounds.
Greater social maturity, as a people of age, they often gain emotional maturity and self awareness that can help you, then better handle the stress and challenges of policing. Improve physical fitness. Older officers may have. May have. What time do we establish a healthy habits and maintain physical fitness, which could help with better handling a2441 fizzled physical demands of police work. More stable family life. I age or 40 many officers who have settled into stable family lives, which can reduced distraction and stresses that could negatively impact their job performance.
The big thing is expanded pool of qualified candidates. Raising the age limit to potentially attract more qualified candidates. I've had the time to gain relevant experience in other fields before transitioning over to police to work. In longer periods, if2472 officers can2473 start their careers at a later age that may be2475 able to serve for longer2476 periods of time, which could reduce turnover and more greater consistency and pleasing. When this started, I think later earlier this year, I still have it today. I have the support of the Leominster City Council unanimous vote.
I have the the support of the Leominster Fire Chief, Chief Sideleau He had done something similar. Earlier on in his career, getting the age raised up for him at that time. I also have the support of Veteran Services Agent for City Leominster, Rich Voutour. He thought this was a win in helping veterans getting out later, that they could still get on the job, even the four years that get added to their time of service to the age of 32. This evening gives them more time. And my son is presently in the army up at the tenth bound and he's gone in a second at Leominster.
So he might be in a little longer. He could technically be benefit if he ever tells to do this profession. At present, I had a call from the whole state list to hire people to come to my city. It was it was only a half dozen that were on it and only one side. So Presently have the whole list and we're presently going through the whole hiring process. So other departments have this age limit increase I just want another option to work with the hire and get back what we need to be. And I'll take up too much time. So I I'm in favorite. I hope you guys support it too. And I'll2566 that's all I have to say. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you.
Okay. Thank you. We'll take a look at that. Vice Chair Higgins. You may
have chief,
REP HIGGINS - Thank you chief Kennedy. Thank you for your testimony. Could you talk a little bit about have you seen candidates above the age of 32 within that age range that are interested in in going through the civil service exam and becoming a police officer?
KENNEDY - Yes. I have. I have I have that I have met with, and people have come to me looking for to explore their career. And some of them have gone gone through the process with them and see how they fit. And a couple of these candidates physically fit. You can see the maturity. It like I said, the life experiencing is worth a lot. I know a lot of forcemen has changed over the last couple years. I mean, I've been on almost 29 years. I've gone quite young at 21, and I was kinda green.
I'm glad that we're I I am now in this position, but I'm seeing a lot of mature candidates whose civil service takes their money and doesn't even you know, they they didn't read2633 the rules, but it's kind of a moot point that if they took their money and, you know, I should hire them. And I wanna give them a chance because I'm seeing how they come in for interviews and talk and how they handle themselves. This is everything you'd want. As a legislature for a law enforcement. You want mature candidates from very diverse backgrounds. So I think this is a win win. For everybody to benefit from. So
HIGGINS - Thank you, Chief. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Anyone else in the community? No. No. Alright. Thank you very much for presenting this, Bill. We'll take a look at it. Thank you. Next up, we have do we have senator Colby on virtual? There
you
are.
I
think there you are.
Yes. Hello. And I apologize. I'm getting ready to walk into the ways and means hearing in Springfield. So I certainly appreciate you taking me out of order and hope to for you. Can you hear me okay? Is that can you? Yes. Okay. Great.
Sorry?
SEN GOBI - SB 1687 - Thank you. I'm here to testify, and I do want to thank the committee because last year, you did put out the last session, excuse me, you put out this bill favorably, and it's to have survived the benefits. For Joanne Songy, who's husband died in the line of duty and killed really by COVID it was very early on during the pandemic. And this is something that federal partners have obviously realized is important, and they have taken the correct steps, and we need to do the same on the state level. So, again, I know that you'll have people that will be testifying, but I did want to make sure that you know I was in favor of this bill, and I really thank you. For all your help in the past. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank
you, senator. Appreciate you stopping in virtually with us. Senator Brady? Thank you, ended
up at testify. I know your schedule is very busy like everyone else's, so thank you. Thank
you very
much.
That's
buying about H9H5H
25 88. That's 16 91, I think. Right? Okay.
JOSEPH CONNARTON - PUBLIC EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ADMINISTRATION COMMISSION - HB 14 - HB 9 - HB 2588 - SB 1691 - Good morning. Thank you, Mr. chairman, Senator Brady, committee members, staff for the record, Joseph Connarton with the PERAC Commission. We have six bills before the committee today. five are re-files that were acted favorably by this committee last year. We've provided summaries of the2806 bills to the committee staff in the last couple of days. Our bills generally speaking are to deal with inequities that we come across in the Chapter 32 of a pension system or they are correct in legislation as a result of court decisions that come down.
This committee acted favorably on two provisions last2829 year that came out of court bills that protected retirees whose benefits were adversely affected. So I'm not going to go through each bill, Mr. chairman. There was one new bill that I would like to touch on. That's House 14, it's an act relative to the payment of creditable service. In municipalities, there are public entities that don't belong to the local retirement board. It's not that common, but it does exist. It might be a housing authority, a transit authority, they are public entities, They've never joined the retirement system.
Because of outdated statutory language and case law, when 1 of these entities joins the retirement system, Everyone that works for that entity gets free public service for all the time that they worked for that prior entity. It can be a huge hit on the retirement board. I don't fault of the folks that are that are getting the benefit. It's allowable under the law. What this tool would do because it has been the subject of manipulation. And I would note that those folks are paying in the Social Security when they're working for that entity. This bill would require them to purchase a service just like we require a veteran or an out of state teacher with there's different professions that we allow people to purchase their service.
It would allow the2909 people to purchase the service and put themselves back into the position that they now get, but it would make their time and system whole. So no penalty there. Just trying to find a balance between the municipalities. Funding the system and these folks coming in. I'd like to just briefly mention House 9. This is a bill relative to our 4 pension forfeiture system. This bill was filed by a special commission. This is I think the third session, it's been heard. The SJC back in 2015, found that our pension law in the Commonwealth is unconstitutional in some circumstances as it's applied. This bill came out of the special commission is written to make the the current law legal, to make it constitutional. It can be controversial because in some places, it It softens the penalty where the SJC has said it needed needs to be found to be more equitable.
We're talking about taking away life lifelong pension, not only from a pensioner, but also their family. So this bill is a good faith effort by that special commission, which consisted of the chairs of public service among other people. It's been acted favorably. We hope that the committee will see fit to do that again. Just to mention, as I finish up, there's a bit there's two bills house 2588 and senate 1691. This is a gender pay equity bill. In pension reform, the legislature through a well meaning put an anti spiking provision into the war. Which means that in your last years of service, you can't collude with the employer to get a giant raise and go out with a with a much larger pension, which to to balance that out. Several years ago, this legislature also passed a gender pay equity bill to make sure that men and women are equally paid.
There's a conflict in the law such that there are women who are receiving pay raises as a result of the pay equity bill and you're bumping up against the well meaning spiking bill. So this bill would simply exempt raises received through the gender equity bill so that they're not penalized for a study that was well intended. That's all I have, Mr. chairman, who answers any questions? I know your staff works well with Bill Keefe and Patrick Charles,3054 you guys hear a ton of challenging bills that we have today. As you know, we're more than able and willing to work with you drafting, reviewing, trying to make these bills so that we3066 can get them through the finish line. So. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Yeah. Thank you. And we do value your help. We are always prepared to offer. Guidance test, sustenance.
Must there be no surrender?
I
think convey what my coach has said, thank you for all your work and your help with us.
Glad to help. Good to see everybody, wife. Thank you. Hold
on. Oh, I'm sure. I
HIGGINS - I just had a question about the new file. The H 14. Could you just give a few examples of where, like, how that haps that you described. I just wanna get a sense of Sure. My head around that.
CONNARTON - So there was a recent transit authority in a North Shore community that Had been a public entity for several years created by statute, but had never joined the Chapter3113 32 system. So by3115 law, they're allowed to petition the local retirement system to join, which they did. And any employee that worked for that transit system became a member of the the local retirement system. Any service that they had provided in the years prior when they were contributing their3132 Social Security they gained all those years of service for free in the Walker Retirement System. So it had a significant impact on the municipality who is paying the pension contribution for the for the system.
HIGGINS - Okay. So it's an entity. They're part of3147 an entity that shifted its retirement system, and then that that shift has impacted the municipality's pension system.
CONNARTON - Correct. Such a a public entity, but not a3158 Chapter 32. They've never joined the retirement system. There's not that many of it happens a couple times a year. This was a particularly significant hit on the retirement system and we decided to file a bill to try to correct it.
HIGGINS - Okay. Thank you.
CONNARTON - You're welcome. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Jim.
Next up, virtually, Erica.
Yeah. Okay. I'm gonna Erica, I'm gonna get you in a minute because you're here. I'm gonna go back and forth. So let's go virtually with Linda Dunn Levy. I see NTRS. You see? Okay. Linda Dunn lady, and then we'll get NTRS.
Is
Linda Dunn lady here?
Final with Jeff Walker. Correct. Okay.
I'm here. Can you hear me?
Yeah.
Okay. Hi.3210 I can. Yes. Yes.
LINDA DUNLAVY - MASSACHUSETTS ASSOCIATION OF REGIONAL PLANNING AGENCIES - SB 1682 - HB2426 - Thank you both. And thank you to the committee for giving us the chance to speak. I'm here3221 with my colleague, Jeff Walker. We are here to talk about S. 1682, which is also H. Act relative to regional planning agenciess. And let me start with providing you some background I am the executive director of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments and the cochair of the Massachusetts Association Of Regional Planning Agencies, which is also known as MARPA, and I will likely use that acronym a hundred times
So, MARPA is an organization that represents all 13 of the Commonwealth's regional planning agencies. We were created in the 1960’s as special state districts charged with providing regional and local planning services to all 351 cities and towns of the Commonwealth. And for over 50 years, the regional planning agencies have played a critical role partnering with communities and the Commonwealth to provide a3279 wide variety of key economic and community development services. We generally do two things. We provide regional and municipal planning services to our member of municipal palities, and this3291 is like master plan zoning.
GIS, economic development, climate resiliency, etcetera. And we also provide municipal service sharing services. This can be actually providing municipal shared services. For instance, we provide The Council of Governments provides building plumbing and electrical inspection services to 16 of our 26 towns, But it also can be helping our towns figure out how to regionalize municipal services, having the towns work together. Many of us currently working on count towns can band together to regionalize police departments, to minimize reliance on part time and reserve officers.
And then this year, we received funds attached to our district local technical assistance contracts a great funding source, by the way, to help our municipalities with grant writing, to get them access to the significant amount of federal and state funding that's available right now. So that's another new service we are providing. Before I turn to Jeff, let me just quickly explain to you how we are funded. We all get a small membership assessment from our member municipalities. This is generally less than 10% of our total budgets, often less than 5% We rely nearly exclusively on state and federal grants Some of those are automatic, most of those are discretionary.
We are required to have a federally audited and approved indirect rate indirect rate that is financially capped. And so unlike a town, we have no ability to raise revenue through taxation, we do not get any unrestricted government aid. The only state funding we received3400 by formula is the district local technical assistance funds, which has thankfully been included in the state budget for many years, but is not a guaranteed part of the budget. With that, Let me turn it over to Jeff Walker who is the cochairman of MARPA and he can talk specifically about why we are interested in this legislation. Thank you.
3424 JEFFREY3424 WALKER3424 -3424 MASSACHUSETTS3424 ASSOCIATION3424 OF3424 REGIONAL3424 PLANNING3424 AGENCIES3424 -3424 SB3424 16823424 -3424 HB3424 24263424 -3424 Thank3424 you, Linda, and good morning. Chair Gordon, and Chair Brady, really appreciate your time this morning. My name is Jeff Walker and I'm Executive Director of the Southeastern Regional planning an economic development district or SRPEDD, as Linda mentioned, and said, well, we both have been very fortunate to work with the state's other EDs and I can provide you with a quick history of the answer's issue and why Massachusetts regional planning agencies need this legislation.
Since our creation over 50 years ago, seven RPA's have been members of the3470 mass state employee retirement system, MSERS. Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Merrimack3477 Valley Planning Commission, Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, Northern Middlesex council governments, old colony planning council, pioneer valley planning commission, and the southeastern regional planning and economic development district, two RPA's virtual regional planning commission and Franklin Regional Council of Governments, by enactment of special legislation joint m serves later after county governments were abolished.
These RPAs have also never paid an assessment to MSERS. Approximately 10 years ago, several MARPA members began receiving letters from the Mass State Retirement Board requesting significant payments to reimburse the board for its share of retiree pension benefits. Even though the RPAs have never received such letters in the past, The amount requested account for large percentages of the RPA's annual budget. In 2013, the executive office of administration and finance convened a working group that included reps from MARPA and the MSERS' executive director to consider this issue. However, consensus would never reach.
If the RPA's are forced to make these payments, the consequences would be devastating. RPAs would face large scale layoffs and their eventual closures. The RPAs are extremely constrained as you may be familiar in their ability to raise new revenue. As Linda mentioned, we are funded by a mix of sources. Including through the District Local Technical Assistance, DLTA line item for which we are very grateful state and federal funding. Fees collected from municipalities and private grants. Each RPA has a different formula and collection method.
In a nutshell, however, we are all limited by proposition two and a half, which means that we cannot possibly increase enough to cover these additional overhead costs. The vast majority, again, comes from state and federal grants, many that are competitive and discretionary Our overhead rates are limited in cap by federal regulations and approved by MASSDOT. These payments would exceed the allowed cap making us ineligible and or noncompetitive for federal funding resulted in resulting in an inability to fulfill our federal and state transportation planning and other obligations and priorities.
In conclusion, enact relative to regional planning agencies. This again is H. 2426 and S. 16 82. Would ensure that any RPA that is a member of MSERS would not be requiring to annually reimburse the state retirement board for its pro rata share of retirement allowance or pension. The passage of this legislation will allow RPAs to continue their important work on behalf of the Commonwealth long3668 end of the future. And we respectfully request that3671 the committee take quick and favorable action on it. I thank you all very much.
GORDON - Thank you for your testimony. Let's and I know that we worked long and hard on this bill last session. Setting aside the issue of any past due balance or any collection activity that letters that you received and looking looking at forward looking at funding the pension liability going forward. Do you have any ideas as to whether3702 you could keep up with the assessments that you've received as to those going forward? And if not, what proposal do you have for funding those pensions? For your for your retirees?
WALKER - Yes, sir. Chair Gordon, I think that as we talked previously and thank you so much for all of your and your staff's efforts we remain very much open to3731 not only talking3735 in further detail, providing you with data and working toward a much needed resolution here. I think you raised the central question and that is the past due3752 amounts. And I think I can speak for all of that not only are we very appreciative of the bill in committee here that you all aren't considering, but stand at the ready to help work out those remaining details.
GORDON - Alright. We'll continue to work on it. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Sheriff Brady?3777
BRADY - Thank you, Mr. Coache, and I appreciate all the work. Doing in all the regional planning agencies and especially on my district all the work they're doing. I know there's been a this3787 has been a long overdue situation that's long overdue to to be resolved. So keeping the lines of communications so we can come up with a resolution is very important. I appreciate the planning agencies in my desk and other what they've been doing, keeping up us up to speed with all this. And we're hoping to get this resolved as soon as possible. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Fantastic. Thank
you very much.
WALKER - And I think that you're aware that the treasurer has filed a bill, and we're hoping3815 that you'll work with the treasurer in this session. Because it's the compromise with that office that's gonna, you know, be the key that unlocks this this problem and that we can work with.
GORDON - Yes, sir. Very definitely. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank
you. Thank you. Okay. Let's see how about MTRS, Erika Glaser. You've got Glasser. Glasser.3840 Glasser. That's a that's3841 a t. I'm sorry. No. No. No.
3844 Listen.3844
It's just by 1 letter.
ERIKA GLASTER - MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS' RETIREMENT SYSTEM - HB 17 - HB 20 - HB 22 - HB 23 - HB 24 - Thank you, Chairman Gordon, Chairman Brady, members of the committee and staff. my name is Erika Glaster. I’m the executive director of the Massachusetts3858 Teachers'3859 Retirement3859 System.3859 And3859 before I begin, I just want to thank the committee for your support in the passage of Chapter 134 of the acts of 2022. That was a huge win. It allowed us to fix a 20 plus year problem impacting teachers who transfer in to our system from the local retirement systems. So we're implementing that statute and it's going well And thank you very much for that support. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
That the 9 plus 2 does not always equal 11 though.
Love it. Absolutely. And and it's very hard to convey that, especially to math teachers.
GLASTER - I'm here today in support of house 17 through house 24. These are agency bills filed by the MTRS. I'm not gonna touch on all of them, but just a few of them today. We will submit written testimony3911 as well. I respectfully request that the committee once again report favorably on our bill that would establish the special commission on retirement creditable service. And service purchases. It's House 17 in this session. And the purpose of the commission is to evaluate the costs and benefits of all of the service purchases within Chapter 32.
And the associated actuarial liabilities and to recommend appropriate cost sharing between the employees and the employers to explore service purchase policies that could promote portability and recruitment, which I'll touch on in a minute. And then finally, improve the long term sustainability of all of the public pension systems in the common law. And I'm here with my colleague, Jon Osimo, who's one of my assistant executive directors. So as you're all aware, over the past hundred years, Chapter 32 is been amended many, many times, and we now have 19 different types of service purchases.
And the problem with this is that3981 within these service purchase types, there are unique eligibility requirements, amount of service you can buy, some allow 20 years, 10 years, five years, three years. It's all over the board. They all have their own cost calculation methods. Some are far more expensive than others for the same amount of time. And then the interest charges vary. So for example, the principal calculation for many service purchase types is based on a percentage of the salary that you earned at the time you rendered the service at the rate you would have paid at that time. However, there's one section of the statute, Section 4(1)(P), which allows the purchase of publicly funded non public schools.
That actually only charges 5% of the salary earned. Fund. But you only applied that to section three purchases, and those are only seven of the 19 possible purchases in the statute. The others are still at buyback interest, which is 14069 half of that rate. So again, it's just all these different inconsistencies. There's also a loophole in Section three that allows people who come back to service taking a refund within two years in a long amount of time. To only pay two years worth of interest, even though they might make the service purchase 20, 30 years down the road. So what we're looking for is to establish a commission that will look at all of these components and have a uniform cost methodology.
And also look at the proper balance between the member and the retirement system as it pertains to the liabilities associated with these purchases. This is how other states do it. They look at the actuarial cost and the future benefit that will be derived from the purchase. Rather than what you earned back when you rendered the service. Because a year purchased by a teacher, a year purchased by a superintendent, they lead to much different benefit outcomes. So, again, I implore you to please report favorably on this bill, and I would look very much forward to working with the members of the committee on the commission as well as the other members. And thank you for your time today. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I'm smiling at all. Thank you.
Do you want to add? No. Okay. If you have written testimony to follow-up. Absolutely. Real. Thank you.
We'll do it for you. Thank you so much.
Thank you. You're ready. I
just Oh, I'm so sorry.
BRADY - Thank you. I I in the big picture, I know it's been very difficult with the sense COVID hit and people being students were being tried at home. It's been a difficult road getting4170 back to someone normally in the classrooms. I I know improvement has been a difficult status. Down the line in the teaching field, but in the medical field, in the public safety, etcetera. And I think that's what I think we need to assist you with.
Because it it's I'm hearing a lot of situation going on in school because kids, and I can't fit the school, some are getting adults, but getting back to the normal stages and the difficult roads and, you know, what's happening in parts of country, not just in Massachusetts and Vancouver. We haven't had a serious situation. We get, but there's a lot of more issues going on. Any help, please keep in contact with us too, because it's a different order than
GLASTER - Absolutely. one of the things we're looking at is a way to they call it airtime, but perhaps a service purchase that would attract mid career teachers to the profession because they're having a hard time filling those positions. And with the Social Security offsets portability is a problem. And our limited service purchase options have a negative impact on that. Our retirement numbers have remained steady. Even though we expected a drop off based on our demographics because teachers aren't staying as long through COVID.
BRADY - And I know through the cash share amendment, it's still up to, you know, more funding. We're trying to increase funding to the schools, which is a good news. But you know, safety is a big issue. I'm hearing it in some of my meetings that I've broken that. Even these the the the technological things that these young people are much more stupid than I am more than I'm more than a hundred percent self help. But I've heard of some because kids are whether it's texting, face.
Whatever text, whatever means, clear on my head, but I've heard some school system being able to jam students phones to protect them if there's an issue going on, whether it's a fight where they can communicate with each other quickly. And again, you know, some parents wanna have children, have their forms of safety reasons, but they're looking at ways for teachers to still be able to utilize the foreign case emergency happens back. To to not have the kids be over in delving on this. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Right. Thank you.
Oh, very good points. Thank you.
Thank you, Rebecca.
HIGGINS - Yeah. I had two questions. I was wondering with H. 17, if the scope of the commission is also looking at how we compare as other states in terms of the contribution amount, my understanding and maybe a little foggy here, but that4316 the educators in Massachusetts contribute compared to other states a larger percentage from, you know, in terms of their retirement. So it's been good because the retirement system is is relatively more healthy than other states. But if that is is that also included in the scope of the commission? Or is it more for just the special is only specifically for the special purchases.
GLASTER - Yeah. Yeah. It wasn't intended to look at the contribution rate. However, it certainly could be expanded to that and look at the4349 entire policy. In many of in most other states, teachers also pay 6.2% to their salary to social security, where they don't do that here. And so that sometimes skews that average contribution rate for the pension system a little lower. Because they're paying the 6.2 to Social Security?
HIGGINS - Yes. Yeah. Okay. Thank you. Yeah. And I understand that that difference that we do in here in Massachusetts contributes to sort of these differences from this states. So thank you for that. And then the second question I had was around the I'm curious if this also falls under the commission study, which is, you know, we have a situation where we have a shortage of workforce of educators you know, a lot of people get into education later on in their career.
Maybe they worked in the private sector for 10 years, and then they decide, you know, I wanna, you know, teach science or math or history. And understand that there are some issues around being able if you had been contributing4403 to the Social Security or a private company system that's switching over to the MTRS system has its challenges, and I was wondering if that is also within the scope of the the commission.
GLASTER - Well, I believe what you're talking about is the windfall elimination provision under Social Security. And there has been an ongoing multi decade effort led by congressman Neil from Springfield to reform the web provision. It is a federal law affects about 12 states where all the teachers don't contribute to Social Security as well as other public service. In Massachusetts, it's all of public service employees who don't contribute So we're all impacted by it. It came so close when congressman4449 Neil and senator Brady were the the chairs, majority and and minority leaders of the Ways and Means Committee, and they just couldn't get it to the finish line. And it didn't pass again in the last session. And, honestly, it's not looking great.
HIGGINS - Yeah. And that has to be a federal. Is there anything we can do at the state level with that? Or is that strictly.
GLASTER - There's nothing we can do about this. because it's not a reduction of state benefits. It's a reduction of federal Social Security benefits.
HIGGINS - I see. So there's Okay.
GLASTER - Yeah, unfortunately.
HIGGINS - Yeah Okay, thank you for the clarification. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Sure.
BRADY - And I'd like to add to that because that's what access to was well, I I was in the the private sector committee and paid all my quarters and and they don't promise to mail at the moment to work. Trying to get that faster with the changes in the federal situation. It it goes back to our former president. And then fourthly, the the push here is double zipping in Right? More percent of people that got the my extension. But That's right. But I know I'll teach you that. I've retired the Billy's surviving on the other
GLASTER - That's right. It was passed at a time when a lot of public employees would earn their Social Security through a second job. Like teachers in4525 the summer, for example. And so they were in fact getting a windfall because of the way the Social Security Formula works. They looked like low wage earners, and that formula is weighted toward low wage earners to give them a higher percentage of their average earnings. But that's clearly not the case. You're talking about mid-career folks who come in and they have half a career in private, half in public, and they're really hurt disproportionately by that. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you.
Sorry to text
me. Thank you. It's about it's fascinating, but but
look forward
to working
with all of you on these figures. Thank you so much.
Okay. And we have Dr. Michael FitzPatrick Does that matter what? Yes. 16 89.
Doctor Michael Fitzpatrick virtually. Are you gone? Alright. I'm gonna go to chief Scott McNamara. We'll come back to Michael Fitzpatrick to group.
That
Good
evening, Mr. chairman and members of the committee. Can you hear me okay?
We can.
SCOTT MCNAMARA - METHUEN POLICE DEPARTMENT - HB 2547 - Wonderful. My name is Scott McNamara. I'm the chief of police here and Methuen. Mass Thank you for allowing me the opportunity. Speak in favor of House Bill 2547 presented by our newly elected representative Ryan Hamilton. What this home rule petition is all about is changing the manner in which seniority is calculated when we experience the unfortunate events surrounding a lack of money, a lack of work, or abolition positions, type of event. Similar to what we experienced in the recession of 2010.When that did occur, many departments throughout the Commonwealth unfortunately experienced layoffs of police officers and the motions of superior officers.
Many city cities and towns were surprised by the manner in which seniority is is calculated under the under current law. And and really the change we're asking here reflects superior officers. The way that it's calculated currently is by seniority in the department unit, not seniority in rank. So for example, you might have a situation where you have a a captain with a dozen years of experience who might have been on the job for 20 years and another captain with just 6 months of experience that had been on the job for 21 years. The manner in which the motions would4689 take places by seniority in the in the department unit. So that that captain with just six months of experience with state and rank.
And that captain with 12 years of experience would suffer the demotion. So we believe here in Methuen that that is experience and institutional knowledge that we cannot afford to go without if that were ever to occur here in Methuen, and we hope that's not the case. But we also strongly believe that the time to fix things is when times are good, not when times are bad. So we're we're asking by by way of this bill to to change the manner in which minority is calculated. When security officers are separated, essentially, demoted. And then when they're reinstated to their positions and make that be based on time and rank versus time in the department unit. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank you. And I thought, thank you. I know we talked about that. It makes sense, and we'll we'll get to work on it, Gerald Brady. Good question. Okay. Anyone from the committee? Thank you for bringing us to our attention. Thank
you for your testimonies.
Thank you. Michael Fitzman. Thank you. Michael Fitzman, Patrick. I think you're here now.
Good Mike. You said you're back here? Hello? Yes. Yeah.
MICHAEL FITZPATRICK - BLACKSTONE VALLEY VOCATIONAL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT - SB 1689 - Thank you so much. I speak in favor of Senate 1689 and senate provided written testimony4777 in support of that. For the past 31 years, I've served as the superintendent of the Blackstone Valley Regional School District. I currently serve as president of the Mass Association of Regional Schools. And a previously served as president of the Mass Association of school superintendents and the Mass Association of vocational administrators. I only shared that to show that the credibility, I guess, of my recommendation.
Senate 1689, the seeks amnesty or forgiveness for a delayed billing by the previous treasury to 9 regional school systems. It's a commitment to make payment from 215 or or beyond. So we don't not looking for a permanent waiver relative to this obligations of the necessary covered employees. I've the written testimony I've provided outlines and different rationalists for consideration. I'd like to point out that no pensioner of the support staff. But but lost benefits. Okay? So they weren't injured or or harmed by this. And that the drilling that came years later to the regional systems for 2013 and 2014 was not anticipated and nor was it planned.
In forgiveness of of this previous backfilling issue, would enable our auditing firms. Each of the regional systems has an obligation to do an annual audit and they this would clear the books for that. And allow those systems, including my own, to redirect those funds to school safety or other student support activities. I believe the4878 outline of the doc the written document speaks to great at length to that, so I won't repeat it here. It would be particularly helpful. It's a commitment to make payment going forward. We just want to be forgiven for back billing that we didn't expect. Are there any questions? SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
I think that makes sense. Thank you very much for your testimony to your brain. Anyone in the committee? No. Thank you very much for You take this 1. Appreciate your patience. Michael Pereren, s 16 87.
Michael Pereira. Are you here? No. No. There you are. Michael
Pereira. Okay. Is there anyone you're present or virtually who has come to testify? Yes. James Good girl. Oh, I thought. I thought we did. James would grow. We called you. Right? Yep. Speaking.
Oh, in? Okay. James put drop. Mr. chairman? S 25 65. S 17 10. Yep. Yeah.
JAMES BOUDREAU - SCITUATE TOWN ADMINISTRATOR - SB 1710 - HB 2565 - Good morning. Thanks for the opportunity. James Boudreau, Town Administrator at the town of Scituate. I'm in the room here with my chief of police chief Mark Thompson, special honor representative DeCoste he's be one of my select board members. A thousand years ago, it seems like. Just by the way of, like, explanation, the Scituate community. We have population year round of about 19000. In the summertime, that population jumps to over 36000. In the past, we have used permanent commitment and special police officers is to augment our police force.
Especially during large events that we have, roadmaps, parades, fourth of July, things like that. That we work to help augment our way augment our regular deposit. For those unfamiliar PIs and specials, we used to be able to go on what was called the basic These are Intermittent Academy, which is a short police academy, and then they'll be able to work for us during these special events. Unfortunately, with the advent of police reform, the basic and reserved vitamin academy is no longer. Offices now need to go to a full police academy in order to work as a police officer, either as a special or a permanent demittance. And what that means to us is up whole of permanent commitments and specials has now dried up.
On a normal year, previously, we would have 10 to 12 PIs and specials Right now, for the summer of 2023, we have two. So what this bill would do, senate 1710 and house 2565 Both that will pass unanimously by 6 to a town meeting. It will allow us to have retired police officers over the age of 65. Work those details, work especially police officers to augment our force during the high summer months. To put everybody's mind at ease, they would still be restricted by the statute that limits the amount of hours that we tied municipal employees can work, but it can increase our complement of fully account and we train staff available. They have decades worth of experience.
They can help with all our security issues, and they provide a transition for offices upon retirement, allow us to keep them connected to the deposit which, as you know, is important because they can still help mentor some of our younger offices as they come around. So I'm gonna be very brief. I know you're very busy. Those are the details. If you like, we can submit written testimony for more more information, but this is of really great importance to the town and of a timely matter because our summer season is starting very quickly. And right now, we will be very sure our manpower to manage our summer events. So at this point, I'll say thank if you have any questions. But again, the chief is there. I'll answer any questions that you might have. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Thank
you very much. And I know that representative
your your representative has come in and to explain the situation to us as well. So thank you for that too. Representative, Kerry. I spoke to our committee. Sheriff Brady? I'll set. Members of the committee. K. Did you wanna have your chief speak, or did you explain the situation? He's he's willing to speak if you like otherwise in5133 the interest
of time. He'll just answer questions entirely up to you, Mr. Shannon. Yeah. I
think if you give us some written testimony and And like I said, representative Karineet has been available to answer questions. So I think we're set unless there's something you wanna tell us. No. I think we're all good then. Thank you very much. Okay. Alright. Thank you for your testimony and Michael Pereira. I think you're here now.
Are you guys taking phone call off? Are
you Michael Pereira? Yeah.
Are you Michael Pereira? On the phone? Sure. Yes.5174 Who's on the phone?
Yeah. I'm Mike Ferrero. I'm sorry, sir.
Alright. Why don't you go ahead and yes.
Go ahead.
You're testifying what? It's 16 87. You've got 3 minutes. Go ahead. Tell us.
MICHAEL FERREIRA - MASSACHUSETTS COALITION OF POLICE - SB 1687 - Okay. Good morning. Chairman, senator Brady and Chairman, representative, or Gordon. My name is Mike Ferreira. I'm the labor relations manager for the Massachusetts Coalition of Police. The Massachusetts Coalition of Police has the largest police, and dispatch you would need to come off representing over 5000 members. Would you guys have to know you with? Today, I wish to test the light favorably for Senate Bill 1687, sponsored by senator Anne Bobi.
An Act providing killed in the line of duty benefits to Joanne Songy, surviving spouse of Detective John D. Songy, a police officer of the Town of Rutland. Detective Songy was a was a proud senior veteran of the wrong police department. Who after 48 years after a courageous and well fought battle against the coronavirus, passed away on 05/29/2020.The Massachusetts Coalition of Police respectfully request in this honorable committee, wrote this bill out favorably we also submitted5250 written testimony on this matter. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
5253 I'm5253 sorry for the technical difficulty I couldn't5255 get on on virtually today.
Okay. Thank you very much for testing. We have heard testimony previous prior year in the hearing about that bill. It's received a lot of support, and so thank you for that. No. Okay. Anybody from me can have an effect. Okay. That completes the list. Is there anyone either here in person or virtually who wishes to testify about any bill on hearing today's hearing?
Okay. What I'm gonna do5286 is I'm gonna read through the list and we will close out these bills on the eleventh of May at 5PM, so everyone has another week to get in5296 written testimony. Okay.
Oh, April. Oh, we need. We're in April. I'm I timed in place. That's what I thought it5305 was. Okay. Bill h 9, Public Employee Retirement5309 Commission. Let's see. Bill
h 9, is any testimony is now closed. Effective April 11. H 10, anyone here testified by h 10, is now closed effective on that same date. All of these
are closed effective on April 11.5328
Page 12. Page 14, Page 15, Page 17, Page 18, age 19, age 20, age 21, age 22, age 23, age 24, h 24 26, h 24 35, h 24 37, h 24 48. H 25 47, h 25 80 I'm sorry, h 25 48, h 25 55. Age 25 57, age 25 65, age 25 71, age 25 88, age 25 98, age 26 49, age 26 77, s 16 42, s 16 50 3S6S1682S1687S1689S1691S1710,
- and s 17 38.
Having heard the list, these will close from on April 11 5PM.
Do I hear emotion to adjourn? So emotional second? All5417 those are favorite. Yeah. Right.
Do you
post? K. This is June.
© InstaTrac 2025