Bee Editorial
Health care savings out the window
Seeing as how news reporters are not allowed into union contract negotiations, we don't know what has been going on when the Amherst Highway Employees Association and town representatives sit down at the table.

But it leaves us wondering when, in the July 2 Town Board meeting, Supervisor Satish Mohan basically threw up his hands and said, "I don't know what to do."

Faced with the cold fact that the town is nearing $1 million in insurance costs, Mohan told board members that he needed direction toward a settlement. You, the taxpayers, have spent $50,000 a month for more than 18 months for health insurance for the 165 highway workers.

Council Member Bill Kindel said that any possibility of savings is gone. "Anything we expected to save is already wasted," he said.

Since we can't sit in on the negotiations we don't know what either side is willing to accept in terms of insurance, but if the report comes out that the cost of insurance was not negotiated, residents should raise a ruckus at the demise of the contract process. When The Amherst Bee spoke to both sides there was a lot of finger pointing, as well as accusations that meetings were not being called. Following the rumors the best we could, we wondered when an agreement would be achieved. Thinking there are important details being hammered out, one could understand a brief delay - not an 18-month one. But either way, to give in because the reality of the problem was finally brought to light is not good enough. We aren't suggesting a never-ending battle but a fight for balance, so both sides "win."

The other key person here, Personnel Director Bob McCarthy, was not at the meeting when Mohan voiced his distress. He was not there at the moment when Comptroller Frank Belliotti proposed a resolution stating that the highway budget was out of money for insurance costs. Out of money. None. Gone. Spent. He was telling the board that only six months into 2007 that he had no way to pay these bills without permission to use another fund. Also missing: any voice from the Highway Department.

It was shocking to hear an extensive debate take place without any explanation as to why this occurred. The town has been unable to settle this contract in 18 months - one has to think there was a reason worth the fight.

There are many town departments drooling at the thought of having that $1 million, as well as residents desperate for capital improvement projects to be done. We just hope a fair contract is settled after all this waste.