BROCTON - While selecting health insurance benefits for its village employees, the Brocton Village Board of Trustees kept taxpayers in mind.
The board resolved during its recent regular meeting to authorize Mayor Dave Hazelton's signature on an agreement with Independent Health for a higher deductible insurance plan for its six employees. While the plan works with a higher deductible paid by the individual, keeping the existing policy and plan benefits would have cost the village an additional $40 per employee, according to Village Clerk Karen Ardillo.
"We realize that people are struggling right now, and our employees want to be fiscally responsible even with our health insurance. Even though we're taking a high deductible plan, it will help keep overall health insurance costs down. Keeping the same plan would've cost the village more per employee and we wanted to avoid burdening taxpayers with those extra costs," Ardillo said.
Trustees also resolved to continue employees' health care reimbursement ar-rangement, in which the self-funded medical plan allows for pre-tax monetary amounts to be retained in a reimbursement account for medical needs.
In other matters, village board members resolved to designate March 19, 2013 as village election day. Four- year trustee positions currently held by Arthur Donovan and Nicholas Rizzo III expire in 2013.
In order to fulfill mandated training requirements, members of the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning boards for Brocton were authorized by the board to complete their training requirements for the year by attending November workshops sponsored by Southern Tier West.
Planning Board members Michelle Harriger, Bill Westin, Steve Mawhir and Terry Presto were approved to attend a Nov. 14 training session.
Board members also authorized the purchase of a Stryker automatic lift stretcher for fire department use at a cost of $14,513.99.
The automatic stretcher has the capability to carry 700 pounds and will help to alleviate any injuries to volunteers in lifting increased weights while responding to emergencies.
Eight thousand dollars was authorized for the lift out of the department's fire equipment fund; $4,000 was authorized from the EMS fund balance; and the remaining balance was to be paid by monies obtained through fire department fundraising efforts.
The board will hold its next regular meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m.
The meeting date was unanimously changed by the board of trustees to accommodate the Thanks-giving holiday.
