Council Addresses Pensions
By ANNE HOLLIDAY
WESB/WBRR News Director
Anyone who's been paying attention to the state budget impasse has probably heard lawmakers talking about a bigger problem looming in the next couple of years – municipal pension plans.
City Clerk John Peterson explained during Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting that where a major issue may occur is in 2011 when contributions to pension plans will be based on market figures from the early part of this year when the market was "disastrous."
"It could be a budgetary crisis for all municipalities in Pennsylvania," Peterson said.
Lawmakers in Harrisburg have been addressing the pension issue.
The state senate finance committee on Monday approved an amendment to House Bill 1828 (a pension relief measure to help Philadelphia) that would include all municipalities based on their level of funding for their individual programs.
The amendment defines municipalities as being in minimal, moderate or severe distress and outlines plans for recovery.
Those in minimal distress would see a reduction in contribution limits for two y ears. Those in moderate distress would see a reduction for four years and be required to submit an administrative improvement plan. Those in severe distress would be required to enter a Municipal Pension Recovery Program and be administered by the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board.
"We're not in bad in shape," Peterson said during the council meeting, adding later that council is comfortable with where they are now.
Also Tuesday, Mayor Tom Riel read an anonymous letter from a concerned citizen who said one of the solutions to the bear problem in the city would be to ban bird feeders.
The letter-writer also said trash collectors should work from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. so garbage won't be out for long periods of time.
"This is a human problem," the person wrote. "They have taken away the woods and food sources from the bears with logging and drilling. Where do you think the bears should go?"
Riel said that last Friday the state game commission did set two traps, adding that he had nothing to do with the location of the traps, one of which is in his yard. The other is off East Main Street.
Several bears have been caught off East Main Street, but Riel said there hasn't been one caught in the one in his yard because "a raccoon keeps stealing the bait."
Also Tuesday, council appointed Mike Campogiani as a temporary firefighter for 90 days or as long as a full time firefighter is absent due to illness or injury.
Fire Chief Boo Coder explained that one firefighter is off for an extended period of time and, according to the union contract, a replacement can be hired.
Riel said he was questioning the appointment because the police department is also short-handed.
Riel voted against hiring Campogiani.
In other matters, Councilman Rick Benton, who is also on the Oil 150 Committee, commented on Saturday's celebration.
"The only way this was pulled off was from the help of pretty much every department in the city," he said. "We thank you all."
Listen to the meeting HERE.
WESB/WBRR News Director
Anyone who's been paying attention to the state budget impasse has probably heard lawmakers talking about a bigger problem looming in the next couple of years – municipal pension plans.
City Clerk John Peterson explained during Tuesday's Bradford City Council meeting that where a major issue may occur is in 2011 when contributions to pension plans will be based on market figures from the early part of this year when the market was "disastrous."
"It could be a budgetary crisis for all municipalities in Pennsylvania," Peterson said.
Lawmakers in Harrisburg have been addressing the pension issue.
The state senate finance committee on Monday approved an amendment to House Bill 1828 (a pension relief measure to help Philadelphia) that would include all municipalities based on their level of funding for their individual programs.
The amendment defines municipalities as being in minimal, moderate or severe distress and outlines plans for recovery.
Those in minimal distress would see a reduction in contribution limits for two y ears. Those in moderate distress would see a reduction for four years and be required to submit an administrative improvement plan. Those in severe distress would be required to enter a Municipal Pension Recovery Program and be administered by the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement Board.
"We're not in bad in shape," Peterson said during the council meeting, adding later that council is comfortable with where they are now.
Also Tuesday, Mayor Tom Riel read an anonymous letter from a concerned citizen who said one of the solutions to the bear problem in the city would be to ban bird feeders.
The letter-writer also said trash collectors should work from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. so garbage won't be out for long periods of time.
"This is a human problem," the person wrote. "They have taken away the woods and food sources from the bears with logging and drilling. Where do you think the bears should go?"
Riel said that last Friday the state game commission did set two traps, adding that he had nothing to do with the location of the traps, one of which is in his yard. The other is off East Main Street.
Several bears have been caught off East Main Street, but Riel said there hasn't been one caught in the one in his yard because "a raccoon keeps stealing the bait."
Also Tuesday, council appointed Mike Campogiani as a temporary firefighter for 90 days or as long as a full time firefighter is absent due to illness or injury.
Fire Chief Boo Coder explained that one firefighter is off for an extended period of time and, according to the union contract, a replacement can be hired.
Riel said he was questioning the appointment because the police department is also short-handed.
Riel voted against hiring Campogiani.
In other matters, Councilman Rick Benton, who is also on the Oil 150 Committee, commented on Saturday's celebration.
"The only way this was pulled off was from the help of pretty much every department in the city," he said. "We thank you all."
Listen to the meeting HERE.
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