NHRSTA Semi-Annual Meeting

September 23, 2009

Meeting called to order by Chairman David Kelley followed by the salute to the flag and a moment of silence for departed members and service members around the world.

Chairman Kelley then recognized and acknowledged the new members of the executive board.

A motion was made by Walter Morse to accept the minutes of the June 2009 meeting. It was seconded by Ernie Loomis and a voice vote confirmed that all were in favor.

The Treasurer's Report was given by Dick Campbell and a copy of it is attached to these minutes. At the conclusion of the verbal report, Nino Laccacorvi made a motion to accept the report. It was seconded by Skip Korbet and a voice vote confirmed that all were in favor.

Chairman Kelley inquired if there was any old business to be brought forward and there was none.

Chairman Kelley inquired if there was any new business to be brought forward from the general membership. There was none.

Chairman Kelley requested that anyone interested in a particular subject for future presentations at the meetings to approach any of the executive board members with their ideas.

A review of where things are with the Legislature regarding retiree health benefits was then provided by Ernie Loomis. He advised that there was nothing new to report as there was one meeting scheduled over the summer for the health care commissions. However, it was cancelled for unknown reasons. He also stated that this group does not address issues of the retirees. Ernie continued with a review of last year's legislative action, including that the governor wants retirees to pay towards the increasing cost of providing health care. NHRSTA members met with the governor and numerous representatives and senators in attempts to protect the benefits we have. The end result is that effective July 1, 2009; retirees under age 65 are having $65 taken from their check for health care costs. (More on this later in these minutes.) Ernie finished by advising that the current members of the legislature do not appear to be sympathetic to our membership and it is unknown at this point what might come in the next legislative session.

Following dinner, Colonel O'Leary spoke about two pending law suits that have been filed in an effort to combat the $65 deduction from under 65 retirees' monthly check. The first is based on the grounds that it is unconstitutional to automatically withdraw the money without the member authorizing it. This violates both the U.S and NH Constitutions. The second law suit attacks HB 1641 which states that members were entitled to certain rights at the time of hire. Colonel O'Leary continued to say that information regarding the balance of funds available in the Special Account will be known in October and depending on the amount of funds available, there may be enough to keep COLA's going for the future. He concluded by asking the membership to think about where we should go from this point on. He also stated that he has applications for the National Troopers' Association for those interested as membership in that organization includes some medical benefits for its members.

Department of Safety Commissioner John Barthelmes was then introduced and provided an overview of the status of that department. He stated that currently, there is an epidemic of drug use that is driving crime in NH. He continued to say that there has been a spike in the number of impaired drivers using drugs, rather than alcohol, and that there is concern over maintaining communications systems with the current budget situation as it is. With regard to the State Police, Commissioner Barthelmes advised that he hopes to have two members of the Major Crime Unit assigned to the newly designated Cold Case Unit dedicated to working on unsolved homicides out of the Attorney General's Office by December. In addition, Drug Diversion work will be emphasized again with the hiring of a pharmacist on a part-time basis. And he also alluded to challenges the Department has had regarding union issues following the most recent merge with highway patrol. He concluded by stating that he felt the Department of Safety and the State Police were headed in the right direction for the future.

A motion to close the meeting was made by Nino Laccacorvi and seconded by Bob Gifford. The meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Kimball,
NHRSTA Secretary