This article shall be known as "Authorization to Provide Cash Payments
in Lieu of Health Insurance Coverage."
The purpose of this article is to permit the Town of Highlands, upon
request, to provide cash payments to an officer or employee of the town in
lieu of health insurance coverage.
The Town Board of the Town of Highlands may, upon written request of
an officer or employee of the town, provide a cash payment or payments to
such officer or employee in lieu of health insurance coverage.
The amount of such optional cash payments shall in no event exceed the
cost to the town of providing health insurance benefits to the benefited officer
or employee for the year in which the cash payment is made.
After its adoption, this article may be applied to all health insurance
benefits which were due the officers and employees of the Town of Highlands
as of January 1, 1994, and thereafter.
All full-time employees shall become members of the New York State Employees
Retirement System. Regularly scheduled part-time employees (other than those
compensated on a per hour or per diem basis) may become members of the New
York State Employees Retirement System if they elect to do so and if the retirement
system permits their membership.
Upon a retiree becoming eligible for Medicare or any similar program
sponsored by the federal or New York State government and intended to be a
substitute for Medicare, the town will secure a supplemental medical insurance
policy or equivalent to replace the full coverage provided to the retiree
at no cost to the retiree.
The family of a retiree entitled to health insurance coverage pursuant
to this article shall be entitled to a continuation of such benefit for a
period of three months after the retiree's death at no cost to the family
or the estate of the retiree.
Eligibility for the benefits set forth in this article will be further
determined by the following:
A. At least 20 years of service and employment by the town
for at least three months immediately prior to retirement.
B. Full-time employees (minimum 30 hours per week) or paid
elected officials who meet all other eligibility requirements.
C. Employees eligible to receive the retirement allowance
from the New York State Employees Retirement System, or if not eligible, shall
be at least 55 years of age.
Nothing in this article is intended to limit the benefits to which any
employee is entitled pursuant to COBRA or any other legislative program designed
for the continuance of medical insurance following termination from service.