Peabody council president’s health opinion proposal fails to receive full board support

PEABODY – Peabody City Council President Arthur Athas faced some scrutiny last week from his fellow councilors when he proposed the idea of seeking a legal opinion in regard to negotiating health insurance packages.Athas’ motion passed 7-4, but not without a fight. He said the sole idea of his motion was to gain insight on what they as councilors have the right to do when it comes to choosing a health care provider.”I agree that we can do very little,” said Athas, after Councilor James Liacos made him aware that only Mayor Michael Bonfanti has the right to negotiate. “Can we pursue other providers for a less rate?”Athas believes that if the councilors are capable of choosing a similar plan for a lower rate, they could save the city upward of 6 percent. Last year, health insurance coverage for city councilors cost nearly $70,000.Councilor Dave Gamache complimented Athas for his “good motion,” but doesn’t think it will be possible.”It’d be precedent-setting,” he said. “I hope the mayor will see fit.”Ward 1 Councilor Barry Osborne called the request a “slippery slope” that he wasn’t sure if he could support.”I don’t know if we should be doing this as a council,” he said. “We should be pushing the mayor.”Ward 6 Councilor Barry Sinewitz agreed, saying that he felt this might look as though the councilors were trying to “undermine the mayor.”Before taking a vote, Councilor-at-Large Anne Manning said that if they really want to save the city some money, councilors should “take insurance from your day job.””If you have to pay more, then pay more,” she said.Athas’ motion carried 7-4 with Sinewitz, Manning, Liacos, and Dave Gravel voting in opposition.