At its most recent public meeting, Cherry Hill Township Council approved an extension of the existing contract between the municipality and a local firm that provides brokerage services regarding health-care services to township employees.
The measure was passed during the June 8 virtual session on a 5-0 vote in favor, with abstentions from council President David Fleisher and council Vice President Brian Bauerle and concern from members of the public.
Termed an Extraordinary Unspecifiable Services Contract, the extended one-year agreement stipulates that Marlton-based Conner, Strong & Buckelew will offer assistance to the township in assessing the proper coverage for health, prescription and dental plans; long-term disability; and voluntary insurance plans, for a contract amount not to exceed $145,000.
“This is a one-year option on the renewal of the contract,” explained Township Business Administrator Erin Patterson Gill. “As with all professional services, a committee was formed, met and reviewed the original proposals that were submitted. Because this was for professional services and to ensure we were following all protocols, we did meet as a committee to ensure that this would be the right option to extend this contract.
“The contract also includes the township’s COBRA contracts and outreach, as well as our Affordable Care Act compliance, employee audits — a whole host of services in addition to just the medical benefits,” she added.
Resident Rena Margulis and Cherry Hill police officer Jay Watts expressed their wishes that the issue would have been tabled for more discussion and disclosure about the process behind the insurance shift away from state health benefits to Aetna, Inc.
Margulis further informed council that she “saw considerable conflict” with the resolution, echoing concern from the police department, and the PBA (Police Benevolent Association) about a perceived lack of transparency.
Fleisher said he abstained to avoid any impression of a conflict of interest, since his current employer conducts business with Connor Strong. Bauerle said he would abstain from the vote since a conflict with his previous employer did not allow him to be involved with the matter before. But he did note that his employer had recently changed, and though he was assured — through consultation with the township solicitor that any conflict has been resolved — he would refrain “out of an abundance of caution.”
“We see this switch to Aetna over state health benefits is in the best interest of all employees of the township, as well as the taxpayers,” Gill added.
In her remarks, Mayor Susan Shin Angulo said she and the township are doing everything they can to get smaller retail outlets and restaurants open and ready for outdoor dining by June 15.
“While safety remains paramount, we must get our businesses back on their feet,” she offered. “I look forward to working with all of our businesses. I am thrilled to be able to help, in this small way, and look forward to the governor’s guidance towards the next phase of the state’s re-opening.”
Given the recent climate of dissent in many cities across the nation, including Philadelphia, Fleisher praised the peaceful demonstrators — as well as Chief William “Bud” Monaghan and his department — for their conduct during a protest at town hall a week before the council meeting.
“Soon after they began, the rain started and came down hard,” Fleisher added. “And in other communities, you may have heard a sigh of relief that the rain would disperse the protestors. That’s not what happened in Cherry Hill. The chief gave the protestors shelter from the storm.
“As it was happening, the moment did not pass by me.”
In other news:
- The usual moment of silence for those in need of healing at the start of each council meeting, was extended for eight minutes and 46 seconds in recognition of George Floyd, who died two weeks earlier in Minneapolis after a police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for that amount of time.
- The governing body additionally gave unanimous consent to a resolution authorizing Cherry Hill’s participation in a Cooperative Purchasing Alliance with Bergen County as the lead agency, with the understanding that all purchases made within the cooperative’s search for various services will allow all involved to purchase those services with maximum savings.
- Council also passed legislation adding $14,227.69 of miscellaneous revenues within the 2020 budget for a drunk-driving enforcement grant, and the same amount into general appropriations, for the CHPD to enforce existing drunk-driving laws.
