Response to a Promise

Response to a Promise 

     The following are samples of responses to my previous blog, "The Value of a Promise".  Thank you to everyone who reached out to make their feelings known and help shine a light on this important subject.

       February 14, 2026:  I have added many letters from retirees who could be affected by any changes.  They have all given permission for their letters to be made public.

         If you have a response that you would like me to add to this post,  feel free to email it to 4todayzhistory@gmail.com.

Emily Jacobs-Robarts (wife of former UHS principal Jack Robarts) February 3, 2026

I am an 84 year old widow living on my Massachusetts Teachers' Pension and social security.  I was disturbed to hear that the Town of Uxbridge was planning to severely curtail the subsidy for my health insurance.  If finances in the town are in dire straits, would it not be more prudent to change the health insurance plans for future retirees rather than penalize those of us who are quite elderly and on very limited fixed incomes.  Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Linda Corona, February 7, 2026

Dear Uxbridge Select Board Members,

I saw the following on a blog here in town, “Word is getting around town that the Board of Selectmen and town manager are looking to vote on changing the rates at which retired town employees pay for their health insurance.”

My name is Linda Corona.  I worked for the Uxbridge Public Schools for 28 years as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant. I retired in 2017.  My husband is also retired. 

I am writing to you in regard to the proposed rate change for Uxbridge Retirees Health Insurance coverage.  In 2009 there was a negotiated agreement that the town would take on 80% of retiree health care costs.

The change in healthcare insurance that I am hearing is that we are going from an 80/20 split to a 51/49. At first glance, that looked like a big jump for retirees. It wasn’t clear just how big a financial increase it would be for us, as well as for other retirees, until my husband and I sat down and did the numbers. This 51/49 split is a whopping 2.45 times higher than what we pay now on top of what is already deducted from our Social Security for Medicare. Here’s how this town change breaks down in our case:

We currently pay

$288.93/month          $3,467.16/year

We will pay                   

$707.88/month          $8,494.56/year

Dollar increases           

$418.95/month             $5,027.40/year

I was gobsmacked when I saw this, not only because my husband and I are both on fixed incomes but also because the cost of health care and medications continues to skyrocket.  We both need prescription medications which are not cheap; including insulin which is a lifesaving drug. A huge financial hit like this is untenable, especially because we, as retirees, have no negotiation leverage in this matter.

I must agree with Former Fire Chief, Bill Kessler, that if the town is experiencing an insurance budget issue, it should explore ways to correct it and not take it out on, “the backs of retired public servants.” You need to sharpen your pencils and figure out a solution that doesn’t overburden the very people who’ve helped make this town such a good place to live, raise kids and retire. Please keep the promise.

I sincerely hope you will take my comments into consideration when planning the future budget.

Sincerely,

Linda Corona

Barbara Beane, February 2, 2026

Dear Members of the Board and Town Leadership,  

I am writing as a retired teacher from the Uxbridge Public Schools. While I understand the fiscal pressures municipalities face, I am profoundly troubled by the apparent effort to address insurance costs by shifting a new financial burden on retirees.

For decades, my colleagues and I served the children of Uxbridge with the understanding that the benefits promised to us in retirement were part of our overall compensation. We planned our futures accordingly. To revisit and diminish those commitments after the fact—when retirees are on fixed incomes and have limited ability to adjust—raises serious ethical concerns, regardless of the legal arguments being discussed.

Retired educators and other public servants are among the least equipped to absorb increased healthcare costs. Many are managing age-related health issues, rising living expenses, and limited financial flexibility. To balance current budget challenges on the backs of those who have already completed their service to the Town is not only "unconscionable", it undermines trust in public service itself.

If insurance costs have become unsustainable over the past several years, solutions should be sought through negotiations with current employees, unions, and management, whether directly or through the Insurance Advisory Committee. Any changes resulting from those discussions should apply only to future retirees, with ample notice.  
Current retirees—and those close to retirement—should be fully grandfathered into the benefits they earned and reasonably relied upon.

I would respectfully suggest that any changes affecting retirees be implemented no sooner than ten years from now. This would allow future retirees the opportunity to make informed decisions and adjustments, while honoring commitments made to those who have already given their careers to this community.

As educators, we taught our students about fairness, responsibility, and doing the right thing even when it is difficult. I urge Town leadership to reflect those same values now by "unequivocally rejecting" this current approach and pursuing a solution that treats retired public servants with the dignity and respect they deserve.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,  
Barbara Beane

Bev Nelson, February 3, 2026

I am writing to you regarding the proposing of increasing the cost of the health insurance to Uxbridge

retirees. I am not comfortable feeling the need to contact you about this matter; but, it has me (along

with other retirees) quite anxious about what an increase would do to my health and finances.

Let me tell you a little about myself; I worked as a paraprofessional for the Uxbridge Schools for 25

years serving students with special needs on the autism spectrum. It was challenging, yet fulfilling work

when meeting the needs of the students. It was a time I cherish and miss.

I have been retired going on 11 years now. My husband is also retired and will let this segue into why I

am writing this letter.

We live on a fixed budget.

A substantial increase will affect our current lifestyle and I don’t know where cuts would be made.

My health care needs to have dental and eyecare due to my own health issues. Currently we are able to

afford our needs. We don’t live an extravagant life style and our budget basically dictates that..

I feel the retirees should continue to live the lifestyle we have been accustomed to and have planned

our senior lives for. When you think of it, a good many of us only have (maybe) 20- years left on this

earth; and how many of those years will be quality years? It is naïve of me to think all will be healthy

years; as we all know, life can change in the blink of an eye. I need my health insurance to in place and

affordable, so I don’t have to worry about the”what if’s”.

I feel I and my husband deserve excellent health care at an affordable cost.

Please do penalize those that have given so much to your community.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this important matter that affects the lives of the

retirees that served the community.

Respectfully yours,

Beverly Nelson

retired ABA technician- Uxbridge Schools

Scott Sherman, February 7, 2026

I am writing to express my concern and opposition to the proposed changes regarding retiree health insurance benefits. I have been an elementary school teacher serving Uxbridge for nearly 34 years. I will be retiring at the end of this year and rely on these benefits as a cornerstone of the long-term commitment I made to this town.

As we age, our reliance on quality healthcare naturally increases. On a fixed income, even a small percentage shift in costs can create a major financial hardship. Altering the contribution percentage for this earned benefit would be financially detrimental to those of us who spent our careers in service to this community. 

If I had known in advance that the town would make these significant changes, my decision to stay in Uxbridge may have been different. I urge you to consider the long-term impact on your current and  former employees, and honor the stability we were promised upon retirement. Please uphold the town’s commitment to those who served its schools for decades and reject these changes.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Scott Sherman

Cindy Carrier, February 3, 2026

I am writing as a resident of the town of Uxbridge as well as a former employer. I have lived in Uxbridge all of my 77 years. I have paid taxes since I was twenty four years old on property that I own in town.
I worked for the town as a Special Education teacher for over twenty years at the old Uxbridge high school. Loved my job but retired when budget wouldn’t allow any further advancement. My husband also worked for the town at the waste water treatment plant for over 20 years.
We both are now retired which we carefully planned for before doing so. Our insurance was switched to social security since we both had enough quarters and our supplementary insurance was purchased through the town. Our final contracts stated that we would pay 20/80. I always believed that the town would honor our contracts. I guess that doesn’t apply to this towns administration.
In our case we would have both of our contributions increased greatly putting a strain on our budget.
When I bought my property it was listed as agricultural.  It still is but now am taxed as residential.
I have no sidewalks, water, or sewerage yet pay as if I lived on Main Street.
I love our town and would hope that our administrators would have some respect for their citizens that worked so proudly for it.  Respect our contracts and do the right thing. Someday you too will face retirement and I hope you are treated fairly as an elderly member of a town you lived in all your life .
Cynthia Carrier
Claude Carrier

Margaret Jane Sousa, February 2, 2026

I recently became aware of the town’s plan to cut earned and contracted health benefits for its retirees to make up for its own miscalculations. It appears that the town has been looking for ways to come into compliance with the state for a year or more and has decided that reducing the earned benefits of its retirees is the answer.

 

As a retiree, my health is a top priority and the idea of having my health insurance significantly diminished could be catastrophic. All of this makes me also consider the legal implications of a unilateral decision on a contract signed by multiple parties in conjunction with previously agreed upon terms. Would that not be considered a breach of said contract?

 

I retired more than ten years ago after teaching special education for 30 years, and no longer live in Massachusetts because I could not afford to retire in my beloved home state. I planned my retirement budgets, including cost of health care, based on what was promised and contracted. This proposal could potentially cost me an additional $10,000 per year, a significant increase in a fixed income scenario. 

 

Please reconsider this idea of reducing the town’s contracted obligations to its retirees’ benefits. There have to be other ways to find the money without taking it from those who need it the most.

 

Yours truly,

 

Margaret Jane Sousa 

 Lisa Hartman, February 3, 2026

 I am writing to you with deep concern about the proposed increases in health insurance costs for the town’s retired senior citizens.  As a retired teacher, I spent thirty years contributing to the community working above and beyond my scheduled hours to help the children of this town.  After spending many years contributing our time and efforts to the families of Uxbridge, it seems an unacceptable burden to ask the retired seniors to absorb extra costs beyond what we already pay.  

     For most senior citizens, even a modest increase in monthly expenses is difficult.  As you know, all costs are rising such as groceries, utilities, medications, property taxes, home insurance and car insurance.  Being on a fixed income makes it very difficult to pay unexpected increases in bills.  I am asking you to consider the human impact behind your proposal.  The retired town employees stood by this town for decades and now it is your turn to stand by them and seek alternative solutions.  

     Please don’t push the former employees of your town into financial hardship as we are the least able population to absorb the impact.

Thank you for your time,

Lisa Hartman

Lynette Szerlag, February 3, 2026

I am writing you regarding the impending changes being proposed  that will affect benefits to retirees. I am a retired elementary school teacher. I worked in Uxbridge for 8 years without a contract and almost 30 years under contract. I retired in 2008 and have always been secure with  the health insurance benefit provided by the town. As  we age, there is a greater need for having good health insurance. Being on a fixed income, the rising cost of everything is a concern. Changing the percentage we pay for this earned benefit will be very detrimental to most retirees. I implore you to give great thought before making any change that will negatively impact so many retirees who faithfully worked for this town for many years.

Thank you.

.Lynette Szerlag

Patricia L'Abbe, February 10, 2026

I lived and grew up in Uxbridge for over 50 years and attended three of the schools and later taught in five of them over the course of 34 years.

During those years of teaching, I alway found the school committee members and town citizens to be fair, understanding and helpful towards us educators.

Today, at  81, I live alone in New Hampshire, and am a widow on a fixed income. An unpleasant fact of ageing means living with more health issues, appointments and medicines. Every penny counts at this stage in my life. I hope and pray that our health insurance will not be lessened at this time.

Respectfully.

Patricia M. L'Abbe

Sheryl Romasco, February 2, 2026

My name is Sheryl Romasco. I taught in the Uxbridge Public School system for 31.5 years. I retired in

2002 and am part of the original group included in the May 2009 medical benefit agreement between

the town and retirees.

I finished my college classes in December 1972. I got married in January 1973. By February 1973 I

had applied for an open position at Taft Elementary and was lucky enough to have a been hired by Dr.

McCloskey and the School Committee. I was ecstatic! I had a job in my hometown – something that

had seemed impossible.

Then I found out my salary was $7500. I could deal with that. Like most town employees in the last half

of the 20 th century I was willing to take a lesser amount in salary because the benefits were good and it

all evened out in the end.

I would be able to raise my family in Uxbridge. My children would be able to know their grandparents,

great-grandparent, aunts, uncles and cousins. I could be active in my community.

I remember when the medical insurance for “retired employees” first came up and we were asked to

accept a different arrangement. The first plan was for the retirees to go with GIC –Group Insurance

Commission. The plan was stuck in the Massachusetts House and Senate and there was no definite

conclusion to what type of insurance would be offered. I remember a Town Meeting where many

people spoke. I as a retiree asked that people vote against joining MGIC and wait and see what GIC

actually provided before the town made any final decisions about retiree insurance. GIC did not

develop into a viable resource for retirees.

At one time, in between all this, there was also a “self-funded” medical account created by the town for

employees. We had special cards that were used at medical appointments. (No idea what happened to

that account.)

Next came the proposal “from the Town” to “help the town” cut medical costs. The town was willing to

pay the penalty for town employees who were not eligible for Social Security benefits to enroll these

employees in Medicare. At that time, by law, teachers were forbidden to contribute and money to

Social Security. The four unions at that time agreed to support the “town proposed plan”.

In May of 2009 the town voted the current “proposal from the Town” to “help the town” cut medical costs

for retirees into place at a Town Meeting. This was backed by the Selectman, the Finance Committee

and has extended language in the article for the reasoning. It was approved by the Massachusetts

Attorney General’s office with no changes.

2025

Now 15 years later the “town manager” is proposing balancing the budget on the backs of the retirees.

This is based on a letter sent out in April 2025 I DID NOT RECEIVE BUT was supposed to be sent to

every retired employee from the town. The letter was confusing – threatening to cut all medical benefits,

etc. Then at the Town Meeting, “the town manager” said the letter was not well written/didn’t sound

good/etc.

Also, I have heard through the proverbial grape vine there was some sort of meeting of some members

of the IAC and their representative in early December 2025 – not posted, no agenda, no minutes and

no representation for the retirees. First rule of town politics – someone is always watching and waiting.

I have a list of questions and I would like all the questions read and the answers given in a public

forum.

Question #1

How is someone appointed to be the “retiree representative” on the IAC?

The IAC is a state mandated committee that SHALL by state law meet at least once each year, have a

chairperson, secretary, etc, post a meeting, have an agenda, write up minutes and give a written report

of their recommendations to the town manager. The report is not binding – but it must exist.

I have checked on line – as many others have done - and the IAC has absolutely nothing posted since

2021. 5 years – no agendas, no postings, no minutes, no recommendations.

How did ONE person make a suggestion, give a comment, do anything when there was no activity for 5

years? Does that ONE person get to make that decision? How was that information given to the

retirees?

Interestingly there was a notice sent out in January 2026 for an opening for a “retiree member. Which

leads to the question - how was the retiree member picked in the past - before 2026? I remember

going to meetings of the IAC and voting on things. It seems the retirees have been cut off from

representation.

Question #2

How is the best benefit package for current employees and retirees found for the town?

Most people shop around for the best deal when buying medical insurance. Does this town do this?

Do we have a broker we work with to get the best deal for the town?

Question #3

How many people will this actually effect?

What is the cost savings to the town and what is the cost to each retiree?

Question #4

Where would that money be used in the budget?

Finally, please do not use the term “the town lawyer has advised us”. We all know the town lawyers

work for the Select Board and the Town Manager and questions can be framed so the answer will

benefit someone – and I am sure it will not benefit the retirees.

Some of the town employees have $35,000+ raises this past year. It seems the only people who are

asked to give up anything are the retirees – who have less and cannot make more.

Harry Romasco, January 25, 2026

Good morning Hurley. As an active member of the group I want to thank you for your involvement and concern for the group. You have done an excellent job describing the past and current situation extremely well. I am pleased to see those that are about to retire focused on this important issue. Delivering the promise is always upper most in my mind. As a retired financial planner I always wanted to make certain that all my clients received what they were promised during their lifetime. As a former selectman that was most important to me to not renege on any votes that were taken to support our employees active or retired.

You mentioned in your comments that this could cost thousands of dollars each year for our retirees. As an example let’s take a 55 year old retiree that has an average life expectancy of 85 and has a spouse that is eligible for benefits. Let’s also assume that they retired prior to the vote taken on May 2009. Should the selectman vote to deny or reduce these benefits the ultimate cost to the retiree could be $100,000.00 plus over their lifetime. Totally unacceptable to me.

Hopefully your comments will be brought to the attention to the town manager and most importantly the selectmen. The vote we took at town meeting in May of 2024 authorized the board under chapter 32b sect. 9e to make the determination as to the appropriate percentage of payment for the town and employee or retiree.

I realize the retirees group is approximately 160 strong. However I would strongly recommend that those currently active employees get involved as well. You may not be aware that the active group that retired after 2016 have already been affected by a vote by the selectman denying them 80% reimbursement on Medicare part B as promised at the May 2009 vote on Article 28.

Hurley please encourage all the employees that are active to contact the town manager and selectman to share their displeasure regarding the way the town manager and accountant are handling this. I understand that union negotiations are taking place this year and all active employees are able to negotiate their respective positions. However the retirees do not have that ability to do so. There lies my position on delivering the promise that was made by vote at the May 2009 town meeting.

Thank you Hurley for taking the time to engage and share your thoughts. As the statement goes “ the largest army always wins.” Especially for the right reason.

Harry A. Romasco

Bill Kessler, January 29, 2026

Town Manager, Select Board, and Finance Committee members,

 

I recently became aware of an apparent effort to modify the insurance cost of retirees to their detriment. Let me first say that while I am a past employee of the Town, I did not retire from Uxbridge and therefore am not personally affected by this potential change. So I am speaking as a resident and a municipal government retiree.  Aside from all of the legal aspects of past votes, MGL language, etc., I find it morally incomprehensible that the leadership of our community would choose to address an insurance budget issue on the backs of retired public servants, those who are least likely to be able to adapt their lives to take on such an additional cost while on a fixed income and being in their later years.  Quite frankly, the words "shame on you" seem appropriate. 

 

While I could be very verbose on this issue, I'll simply say if there is a budget issue that has evolved over the past 6 years, it should not be addressed by punishing retirees who have done nothing but serve our community. I would suggest a more appropriate process would be to negotiate insurance cost ideas with current unions and management, whether directly or thru the Insurance Advisory Committee. Should that process yield something that would impact retirees, the changes to retirees should be scheduled to be implemented on people retiring at a future date, current retirees and those retiring prior to that date should be grandfathered to what they had planned for and expected. I would suggest this time period be 10 years from now, a fair amount of time for personal adjustments. I realize that that seems like a long ways out and doesn't help with the manufactured budget problem now, but it would be the right thing to do, where each of you could see a retiree on the street and not walk the other way out of embarrassment for what you did, or didn't take a stand against.

 

Thank you for your time and I encourage you all to do the right thing and move away from this current plan and develop something more respectful of our aging former employees.

Sincerely,

Bill Kessler, Former Uxbridge Fire Chief

     I also had numerous conversations in person and on social media.  The common denominator among all of these conversations, without exception, was the amount of alarm and urgency people felt over the possibilities of what might change. Please stay vigilant and ask questions, and contact the town manager and Board of Selectmen so they are aware of the scope of concerns.

     Thank you again for your attention to this.