By Cathleen Twardzik

The Somerville Municipal Employees Association recently urged the Somerville Retirement Board to pass a three percent cost of living increase, in a letter to municipal leaders and members of the board.

“Our retirees are the backbone of our community, and their hard work has helped to make Somerville what it is today,” said Ed Halloran, president of the employees association.

“Many of our successes as a City are a direct result of the hard work that our retirees gave to Somerville 10, 20 or even, 50 years ago,” he said.
This session, the Legislature passed a bill, which approved a three percent cost of living increase for retirees. However, it must be voted on and passed, at the local level.

Of the 107 retirement systems throughout the state, Somerville is one of four to not pass the cost of living increase.

Last year, the health contributions of retirees in Somerville were increased by 25 percent.

In many cases, that small increase, fewer than .99 cents per day, “will go a long way” to help retirees to compensate for rising health care, food and living expenses, with which individuals struggle daily, said retiree advocates.

On the Somerville Municpal Employee Association’s behalf, the Retirement Board is asked “to hold an emergency meeting to address, and vote on a cost of living increase for our retirees.”

“As a retiree, I am hoping that the Retirement Board meets quickly and votes to pass the COLA. Some people went from paying $4 to $104 a month,” said Mary Antonelli, former employee association president