Committee votes to enter executive session to discuss possible change to pension benefits; Board of Finance review planned

The Retirement Plan Advisory Committee voted on Feb. 5 to move a scheduled discussion of potential changes to town employee pension benefits into executive session, with six committee members and the town CFO to attend.

The Chair made the motion to enter executive session and a second was recorded; the motion carried by voice vote. The Chair identified Kelly Lentz and First Selectman Carlson as individuals to remain for the closed session and asked others to leave the room. The Chair said the committee has "thought about this" and believes it has a viable solution but that any formal change would need Board of Finance approval.

Committee members discussed timing and agreed to try to place the item on a regular meeting agenda during the budget season, with a potential Board of Finance consideration in late March or April. The Chair said the executive session would be limited to discussing the matter and that the committee would not take any public action during the closed session.

No formal policy change or vote on benefits was recorded in open session; the transcript shows only the motion to enter executive session, the designation of attendees, and direction to take the proposal to Board of Finance for a future vote.

The meeting adjourned immediately after the executive-session motion to accommodate an imminent Board of Finance meeting; staff and committee members said they would reconvene as needed to advance the proposed change through the appropriate budget and finance review process.