City of Holyoke Health Benefit Trust Meeting October 6, 2025

City of Holyoke Health Benefit Meeting

October 6, 2025

City Hall, Old Tax Collector’s Office

The meeting was called to order by Quentin Donohue at 5:01 PM

In attendance: 

PEC Representatives: Joe O’Connor- Retirees

City Representatives: Tanya Wdowiak-City Auditor, Sean Mangano- HPS CFO, Dazhana Argueta-Personnel Specialist

Others: Quentin Donohue – chair, Steve Corbin – Dowd Insurance, Kelly Curran – HR Director, Rebecca Sutter – Dowd, Heidi Fountain- BCBS

Agenda:

Vote on Medex renewal

• Reduced half point on Medex (Medical) portion. 
• Updated rates provided
• $7 monthly increase to retirees (Medical)
• Section 19 decides the split and the Trust decides on the plan design
• Joe O’Connor made recommendation to keep original plan as the retiree representative  
• All renewals have been around 17% range for this year according to Heidi

MOTION: Joe O’Connor made a motion to accept the 13.76% increase to the original medex plan for renewal.  Trustee Sean Mangano seconded.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Open session regarding Trust financial status

• Rory sent an email to trustees apologizing for missing the meeting:

Dear Health Trust Members,

I apologize for not being able to join your meeting this evening but wanted to let you know that I have reviewed the General Ledger reconciliation of the Dental account conducted by Auditor Tanya Wdowiak. I am in full agreement with her final balance.

While there was some initial confusion regarding the account balance, all debits and credits have now been fully accounted for. Please note that any figures provided in the past were always subject to change as new information became available and as additional receipts and disbursements were processed.

In hindsight, it appears that the rate could have been adjusted when the regular medical policy modified its dental coverage for minors. This is one of the reasons why the end-of-year balances were depleted.

That said, I am confident that the new processes implemented by the Auditor’s Office will result in clearer and more consistent reporting going forward.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Best,

Rory Casey

• Steve provided 8 years worth of claims showing 145K difference of the 3k that the Auditor has certified. Tanya says the 3k is accurate if the account has been reconciled.
• Tanya can reconcile General Ledger to Rory’s accounts but if he has already done that, you may request the reconciliation. Auditors also go by real numbers not enrollment which can be an issue.
• Rory said in hindsight, it appears that the rate could have been adjusted when the regular medical policy modified its dental coverage for minors. This is one of the reasons why the end-of-year balances were depleted. 
• Tanya confirmed that freecash has not been certified. Quentin says this is concerning as we are waiting on that for premium credit.
• Need clarification on Rory’s statement that the rate could have been adjusted when the regular medical policy modified its dental coverage for minors. This is one of the reasons why the end-of-year balances were depleted. Steve also needs clarification on this.
• Quentin- We trusted the City to be fair but that is in question. The Treasurer has not shown up to the last few meetings. My fiscal responsibility is to know about the account and there is a large discrepancy.
• Quentin strongly encourages the Treasurer to be at the next meeting. It is important to start neatly and cleanly. Quentin will also reach out to the Treasurer directly in regards to his attendance at the 10/14/25 meeting

Receive minutes from 9/29/25 meeting

MOTION: Tanya Wdowiak made a motion to receive meeting minutes from 9/29/25  .  Dazhana Argueta seconded. Motion carried unanimously

New Business

• Look at RFP process with Procurement Director in the near future

• Superintendent has assigned new appointment to Ann Marie DaSilva Nembirkow and she will be replacing Sean on a temporary basis
• Kelly Curran asked Sean Mangano to provide some insight on his experience on a Trust. He will provide details at the next meeting.

MOTION: Sean Mangano made a motion to adjourn.  Trustee Joe O’Connor seconded.  Motion carried unanimously. 

The meeting adjourned at 5:36 PM

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