Boothbay Region Refuse District officials are happy with their health insurance plan despite an 11.25 percent premium increase. On Nov. 10, Superintendent Steve Lewis reported the upcoming premium increase during the trustees’ monthly meeting. The increase begins Jan. 1 and brings employees’ monthly premiums for a family of four to $2,025.08.

Lewis described the current plan — through the Maine Municipal Association — as still being “the best bang for the buck.” In 2013, the BRRD moved from the MMA’s top preferred provider organization (PPO) plan to a less expensive one. The change resulted in higher deductibles and co-pays for employees, but the district saved $60,000 in health insurance costs the first year, according to Lewis.

The 10 district employees covered under the plan will also see a higher deductible, increased cost for emergency room visits, and pay more for dental visits beginning with the new year. The higher premiums also include more coverage. The new  plan covers a procedure previously not included: transgender reassignment surgery. The non-discrimination clause of the Affordable Care Act passed by Congress in 2010 requires health insurance plans to provide this coverage.

“There is nothing you can do about it. You can thank Obamacare for that,” Lewis said.

Trustees also approved transferring $5,000 into the employees’ health savings account that the trustees established three years ago. The trustees placed $10,000 into the fund when they moved to the more economical health insurance plan to cover out-of-pocket costs previously covered by the MMA’s “Cadillac Plan,” according to Lewis.

According to Lewis, $5,000 will be placed into the fund once the district receives some expected payments from member towns. The employees use approximately $5,000 per year from the account. The fund currently has $3,891 available.

In other action, Lewis reported the Municipal Review Committee and Penobscot Energy Recovery Company are close to a separation agreement. The BRRD is a member of MRC, which owns 25 percent of the waste-to-energy facility in Orrington. The MRC contract with PERC to process members’ municipal solid waste expires March 2018. The MRC has contracted with Fiberight, LLC., a Maryland-based clean energy technology business, to send municipal solid waste to Fiberight’s new facility in Hampden beginning in April 2018.

Lewis reported PERC has offered to pay the MRC $1.33 million for the group’s 25 percent share of ownership in the 33- year- old facility. The BRDD’s share would be around $40,000, according to Lewis.

The trustees also adjusted the upcoming holiday schedule. The transfer station will be closed Saturday, Dec. 24 and reopen Monday, Dec. 26. The station will  close at noon on Saturday, Dec. 31 and remain closed Monday, Jan. 2, 2017.

The trustees will meet next at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 8 in the district business office.