The state-appointed receiver for bankrupt Central Falls, R.I., has written retired police officers and firefighters, informing them of further cuts in pension benefits.
Former Rhode Island Supreme Court Justice Robert Flanders, in a letter to the city’s 141 retirees, said the maximum benefit cuts would change to 55% from 50%. “Some of these changes were due to historical errors made by prior Central Falls administrations which we had relied upon,” he said.
Flanders, Central Falls’ receiver since January, had recommended pension cuts to unions in July, when he met with them at Central Falls High School. After the unions rejected them, the 18,000-population city filed for Chapter 9 protection on Aug. 1.
The city faces an $80 million pension deficit.
Flanders, in his letter, said he has instructed his staff to audit employee files, after which he will inform pensioners why changes were made. He added, however: “As employee files were often poorly maintained by prior Central Falls administrations, if you can demonstrate to our satisfaction that information pertaining to you is not correct, we will make the appropriate changes.”
A message seeking comment was left Tuesday with Michael Long, a Lincoln, R.I., attorney, retired police sergeant, and spokesman for the retirees. On Tuesday, Long and several retirees were scheduled to meet with House Speaker Gordon Fox.
Flanders last week took over school district contract talks with teachers, negating superintendent Frances Gallo’s efforts to unilaterally impose new terms.
