By Steve Landwehr
STAFF WRITER
—
On March 1, The Salem News published a letter to the editor signed by Timothy Bassett, then-chairman and executive director of the Essex Regional Retirement Board, claiming that the paper's stories were one-sided and, specifically, failed to highlight the board's improved investment performance in 2009.
Now it appears that Bassett may have hired a consultant, at a rate of $200 an hour, to write the letter for him.
As part of wholesale reforms enacted after Bassett was fired in April and Swampscott Town Administrator Andrew Maylor took over as chairman, the board demanded a reconciliation of any outstanding bills from vendors.
One of those discussed at yesterday's meeting was from Shea and Associates of Hingham. Shea billed the Retirement Board $200 an hour for what appears to be a review of newspaper articles critical of the board, and preparation of a letter to the editor in response to those articles.
For instance, an entry dated Jan. 29 says: "Four and a half hours, write letter to member, letter to editor, advertisement for News."
The next item, on Jan. 30, included time to, "Rewrite letter to editors."
And on Feb. 17 and 18 a further 21/2 hours were apparently dedicated to, "review articles in newspaper, newsletter, discussions w/TB on phone, write response."
Finally, on Feb. 23, the consultant lays out two hours for, "Phone calls TB, review News articles, review investment report for 2009, draft letter to editor."
By the time the letter ran, the board had transferred nearly all its investments to a state agency that invests the funds of Massachusetts state teachers' and employees' retirement systems.
Exactly how much was paid for the letter is unclear. The total bill, for $3,350, also includes references to a "newsletter" and "letter to members," and for meetings, driving time and phone calls with Bassett.
Another bill discussed yesterday from Shea was for $4,500 for, "concept, copy writing, for Spring 2010 Newsletter for retirees."
An overview of the quarterly newsletter was included with the bill. It included a thank you to system retirees and active members from board member William Martineau, who had just been re-elected to a fifth term.
"This support is so important today, when a small minority of town managers — and some local media — are recklessly and relentlessly attacking the ERRB," the newsletter said.
Board member and Ipswich Town Treasurer Kevin Merz said yesterday there was little choice but to pay the bills.
"There's no question the work was done, as requested," Merz said, although today's members would likely not have incurred the expenses, he added.
