AN ACT RELATIVE TO THE DISABILITY RETIREMENT OF NEIL SULLIVAN, A FIREFIGHTER FOR THE CITY OF MELROSE.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same as follows:
SECTION 1. Notwithstanding any general or special law to the contrary and in order to promote the public good, the Melrose retirement board shall retire Neil Sullivan, a Melrose firefighter who was seriously injured in the line of duty on August 7, 2005, and, as a result, is totally and permanently incapacitated from continuing to work as a firefighter. In accordance with section 7 of chapter 32 of the General Laws, he will receive benefits funded by the Melrose retirement system, consistent with said chapter 32.
SECTION 2. In addition to the retirement benefits available and granted to Neil Sullivan under said section 7 of said chapter 32, the city of Melrose shall grant Neil Sullivan additional retirement benefits, such that he will receive, on a pre-tax basis, additional sums that together with his benefits under said chapter 32 equal his regular rate of compensation which he would have received had he continued in service as a firefighter after August 7, 2005. These additional benefits shall also be funded and administered by the Melrose retirement board, consistent with and subject to said chapter 32, except that sections 8 and 91A of said chapter 32 shall not apply. In addition, upon his retirement, Neil Sullivan shall receive a lump sum equal to the amount of his credited annuity savings fund in the retirement system of the city.
SECTION 3. In the event that Neil Sullivan dies and his wife, Jessica, survives him, she shall be paid the amounts, in the manner and from the sources, as would have been payable to Neil Sullivan under this act. In the event that both Neil Sullivan and his wife, Jessica, die, the payments provided for by this act shall be payable, in equal shares, to each child under the age of 18 years; provided, however, that payments shall continue for the benefit of a child 18 years or older who is physically or mentally incapacitated for work on a permanent basis, or for the benefit of a child under age 22 who is a full time student.
SECTION 4. Indemnification for any hospital, medical, and related healthcare expenses arising out of Neil Sullivan’s work-related injury shall be administered by the city of Melrose in accordance with sections 100 and 100B of chapter 41 of the General Laws, to the extent applicable.
SECTION 5. This act shall take effect upon its passage.
Approved August 22, 2007.