AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE RATES THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETrS
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE HOUSE . BOSTON 021$3
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MICHAEL S. DUKAKIS May 2, 1984
GOVERNOR
Ms. Ursula Retzler, Clerk
City Council
36 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
Dear Ms. Retzler:
Thank you very much for sending me the resolution concerning the cost of
automobile insurance.
I appreciate being informed of this resolution. I have forwarded it to
Paula Gold, Secretary of Consumer Affairs for appropriate consideration.
Sincerely,
'Du i
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LIN{DA J. MELGOh[IAIV TEL.94171 722-1660
2ND HAMPDEN-HAMPSHIRE ROOM $tB QOIRIKtTTE68s
Jllalct"Y
DISTRICT INSURANCE
DISTRICT OFFICE. HUMAN 'ERVICSS AND
97S WAL►ENT STREET FXT. ELDERLY AFFAIRS
AC+AWAW MA 01001 COMMERCE ANo I A9oR
TEL. 14191 7$$+6033 STATE ADMINISTRATION
April 5, 1984
Ms . Ursula Retzler
Clerk of the Council
35 Main Street
Agawam, MA 01001
' Dear Ms. Metzler:
Thank you for forwarding to me the recent action by the Town Council
in passing a Resolution concerning the high insurance rates throughout
the Commonwealth.
I can sympathize with your position, as I, too, must pay these
exhorbitant rates . Unfortunately, as a newly elected Senator, it
is difficult to change policies which have developed over many years .
I am deeply concerned about ways to improve and to make more
equitable insurance rates and pldege to seek legislative recourse
during my tenure as State Senator. As you know, this is a complex
issue . As a member of the Insurance Committee I will continue to
study, carefully consider and to initiate proposals which will work
towards alleviating the current situation .
I am grateful for your willingness to share with me your views on
this important issue . I am confident that together, we can find a
reasonable and fair solution.
With best wishes ,
Sincerely,
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LINDA J; MELCONIAN
State Senator
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TOWN OF AGAWAM
36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
Tel. 413-786-0400
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April 3 , 1984
j
His Excellency
Michael Dukakis
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Governor Dukakis :
Please be advised that the Agawam Town Council has unanimously
supported the attached resolution regarding Mass . Automobile
insurance Rates .
' Sincerely ,
&-a Q
Ursula Retzler
Clerk of the Council
Enclosure
cc : Town Manager , with enclosure
Town Clerk , " i'
Town Council Members
TOWN OF AGAWAM
36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
h
Tel. 413-786-0400
April 3 , 1984
S
Senator
Linda Melconian
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Senator Melconian:
Please be advised that the Agawam Town Council has unanimously
supported the attached resolution regarding Mass . Automobile
Insurance Rates .
Sincerely,
1 -U�X.Azc'�
Ursula Retzler
Clerk of the Council
Enclosure
cc: Town Manager , with enclosure
Town Clerk, 11
Town Council Members
TOWN OF AGAWAM
0#% 36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
y� Tel. 413-786-0400
0�
April 3 , 1984
! Michael Walsh
State Representative
of the 3rd Hampden District
State House
Boston, MA 02133
Dear Mr. Walsh :
Please be advised that the Agawam Town Council has unanimously
supported the attached resc?uticn regarding Mass . Automobile
Insurance Rates .
Sincerely ,
i � '�'eizzee-t-
Ursula Retzler
Clerk of the Council
Enclosure
cc : Town Manager , with enclosure
Town Clerk, " "
Town Council Members
R E S O L U T I O N
Be it resolved that the Agawam Town Council
hereby adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS : The average wage earner depends upon his/.her
automobile for transportation to their place
of employment ; and
WHEREAS : The State of Massachusetts has one of the
highest premiums for automobile insurance ; and
WHEREAS : The use of most wage earners automobiles are
that of necessity; and
WHEREAS: The State legislature has made an attempt to
reduce the public ' s cost , but premiums continue
to rise beyond reason; and
THEREFORE, be it further resolved that the Agawam Town
Council notify Governor Dukakis , State . Senator
Linda Melconian and State Representative
Michael Walsh that it protests the. present
Massachusetts Automobile Insurance rates structure
and hereby asks for lower rates .
TOWN OF AGAWAM
h� ;;'k 36 MAIN STREET AGAWAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01001
yC• Tel. 413-786-0400
r .
April 3 , 1984
1
' Lucille G . Quimette
Alderman At Large
The City of Chicopee
21 Academy Street
Chicopee , MA 01013
1
Dear Lucille:
' Please be informed that by unanimous vote, the Agawam Town
Council has approved the following resolution. (Attached) .
My apologies for not writing sooner regarding this matter ,
however , I am quite sure you can appreciate my busy schedule .
If I may be of further help to you at any time , please feel
free to contact me again . .
r
Sincerely ,
L%A
Donald M. Rheault, President
Agawam Town Council
' DMR/ur
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The City of Board of Aldermen
Chicopee March 149 1964 Lucille G.Ouimette
! Aldermen at Large
21 Academy Street
Chicopee, Mass. 01013
(113, 112-2403
C)
President m G
Town Council AcJ
! 36 Main Street '
Agawam, Massachusetts �n
Dear Fellow Legislator:
CP
Last February 7th, the Board of Aldermen of the City of ci
' Chicopee, by unanimous vote, passed the attached resolu- rn
tion. Nor motion to adopt was amended to put the resolu-
tion in petition form for signature solicitation, and to
encourage other Massachusetts cities and towns to join n'
! in this endeavor.
Our petition heading is "WE HAVE HAD IT" followed by the
statement "We the undersigned, all registered automobile
owners, agree in FULL with the RESOLUTION passed by the
BOARD OF ALDEILMEN of the City of Chicopee."
! Your legislative body can be of assistance by adopting a
similar resolution and by petitioning our State Legisla-
ture to, once and for all, correct this most unacceptable
! situation,
Pessimists will look upon this action as an exercise in
! futility. As an optimist,I would remind them that the
tallest wave starts as a small ripple. Let us stir the
waters and pi:oduce a giant tidal gave and direct it all
the way to Beacon Hill.
Thank you for you attention and concern. Above all, please
join us in this endeavor.
!
Respectfully submitted,
Lucille G. Ouimette
R.S.V P. (To satisfy my curiosity I would like to know if
any action is contemplated..)
- ' CITY OF CHICOPEE
M A S S A C H U S E T T S
BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Aldermen adopt the following resolution
of a "grass roots" protest of our present Massachusetts' automobile in—
surance situation:
WHEREAS the average wage earner depends upon his/her automobile for trans—
portation to his/her place of employment. The automobile is "no longer a
luxury it is a necessity, and,
WHEREAS the fundamental principle in purchasing insurance is that of accept—
ing a small financial loss (the premium cost) in place of a possible large
financial loss,- and,
WHEREAS our State Legislature, during the past two decades, has passed in—
ovative insurance plans which were supposed to reduce the public's costs,
but succeeded only in reducing benefits while premium costs have risen to
astronomical heights, and,
WHEREAS the costs of similar insurance coverage in neighboring states vary
' drastically.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED .by. the Board of Aldermen that it deplores the
Legislature's handling of our automobile insurance situation , ' that it
ethos the "grass roots" protests of its constituents,and that it agrees
with the contention that the costs are exorbitant and the changes in benefits
are unreasonable.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board of Aldermen that our state elected officials
be advised of the prevailing attitude of the public in general. They feel that
they are paying much more than they should and are receiving far less. To say
the least, their patience has reached its end. They, the taxpaying public,
want their interest served jand not those of the vested interests of the insurance
j
duced by Alderman �y�cf-, L -�?7J 1/26/84 companies.
d rmanic Action:2/7/84: Passed and referred to Governor Dukakis, State Representatives and
Senators.
'r ted to the Mayor for Approval.................
....... .Date.......................
owed.............„ .. ..................... ........................_..............................................................................Mayor
.
Dana
,eturnod to City Clork...............................................................
Dale
Attest:_.f .._.........-•-•---•--•...............:..�.----�...f-� ..._._ � ............City Clark
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
CITY OF CHICOPEE
CITY HALL
CHICOPEE, MASS. 01013
President
Town Council
36 Main Street
Agawam, Massachusetts
01001
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