City eyes cuts to retiree pensions, benefits

The state-appointed overseers of cash-strapped Central Falls, R.I., will ask the city’s retired police officers and firefighters to accept pension and benefit cuts to save the city from bankruptcy. Receiver Robert G. Flanders Jr. announced yesterday that he has called a July 19 meeting with retirees to discuss the proposal. Flanders said in a letter to retirees that he will ask them to accept pension cuts and contribute more toward their health insurance. The city of 19,000 faces $80 million in unfunded pension and benefits obligations and an estimated $25 million in deficits over the next five years. (AP)