McFarlane says it was not up to the Pension Board to make any such recommendations. It would have been up to the City Manager who's also a member of the Pension Board.
One option looked at was a sick plan with health and benefits to replace the disability pension.
McFarlane was asked about a motion by Common Council asking the Pension Board for alternatives to tackle the unfunded liability, but he couldn't say if the pension board ever gave a response.
He concedes no trustee wanted to reduce benefits.
Yesterday, MacFarlane testified that he had to stop going to the market and for walks on the Harbour Passage after John Ferguson's comments to avoid being harassed. He said voters always asked him about the pension board—never about city business or the LNG controversy.
MacFarlane said “If there's anyone on the pension board that didn't have a conflict of interests, it's me—because I wasn't receiving a pension.”
The former mayor testified as recently as last Saturday a stranger got in his face and said “I don't believe a word you say, you're a liar.” He testified he's a 76 year old churchgoer and John Ferguson's statements were a black mark against his name.
MacFarlane said Ferguson falsely claimed he was warned to keep his mouth shut for the sake of his career. He further said Ferguson had every opportunity to either prove his statements or apologize—but didn't do either.
Ferguson is currently the Town Manager of St. Stephen.
