Chamber gets OK to sell insurance

The Greater Watertown-North Country Chamber of Commerce received approval to sell insurance to its members.

The chamber, which began pursuing this option in December, was told last week by the state Insurance Department that it may peddle the plans to members as the Greater Watertown Insurance Services Agency.

"We were ecstatic when we heard from the Insurance Department" last week, said David W. Mance, interim president and chief executive officer at the chamber. "That hopefully means cheaper insurance premiums or at least more options for our members."

The chamber hired Dennis S. Baeslack as vice president of employee benefits to organize the program and sell the coverage.

"It really opens our members to just about anything," he said. "The requirements for signing up will be more attainable in terms of particular requirements. It will be easier to qualify for the plans."

The agency will carry health plans from Excellus, MVP and Emblem Health. It also is licensed to offer vision, dental, accident and life insurance, among others.

"There are a lot of options, but medical seems to be the real need for now," Mr. Baeslack said.

So far, members and non-members alike have expressed interest.

"We've gotten a lot of response from members waiting and hoping for what's coming down the pike," he said. "Non-members have expressed interest for when we get started."

Meanwhile, the search for a new president and CEO has been narrowed to three candidates.

"We ended up with 57 resumes," Mr. Mance said. "We got it narrowed to the final nine on Monday."

The search committee took it down to four and then one withdrew. The top three will be interviewed through March 29. The top two will be taken to the full board and interviewed April 20.

"We expect to extend a contract offer by May 1," Mr. Mance said.