Officer DeNapoli Talks About Long Benefit Bill Process

As reported on Woburn Patch, the Woburn City Council approved a benefit package for Officer Robert DeNapoli on Tuesday night that was very similar to the package originally sent to the state legislature but was kicked back to the city because it did not have the mayor's signature. 

The new bill has now been sent to Mayor Scott Galvin's office and is waiting his action. 

DeNapoli was injured responding to a September 6, 2011 robbery of a jewelry store in Woburn's Four Corners. He was shot six times and as a result lost sight in one eye and doctor's needed to remove his trigger finger. He also still has shrapnel in his body. DeNapoli retired from the force in November of 2012 after over a year of physical therapy. 

Since his retirement there has been a lot of debate over the scope of his benefits and pension. The debate is mainly over two key points of the special legislation on the benefit package. The first is whether DeNapoli should receive 100 percent of his pay, based on his salary the year before retirement, when he turns 65 or if his payout should drop to 80 percent post retirement. Mayor Galvin is in favor of the 80 percent pay after the age of 65 while a majority of aldermen support keeping his pay at 100 percent after retirement. 

Following Tuesday night's meeting Woburn Patch editor Rich Hosford spoke to DeNapoli about the procedure to get this bill sent to the state thus far. Watch the video to hear what he had to say.