NORWICH – Town of Pharsalia Supervisor Dennis Brown on Monday called for Chenango County to send a message to state officials that it is in favor of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposed Tier VI pension reform plan.

The plan is only for new government employees, raises the retirement age and provides the option of allowing workers to enter into a defined contribution plan similar to a 401(k) in the private sector.

An umbrella group backing the governor’s budget proposal said it would provide $79 billion in statewide savings over 30 years. However, labor unions and even New York Comptroller Tom DiNapoli have criticized the plan. The comptroller reportedly said the state’s pension system is fully funded and not in a crisis.

Speaking at this month’s Chenango County Board of Supervisors meeting, Brown said the government’s retirement system should be set up like that of a business.

“I’m opposed to going into the union if you don’t have to. We are always on the hook for more money and it will be for a longer period of time because people are living longer,” he said.

Fellow Democrat Peter C. Flanagan of Preston seconded Brown’s motion to send such a letter to state officials in favor of Tier VI. While admitting that he doubted anyone would choose the plan, he said employees should be able to “go on their own” instead of joining labor unions.