MANSFIELD DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MINUTES FOR MEETING HELD APRIL 4, 2002

Present: Ronald Baker; Becky Lehmann, Chair; Marla Hauslaib; Ed Passmore; James Peters; Staff: Bill Kennedy; Guests: Jeff Beadle, Executive Director of the Windham Regional Community Council (WRCC); and Stewart Kermes, Mansfield resident, and Vice President of the Board of Directors, WRCC and also EASTCONN staff member.

Becky Lehmann, Chair, convened the meeting at 2:30 PM.

  1. Communications:
    1. Marilyn informed B. Kennedy of her intention to retire effective 6/30/02 with a willingness to continue up to the end of July if that would be helpful in relation to the selection of a new Director.
    2. The application for State funding for DARE was defeated by the T. Council but the application for funds for Project Adventure was approved.
    3. J. Romayko is working with UCONN, Region 19 and police staff to prepare an application for funds to prevent underage drinking. There is great competition for limited funds but the process of community planning can be useful whether or not funds are received.
    4. J. Romayko completed the 4th. year application for funds from the Bishop’s Fund to provide camperships for children at the Rectory School Camp.
    5. Work is beginning on the 5th. year application for School Readiness Program funds.
    6. B. Lehmann is pulling together information concerning summer program opportunities for children.
    7. B. Lehmann reported having heard questions concerning efficiency, which may be a valid issue for all Departments. Issues of criteria, in-house vs. outsider review, appropriate timing and cost need to be considered.
    8. The Manager’s Budget book contains a page on reorganization of the Dept. of Social Services and suggests that the T. Council and new Director review the level of service that is needed in Mansfield. The Advisory Committee would be an important participant in the process.

II. Minutes:
    1. Regular meeting held 2/7/02: Ed Passmore was present; wording of III. A.5. was modified to read as follows: "The Women’s Center request of $5,500 was discussed. Based upon the current projections of services to Mansfield clients being less than that of the present fiscal year; $4,500 was approved."; accepted as corrected.
    2. Special meeting held 2/28/02: accepted.
    3. Regular meeting held 3/7/02: accepted.
  1. Budget Update:
    1. Town Manager proposes $2,500 vs. the $4,000 recommended by the Committee for the WRCC Veteran’s Council.
    2. The requested $3,000 for special needs does not appear in the Manager’s budget.
    3. There are reductions in expenditures for professional development.
    4. The Senior Association’s request for additional funds to help with staff for Meals on Wheels and subsidized lunches was not included. Green Thumb and Senior Aide funded staff may not be available. Association representatives will address the T. Council about that problem.
  1. New Business:

    1. Jeffrey Beadle, Executive Director of the Windham Regional Community Council (WRCC) and Stuart Kermes (Mansfield resident who is Vice President of the WRCC Board of Directors and is also an EASTCONN staff member) were welcomed. They distributed information about WRCC and described the range of programs that serve the region including Mansfield. Mansfield contributes substantially towards the costs of Dial-a-Ride and recently, a small amount for Veteran’s Services. The $10,448 requested of Mansfield for Veteran’s Services represents the estimated cost for the services provided to Mansfield residents. In the past, the Town of Windham has paid all the costs but an effort has been made the past 3 years to secure a fair share from other communities whose residents are provided services. There was general discussion about the availability of medical care for veterans, the problems anticipated due to the proposed closing of the Newington Center, the need for more transportation services and the problem of homeless veterans (who now go to Massachusetts). Messrs. Beadle and Kermes were thanked for their presentation.

       

    2. Discussion of Response to the Manager’s Budget:

      There was concern about the Manager’s reduction in the amount recommended by the Advisory Committee for the Veteran’s Council. The Committee’s proposed reductions for two agencies were not supported. The consensus was to plan a strategy for helping the Manager secure additional information about the importance of the services being offered Veterans and supporting a larger increase for next year. The decision was to not continue efforts to secure General Fund funds for the Special Needs Fund at this time but to monitor the situation carefully and seek funds if needed during the coming year. It is recognized that there are now requests for amounts that exceed the capacity of that and other funds to which staff have access. Ed Passmore agreed to be present at the April 10th Town Council meeting to review the Department budget. 

    3. Plans for Department and Committee:

It was agreed that M. Gerling be asked to attend the June meeting to discuss her observations based on her long, effective service to the Town.

 

In relation to the effort to assure efficient operation of the Dept. over the years, B. Kennedy noted that the Town’s services are considered in the context of a broad range of services available to Mansfield residents through other agencies and organizations so that collaboration and supplementation can occur vs. duplication. Another

principle is to try to diversify responsibilities of staff to assure effective use of time but to move toward specialized staff as the need presents itself. The diverse responsibilities of the Adult Services Social Worker and the movement to a fully staffed senior center, addition of the Wellness Program and Senior Service Social Worker are illustrations of the implementation of that principle. It is important for the members of the Advisory Committee to be fully familiar with the programs of the Dept.; other programs serving Mansfield residents and unmet needs of residents.

  1. NEXT MEETING: Thursday, May 2, 2:30 PM. Guests: Sam Gordon, Mansfield Board Representative and Rocco Tricarico, Executive Director, ACCESS AGENCY.

  2. Meeting adjourned at 5:15 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Bill Kennedy