MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003
Present: Gale Schultz, Lorraine Gagne, Deborah Smith, Valerie Alves,
Paul Foucart, Alison Nastanski, Kevin Lee, Youth Advocate
and Justine Clarke, clerk.
Regrets: Chairman Chris Broughton and Debra Brejcha
AGENDA
Approval of Open Session Minutes from November 13, 2002
Old Business:
1. Update on Youth Commission vacancy.
2. Update on DartmouthYouth.com
3. Old Business from the floor
Youth Advocate’s Report:
New Business:
1. Review budget accounts:
- November 2002
- December 2002
- November 2002 Youth Commission Web site gift account
- November 2002 Youth Commission gift account
2. Begin discussion for Youth Advocate’s contract negotiation
3. New Business from the floor.
Enclosures:
Youth Commission “Notes” from December 11, 2002
Budget Report for December 2002
Minutes
Deborah Smith agreed to chair tonight’s meeting due to the absence of Chairman Christian Broughton.
Deborah Smith called the meeting to order at 7:19 P.M.
Approval of November 13, 2002 Minutes: Lorraine Gagne made a motion to approve the minutes of November 13, 2002. Gale Schultz seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
Old Business:
Update on Youth Commission vacancy:
· Ms. Schultz asked if Ms. Alyson Bellora is the only applicant on file. Mr. Lee stated that no other applicants are on file as of this date. Mr. Lee noted that the Select Board appoints all Commissioners. They do however, inform the Commission of applicants on file. After a period of discussion, the consensus of the Youth Commission was that Alyson Bellora would be an asset to the Youth Commission.
Update on DartmouthYouth.com
· Mr. Lee stated that he continues to get positive feedback from parents who visit the Web site. Not only are they impressed with the site layout but utilize the many social services and family support systems available.
Old Business from the floor:
· Kevin reported to the Commissioners that he met with Mr. Ed Iacaponi, Director of Budget and Finance, to discuss renaming the Gift Account. Mr. Iacaponi said the Gift Account can be named whatever the Commission decides. The Gift Account is used for families in need who reside in Dartmouth.
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Ms. Schultz suggested the Commission think about ways to market the Gift Account
to bring in donations. Ms. Schultz also suggested, and Mr. Lee agreed, that a
Commissioner be appointed to head the Gift Account. This person would be
responsible for signing off on where the monies would be best utilized. At the next
meeting we will appoint a Commissioner (administrator?) for this duty. Any Commissioner willing to volunteer for this responsibility is encouraged to do so at the next scheduled meeting.
Youth Advocate’s Report:
· Kevin reported that he has been busy working with two families who reside at the Dartmouth Motor Inn. He also has been busy with his regular workload and counseling clients. Kevin stated that he has not worked directly with families at the Capri Motel in Dartmouth since last year. If the need arises, he is available. He does work with young people from time to time who are living at the Capri Motel. Kevin reported that he does collaborate with both Catholic Social Services and the Inter- Church Council who administer a grant that
supports families at the Capri Motel.
· Kevin informed the Commissioners that before the holidays, Michael Gagne, Executive Administrator, contacted him regarding a call that he received from the Director of Kiddie Campus in Dartmouth. The day care center Director informed Mr. Gagne that they had a number of children whose families are either homeless or living in area shelters. After meeting with Mr. Gagne, Kevin agreed to do what he could to help gather food vouchers and clothing for children who attend Kiddie Campus.
Kevin made up a flyer that he distributed to all town hall employees, asking for their help with donations towards the “Christmas wish list.” Kevin stated that the response from employees far exceeded his expectations.
Mr. Lee stated that he has been working with Fairhaven High intern Nicole Pitts to design a thank you card to town hall employees and others who made a donation to the “Christmas wish list” that Kevin organized. Kevin was astonished with the generosity of people, whether in the form of monetary gifts, food vouchers or new clothing.
· Kevin has met with Ms. Kim Hebert, a guidance counselor from Dartmouth Middle School, to discuss creating a support group for girls in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Kevin shared with Commissioners that research has shown that self esteem peaks with female children at ages 10 and 11, and doesn’t recover until their 18th or 19th
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birthday. The group will be designed to offer support, self-esteem enhancement, and outreach to this population. Kevin and Ms. Hebert will meet again in April to start planning for a fall start-up date.
New Business:
Approval of November 2002 and December 2002 Budget Reports:
· Ms. Schultz made a motion to accept the Budget Reports from November 2002 and December 2002. Ms. Alves seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
Kevin informed Commissioners that due to the recent budget cuts, he has chosen not to renew three magazine subscriptions that our office currently receives.
Approval of November 2002 Web site gift account and November 2002 gift account:
· Ms. Schultz made a motion to accept the November 2002 Web site gift account and the November 2002 gift account. Ms. Alves seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
Mr. Lee requested that Justine Clarke, clerk, send out an updated Gift Account Budget report to all Commissioners for next month’s meeting.
Youth Advocate’s Contract Negotiations:
- Mr. Lee stated that because of the budget cuts; he does not anticipate any significant changes in his next employee contract. Ms. Nastanski stated that we might consider appropriate increases in the benefit package. Kevin stated that he would look into this possibility when he meets again with Mr. Gagne.
A motion was made by Lorraine Gagne to put on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting, discussion of Mr. Lee’s contract negotiations. Ms. Schultz seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
New Business from the floor:
- Kevin stated that he still keeps in contact with former Commissioner, Rosalyn Glaser. Ms. Glaser continues to make $40.00 donations to the gift account from time to time.
Recently, Ms. Glaser discussed with Mr. Lee the fund that was set up in memory of her late husband, Alvin Glaser, which is under the care of Dartmouth High School. The Alvin Glaser Memorial Fund at Dartmouth High School, is to be
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used for needy families in the town of Dartmouth. Mr. Donald King, Principal at Dartmouth High School, has oversight of how these monies are used. Ms. Glaser
expressed to Kevin that she feels she has not been kept up-to-date on where and how the money is being used. She expressed concern that the money is not being used for needy families throughout the town, regardless of what school they attend.
- Kevin informed Commissioners that he would be taking vacation time the week of February 10th through February 14th.
The next meeting of the Dartmouth Youth Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, February 5, 2003 in Room 318 of the Dartmouth Town Hall at 7:00 P.M.
Ms. Schultz made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Gagne seconded the motion. Voted unanimously at 9:00 P.M.
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