MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, MAY 12, 2004
DARTMOUTH TOWN HALL, ROOM 314, 7:00 P.M.
Present: Gale Schultz, Chairperson; Lorraine Gagne, Vice-chairperson; Jay Swanson, Alyson Bellora, Valerie Alves, Kevin Lee, Youth Advocate and Justine Clarke, clerk
Absent: Tony Martin and Debra Brejcha
Agenda
Organizational Meeting
Appoint a new Chairperson for the Dartmouth Youth Commission.
Approval of Open Session Minutes from March 12, 2003.
Old Business:
Update on Dartmouthyouth.com
Appoint a Commissioner as overseer or administrator of the “Alvin Glaser
Memorial Family Assistance Fund.”
Report from Kevin and Valerie about fundraising letter to support the
“Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Fund.”
Update on possible Youth Commission candidates (Valerie.
Old Business from the floor.
Youth Advocate’s Report:
New Business:
1. Review thank you letter to Christian Broughton drafted by Gale Schultz.
2. Kevin’s draft letter about the “Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Fund.”
3. Valerie Alves will report on progress made regarding contacting Jim Matthes
about considering filling the vacant position on the Youth Commission.
4. A request by Kevin Lee, Youth Advocate, to enter into Executive Session to
discuss a client matter.
5. Discussion regarding a letter dated April 15, 2003 to Kevin Lee from a client’s parent. (letter enclosed)
6. Review budget accounts.
a. Youth Commission budget report for March 2003 thru April 14, 2003.
b. Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Fund budget report for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003.
c. Youth Commission Gift budget report for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003.
d. Youth Commission Web site budget report for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003.
Enclosures:
Minutes dated March 12, 2003
Youth Commission Budget report for March 2003 thru April 14, 2003
Youth Commission Gift Account for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003
Youth Commission Web site budget account for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003
Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Fund budget report for January 2003 thru April 17, 2003
Copy of gift cards to Stop and Shop from Mrs. Glaser
Letter to Kevin from Lorraine Granda, Assistant Principal of DeMello School
Copy of letter to Michael Gagne from Bonnie Escobar
Copy of a check from Robert Baarsvik, D.D.S., P.C. to the Youth Commission Gift Account
Copy of a letter to Kevin Lee from American Red Cross
Copy of Deborah Smith’s resignation letter
Copy of a letter from a parent sent to Kevin Lee dated 4/15/03
Minutes
Old Business:
Dartmouth Police Detective Jane Brooks letter of interest to serve on the Youth
Commission:
Kevin informed Commissioners that Jane Brooks recently replaced Bonnie Escobar as Dartmouth’s School Resource Officer. Kevin has worked with Jane at the High School and thinks she is candid and refreshing and does a wonderful job with the students. Kevin hopes the Select Board will appoint her to the Youth Commission.
Jay Swanson also noted that he thinks she is very knowledgeable and would make a great addition to the Youth Commission.
Jay Swanson made a motion to accept Ms. Jane Brooks as a member of the Youth Commission. Valerie Alves seconded. Voted unanimously.
Kevin stated that he would write a note to Mr. Michael Gagne, Executive Administrator, stating that the Youth Commission voted unanimously to approve Ms. Brooks.
Update on DartmouthYouth.com:
Kevin stated that Dartmouthyouth.com is running smoothly. He gets positive feedback from people who have visited the site. Recently, a male student from Dartmouth High School contacted Kevin via phone and wanted to know where the free clinic was located in New Bedford. Kevin referred him to the Web site which gives phone numbers and directions.
Kevin noted that he recently downloaded the past two years of Youth Commission Minutes onto the Web site.
Kevin stated that he hopes to make the Web site available for youths to sign up online for the various support groups he runs. Exm. Banana Splits, Teen Group, etc….
Kevin noted that he sets approximately two hours a week aside to work on the Web site. However, Kevin also reports that unexpected client “walk-ins” and other urgent matters seem to take up some of the time he has set aside.
Report from Kevin, Valerie and Tony regarding status of corporate mailing list for Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund:
· Valerie stated that they have yet to meet to discuss corporate mailing list. Kevin stated that they would try to get together before the next scheduled meeting.
Old Business from the floor:
- Gale stated that she is having difficulty locating data on how many other towns in Massachusetts have a Youth Advocate.
Kevin stated that he previously belonged to a group called “Massachusetts Municipal Association of Youth and Family Services.” At the time there were approximately 27 members. They did not all have the title Youth Advocate but their jobs related to work with youth and family services. This group met in Needham approximately once a month. Kevin stopped attending the meetings several years ago due to the distance and demands upon his schedule. He also noted that some of the issues being discussed were not specifically related to his work as a Youth Advocate in Dartmouth.
Gale asked other Commissioners to browse the Internet to see what they could find.
Youth Advocate’s Report:
- Kevin stated that there is a mandatory Department Head meeting that he will be attending on Monday, May 17, 2004 at 9:00 a.m.
- Kevin informed Commissioners that Mike Corvelle, Information Systems Manager, is a Captain in the National Guard and was recently called back into active service. Kevin noted that there is a good chance he could be sent to Iraq. Bryan Britton will take over some of Mike Corvelle’s duties.
Kevin reported that he received a phone call from Dr. Steve Russell, Superintendent of Dartmouth Public Schools. Kevin stated that Dr. Russell wanted him to be aware that the High School’s Peer Mediation program was
being eliminated from the budget next year and that the parent agency, Community Care, might be calling to see if the Youth Commission would consider picking up the program.
Gale asked Kevin if this program was successful at the High School. Kevin stated that he feels the program has gone downhill over the past several years. Overseeing such a program would be an additional responsibility for the Commissioners and would require additional funding as well. The Commissioners felt that this program was not a good match for our agency.
· Kevin showed Commissioners a booklet student intern Amelia Ehrens created. It contained pictures from the Dartmouth Girl Power Group along with inspirational quotes of interest for girls and women. Kevin noted what a fine job Amelia did on the booklet.
New Business:
Client data sheets:
Kevin explained to Commissioners the data sheets he has prepared including completed sheets compiled since January 1, 2004. The data sheet will be used by Kevin to tabulate how much time he spends meeting with clients, administrative work, etc. on a daily basis.
Review budget accounts:
- Alyson Bellora made a motion to accept the Youth Commission general fund budget report for April 2004. Jay Swanson seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
- Jay Swanson made a motion to accept the Youth Commission Gift Account report for April 2004. Jay Swanson seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
- Gale Schultz asked Kevin to explain the Web site budget report. Kevin stated that funds in this account are used to buy promotional items such as key chains and pens that are given to young people. Jay Swanson made a motion to accept the Youth Commission Web site. Alyson Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
- Alyson Bellora made a motion to accept the Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund. Jay Swanson seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
Rosalyn Glaser’s letter of interest to be reappointed to the Youth Commission:
· Gale Schultz asked Kevin if he thought there would be a conflict of interest if Rosalyn Glaser were appointed because of the Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund. Kevin stated that he didn’t think there was a conflict of interest, but suggested a Commissioner should speak with Joseph Hannon, Town Counsel, to get his opinion. Jay Swanson agreed to speak with Attorney Hannon.
· It was noted that Rosalyn spends some time in Florida during the winter months. Alyson Bellora asked Kevin if he could find out from Rosalyn if her time spent in Florida would impact her attendance at meetings. Even with these questions, Commissioners were unanimous in expressing their appreciation in having Rozzy return to the Youth Commission.
· Jay Swanson suggested we get these questions and concerns answered and put our findings on the agenda for the next scheduled meeting.
Youth Advocate’s contract negotiations:
- Kevin distributed to Commissioners a contract proposal he drafted. The Commission spent time perusing the proposal and then Kevin discussed it with Commissioners.
Gale suggested copies be sent to Commissioners not present. Gale asked Commissioners to bring their copies home and review them for the next meeting. Any questions regarding the contract proposal will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting. Gale asked that this item be the first topic of discussion on the agenda for the next meeting.
Draft of Youth Advocate’s job description:
- Kevin distributed to Commissioners an updated draft (that he prepared) of his job description. The Commission will review and make any modifications for the next meeting.
New Business from the floor:
- A copy of the thank you letter sent to contributors to the Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund was passed around for the Commissioners to see.
- Kevin stated that he has been looking into in a program called “Parents Helping Parents.” This is a program that gets parents together to have group discussions about parenting issues and concerns. Kevin stated that he gets many parents who ask him if there is a local group in the area.
Kevin stated to Commissioners that “Parents Helping Parents” (PHP.com) is always looking for communities to host this program. Kevin noted that his office would be an ideal setting. Commissioners expressed interest in this program and Alyson Bellora stated that she might be willing to get involved.
Set next Youth Commission Meeting:
- The next scheduled meeting for the Youth Commission is June 2, 2004 in Room 314 of the Dartmouth Town Hall at 7:00 p.m.
Jay Swanson made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Lorraine Gagne seconded the motion. Voted unanimously at 8:42 p.m.
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