VETERAN'S AFFAIRS COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 10, 2007
1. Call to Order –Bernie called the regular meeting of the Veteran’s Affairs Commission to order at 7:21 pm on September 10, 2007 in Town Council Chambers.
A. Prior to the meeting being called to order, Town Council Chairman Richard Kehoe asked to speak to the Commission. He informed the Commission of changes to the Veteran’s Tax Relief Program to be brought to Council on September 18th. He asked the Commission help get the word out to other veteran’s. He also submitted to the Commission a memo detailing the program. Mr. Kehoe also pointed out that the deadline for application submission is October 1, 2007.
B. Pledge of Allegiance
C.Roll Call -
PRESENT: Dominic Fulco, Sr., Kirk Allison, Arden Passaro, Ch. Bernie Corona,
Roger Pelletier, Mary-Ann Roczynski, Stanley deMello, William Miller, Paul Barry.
2. Approval of Minutes –Bernie distributed the minutes of the last meeting. Paul Barry asked for a correction– to remove his name as the contact person for Congressman Larson. Bernie Corona asked the Secretary to make the correction. Dominic Fulco made a motion to accept the corrected minutes, seconded by Stan deMello and it was unanimously voted to approve the corrected minutes.
3. Old Business
A.Bernie engaged the Commission to finalize the schedule for the regular meetings and office hours at the Town Hall through the end of the year.
Schedule is as follows:
Oct. 1st – Regular meeting
Oct. 8th – Town hall closed for holiday; Commission hours cancelled
Oct. 11th – Mary-Ann Roczynski – in the Town Hall Atrium from 5-6pm
Nov. 6th – Regular meeting
Nov. 8th – Stan deMello – in the Town Hall Atrium from 5-6pm
Nov. 12th - Town hall closed for holiday; Commission hours cancelled
Dec. 3rd – Regular meeting
Dec. 10th – Kirk Allison and Roger Pelletier – in the 2nd Fl Conf. Room 10am-2pm
Dec. 13th – Mary-Ann Roczynski – in the Town Hall Atrium from 5-6pm
B.Bernie distributed a worksheet detailing problems with the first few days that the Commission held hours in the Town Hall Atrium:
- no privacy; some seniors veterans might be hearing impaired; Atrium is not
conducive to private conversations.
- residents think the Commission desk is the information desk because of the
location.
Bernie arranged through the Mayor’s office to have the Commission hold their hours in the 2nd Fl Conference Room for the day hours. The late evening hours can be held in either the Atrium or 2nd Fl Conference Room since there is less chance of interference from the public.
C. Bernie distributed a sign to be placed in the Atrium and on the board on the first floor announcing the commission’s meeting dates, times and location, as well as the extended hours.
4. New Business
A. Paul arranged for Fran Simcik, of the Military Support Program to come and speak at the next meeting on October 1, 2007. Mary-Ann Roczynski to send out a press release to the newspapers prior to the meeting.
B. Paul contacted Donna Masconi at the State to inquire about getting the Vet
Express to come to East Hartford. He also downloaded an application form for the Commission to fill out. The Commission discussed by how and when would be a good time to have the Vet Express come, how it would be advertised, etc. Bernie tabled the topic to be discussed in further detail at a future meeting.
C. Dominic informed the Commission that the State of Connecticut has a Veteran’s Affairs Commission whose legislative session for veteran’s affairs runs for four (4) week period; the next being Feb. 6, 2008 to Mar. 6, 2008. Dominic asked to
Commission to be mindful of the timeframe. Mary-Ann Roczynski stated she knew contacts at the State Veteran’s Affairs and that paperwork could be submitted early, if needed, and that she could present it to them. Stan and Paul suggested that some issues for legislation might be to address housing for veterans, or the homeless.
5. Adjournment –Bernie Corona adjourned the meeting at 8:03 p.m.
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