REVISED
12-1-08
1. Call to Order: The regular meeting of the Veterans Commission was called to order at 7:00pm on Dec 1, 2008 in Town Council Chamber by Bernie Corona.
A. Roll Call: Present - Bernie Corona, Dominic Fulco, Mary-Ann Roczynski, Kirk Allison, Paul Barry, Stan De Mello, William Miller, Arden Passaro and J. Roger Pelletier
B. Pledge of Alliance
2. Approval of Minutes – The minutes of the previous meeting were approved as distributed, not voting due to their absence from the previous meeting were Mary-Ann and Stan.
3. Old Business
A. Meeting dates for calendar year 2009: Jan 5, Feb 2, Mar 2, Apr 6, May 4, June 1, Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 14, Oct 5, Nov 2, and Dec 7.
B. Blue Star Banner – The Commission decided that they would run a small article in the local newspaper about the Veterans Commission distributing Blue Star Banners to the immediate family members of a service person serving in a war zone. They will be limited to one per serviceperson’s family, and that family member as well as the service person must reside in East Hartford. The cost of the flags is $6.95 each. A motion was made by Mary-Ann to purchase and start distributing the banners, seconded by J. Roger Pelletier. Motion passed by unanimous vote.
4. New Business
A. A in law is now in effective for a service person who has been diagnosed with PTSD and receiving a disability for it. The change is that they are now entitled to a 50% disability. These serviceperson will have to undergo an evaluation at least once of year to retain that disability.
B. Kirk Allison informed us that the Manchester Home Depot offers a 10% to Veterans, all you have to do is have proof that you are a Veteran and to ask for it.
C. Arden Passaro mentioned that the VA in Newington will give a diabetic a free pair of shoes as well as the support stockings. You just have to ask.
D. Budget – At the request of Michael Walsh, Town Finance Director, the Veterans Commission will not meet for the months of June, July and August, but the Commissioners’ will be available to assist with the Veterans needs. A motion was made by Stan to eliminate the months of June – August from the Veterans Affairs Commission 2009 schedule, seconded by Kirk Allison. Motion passed by unanimous vote. Clerk to adjust the schedule submitted to the Town Clerk and post on the website.
E. Robert Crelan, a Commissioner from the East Hartford Housing Authority inquired if the Commission would like to have 5 units in the low income in the King Court area for veterans. The Commission expressed interest in this offer and has invited Mr. Crelan back to the January meeting to tell us more about these units and to have the Commission sign off on it before it goes to the Housing Authority Board.
- Adjournment – A motion was made by Paul and 2nd by J. Roger Pelletier to adjourn. Bernie adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.
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