Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances (General Assistance) has not been reviewed for 17 years. The town's attorney has reviewed the information provided by the Maine Municipal Association (MMA) and recommends adopting the MMA General Assistance Model Ordinance completely as it is more thorough and consistent with current practices and State Statutes. Both the initial maximum levels of assistance and any subsequent changes must be adopted by ordinance in order to comply with the statute. The MMA model ordinance differs from the Code and an area of substance addresses the period of ineligibility for benefits - see definition of "just cause" (currently 60 days in the Falmouth ordinance whereas
the MMA model uses 120 days). The statue, 22 MRSA 4316-A, was amended in 1993 which mandates a 120-day period. MMA periodically provides member towns with updates to the model, including annual state maximum amendments.
A copy of the proposed amendment and introduction letter is attached/linked. A public hearing was held on this item in March. |
