Skip Navigation
This table is used for column layout.
YFS 2/02/2010 Minutes
YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES COMMISSION - Draft
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF FEBRUARY 2, 2010

Members present:  
R. Allen, S. Barnes, S. Cummins, K. Hanratty, B. Ruth, Z. Towne, P. Viggiano, J. Welsh
Also present:
Selectman Carol Manning and Recording Secretary Linda McCall
Absent:
D. Shearer

I.
Chairman Barnes led the Pledge of Allegiance.
II.
Call to Order:  Chairman Barnes called the meeting to order at 5:12 p.m.  
III.
Comments from the Public: none.
IV.
Review of Minutes of Regular Meeting of January 5, 2010
Reviewed the minutes of the January 5, 2010 meeting.  Allen made motion to approve the minutes as typed.  Viggiano seconded the motion.  Vote taken and the motion was unanimously approved.
V.
Chairman’s Comments:
1. Chairman congratulated Cummins, who had been recognized as Rotary Student of the Month.
VI.
Local Prevention Council Business:
1. Update Re: Proposal for Drug Free Communities (DFC) Grant Surplus – Chairman reported that the proposal was signed and submitted by the due date.
2. Update on Student Survey - Administrative Assistant reported that she is still working on the analysis of the data and will be using that information as she drafts the Year 10 Drug-Free Communities continuation grant application which is due February 22nd.
VII.
Old Business:
1. Update: Hiring process for Director, Social Services and Community Coordinators, and part-time Secretary–
Director position: Chairman reported that 44 applicants applied and that the Interview Committee (9 representatives from across the demographics/sectors of the community) then conducted 10 interviews and selected 5 for a second interview scheduled with the committee this coming Friday.  The committee will then propose 1 finalist to meet with the Commission for approval, hopefully next week at a Special Commission Meeting.  The Commission would then make a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen to hire the finalist.  After discussion, consensus of Commission members was to hold this Special Meeting at Youth and Family Services.
Social Services position: Chairman reported that 12 applicants applied by the cutoff date.  A committee of 3 (Chairman, Viggiano and Estuary Council Director Paula Ferrera) will review the applications and schedule interviews.  This position was advertised at 25 – 30 hours and is being covered contractually right now.

Community Coordinator: Chairman reported that HCHY Board Members Bushnell and Rafferty met with outgoing coordinator Palmieri to review/update her job description, he reported their recommendation included more hours than the current 24 hours/week.  He reported that the job will not be posted until a new Director is in place.
Part-time Secretary: Chairman reported the position has not been posted but can be filled and that it may be addressed at the same time that the Community Coordinator is addressed.  Position has been reduced to 10 hours/week from budgeted 18 hours/week.
VIII.
New Business:
1. 2010-2011 Budget – Chairman presented the two budget proposals reviewing each line item and noting the following:
Youth and Family Services (account series 265)
* Employee Medical Insurance will no longer be under individual department budgets.
* He has discussed the possibility of replacing the phone system with Executive Assistant Laine, who is pricing it out – looking into extending the T-1 system to accommodate YFS phones.  Chairmanreported the cost would come under the Town’s Capital Improvement Budget not the agency’s.  He reported current phones are quite dated and replacement parts are not available unless salvaged from old phones on hand.  New system would allow for individual voice mail capability for each staff, freeing up front office time and providing for confidentiality.
Social Services (account series 255)
* Personnel savings is estimated based upon 30 hours/week vs. prior 40 hours/week.

Following questions and answers on the various line items, Welsh made motion to approve budgets as presented.  Hanratty seconded and vote was taken.  Both budgets were unanimously approved.
IX.
Other Business:
1. Chairman reported that following discussion last meeting about the issue of using community email to publicize Youth and Family Services Commission meetings, the Town added Youth and Family Services to the subscription page for signing up to receive notices of Agenda and Minutes.  The Public can now subscribe to receive these notices.
2. Hanratty provided feedback on the January 19th speaker sponsored by Youth and Family Services and the Old Saybrook Early Childhood Council.  
VIII.
Adjournment:
There being no further business to discuss Welsh made motion to adjourn; Hanratty seconded and the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,


Linda B. McCall
Administrative Assistant