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HomeMy Public PortalAbout03-03-2010 Human Services ReportELECTED OFFICIALS: Mark S. Sideris, Council President Stephen P. Corbett, Vice President John A. Donohue, Councilor At Large Susan G. Falkoff, Councilor At Large Anthony Palomba, Councilor At Large Angeline B. Kounelis, District A Councilor Cecilia Lenk, District B Councilor Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr., District C Councilor John J. Lawn, Jr., District D Councilor Watertown Town Council Administration Building 149 Main Street Watertown, MA 02472 Phone: 617-972-6470 Meeting of the Subcommittee on Human Services Wednesday, March 3, 2010 Present: Councilor John Donohue, Chair Councilor John Lawn, Member Councilor Anthony Palomba, Secretary Council President Mark Sideris Jen Thomas, Watertown TAB Reporter Councilor Donohue opened the meeting at 7:50 PM and presented an agenda that included a discussion of Harvard O'Neill Charitable Fund (comprised of the Harvard Community Enrichment Fund and the O'Neill Properties Charitable Gift Fund) for 2010 and a second item regarding the two Funds for 2011. Councilor Donohue also presented a review of the balances, interest revenues and expenditures for the O'Neill Properties Charitable Gift Fund (from 1998 to the present) and for the Harvard Community Enrichment Fund (2003 to the present) that had been prepared by Town Treasurer Thomas Tracy at his request. Councilors Donohue, Lawn, and Sideris, all who have served on previous Ad -Hoc Charitable Committee charged with reviewing applications and submitting recommendations to the full Town Council, spent the initial portion of the meeting answering questions and providing a historical review for Councilor Palomba. Councilor Donohue made a motion that the process followed in 2009 for the distribution of $100,000 from the Harvard Community Enrichment Fund be continued for 2010. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lawn who offered the following reasons for his support of the motion: - the economic situation facing many community - based organizations has not substantially improved awards were made in 2009 -2 - organizations deserve longer notice to adjust future budgets and fundraising activities if, as may happen, there are substantive changes in the how the Fund is administered in future years. Councilors Donahue and Sideris stated their agreement with Councilor Lawn's reasons. Following this a discussion took place clarifying that the motion was understood to include the following points: - Watertown resident Lois Johnson and Town Treasurer Thomas Tracy would be asked to serve on the Ad -Hoc Charitable Subcommittee any member of the present Town Council can choose to serve on the Ad -Hoc Charitable Subcommittee the same eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and application for the Harvard Community Enrichment Fund used in 2009 would also be used in 2010 the Ad -Hoc Charitable Subcommittee may recommend to the Town Council the distribution of additional funds up to $50,000 on an emergency basis from the O'Neill Properties Charitable Gift Fund The motion was then passed with a vote of 3 in favor and none opposed. The members of the Subcommittee then took the second agenda item. They agreed that a full review of the policies and procedures for the administration of the two Funds would take place prior to distribution of any monies in 2011. It was understood that it would be the responsibility of the Subcommittee to meet as often as necessary in the coming months to prepare recommendations for distribution and discussion to the full Council. Councilor Donohue thanked the Town Council President Sideris for attending the meeting and for his helpful suggestions. He adjourned the meeting at 8:20 PM. Summary prepared by Councilor Palomba