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