HomeMy Public PortalAbout05-11-2011 Transfer TOWN OF WATERTOWN
1630 Office of the Town Manager
Administration Building
rs I 149 Main Street
f �=` Watertown, MA 02472
Phone: 617.972-6465
Fax: 617-972-6404
www.watertown-ma.gov
Michael J. Driscoll townmgr@wtertown-ma.gov
Town Manager
To: Honorable Town Council
From: Michael J. Driscoll,Town Manager
Date: May 5, 2011
RE: Agenda Item—Transfer of Funds Request
Enclosed please find correspondence from Robert Erickson,Veterans' Service
Officer, regarding the need for additional funding of the Veterans' Benefits Account for
the remainder of the Fiscal Year.
Therefore, I respectfully request the attached transfer be placed on the May 11,
2011 Town Council Agenda.
Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
cc: Robert Erickson,Veterans' Service Officer
Thomas J. Tracy, Town Auditor
Phyllis L. Marshall, Town Treasurer/Collector
Transfer Amount$10,000
From: FY 2011 Town Council Reserve $ 10,000
0111152-570780
To: FY 2011 Veterans Benefits $ 10,000
0154352-570770
1 hereby certify to the availability, authority of funding source, mathematical
accuracy and appropriate fiscal year.
i
i
Dale
Town ud'itor
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
163o Veterans' Services Department
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown, MA 02472
}' Phone: 617.972.6416
Fax: 617-972-6403
www.watertown-nia.gov
Bob Erickson
Veterans'Service Officer
Webmaster
berickson@watertown-ma.gov
Memo
To: Mr. Michael J. Driscoll
From: Bob Erickson
Date: May 4, 2011
Re: Request for Veterans' Benefits Additional Funds
As of May 1, 2011, the Veterans' Services Department line item for Veterans'
Benefits, 0154352-570770, has expended $74,164.84, leaving $5,835.16 in funds
remaining to be used by the end of the fiscal year. I have projected out for May and
June, 2011, that$ 12,738.00 is needed to cover the existing authorized funding for
my present clients.
Therefore, the projected balance, given no further client additions, as of June 30,
2011 would be a negative $ 6,902.84.
Given that I have received a few recent phone calls from potential new clients and
other expenses could present themselves from needs of present clients, I hereby
request$10,000.00 additional funds for this account.
Some examples of why the increase is needed are as follows:
- increased caseload of new clients—Desert Storm veteran and Vietnam
veterans, etc. added with most of my long term clients remaining on my rolls
adding up to my highest ever caseload
- reimbursement of burial expenses for a deceased indigent veteran to allow him
to have a proper funeral
- reimbursement of moving expenses for two clients who remain in Watertown,
one a family of four who now live in town housing and one, a legally blind
senior citizen who has a HUDNASH (section 8) certificate
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS'SERVICES-ONE STOP CENTERS-TO AID,ASSIST AND ADVISE VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
i
TOWN OF WATERTOWN
isao Veterans' Services Department
Administration Building
149 Main Street
Watertown. MA 02472
Phone: 617-972.6416
Fax: 617.972.6403
www.watertown-ma.gov
Bob Erickson
Veterans'Service Officer
Webmaster
berickson@watertown-ma.gov
- reimbursement of expenses for Medicare Part B & D
- increased reimbursement of prescription co-pays
- paid back rent for an unemployed Desert Storm veteran with medical issues,
enabling her to stay in her apartment in Watertown until her unemployment
benefits became active
All of the above expenses have been authorized by the Massachusetts
Department of Veterans' Services and 75% will be reimbursed to
Watertown
We are essentially the "court of last resort" for these veterans and/or their
dependents. We work hand in hand with the veteran or dependent to get them
enrolled, if eligible, in Veterans Administration benefits, Social Security, Social
Security Disability, Medicare and Mass Health. For those unemployed, we work
closely with the Massachusetts Department of Employment Security Office in
Newton to assist the veteran with his or her job search, resume development and
finding employment. The nation's economy, the aging demographic of the World
War Two, Korean and Vietnam veteran and dependant population and increased
outreach by this department have all resulted in an increased level of clients "on the
rolls".
Massachusetts has the strongest veteran's laws of any state. Massachusetts
General Law Chapter 115 allows Veterans' Service Officers to allocate funds to
needy veterans and their dependents for many purposes. The funds are always
greatly appreciated by recipients and I am honored to be able to provide this service
to those who so richly deserve it.
Thank you for your consideration. C;
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DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS'SERVICES-ONE STOP CENTERS-TO AID,ASSIST AND ADVISE VETERANS AND THEIR DEPENDENTSa