HomeMy WebLinkAbout1991-01-16-HSC-min.pdf Minutes
Human Services Committee
1 / 16/91
Present Renee Cochin and Bob Cushman, Co-Chairmen;
Ann Irving; Dennis Murakami ; Steve Baran
Human Services Coordinator
Absent Dick Dougherty; Barbara Levine Seymour
Mandel ; Jack Sarmanian
Minutes 1 /2/91
The Minutes of the meeting of 12/ 19/90 were approved with one
exception Renee had requested that members who were not
planning to be present should notify Steve Baran of their
intention
Report of Human Services Coordinator
Steve reported that the Town budget had been constructed based on
numerous uncertainties in the economy Departmental budgets were
cut 3% on the whole across the Board with the exception of human
services where an increase for veterans was made and the Council
on Aging where cuts in funding from the State and School
Department were made up by the Town
Indicators of increasing poverty are being collated use of food
pantry leveling at 17 families per week ; Department of Public
Welfare statistics for Lexington families in need recipients of
Human Services fund disbursements ; disbursements by the State for
fuel ; expenditures for veterans Suggestions from the Committee
included determining numbers of WIC recipients where State funds
have been substantially cut, and foreclosures
As to veteran expenditures, question was raised as to whether
there was a ceiling based on an appropriation by the legislature
and how this might affect veterans
Bidding procedures
The Tuwn Manager had clarified in response to a request from
Renee that bidding procedures were mandatory The Human Services
Committee should not make recommendations concerning any specific
budgets of human service providers Question was raised as to
whether bids should be for a maximum obligation
Renee thought that by next year there might need to be a
reallocation of funds in view of changing need Steve suggested
that the Committee review the Town' s human services policy
statement, heavily oriented around prevention, in view of growing
basic needsn
Steve BarahD�:7'