HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-01-15
Council for Human Services
January 15, 2010, 12:00 PM
2 Fairgrounds Road
MINUTES
The meeting took place in the Conference Room at 2 Fairgrounds Road, Nantucket, MA 02554.
Members present: Linda Barrett, Dorothy Hertz, Linda Williams, Rachel Rosen, Jackie McGrady
Guests: Interfaith Council Members present Rev. Georgia Ann Snell, Sara Jones, Terry Ann Vigel,
Interfaith Staff Member Janis Carreiro. Board of Selectmen Members Rick Atherton, Michael Kopko and
Patty Roggeveen were also present, stating that they were not constituting a quorum of the BaS as they
were not representing the BaS before the CHS.
CHS Staff: Maryanne Worth
Meeting Was called to order at 12:10 pm.
Introduction of members and guests
Joint Meeting with the Interfaith Council:
This meeting had been requested by the CHS at a prior meeting in order to open up the discussion with
the Interfaith Council about the proposed elimination of the Department of Human Services and to
discuss the position of the Interfaith Council on the matter. The meeting opened with Rev. Snell stating
that she supported the joint meeting. She asked if any member of either Council was aware of any
specific plan to ensure that once the office was closed there would be no gap in the provision of the
services done by the department. When no one at the table had any information, all expressed grave
concern about the elimination without a detailed plan in place first. All felt that the current process was
not broken and did not need to be fixed. Rev. Snell also stated concern about a statement that was
contained in the December 14, 2009 HSCSWG minutes that specifically said: "Interfaith Council could
administer the fuel assistance program." The Interfaith Council had not been asked to participate in the
discussion, nor had any knowledge this was transpiring and was very concerned that such a statement
had been made. She also stated that the Interfaith Council, after explaining what the group did, had not
desire or capability of taking over the fuel assistance program. The Interfaith Council currently provided
direct services (Food Pantry & Rental Assistance) for immediate needs of those in crisis. The need had
increased significantly in the last year. It was the general consensus that many of the other human
service related non-profits are overwhelmed, had limited resources and may not be able to take over
what the Department handles.
Public comment on this issue: Mr. Kopko stated that the collaborative /HSCSWG was going to study this
issue and stated that a plan will be developed and in place on July 1, 2010 to make sure that human
services would continue to be provided. He also stated that the HSCSWG would make their
recommendations to the BaS on March 17, 2010 and the plan would be drafted, as well as the duties of
the proposed new Human Services Coordinator position before July 1, 2010. Patty Roggeveen supported
looking into coming up with a more efficient way to provide human services. Rick Atherton stated that
the proposal was worth looking into but that nothing was written in stone.
Human Services Proposal 1-13-10:
There was substantial discussion about Mr. Kopko's draft proposal that he presented at the Board of
Selectmen on January 13, 2010 that included the elimination of the Department and elimination of the
Contract Review Committee and reorganization of the Council on Human Services. Council Members and
Interfaith Council Members expressed dismay and concern that Mr. Kopko had made the
recommendation on his own prior to the HSCSWG having done their report and that he was chairman of
both the HSCSWG and the BaS. It seemed that he was driving the discussion and the proposal on his
own. The matter would be on the BaS agenda for discussion as part of the budget presentation by the
Administration on January 21, 2010, which would include elimination of the Department's budget.
The alteration of the CHS and the elimination of the CRC was discussed at length and would be
contained in a separate warrant article at Town Meeting put forth by the BaS. The Interfaith Council and
Council for Human services agreed to keep meeting jointly to discuss these issues. All felt that the
proposals appeared to be "taking the human out of human services".
The meeting was adjourned at 1 :45 PM
Respectfully submitted, ,\.1CLY'y~ worttv