Veterans Affairs Commission Minutes

Veterans Affairs Commission Minutes

Regular Meeting

April 7, 2014

7:00 P.M.

Town Council Chambers

Roll Call:   Vincent Parys,   Bernie Corona, Kirk Allison, Timothy Siggia,  Gregory Sims.

Excused:

Absent:    MaryAnn Roczynski,   Paul Barry, J. Roger Pellitier, David Whalen.

Call to Order: Chairman Bernie Corona called the meeting to order at 7: 05 P.M. followed

by the pledge of allegiance.

Approval of Minutes:  Commissioner Vincent Parys made a motion to accept the minutes

of January 06, 2014  after advising the commission of an error about the next meeting date

read next Meeting on April 06, 2014, which was to be April 07, 2014.   Motion was 2nd by

Commissioner Timothy Siggia.

Motion:  Approved.

Opportunity for Citizens to speak:    None

Old Business:  The subject of Bicentennial Square came up briefly and was decided that our efforts at this point are wasted. The issue of attendance was brought up and a question was raised about requesting a letter of resignation from anyone missing 3 or more meetings during a calendar year. No motion made.

New Business: A motion was made by Commissioner Bernie Corona to pay the clerk.

2nd by Commissioner Kirk Allison.

Motion:  Passed.

Commissioner Corona handed out some info on the Presidents

proposed budget which would provide for full implementation of a transformation plan that will systematically reduce the backlog of claims that the VA is handling.

Acting on the Mayor’s office suggestion to use a smaller room for our meetings, effective May 05, 2014 we will be using “ Conference Room B “ for  our monthly  meeting , please check your annual schedule for your monthly meeting dates and attendance.

Chairman Bernie Corona and Commissioner Vincent Parys were invited to an ordinance committee meeting that was chaired by Town Council Chairman Rich Kehoe and also attended by Town councilwoman Esther Clark. The purpose of this meeting was to discuss a new Public Act No. 13-34 which requires cities and towns to designate a Veterans Contact Person. Any city or town that (1) has not established a local veterans advisory committee pursuant to subsection(a) of this section  and (2) does not otherwise provide funding for a veterans service officer shall designate a city or town employee to serve as a veterans contact person in such city or town . Any city or town employee designated as a veterans’ service contact person shall carry out the duties described In sub-Section (a) of this section and may complete an annual training course conducted by the veterans advocacy. Assistance unit as described in subsection (b) of section 27-102 as amended by this act.
 

Adjournment: The commission adjourned the meeting at 7:40 P.M.

Next Meeting:   May 05 , 2014   In conference room B

Respectfully Submitted

 ______________________________

Clerk, Robin E Parys