DARTMOUTH YOUTH COMMISSION

DARTMOUTH YOUTH COMMISSION
“MINUTES”
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2005
ROOM 314, DARTMOUTH TOWN HALL

AGENDA

Approval of Open Session Minutes from October 19, 2004.

Review “Meeting Notes” from January 12, 2005.

Old Business:

Review (now finalized) Youth Advocate’s Contract.
Review 2^nd draft of Youth Advocate’s Employment Description.
Corporate mailing list for Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund.
Discuss obtaining monetary donations from people in lieu of flowers, gifts, etc. in the event of a birthday, death, etc. for Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund.
Old Business from the floor.

Youth Advocate’s Report:

New Business:

Review compensatory time procedure and related forms as part of all new employee labor contracts with the Town of Dartmouth.
Review budget accounts for October 2004, November 2004 December 2004 and January 2005.
Review proposed goals and objectives for Youth Advocate.
Consider for approval client compensation for torn clothing ($40).
Discuss impact of proposed ’05 15% budget reductions.

New Business from the floor.

_____________________________________________________________

Minutes

Present: Gale Schultz, Chairperson; Debra Brejcha; John Coleman Swanson; Valerie Alves;
Alison Bellora; Kevin Lee, Youth Advocate and Justine Clarke, clerk

Regrets: Lorraine Gagne, Vice-chairperson and Rosalyn Glaser-Bernstein

Absent: Jane Brooks

Gale Schultz called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.

Approval of Open Session Minutes from October 19, 2004.

John Coleman Swanson made a motion to accept the minutes from October 19, 2005. Valerie Alves seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.

Old Business:

Review finalized Youth Advocate’s Employment Agreement:

The Commission took a few minutes to review finalized copy of Youth Advocate’s Employment Agreement. Kevin stated that the contract was approved in December of 2004. Kevin stated that he was pleased with his contract and the timely matter in which the contract was approved. The only significant change in the template is in #6 (Hours of Work/Supervision.) The Town of Dartmouth, along with other cities and towns in the Commonwealth, must now compensate most employees for all hours worked in excess of forty hours with comp time. Kevin’s contract calls for compensatory time off at the rate of one and one-half hours worked beyond forty hours per week, and two hours compensortory time off for overtime hours worked Sunday and legal holidays.
Kevin stated that he recently submitted approved (Form C), to the accountant’s office. He had 122 hours accumulated from July 1, 2004 through November 5, 2004. These hours will be put towards his compensated time. Kevin has used some of this time and will check with Donna Fernandes in the Accountant’s office for his remaining balance.

Review 3^rd draft of Youth Advocate’s Employment Description:

Kevin distributed the latest draft of the Youth Advocate Employment Description to Commissioners. Once this Employment Description is approved it will be dated and submitted to Michael Gagne, Executive Administrator.
John Coleman Swanson inquired if under heading “Recommended Minimum Qualifications” the Youth Advocate should have a Master’s Degree. Gale Schultz stated that the Commission recommended a Bachelor’s Degree with five years experience in related field. At some point, with Commissioner’s approval, a Master’s Degree could be included in Youth Advocate’s Employment Description.

Motion for approval of Youth Advocate Employment Description:

John Coleman Swanson made a motion to approve the Youth Advocate Employment Description. Alison Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
Kevin will make final copy to be signed by Gale Schultz, Chairperson and then forward approved Youth Advocate Employment Description to Michael Gagne, Executive Administrator and the Board of Selectman.

Corporate Mailing List for Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund:

Valerie Alves stated that she and Kevin met on January 27, 2005 and identified a potential list. They discussed perusing the phone book to gather a list of potential donors from the town of Dartmouth.
Kevin reported that on occasion he receives gift cards for the Alvin Glaser Fund. Some of these gift cards get sent anonymously making it impossible to send out thank you cards.
Kevin discussed implementing a system to keep track of gift cards received. He will discuss this with Justine Clarke, clerk. Kevin also stated that when thank you cards are sent for gift cards it will be noted in letter. Example from postcard, “Again, thank you for your donation in the amount of $25.00 gift card from Shaws.”

Discuss obtaining monetary donations from people in lieu of flowers, gifts, etc. in the event of a birthday, death, etc. for Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund:

Gale explained to Commissioners Rosalyn Bernstein-Glaser’s idea regarding obtaining donations from people in lieu of flowers, etc. in the event of a death, birthday, etc.
Valerie stated she is aware that the Swartz Center obtains donations on the anniversary of someone’s death. She stated that the Swartz Center has donation cards made available for this specific remembrance. Valerie will do some research to find out how these cards are issued and/or filtered to the public.
It was also mentioned that some churches, synagogues have monthly newsletters. Another idea is to have a posting in the newsletter making parishioners aware of the Alvin Glaser Memorial Family Assistance Trust Fund.

Old Business from the floor:

Kevin stated that he attended the Legal Workshop on January 26, 2005. The next two workshops are scheduled for February 23rd and March 30^th.

Youth Advocate’s Report:

Kevin reported that he recently received an email from someone writing on behalf of a family in Dartmouth who is in need of financial assistance. This family has four children and the father is on the waiting list for a liver transplant. Kevin will send out an application to the family and will forward completed application to Valerie Alves. This will be discussed at the next scheduled meeting.
Kevin stated that the two Banana Splits’ groups are running smoothly. There will be three more sessions with the last group ending on March 22^nd.
Kevin stated that the Girl Power Group is also going well. There is already a waiting list for next year.
Kevin informed Commissioners that he has been working with some high school students who are involved with drinking and steroid use.

New Business:

Review budget accounts for October 2004, November 2004, December 2004 and January, 2005:

John Coleman Swanson made a motion to accept the General Fund Budget Report for October, 2004. Alison Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
John Coleman Swanson made a motion to accept the General Fund Budget Report for November, 2004. Alison Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
John Coleman Swanson made a motion to accept the General Fund Budget Report for December, 2004. Alison Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.
John Coleman Swanson made a motion to accept the General Fund Budget Report for January 2005. Alison Bellora seconded the motion. Voted unanimously.

Review proposed goals and objectives for the Youth Advocate:

Commissioners will review for the next meeting and will report back with any additional goals and objectives they feel should be included.

Consider for approval client compensation for torn clothing ($40.)

Kevin informed Commissioners that one of his clients ripped her jeans on a file cabinet in his office. This girl comes from a single family home with one other sibling. Whereas money is tight in this family, Kevin asked the mother for a receipt for the jeans so they could be reimbursed. A receipt from Kohl’s Department Store was received for $40.00. Kevin informed Commissioners that he would like to reimburse the family with money from the Gift Account. The Commission approved this decision. Commissioners indicated their approval.

Discuss impact of proposed ’05 15% budget reductions:

Kevin stated that he attended the Town of Dartmouth’s Budget hearing in January. Kevin was required to submit a 15 percent budget cut. Kevin submitted a salary cut of $4,000 for himself and $1,000 for Justine Clarke. This would result in Kevin working only four days a week. Kevin stated he hopes our budget remains the same as in 2004 with no additional cuts.

New Business from the floor:

Debra Brejcha asked Kevin his opinion on safety issues in the high school. Kevin stated that he feels it is a safe environment. He also stated that alcohol is the prevalent drug followed by marijuana.

The next scheduled meeting of the Dartmouth Youth Commission is Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 6:30 p.m.

Valerie Alves made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Debra Brejcha seconded the motion. Voted unanimously at 8:11 p.m.

<Back to Minutes Index Page