--------- I have his phone number. I will take minutes for actually type faster probably. Please let this all they're so mean. Like poor new. So
he's been out. He's on the sun porch during the day and typically dates inside. She gets cold. She likes the fire. So like I come home and he's still on the porch and I'm like, "Guys, why have you watched him on the porch?" Like it's just me. I I mean I expected of
John but not the girls. And then I get home and he's like he just wants me to like pet him and like you know he falls up against me and then slides down because it's just like such a big I'm like poor guy. By the time I
get his bedtime then I feel even worse. Well, Joe, I don't think he's going to take her for 30 more minutes. I'll call The girl that told me to f off yesterday would apologize today, but then but then
started screaming at me again towards the end of the day and I was like, "Do you remember this morning when you apologize?" So, oh Lord, >> she she said Christina was in for a bit today. >> Yep. >> She said she had
sit back. >> Yeah. Okay, let's see if I can Hello. It's Jackie and >> Hi. Are you able to join or No, >> I can't. Sorry. >> That's okay.
>> Go ahead. I have some questions that I'll share with you. >> Well, can you >> Yeah. Can you join the website or No, >> normally it's just out on the on the on
the website itself. >> Microsoft. >> It's it's Zoom. Zoom meeting. If you go out to >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You have to go into the town of Lford, right? And just pick up the
document called agenda >> and hit the link. That's okay. So, what are we going to talk about? Well, we're going to talk about the, you know, the whole team sitting here for me, but u we're going to talk about the
pro, you know, what we do from a program standpoint for the veterans and uh what we may want, you know, what we should be doing for them. >> What you say, >> right? What? Well, first of all, we don't even we don't know what you're
doing at this point. So we're just trying to understand what we do in from a town standpoint first and then determine if we can do anything you know additional. >> Okay. So for instite and then hit documents
and you'll see the agenda and you can just link right in. No, you don't even need one. I wasn't sure this was going to happen my calendar for I didn't go
I just assume knew that that's how it worked. >> I have not be honest with you. I haven't I haven't communicated with you while I'm doing this for quite a while. >> Right. Right. >> Okay. So,
what do we want? >> You want documents? Did you look under documents first? documents select agenda. >> Just hit just hit the select board agenda. >> Yeah. >> Then you'll see the agenda sitting there
for this meeting. >> Yep. And then there's a link in there. Just hit the link. It should bring it right in. All right. I'm supposed to >> link right here. >> When you pop up here, then we'll go in real quick.
>> Yeah. But I'm not getting any. If the link doesn't work from there, you can cut paste it onto your your uh web browser. No, it's cut past it Google or whatever. It should come up.
You know what you could do? Um Yep. If you want instead of getting into Zoom like that you can just call in and he'll still come in and pick
>> you are Yeah. >> But you need to Yeah. The idea is there. >> Yeah. >> Somehow Yep, there you go. >> Okay, now it's official. >> You came in as a Zoom user. Can you hear
us? Are you like on mute or anything? >> I can see you. I can see I can hear you. >> You can't even if I hang up. >> Can you hear me? >> No. >> Hold on a second. Hold on a second. He has to unmute.
>> He has to unmute himself. >> All right. >> Now say something. >> Can you hear me? >> Only on the phone. >> Only on the phone. >> Do you have a microphone that you could see on your side? >> I turned it turned it on.
>> Yeah. video. >> Hold on a second. Hold on. >> I have the phone. >> Right. >> But I need to I need to hang up. Will that hang up? Yep.
>> All right. We'll see if you hear Let's see if you can hear us. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Now we can hear you. >> Can you hear me? >> Okay. Can you see me >> now? No. We just see a dark square. >> Yeah. I I'll turn on a light because I
was sitting uh I was watching the Olympics. Can you see me now? >> Yeah. >> Yep. There you go. >> All right. I'm in the flesh. >> All right. Good. Okay. Do you know everybody on the board? >> No, I don't. >> Okay.
>> Hi, Joey. before I'm Cara Lutender. >> All right, EJ. >> EJ. Okay. >> Yep. >> This is so nice. >> Okay.
Okay. So, Joe, it kind of you know shift the microphone. >> Yeah. Hold. >> Yeah. kind of why we decided we wanted to talk is that um we're doing the budget right now, right?
And every the last three four years we've done the budget, we see that there's $10,000 sitting there for veterans. >> Uh >> yeah, >> we budget we budget um obviously you're stipened,
right? But we've never really had this meeting to discuss. Okay, what are we doing for the veterans? >> And so, >> well, >> so you want to know what you want to know what I do, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, so the the truth is I
um if if someone contacts me and my phone number I'm available 247, >> okay, I'm I'm classified as part-time. All right. Yeah. >> And have been so for the last 12 13 years. Um, so I'm I'm I'm I'm available
to discuss um a chapter 115 situations, okay, and qualify them uh death benefits, u you know, burial benefits, um uh VA healthc care, uh you know, uh state if they're
gold star, uh family, u you know, a a lot of I'm I'm basically a liaison for state and federal benefit. benefits for for uh military uh people and or their families if they're qualified.
>> Okay. So, the first thing I have to do is I ask questions. Okay. Um I have to qualify them depending on on what they are. I might need documentation. I might need financial means uh records. Um so
on and so forth. So so I have rule books to go by. Okay. Chapter 115, you know, the uh Commonwealth regulations, okay, >> that I follow. All right. So, you know, um when you when you ask what I do,
right, it's it's sort of and I'll give you I'll give you an example, okay? So, I uh one of my other towns uh I was servicing was West Hampton and they had u an issue with uh with a veterans family. They were new. they transferred
from another town over and they called in. They they uh asked about some things. They asked about me and um so the the board wanted to know and they they basically had already pre-evaluated
what I do based on what they found on a website. Okay. And it wasn't official. So I I went in and I we had a meeting and I laid out the documents. Okay. all the documentation that's required for let's say chapter 115 and they were
shocked. Okay, it wasn't anything close to what uh what they have been told wasn't anything close to what I had to do to qualify for them. Okay. So, for disabilities, okay, um I can help people
with disabilities, but I'm not authorized to do it because I'm less than a,000 hours working time, okay, per annually. Okay, so I defer them to DOV, DAV, okay, for that. And it's also good because it's a liability issue or it can
be, okay, and that's what they do specifically is disability qualifications. >> Okay. Okay. So, so you know, yeah, it seems like a secret, but it's not. I mean, if you're familiar with chapter 115, I could bring in the books and and
go go over it with you. Um, you know, uh, it's it's usually situational, you know, uh, I mean, um, okay. So, for instance, uh, um, we had a we had a guy who did not have
transportation in, uh, in Blandford. I got a call um uh to his his uh surgery appointment. Okay. So, I called VA and got him transportation to his appointment. Then then he didn't have
transportation. They were supposed to transport him back home because he lives alone. Okay. No immediate family. So, we got him Uber transportation, right? But I don't have funds. I don't have funds and nor do I have insurance to be
transporting people around that may have a med medical disability nor do I have a wheelchair access van okay so um uh so I'm limited okay especially in
remote towns okay so um I had worked with committee on aging margarit and um we had set up meetings uh this years ago to have veterans uh show up in that and nobody showed up, you know, and
um so I don't have a list of veterans in the town. It's not authorized under privacy a privacy act. Um so I I'm I'm not one I I don't go out and solicit, you know, I show up at the like we had the veterans dinner the the night before
and people know who I am. I might get a couple phone calls afterwards and I did on one fell. I helped him out with once again his disability claim and I point him in the right direction. He never called me back. Um so, you know, veterans are like that. Veterans are are
um kind of ghostlike. uh um they find out if they haven't had VA healthcare, which is usually the primary thing um that uh uh they might not qualify based on their income status, okay,
their assets, okay, or that they never used it before. So I try to give them a a measure on which to succeed um knowing something more about the system. Um, so,
so yeah, you know, I I um that that if you're in a bigger town, they have uh you know, and I show up uh I've been to other towns um you know, and they have um uh a dedicated area, okay? They might have a
a fundraiser for food, you know, that they do um so on and so forth. and and we could try that if you want, you know, for lowincome people or low-income veterans. And one of the things I'm I'm supposed to do is is uh check up on and
you'll have to excuse me because I'll probably leave the vid video, but I'm going to refer back to an email >> that I received um which uh I was called by Boston and um
and uh hold on a second and they sent me forward the questions because they did a questionnaire and I said, you You know what? Send me those questions, okay? Because I want to ask the select board. We have a meeting coming up to do that.
And um you might find it interesting, too. Okay. So, hold on a second. I'm accessing that now. Uh Blandford right here.
DSO survey questions. Okay. Okay. So, one of the questions, uh, there's there's five questions. Okay. Does the town have designated veterans specific parking spaces in municipal lots under the Valor Act?
And if so, how many? >> So, I believe you have two. >> Am I correct? >> I don't know. I really don't know. Does anybody know? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. So, so these are some of the things under the valor act that uh are
supposed to be constituted in in the towns. Okay. The second question one, has the town adapted clause 221 which allows local veteran property tax exemptions to increase annually with the cost of living and inflation?
So, do you have an exemption number one? >> Well, I we'd have to look. I mean, there are definitely exemptions because I've talked to the assessor's office recently about this stuff. >> The details behind those exemptions, I don't know. >> Okay. So, well, you know, and I can
continue with three, four, and five. I could send you these questions. Okay. So, you know, and and and you can we can work on those things. I believe you do have two parking spaces if I recall correctly. The third was, has the town adapted clause 22J which allows
municipalities to increase property tax exemptions up to 100%. For prehero act figures if yes, what percentage, >> right? >> And I know our town, I live in Huntington, has it's I'm at 80%. Okay.
>> Yeah. >> You get a tax exemption. Do you have a a tax exemption? Yeah. >> And for what? And for what percentage? But here's here's where uh this is my question is that we as the board can't possibly know all
you know we've got you we've got highway we've got water we've got you know >> right >> and and what I would expect and what we would expect is that you would find out these things and make sure the assessors are doing what they should be doing that
kind of thing as the representatives. for the veterans. Now, they're not >> I might agree with that in part, but but don't don't they send down the Commonwealth uh laws to the municipalities? >> Absolutely. But it's
>> Yeah. >> Yes. But you checks and balances, right? You're asking us. I don't know. I have to check with the assessors. So, okay. Even for everything that we do there's a checks and balance to make sure >> okay
>> that we're fulfilling the obligations that we have right so to me I would want you were the role to be responsible to at least check with the people that are doing that work to make sure that it is
happening on behalf veterans and if it's not then you bring it to the board and say hey you guys got a problem right >> well Seattle I don't have any power. That's the problem is is I may reference it but but I can't I can't
>> I can't see it through. I don't have any directive. I the state does. So I always um um anyway but but if you wish if you wish for me to do that okay we can arrange a meeting where I could uh
submit these questions okay and ask the right people because personally I don't know who's responsible for what areas >> okay for instance for instance you know the hero the hero act okay I believe you are you familiar with that
>> I'm I'm familiar with the Gold Star. >> Yeah, the Hero Act is different. It was passed uh a a year or so ago. >> Yeah. >> And uh it updates it updates certain uh factors. Okay. Um, and uh, also chapter 115 if they
received if you have a direct deposit for them. And that hasn't been an issue because we you haven't had a chapter 115 uh, member, you know, on the on the doss for over a year.
Okay. Um, so let me do this. >> Is that because of the income? >> Yeah. No, no, it's because no one's qualified for it. No one's um you know, I've had a couple people and um and the
truth is if you're a assets are over a certain amount and I have that that information available to me right here, >> right? >> Okay. >> You know that that um I have a template. It's called a desktop budget. Okay. So, for instance, if you're a family uh a
family of one, if your income exceeds $2,510, you won't qualify. Or a family of two, $3,47. So, you have to be under that. And andor your single assets limitations 8,400 and
married 16660. >> Okay. 16,600, excuse me. So um uh there are certain qualifications that I have to do and then I have to ask for documentation to validate that. Okay. So it's not as as as simp it's very invasive actually. Most people are
uncomfortable with that. Same thing for burial benefits. >> Say this just from my experience so far with our assessors. >> Yeah. They're not evasive when they're looking to get a credit on their taxes as to what their income is. So, they share all
that information for that. So, um >> yeah, as they as they should, they they have to provide a DD214 and assessment by by the military or by the VA healthcare >> uh that that that they have a disability
rating. Okay. >> Right. And they also have an app on your phone now that that information shows up so it can be visualized. >> Okay, >> this is kind of where you know I feedback on this and and please join me
and if you guys have something to say here. My thoughts through this is that all we really care about, right, is that the veterans in Bford know what benefits they can go after and that that process
for them is easy to do. Of course, there's process steps, but but they are aware, right? I don't know. Like you said, it's possible that veteran status is private information. It's not if it's at the tax assessor level because that's
all I'll >> Yeah, but he's not allowed to share that with me. In other words, I'm not allowed to call a veteran unless they solicit me. >> Understood. >> But we, you know, I would and I totally totally get that from a privacy
standpoint, right? They they may not want to be known or they don't want to share their information or whatever the case is. Uh, as long as the information is out there and they know who to contact, they know they're going to get the support, then I, you know, that's
all we're really asking. Um, and want to ensure that that's being done. Now, where again, Joe, where this all came about was we had this $10,000 in this account. We're like, what the heck is this for? Right.
>> Okay. So what it's for is we used to have for instance at one time I had uh three four maybe even five people receiving chapter 115 benefits. >> Okay. >> Okay. So so actually that amount hadn't been brought into my attention. In other
words, I hadn't received that uh information in your and as as an assessment of your annual budget. Okay. So I know my pay is what? It's under $2,000. Okay. Annually, >> so you could probably reduce that in
half as a safe margin. Okay. And that and that's that's going to bring into since we're talking about uh budgets. Okay. So number five is and I I surfaced this before because I had a situation where within two weeks I had calls in the
summertime of people veterans that had broken down on the turnpike at the Blandford um rest stop or nearby. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And they were destitute
and I I did not have any financial capabilities to offer them. So what the fifth question is, okay, the fifth question is, does a town have a veterans municipal assistance discretionary fund
established under under to help provide immediate assistance to qualified veterans. >> In that case, it would be a Bford resident, right? >> Not necessarily. That that would be determined by you. >> Okay. Now,
I got a couple of questions. Uh, now we have the 10K that we put aside and uh >> Oh, what what I'm sorry, I missed that. >> And and what what I'm getting at is uh
how do we get the veterans to come to us for what assistance they need? Now, you know, you're you're telling us that what all our responsibilities are, but we don't know because we don't have a list
of what our responsibilities as far as the town goes to our vet our vets. You you named a whole bunch of different things that we need to be doing, but we don't have a list of what
we need to be doing. and what is your responsibility in checking on us to make sure that we know what we're responsible for for our vets. Now, uh there's a lot of responsibility
for these people, but how do we use that money to benefit the vets if we don't know or have a list of what we're qualified or required to do? The money just sits there and the vets
go without. Now, if you mention a breakdown on the turnpike, well, it I I don't know how that connects to the town. Okay, it's uh first of all, it's a state road and second of all,
they have uh their own uh car maintenance. We just can't go on the turnpike because it's private property. We have to be invited. So, I mean, there's a whole bunch of things here that >> Totally agree. Totally agree. Totally
agree. Every situation is unique and what I have to do is filter it out. Okay? >> And uh for instance, the fund I I tell them this says we don't I one municipality may have okay since they're larger they may have a slush fund of
which they can draw from. But I called like for instance I called Westfield okay and they they they couldn't help. um they didn't have any funds available and uh uh one guy ended up getting an assistance uh from somebody else and he
got his car started again and and the woman uh decided that you know she d she'd just drive on. She was she was she was a miss. Okay. So, uh, a lot of times it's a a
uh should I say it maybe a a moment of depression, moment of loss. Um, sometimes people have incidences and they don't actually tell you what's going on in their head. Um, so I have to filter those things
out. Okay. Now, now do I report these things to to you folks? No, I I really don't. I have a ledger, okay, of which I'm writing on now, okay, that I keep and um you know, I could share that with
you on occasion if you wanted. Um so you understand what I do or what I've been doing. Um so I keep up with, you know, I I get my emails and that and information uh on the website that I go to uh for
chapter 115 and anything else that comes about. Okay. So, so um yeah, I I think uh in terms of corresponding we could we could do a better job. Um well, my my point is like uh a person
had had a doctor appointment like you said and you had to arrange transportation. Well, that that bill for that transportation is that that should have been the town's responsibility. That should have come out of the 10K. But if we aren't aware
of what our basic responsibilities are, we can't comply. >> I I I you know, I get that. Okay. So, I don't want to get wrapped around the axle in something that was a a spur of the moment. I mean, I got a call um uh
from Margaret, okay, saying that this person and he had talked to me six months prior, okay, he needed surgery and u and anyway, so I I sort of understood his situation and I called him up. Okay, so I they
have a volunteer transportation program at the VA medical center in Leeds. Okay. So, I I set up with them to have him picked up at 4:00 a.m. Okay. And we got that done. I probably made a half a
dozen phone calls, but in return, they were supposed to take him home and they didn't. So, I dealt with that and and the uh hospital footed that bill. >> Okay. So, I didn't have to put that on your doorstep.
>> Yeah. So, >> Okay. So that's pretty much what I do is stay within the system, okay, to not burden the town. Okay, but there were the two incidences that happened oh two summers ago. Okay, that was really
uh I I it never happened before, you know. I I it was it was interesting that I had two call phone calls of somewhat the same uh situation on on the turnpike. But no, I don't have funds. But but you
can't you can designate a fund and and either leave it my responsibility or I make a phone call to one of you and you decide whether or not we can help this person and whether it it it's a liability issue or not. Okay? See that
that's the whole thing is that you know I I um I got a phone call once okay that uh uh uh an active duty member was suicidal. Okay. So I went out to his house. They
asked me to see if you can locate him. And let me tell you I was shaking. Okay. Here I am. I drive this house. Never met him before. Okay. And I'm looking in the windows. Okay. To see if there was any lights on, any physical presence and
that and and uh I see nothing. I see no vehicle there. So, that was kind of a relief. But so, I called the unit commander back, right? And they said, "We found him." And I said, "Oh my god, what a relief that
was." But, you know, that that was that was tense. That was a tough situation. I had another guy who was an alcoholic and I never knew that. U we were trying to find a a a place for him. Okay. And uh
he drank himself to death in a hotel room cuz his sister kicked him out. It was just you know so these are the things that I have to deal with that you know uh well we had one one gal through co okay she was in a hospital for she
was a foot amputee. She was a Blandford resident and uh I got a text from her the morning they were at the hospital. This during the CO in 21 and she goes um she goes they're moving me to another facility
and I said okay be safe blah blah blah. 24 hours later they said she passed on from COVID. I was like h you know but these are the things that I absorb that I I don't share with you. I
you know and you wonder what I do and sometimes it has an emotional impact on me. >> Sure. >> And I don't have anybody to talk to about it. Um so so yeah I I try to help people out you know >> I don't know this Jackie I don't know
where the disconnect happened where you know you are a part a parcel of the town because you are representative for our veterans >> yeah doing it since 2012 >> right so >> huge disconnect because
you know we see the money sitting there we we we're just now learning some of the nuance responses of what folks can do and what they can't do. But yeah, really should be more of a connection with you that we're aware what's going >> Well, I'll tell you what then. Then then
invite me to a town hall meeting to where we can sit down. Okay. >> We have have our meetings on Monday nights and you're not available Monday night. >> Yeah. I I'm sorry because uh I I do have a coaching responsibility at Yukon that I took up.
Well, I >> and it's a paid position, so I'm inclined to be there. >> Joe, we we appreciate all that you do, right? >> But we need to know or have a list of
what we are responsible for to help you do what you do >> and also to help us to understand our responsibility according to our vets. And uh that's primarily what we're
concerned about because we see this money, it's set aside every year. If we have to add to it, then that goes before the town budget. If we we're not we're, you know, we're I I understand that the state requires us to have a minimum
amount available for the veterans, but when we see it's not being used, we we have to question what are our responsibilities? Well, okay. If let's let's just talk about that money, okay, that that money
has has been and and uh always to my understanding was chapter 115 budget. Okay. >> So, I have not been sent a budget for a budget approval for my department in quite a while.
>> You have the Do you check the town email? >> Do you have a town email? Yes. I I haven't received an email from you folks. >> You you check your town email, Joe. >> Hold on a second. Oh sh
No, I will again. Hold on. No, usually if I have an email, it gets sent to me. I mean, that's how it's always been. >> Yeah. >> So, so you're saying that I have to go on on How am I supposed to know if I have an email unless I go to I guess
periodically? Um, usually I get sent an email. That's my email that I have posted on on the bulletin board for people veterans to contact me. my email address and that. So, I would expect that if you had a need of me, someone would throw me an
email. >> Yeah. >> And or call me. >> Well, that's why we're having the discussion now, right? Is to try Yeah. >> reconnect and make sure. >> Okay. So, let's let's talk about the budget. I would suggest that you cut it down to five. Okay. That leaves you a
$3,000 cushion. All right. I don't know when you do your budget. Uh usually in October, right? >> Fiscal year. It's not it's not so much the money. You the $10,000 is the $10,000 that's sitting there. We know that it's a it's really the town's the
town's contribution to our vets for these different programs. And what what we're trying to you know where we need to be is what are the programs that we should be supporting? Just like TJ said, is the 10,000 even enough to support those programs? And are the veterans in
in Blandford well aware of all the programs that are available to them? >> Right. And our responsible our responsibility to the vets to activate these programs as they're needed. And we don't have a list of what we're our
responsibilities are. And uh you know I >> Well, you do. I mean the state the state sends you that information. >> Not to my knowledge. Well, we have I I think >> I mean I mean let's talk about the Valor
Act. Are you not updated on the Valor Act? >> Don't even know what it is. What's the valor? >> I mean that's legislation. >> Understood. But we don't have but you just >> so that so the state drops the ball on
that. I would assume that they they u submit that to each municipality. I know there's like 360ome uh municipalities but um town departments count
>> so just step back for a second it says yeah >> this discussion right Joe I'm feeling as though >> your role you know obviously it's a stipend obviously it's not a lot of money and you're not having to put hours
in but when when uh you know really important events happen in the lives of the vets, they know to reach out to you for that support. It sounds like >> yeah, I get I get phone calls directly from them and uh Right.
>> and and uh I take them on whether whether I meet them in person. Uh um I usually don't go to their house unless they ask me to. I might have them come here. I might meet him in Russell. I might go to uh you know Blandford um and
andor I meet him at uh VA leads if it has to do with that for enrollment. Okay. Um do you feel that we should be doing more communications in the community to our veterans about chapter 115 about the uh
you know the opportunity to reduce your taxes about the valor act? So they or is that something that you would look to? Well, the what the the Valor Act does and um I could forward you this information.
Okay. Okay. And what that does you are updated. Okay. On that um Okay. Budget. Um I'll forward you that so you know what I'm talking about. It's basic, it
was basically an updated improvement on certain um identifications, should I say, acknowledgements and maybe some stipens. Okay. But it was a lot of hoopla, but I didn't see a lot of
gain. You know, I and I and I tell you, it's it's been discouraging for me and might get off the beaten path here, but as much as we fight for improved benefits, it took eight years for us to get uh uh
veterans benefits for SNAP, okay, if they on chapter 115 to where they they didn't have to include their uh rent or mortgage as an income, okay, uh in in order for them to qualify for for better
SNAP benefits. Okay. And it took eight years for them to decide that. But boy, when it comes to the the illegals, everything's for free, you know. So, you know, we get kicked around. We're a political tool and we don't always get things clarified to us either. I mean,
we have our annual meeting, but I haven't seen a lot of things change. Um, so I I um I try to stay on course and give individual needs and necessities clarification when
they're needed. Um, okay. Guide the financial aid for military and veterans. Okay. So, um, I get informed by the state when they have uh people are uh exiting the military and if if if
they're from let's say Bford, I'll not know that. Okay. and I'll make a I'll place a phone call to them, okay, and I'll discuss things. There's a website, okay, uh massvetsadvisors.org,
and I mentioned that at the meetings, okay, and I handed out little um uh website information uh uh pages on that. Okay. So, if people what what benefits are available and I think a a
town newsletter, you know, if you want to do a veterans uh uh you know, column on that, that's something that we can post. Um you know, uh guide to friendly colleges,
uh guide military, veterans affairs, social work. Lisa, this is on your website. Okay. And a guide to becoming a social worker. I don't I don't know that that that uh a social worker. I don't know much about
that. But this is on this is on Blandfords. It says under veteran services guides for veterans. >> But there's nobody managing that right now. Joe, that's >> and and and yeah, I I guess that needs to be looked at again, too, because
becoming a social worker. I have no information on that. I mean, we, you know, if you want to go to college, there's a program for that. Uh, depending on, you know, when you served your country. Um, uh, veterans affairs, social work, uh,
license licensing. Um, I I don't know much about that. >> Joe, let me ask a question. >> Yeah, go ahead. because again the board really looks for the folks that are leading to take the lead and do those
activities. So for example, if you said, you know, hey Jack, we really should put something out in the newspaper that lists, hey, this is something new with the Valor Act if you're a veteran, whatever. Communications, right? Uh, so
if you're saying, "Hey, you guys should be doing that." We don't have anybody to do that. That really is what we saw your role as being. That's what we're saying. And if you keep it as your role, then then that's fine. I mean, we just got to talk about
it. >> Okay. So, I mean, we could be specific, but but the the thing is is, you know, I I don't, in other words, I haven't done any fundraisers in a
while. Okay. I I did I've done your uh Blanchford Fair a couple times, >> right? um you know I mean um usually if someone wants my services they'll call they'll call get the information from the town hall and
they'll call me um so I don't in terms of posting we could do a better job on the website okay and um >> right >> to help clarify
okay some of the areas of need or or where to find information regards to that need or question. Okay. Um >> so I think we're kind of going in a
circle here. But we are because because you know what it boils down to an individual basis >> and and what their needs are at the moment and and then I have to define what they are define their service uh
requirements. Okay. And and tell them what I'm capable of doing and what I can do. Okay. Mostly I'm an adviser. I steer them in the right direction. Okay. if they need financial assistance, if they're they're low in income, if they're they're having a difficult time
getting a job, we can put them on a work program, you know. Um, so I have done that in the past. I used to have five communities, now I have Blandford. So, um, >> I think we need to step back and
determine what we want to do. >> Yeah. And we need we need to we have a we need to have a list of all of responsibility and then >> what do you mean all of responsibilities? >> Yeah. And and and that way there we can
help you more than you know it sounds to me like you got a lot on your plate. >> I do. I I do actually. I have I have five I have five manuals to deal with. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you know, and and most for
mostly I look them up verbatim depending on specifically uh what area of concern. Okay. I mean, I had one woman call me up and uh and and you know uh she thought she qualified
for uh a service duty stipen and I said uh will you send me your documentation? and uh she said she would and come to find out she was still active duty. So, you know, it it it doesn't it doesn't work that way. They're misin a lot of
people are misinformed. Okay? And I have to spell that out for them and I will I'll have to copy the information to tell them. So, for me to go over all of these things in front of a group of people, it can be pretty comprehensive and downright boring
unless they have a specific question. >> And I'll be happy to do that. Okay. Uh but it's to get the veterans to show up, you know, like like the veterans dinner. So, I stood up there and asked if they had any questions. I didn't get any
hands. I I had three veterans come up afterwards individually to me, okay? And I wrote down their names and had a conversation with two of them over the phone and we talked about documentation of what they needed. So it really does, you know, veterans are like that. Okay.
>> Sure. >> Um >> I get that. >> And you know what? I I can't blame them. I I'll tell you what, dealing with the government, I'll tell you, I I called I had a Purple Heart veteran
who who had had been shot in in the Middle East and um been over two years and they hadn't given him his Purple Heart. And I looked over his documentation. I called Washington four times and they had just layers of people to where it's like you're talking to the
wall. And these are disabled veterans. They have rules, okay? And for me to talk on behalf of someone else when they're not in your presence, you can't do that. I can't do that. Okay? I don't have power of attorney. I
don't medical power of attorney. So, there's a lot of things that fall into place where say, "Well, Joe, you know, I thought you could help me out." And I say, "Well, you know, I don't have legal authority to do any of this, >> right? >> Okay. I'm just an advisor, a liaison. I point to the rules and the
documentation and and I, you know, I give them advice based on that or I I let someone else take over. Okay. I'll feed them to somebody else higher up the chain. >> So, yeah, it's comprehensive and it's not something everybody understands, but
but government rules and regulations complicated. >> Yeah. Speed out. >> Sorry. Sorry to say that. I I know I'm you haven't give you given you much to go on, but if you want I could show up with the books and documentation and give you an idea what I'm talking about.
Okay? And then we could decide what what you want to apply to the public. >> Okay? So So I would start with the let's start with your budget. Okay? If if you want to send me the budget and I'll do a recommendation for it. All right. Um I could do that. I could I could send you
a copy of the Valor Act. All right. I can look over the web page and make some recommendations for that. Um but you know in terms of getting the the um veterans motivated I mean committee on agent Margaret and I have
worked together and uh I went to her husband's funeral by the way not but a couple weeks ago and uh it was sad but uh um uh we've known each other for a while and and we just didn't get anywhere with
the veterans. >> Yeah. you know, I mean, they're like a stick in the pipe. You know, I asked them to bring documentation, they never do. They don't call me back. You know, I spend an hour on the phone with them and and they don't return my phone call, you
know. It's just I I don't you know, and and in a way dealing with the government, it can be a disappointing affair, >> right? you know, but if if you have a legitimate need, you know, if you're gold star member, family, you fall within those categories that I can
define per documentation, we're good. We're golden. Okay? And then I submit the documentations to you folks. Like, like for instance, tax exemption. And I would say, okay, so if you have an 80% disability and and the town qualifies you for the $500 tax exemption, okay,
for your property taxes, I I would establish that, you know, and and right now, I guess the Valor Act is adding on a cost of living increase to that statement. So, um, I would like to see personally, I don't know how you feel
because I'm not a I don't I don't do your financing or your numbers. Um, I would like to see a sip for that and and they're senior citizens, you know? I mean, if you're 70 years old and and a veteran, you should get $1,000 off. But
that's that's me. Some towns do that, you see. Um, everybody's budget's different, >> okay? And I'm not privy to that. You see, I've learned that through the, you know, they only allow me to understand certain information. Sometimes I I get
to see the overall budget. I have to go through each department's budget, >> you know, but I'm just a a >> just so you're aware, all budgets for all towns are posted on the website. It's a requirement. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I haven't been that um
>> Yeah. So our care this was helpful for us to kind of understand okay is your role that was really what we wanted to understand >> that was one thing >> and what you provide to us so we know what we're should be doing as a town for
our veterans. >> Yeah. >> You know I do we do have some of that information from what other towns are doing. If there's something that you specifically think is really really helpful in other towns, we need to know about it. >> Yeah. >> Then you should let us know because then
we can budget for that and make sure that >> we're executing on it. I get it that people don't want to get in line and say, "Hey, wave the flag of, hey, this is Jackie and I'm a veteran and I qualify for chapter 115."
It's a private thing, >> right? So, it also on the veteran. Now, right, if they reach out to Joe and then he responds and they don't come back, that's on them. Joe can only, you know,
respond what they they're >> like I said, you're you're right, sir. I I keep a log. So, I write down notes, you know, and uh so I can reference back and and uh you know, a date and time that I talked to the person and what
what what we talked about. Sometimes it's very important. >> Well, we've made this connection, Joe. I have your number now. We have your email. >> Yeah. >> You in the loop. But we need to step back as we got. We got to step back and find out exactly what you know the needs
of our vets in our town and and and have them take an active point, >> right, >> for themselves. And we want to know our responsibilities. and then we can assist them and take
some of the burden off of you. >> Right. >> Okay. Um, so yeah, if you want to have a a meeting, you know, if some veterans in town show up to do that, if you want to I don't know how how you going to organize that, but but um
um I know do do you do a a town letter, a mailer at all? Well, we'll we have a way of contacting the best and and uh we'll we'll we'll try and get something together so that
we can sit down with them and you and uh you know go forward from there. But we have we have to have a a list of of what we need to bring to the vets.
Well, I mean, uh, in terms of a list, okay, there's there's >> Gez, there's a lot. There's state and federal, you know, guidelines and benefits. Okay. >> Uh, you know, there's if if they have a housing need that that might be one area, housing and food. Okay. I don't I
don't Do you set up a like a food bank or something for uh people in need? >> Yes. >> You know, that might be something because, you know, people are shy about those things. they might go to another town. And I've talked to I was at uh uh
I was in Lello, their veteran center last week and I talked to a couple and uh you know uh uh so that that's that's something we can explore. >> Y >> you know they don't have an area where they can gather on a regular basis. you
know, a room or something where that's casual kind of like a a coffee, you know, have coffee or something and ask questions and do this and that or have like a food bank show up, you know, if if you if if you need if you're in need
of uh, you know, some sort of food supplements to get by, eggs or or milk or whatever have you, canned goods or something, we could we could look at starting that. Um, >> you know, >> go ahead. >> Let's do this. It's been an hour.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We need to really kind of close down, >> but >> yeah, I could talk all day on this stuff once I get going. So, we appreciate your, you know, you're taking the time out on the call and let us know what it is that this role does because
>> I'm happy to have this conversation with you because, uh, you know, we have a concern here and uh, unfortunately, like everything else, the vets seem to fall to the side, right? >> And we don't want that to happen.
>> So, >> well, I don't think they've fallen to the side. I think that that it's more more the attitude of of the people in the Hilltowns. They're just more laid-back. They don't get involved in as much. And um and we don't have what's
called a district. Okay. >> So, I'm not full-time either. So, in other words, I I I don't even have an office space in your m, you know, in your town hall. So, um, so that's the other reason why I work at home because I keep all my documentation and
references here, okay? And it work it works out for me, you know, and it has, okay, but but um it's a small town, you know, and and you're right, we don't want want to let them think like they're being discarded.
They're not. Um, you know, once again, I am my phone number's posted. Maybe if we can post it somewhere else so we get more exposure. Okay. Um we could give them a website that so if they're curious on any benefits they can explore
on their own. A lot of people just want to do that. They don't want to be told what to do. They want to be given the you know the tools to do it with. Okay. And sometimes I have to let them explore on their own so they understand you know uh the complexities of it.
Well, so we're going to let you go. >> Yeah. >> And uh we will follow up though. >> So, what else? What else do you want me to do at this point? >> Oh, Paul, >> send us the list of five questions. Send us the valor information.
>> Give me an email address. >> J C J C O U R Y. >> Hold on a second. Hold on a second. I didn't get that. Uh, spell it out again for me. >> J C O U R Y
>> C O2 >> C O U R Y >> at townoflford.org. >> So that's it's not J dot, it's J Corey. >> J Corey at townoflford.gov. >> Okay, >> I'm gonna shut it down. Thank you, Joe.
>> Bye, Joe. >> Thank you, Joe. >> Thank you. Thank you for contacting me. Thank you. Have a good evening. Bye. Bye. Part: 2
I have his phone number. I will take minutes for actually type faster probably. Please let this all they're so mean. Like poor new. So
he's been out. He's on the sun porch during the day and typically dates inside. She gets cold. She likes the fire. So like I come home and he's still on the porch and I'm like, "Guys, why have you watched him on the porch?" Like it's just me. I I mean I expected of
John but not the girls. And then I get home and he's like he just wants me to like pet him and like you know he falls up against me and then slides down because it's just like such a big I'm like poor guy. By the time I
get his bedtime then I feel even worse. Well, Joe, I don't think he's going to take her for 30 more minutes. I'll call The girl that told me to f off yesterday would apologize today, but then but then
started screaming at me again towards the end of the day and I was like, "Do you remember this morning when you apologize?" So, oh Lord, >> she she said Christina was in for a bit today. >> Yep. >> She said she had
sit back. >> Yeah. Okay, let's see if I can Hello. It's Jackie and >> Hi. Are you able to join or No, >> I can't. Sorry. >> That's okay.
>> Go ahead. I have some questions that I'll share with you. >> Well, can you >> Yeah. Can you join the website or No, >> normally it's just out on the on the on
the website itself. >> Microsoft. >> It's it's Zoom. Zoom meeting. If you go out to >> Yeah. >> Yeah. You have to go into the town of Lford, right? And just pick up the
document called agenda >> and hit the link. That's okay. So, what are we going to talk about? Well, we're going to talk about the, you know, the whole team sitting here for me, but u we're going to talk about the
pro, you know, what we do from a program standpoint for the veterans and uh what we may want, you know, what we should be doing for them. >> What you say, >> right? What? Well, first of all, we don't even we don't know what you're
doing at this point. So we're just trying to understand what we do in from a town standpoint first and then determine if we can do anything you know additional. >> Okay. So for instite and then hit documents
and you'll see the agenda and you can just link right in. No, you don't even need one. I wasn't sure this was going to happen my calendar for I didn't go
I just assume knew that that's how it worked. >> I have not be honest with you. I haven't I haven't communicated with you while I'm doing this for quite a while. >> Right. Right. >> Okay. So,
what do we want? >> You want documents? Did you look under documents first? documents select agenda. >> Just hit just hit the select board agenda. >> Yeah. >> Then you'll see the agenda sitting there
for this meeting. >> Yep. And then there's a link in there. Just hit the link. It should bring it right in. All right. I'm supposed to >> link right here. >> When you pop up here, then we'll go in real quick.
>> Yeah. But I'm not getting any. If the link doesn't work from there, you can cut paste it onto your your uh web browser. No, it's cut past it Google or whatever. It should come up.
You know what you could do? Um Yep. If you want instead of getting into Zoom like that you can just call in and he'll still come in and pick
>> you are Yeah. >> But you need to Yeah. The idea is there. >> Yeah. >> Somehow Yep, there you go. >> Okay, now it's official. >> You came in as a Zoom user. Can you hear
us? Are you like on mute or anything? >> I can see you. I can see I can hear you. >> You can't even if I hang up. >> Can you hear me? >> No. >> Hold on a second. Hold on a second. He has to unmute.
>> He has to unmute himself. >> All right. >> Now say something. >> Can you hear me? >> Only on the phone. >> Only on the phone. >> Do you have a microphone that you could see on your side? >> I turned it turned it on.
>> Yeah. video. >> Hold on a second. Hold on. >> I have the phone. >> Right. >> But I need to I need to hang up. Will that hang up? Yep.
>> All right. We'll see if you hear Let's see if you can hear us. Can you hear me? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Now we can hear you. >> Can you hear me? >> Okay. Can you see me >> now? No. We just see a dark square. >> Yeah. I I'll turn on a light because I
was sitting uh I was watching the Olympics. Can you see me now? >> Yeah. >> Yep. There you go. >> All right. I'm in the flesh. >> All right. Good. Okay. Do you know everybody on the board? >> No, I don't. >> Okay.
>> Hi, Joey. before I'm Cara Lutender. >> All right, EJ. >> EJ. Okay. >> Yep. >> This is so nice. >> Okay.
Okay. So, Joe, it kind of you know shift the microphone. >> Yeah. Hold. >> Yeah. kind of why we decided we wanted to talk is that um we're doing the budget right now, right?
And every the last three four years we've done the budget, we see that there's $10,000 sitting there for veterans. >> Uh >> yeah, >> we budget we budget um obviously you're stipened,
right? But we've never really had this meeting to discuss. Okay, what are we doing for the veterans? >> And so, >> well, >> so you want to know what you want to know what I do, >> right? >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, so the the truth is I
um if if someone contacts me and my phone number I'm available 247, >> okay, I'm I'm classified as part-time. All right. Yeah. >> And have been so for the last 12 13 years. Um, so I'm I'm I'm I'm available
to discuss um a chapter 115 situations, okay, and qualify them uh death benefits, u you know, burial benefits, um uh VA healthc care, uh you know, uh state if they're
gold star, uh family, u you know, a a lot of I'm I'm basically a liaison for state and federal benefit. benefits for for uh military uh people and or their families if they're qualified.
>> Okay. So, the first thing I have to do is I ask questions. Okay. Um I have to qualify them depending on on what they are. I might need documentation. I might need financial means uh records. Um so
on and so forth. So so I have rule books to go by. Okay. Chapter 115, you know, the uh Commonwealth regulations, okay, >> that I follow. All right. So, you know, um when you when you ask what I do,
right, it's it's sort of and I'll give you I'll give you an example, okay? So, I uh one of my other towns uh I was servicing was West Hampton and they had u an issue with uh with a veterans family. They were new. they transferred
from another town over and they called in. They they uh asked about some things. They asked about me and um so the the board wanted to know and they they basically had already pre-evaluated
what I do based on what they found on a website. Okay. And it wasn't official. So I I went in and I we had a meeting and I laid out the documents. Okay. all the documentation that's required for let's say chapter 115 and they were
shocked. Okay, it wasn't anything close to what uh what they have been told wasn't anything close to what I had to do to qualify for them. Okay. So, for disabilities, okay, um I can help people
with disabilities, but I'm not authorized to do it because I'm less than a,000 hours working time, okay, per annually. Okay, so I defer them to DOV, DAV, okay, for that. And it's also good because it's a liability issue or it can
be, okay, and that's what they do specifically is disability qualifications. >> Okay. Okay. So, so you know, yeah, it seems like a secret, but it's not. I mean, if you're familiar with chapter 115, I could bring in the books and and
go go over it with you. Um, you know, uh, it's it's usually situational, you know, uh, I mean, um, okay. So, for instance, uh, um, we had a we had a guy who did not have
transportation in, uh, in Blandford. I got a call um uh to his his uh surgery appointment. Okay. So, I called VA and got him transportation to his appointment. Then then he didn't have
transportation. They were supposed to transport him back home because he lives alone. Okay. No immediate family. So, we got him Uber transportation, right? But I don't have funds. I don't have funds and nor do I have insurance to be
transporting people around that may have a med medical disability nor do I have a wheelchair access van okay so um uh so I'm limited okay especially in
remote towns okay so um I had worked with committee on aging margarit and um we had set up meetings uh this years ago to have veterans uh show up in that and nobody showed up, you know, and
um so I don't have a list of veterans in the town. It's not authorized under privacy a privacy act. Um so I I'm I'm not one I I don't go out and solicit, you know, I show up at the like we had the veterans dinner the the night before
and people know who I am. I might get a couple phone calls afterwards and I did on one fell. I helped him out with once again his disability claim and I point him in the right direction. He never called me back. Um so, you know, veterans are like that. Veterans are are
um kind of ghostlike. uh um they find out if they haven't had VA healthcare, which is usually the primary thing um that uh uh they might not qualify based on their income status, okay,
their assets, okay, or that they never used it before. So I try to give them a a measure on which to succeed um knowing something more about the system. Um, so,
so yeah, you know, I I um that that if you're in a bigger town, they have uh you know, and I show up uh I've been to other towns um you know, and they have um uh a dedicated area, okay? They might have a
a fundraiser for food, you know, that they do um so on and so forth. and and we could try that if you want, you know, for lowincome people or low-income veterans. And one of the things I'm I'm supposed to do is is uh check up on and
you'll have to excuse me because I'll probably leave the vid video, but I'm going to refer back to an email >> that I received um which uh I was called by Boston and um
and uh hold on a second and they sent me forward the questions because they did a questionnaire and I said, you You know what? Send me those questions, okay? Because I want to ask the select board. We have a meeting coming up to do that.
And um you might find it interesting, too. Okay. So, hold on a second. I'm accessing that now. Uh Blandford right here.
DSO survey questions. Okay. Okay. So, one of the questions, uh, there's there's five questions. Okay. Does the town have designated veterans specific parking spaces in municipal lots under the Valor Act?
And if so, how many? >> So, I believe you have two. >> Am I correct? >> I don't know. I really don't know. Does anybody know? >> I'm not sure. >> Okay. So, so these are some of the things under the valor act that uh are
supposed to be constituted in in the towns. Okay. The second question one, has the town adapted clause 221 which allows local veteran property tax exemptions to increase annually with the cost of living and inflation?
So, do you have an exemption number one? >> Well, I we'd have to look. I mean, there are definitely exemptions because I've talked to the assessor's office recently about this stuff. >> The details behind those exemptions, I don't know. >> Okay. So, well, you know, and I can
continue with three, four, and five. I could send you these questions. Okay. So, you know, and and and you can we can work on those things. I believe you do have two parking spaces if I recall correctly. The third was, has the town adapted clause 22J which allows
municipalities to increase property tax exemptions up to 100%. For prehero act figures if yes, what percentage, >> right? >> And I know our town, I live in Huntington, has it's I'm at 80%. Okay.
>> Yeah. >> You get a tax exemption. Do you have a a tax exemption? Yeah. >> And for what? And for what percentage? But here's here's where uh this is my question is that we as the board can't possibly know all
you know we've got you we've got highway we've got water we've got you know >> right >> and and what I would expect and what we would expect is that you would find out these things and make sure the assessors are doing what they should be doing that
kind of thing as the representatives. for the veterans. Now, they're not >> I might agree with that in part, but but don't don't they send down the Commonwealth uh laws to the municipalities? >> Absolutely. But it's
>> Yeah. >> Yes. But you checks and balances, right? You're asking us. I don't know. I have to check with the assessors. So, okay. Even for everything that we do there's a checks and balance to make sure >> okay
>> that we're fulfilling the obligations that we have right so to me I would want you were the role to be responsible to at least check with the people that are doing that work to make sure that it is
happening on behalf veterans and if it's not then you bring it to the board and say hey you guys got a problem right >> well Seattle I don't have any power. That's the problem is is I may reference it but but I can't I can't
>> I can't see it through. I don't have any directive. I the state does. So I always um um anyway but but if you wish if you wish for me to do that okay we can arrange a meeting where I could uh
submit these questions okay and ask the right people because personally I don't know who's responsible for what areas >> okay for instance for instance you know the hero the hero act okay I believe you are you familiar with that
>> I'm I'm familiar with the Gold Star. >> Yeah, the Hero Act is different. It was passed uh a a year or so ago. >> Yeah. >> And uh it updates it updates certain uh factors. Okay. Um, and uh, also chapter 115 if they
received if you have a direct deposit for them. And that hasn't been an issue because we you haven't had a chapter 115 uh, member, you know, on the on the doss for over a year.
Okay. Um, so let me do this. >> Is that because of the income? >> Yeah. No, no, it's because no one's qualified for it. No one's um you know, I've had a couple people and um and the
truth is if you're a assets are over a certain amount and I have that that information available to me right here, >> right? >> Okay. >> You know that that um I have a template. It's called a desktop budget. Okay. So, for instance, if you're a family uh a
family of one, if your income exceeds $2,510, you won't qualify. Or a family of two, $3,47. So, you have to be under that. And andor your single assets limitations 8,400 and
married 16660. >> Okay. 16,600, excuse me. So um uh there are certain qualifications that I have to do and then I have to ask for documentation to validate that. Okay. So it's not as as as simp it's very invasive actually. Most people are
uncomfortable with that. Same thing for burial benefits. >> Say this just from my experience so far with our assessors. >> Yeah. They're not evasive when they're looking to get a credit on their taxes as to what their income is. So, they share all
that information for that. So, um >> yeah, as they as they should, they they have to provide a DD214 and assessment by by the military or by the VA healthcare >> uh that that that they have a disability
rating. Okay. >> Right. And they also have an app on your phone now that that information shows up so it can be visualized. >> Okay, >> this is kind of where you know I feedback on this and and please join me
and if you guys have something to say here. My thoughts through this is that all we really care about, right, is that the veterans in Bford know what benefits they can go after and that that process
for them is easy to do. Of course, there's process steps, but but they are aware, right? I don't know. Like you said, it's possible that veteran status is private information. It's not if it's at the tax assessor level because that's
all I'll >> Yeah, but he's not allowed to share that with me. In other words, I'm not allowed to call a veteran unless they solicit me. >> Understood. >> But we, you know, I would and I totally totally get that from a privacy
standpoint, right? They they may not want to be known or they don't want to share their information or whatever the case is. Uh, as long as the information is out there and they know who to contact, they know they're going to get the support, then I, you know, that's
all we're really asking. Um, and want to ensure that that's being done. Now, where again, Joe, where this all came about was we had this $10,000 in this account. We're like, what the heck is this for? Right.
>> Okay. So what it's for is we used to have for instance at one time I had uh three four maybe even five people receiving chapter 115 benefits. >> Okay. >> Okay. So so actually that amount hadn't been brought into my attention. In other
words, I hadn't received that uh information in your and as as an assessment of your annual budget. Okay. So I know my pay is what? It's under $2,000. Okay. Annually, >> so you could probably reduce that in
half as a safe margin. Okay. And that and that's that's going to bring into since we're talking about uh budgets. Okay. So number five is and I I surfaced this before because I had a situation where within two weeks I had calls in the
summertime of people veterans that had broken down on the turnpike at the Blandford um rest stop or nearby. Okay. >> Yeah. >> And they were destitute
and I I did not have any financial capabilities to offer them. So what the fifth question is, okay, the fifth question is, does a town have a veterans municipal assistance discretionary fund
established under under to help provide immediate assistance to qualified veterans. >> In that case, it would be a Bford resident, right? >> Not necessarily. That that would be determined by you. >> Okay. Now,
I got a couple of questions. Uh, now we have the 10K that we put aside and uh >> Oh, what what I'm sorry, I missed that. >> And and what what I'm getting at is uh
how do we get the veterans to come to us for what assistance they need? Now, you know, you're you're telling us that what all our responsibilities are, but we don't know because we don't have a list
of what our responsibilities as far as the town goes to our vet our vets. You you named a whole bunch of different things that we need to be doing, but we don't have a list of what
we need to be doing. and what is your responsibility in checking on us to make sure that we know what we're responsible for for our vets. Now, uh there's a lot of responsibility
for these people, but how do we use that money to benefit the vets if we don't know or have a list of what we're qualified or required to do? The money just sits there and the vets
go without. Now, if you mention a breakdown on the turnpike, well, it I I don't know how that connects to the town. Okay, it's uh first of all, it's a state road and second of all,
they have uh their own uh car maintenance. We just can't go on the turnpike because it's private property. We have to be invited. So, I mean, there's a whole bunch of things here that >> Totally agree. Totally agree. Totally
agree. Every situation is unique and what I have to do is filter it out. Okay? >> And uh for instance, the fund I I tell them this says we don't I one municipality may have okay since they're larger they may have a slush fund of
which they can draw from. But I called like for instance I called Westfield okay and they they they couldn't help. um they didn't have any funds available and uh uh one guy ended up getting an assistance uh from somebody else and he
got his car started again and and the woman uh decided that you know she d she'd just drive on. She was she was she was a miss. Okay. So, uh, a lot of times it's a a
uh should I say it maybe a a moment of depression, moment of loss. Um, sometimes people have incidences and they don't actually tell you what's going on in their head. Um, so I have to filter those things
out. Okay. Now, now do I report these things to to you folks? No, I I really don't. I have a ledger, okay, of which I'm writing on now, okay, that I keep and um you know, I could share that with
you on occasion if you wanted. Um so you understand what I do or what I've been doing. Um so I keep up with, you know, I I get my emails and that and information uh on the website that I go to uh for
chapter 115 and anything else that comes about. Okay. So, so um yeah, I I think uh in terms of corresponding we could we could do a better job. Um well, my my point is like uh a person
had had a doctor appointment like you said and you had to arrange transportation. Well, that that bill for that transportation is that that should have been the town's responsibility. That should have come out of the 10K. But if we aren't aware
of what our basic responsibilities are, we can't comply. >> I I I you know, I get that. Okay. So, I don't want to get wrapped around the axle in something that was a a spur of the moment. I mean, I got a call um uh
from Margaret, okay, saying that this person and he had talked to me six months prior, okay, he needed surgery and u and anyway, so I I sort of understood his situation and I called him up. Okay, so I they
have a volunteer transportation program at the VA medical center in Leeds. Okay. So, I I set up with them to have him picked up at 4:00 a.m. Okay. And we got that done. I probably made a half a
dozen phone calls, but in return, they were supposed to take him home and they didn't. So, I dealt with that and and the uh hospital footed that bill. >> Okay. So, I didn't have to put that on your doorstep.
>> Yeah. So, >> Okay. So that's pretty much what I do is stay within the system, okay, to not burden the town. Okay, but there were the two incidences that happened oh two summers ago. Okay, that was really
uh I I it never happened before, you know. I I it was it was interesting that I had two call phone calls of somewhat the same uh situation on on the turnpike. But no, I don't have funds. But but you
can't you can designate a fund and and either leave it my responsibility or I make a phone call to one of you and you decide whether or not we can help this person and whether it it it's a liability issue or not. Okay? See that
that's the whole thing is that you know I I um I got a phone call once okay that uh uh uh an active duty member was suicidal. Okay. So I went out to his house. They
asked me to see if you can locate him. And let me tell you I was shaking. Okay. Here I am. I drive this house. Never met him before. Okay. And I'm looking in the windows. Okay. To see if there was any lights on, any physical presence and
that and and uh I see nothing. I see no vehicle there. So, that was kind of a relief. But so, I called the unit commander back, right? And they said, "We found him." And I said, "Oh my god, what a relief that
was." But, you know, that that was that was tense. That was a tough situation. I had another guy who was an alcoholic and I never knew that. U we were trying to find a a a place for him. Okay. And uh
he drank himself to death in a hotel room cuz his sister kicked him out. It was just you know so these are the things that I have to deal with that you know uh well we had one one gal through co okay she was in a hospital for she
was a foot amputee. She was a Blandford resident and uh I got a text from her the morning they were at the hospital. This during the CO in 21 and she goes um she goes they're moving me to another facility
and I said okay be safe blah blah blah. 24 hours later they said she passed on from COVID. I was like h you know but these are the things that I absorb that I I don't share with you. I
you know and you wonder what I do and sometimes it has an emotional impact on me. >> Sure. >> And I don't have anybody to talk to about it. Um so so yeah I I try to help people out you know >> I don't know this Jackie I don't know
where the disconnect happened where you know you are a part a parcel of the town because you are representative for our veterans >> yeah doing it since 2012 >> right so >> huge disconnect because
you know we see the money sitting there we we we're just now learning some of the nuance responses of what folks can do and what they can't do. But yeah, really should be more of a connection with you that we're aware what's going >> Well, I'll tell you what then. Then then
invite me to a town hall meeting to where we can sit down. Okay. >> We have have our meetings on Monday nights and you're not available Monday night. >> Yeah. I I'm sorry because uh I I do have a coaching responsibility at Yukon that I took up.
Well, I >> and it's a paid position, so I'm inclined to be there. >> Joe, we we appreciate all that you do, right? >> But we need to know or have a list of
what we are responsible for to help you do what you do >> and also to help us to understand our responsibility according to our vets. And uh that's primarily what we're
concerned about because we see this money, it's set aside every year. If we have to add to it, then that goes before the town budget. If we we're not we're, you know, we're I I understand that the state requires us to have a minimum
amount available for the veterans, but when we see it's not being used, we we have to question what are our responsibilities? Well, okay. If let's let's just talk about that money, okay, that that money
has has been and and uh always to my understanding was chapter 115 budget. Okay. >> So, I have not been sent a budget for a budget approval for my department in quite a while.
>> You have the Do you check the town email? >> Do you have a town email? Yes. I I haven't received an email from you folks. >> You you check your town email, Joe. >> Hold on a second. Oh sh
No, I will again. Hold on. No, usually if I have an email, it gets sent to me. I mean, that's how it's always been. >> Yeah. >> So, so you're saying that I have to go on on How am I supposed to know if I have an email unless I go to I guess
periodically? Um, usually I get sent an email. That's my email that I have posted on on the bulletin board for people veterans to contact me. my email address and that. So, I would expect that if you had a need of me, someone would throw me an
email. >> Yeah. >> And or call me. >> Well, that's why we're having the discussion now, right? Is to try Yeah. >> reconnect and make sure. >> Okay. So, let's let's talk about the budget. I would suggest that you cut it down to five. Okay. That leaves you a
$3,000 cushion. All right. I don't know when you do your budget. Uh usually in October, right? >> Fiscal year. It's not it's not so much the money. You the $10,000 is the $10,000 that's sitting there. We know that it's a it's really the town's the
town's contribution to our vets for these different programs. And what what we're trying to you know where we need to be is what are the programs that we should be supporting? Just like TJ said, is the 10,000 even enough to support those programs? And are the veterans in
in Blandford well aware of all the programs that are available to them? >> Right. And our responsible our responsibility to the vets to activate these programs as they're needed. And we don't have a list of what we're our
responsibilities are. And uh you know I >> Well, you do. I mean the state the state sends you that information. >> Not to my knowledge. Well, we have I I think >> I mean I mean let's talk about the Valor
Act. Are you not updated on the Valor Act? >> Don't even know what it is. What's the valor? >> I mean that's legislation. >> Understood. But we don't have but you just >> so that so the state drops the ball on
that. I would assume that they they u submit that to each municipality. I know there's like 360ome uh municipalities but um town departments count
>> so just step back for a second it says yeah >> this discussion right Joe I'm feeling as though >> your role you know obviously it's a stipend obviously it's not a lot of money and you're not having to put hours
in but when when uh you know really important events happen in the lives of the vets, they know to reach out to you for that support. It sounds like >> yeah, I get I get phone calls directly from them and uh Right.
>> and and uh I take them on whether whether I meet them in person. Uh um I usually don't go to their house unless they ask me to. I might have them come here. I might meet him in Russell. I might go to uh you know Blandford um and
andor I meet him at uh VA leads if it has to do with that for enrollment. Okay. Um do you feel that we should be doing more communications in the community to our veterans about chapter 115 about the uh
you know the opportunity to reduce your taxes about the valor act? So they or is that something that you would look to? Well, the what the the Valor Act does and um I could forward you this information.
Okay. Okay. And what that does you are updated. Okay. On that um Okay. Budget. Um I'll forward you that so you know what I'm talking about. It's basic, it
was basically an updated improvement on certain um identifications, should I say, acknowledgements and maybe some stipens. Okay. But it was a lot of hoopla, but I didn't see a lot of
gain. You know, I and I and I tell you, it's it's been discouraging for me and might get off the beaten path here, but as much as we fight for improved benefits, it took eight years for us to get uh uh
veterans benefits for SNAP, okay, if they on chapter 115 to where they they didn't have to include their uh rent or mortgage as an income, okay, uh in in order for them to qualify for for better
SNAP benefits. Okay. And it took eight years for them to decide that. But boy, when it comes to the the illegals, everything's for free, you know. So, you know, we get kicked around. We're a political tool and we don't always get things clarified to us either. I mean,
we have our annual meeting, but I haven't seen a lot of things change. Um, so I I um I try to stay on course and give individual needs and necessities clarification when
they're needed. Um, okay. Guide the financial aid for military and veterans. Okay. So, um, I get informed by the state when they have uh people are uh exiting the military and if if if
they're from let's say Bford, I'll not know that. Okay. and I'll make a I'll place a phone call to them, okay, and I'll discuss things. There's a website, okay, uh massvetsadvisors.org,
and I mentioned that at the meetings, okay, and I handed out little um uh website information uh uh pages on that. Okay. So, if people what what benefits are available and I think a a
town newsletter, you know, if you want to do a veterans uh uh you know, column on that, that's something that we can post. Um you know, uh guide to friendly colleges,
uh guide military, veterans affairs, social work. Lisa, this is on your website. Okay. And a guide to becoming a social worker. I don't I don't know that that that uh a social worker. I don't know much about
that. But this is on this is on Blandfords. It says under veteran services guides for veterans. >> But there's nobody managing that right now. Joe, that's >> and and and yeah, I I guess that needs to be looked at again, too, because
becoming a social worker. I have no information on that. I mean, we, you know, if you want to go to college, there's a program for that. Uh, depending on, you know, when you served your country. Um, uh, veterans affairs, social work, uh,
license licensing. Um, I I don't know much about that. >> Joe, let me ask a question. >> Yeah, go ahead. because again the board really looks for the folks that are leading to take the lead and do those
activities. So for example, if you said, you know, hey Jack, we really should put something out in the newspaper that lists, hey, this is something new with the Valor Act if you're a veteran, whatever. Communications, right? Uh, so
if you're saying, "Hey, you guys should be doing that." We don't have anybody to do that. That really is what we saw your role as being. That's what we're saying. And if you keep it as your role, then then that's fine. I mean, we just got to talk about
it. >> Okay. So, I mean, we could be specific, but but the the thing is is, you know, I I don't, in other words, I haven't done any fundraisers in a
while. Okay. I I did I've done your uh Blanchford Fair a couple times, >> right? um you know I mean um usually if someone wants my services they'll call they'll call get the information from the town hall and
they'll call me um so I don't in terms of posting we could do a better job on the website okay and um >> right >> to help clarify
okay some of the areas of need or or where to find information regards to that need or question. Okay. Um >> so I think we're kind of going in a
circle here. But we are because because you know what it boils down to an individual basis >> and and what their needs are at the moment and and then I have to define what they are define their service uh
requirements. Okay. And and tell them what I'm capable of doing and what I can do. Okay. Mostly I'm an adviser. I steer them in the right direction. Okay. if they need financial assistance, if they're they're low in income, if they're they're having a difficult time
getting a job, we can put them on a work program, you know. Um, so I have done that in the past. I used to have five communities, now I have Blandford. So, um, >> I think we need to step back and
determine what we want to do. >> Yeah. And we need we need to we have a we need to have a list of all of responsibility and then >> what do you mean all of responsibilities? >> Yeah. And and and that way there we can
help you more than you know it sounds to me like you got a lot on your plate. >> I do. I I do actually. I have I have five I have five manuals to deal with. >> Yeah. >> Okay. So, you know, and and most for
mostly I look them up verbatim depending on specifically uh what area of concern. Okay. I mean, I had one woman call me up and uh and and you know uh she thought she qualified
for uh a service duty stipen and I said uh will you send me your documentation? and uh she said she would and come to find out she was still active duty. So, you know, it it it doesn't it doesn't work that way. They're misin a lot of
people are misinformed. Okay? And I have to spell that out for them and I will I'll have to copy the information to tell them. So, for me to go over all of these things in front of a group of people, it can be pretty comprehensive and downright boring
unless they have a specific question. >> And I'll be happy to do that. Okay. Uh but it's to get the veterans to show up, you know, like like the veterans dinner. So, I stood up there and asked if they had any questions. I didn't get any
hands. I I had three veterans come up afterwards individually to me, okay? And I wrote down their names and had a conversation with two of them over the phone and we talked about documentation of what they needed. So it really does, you know, veterans are like that. Okay.
>> Sure. >> Um >> I get that. >> And you know what? I I can't blame them. I I'll tell you what, dealing with the government, I'll tell you, I I called I had a Purple Heart veteran
who who had had been shot in in the Middle East and um been over two years and they hadn't given him his Purple Heart. And I looked over his documentation. I called Washington four times and they had just layers of people to where it's like you're talking to the
wall. And these are disabled veterans. They have rules, okay? And for me to talk on behalf of someone else when they're not in your presence, you can't do that. I can't do that. Okay? I don't have power of attorney. I
don't medical power of attorney. So, there's a lot of things that fall into place where say, "Well, Joe, you know, I thought you could help me out." And I say, "Well, you know, I don't have legal authority to do any of this, >> right? >> Okay. I'm just an advisor, a liaison. I point to the rules and the
documentation and and I, you know, I give them advice based on that or I I let someone else take over. Okay. I'll feed them to somebody else higher up the chain. >> So, yeah, it's comprehensive and it's not something everybody understands, but
but government rules and regulations complicated. >> Yeah. Speed out. >> Sorry. Sorry to say that. I I know I'm you haven't give you given you much to go on, but if you want I could show up with the books and documentation and give you an idea what I'm talking about.
Okay? And then we could decide what what you want to apply to the public. >> Okay? So So I would start with the let's start with your budget. Okay? If if you want to send me the budget and I'll do a recommendation for it. All right. Um I could do that. I could I could send you
a copy of the Valor Act. All right. I can look over the web page and make some recommendations for that. Um but you know in terms of getting the the um veterans motivated I mean committee on agent Margaret and I have
worked together and uh I went to her husband's funeral by the way not but a couple weeks ago and uh it was sad but uh um uh we've known each other for a while and and we just didn't get anywhere with
the veterans. >> Yeah. you know, I mean, they're like a stick in the pipe. You know, I asked them to bring documentation, they never do. They don't call me back. You know, I spend an hour on the phone with them and and they don't return my phone call, you
know. It's just I I don't you know, and and in a way dealing with the government, it can be a disappointing affair, >> right? you know, but if if you have a legitimate need, you know, if you're gold star member, family, you fall within those categories that I can
define per documentation, we're good. We're golden. Okay? And then I submit the documentations to you folks. Like, like for instance, tax exemption. And I would say, okay, so if you have an 80% disability and and the town qualifies you for the $500 tax exemption, okay,
for your property taxes, I I would establish that, you know, and and right now, I guess the Valor Act is adding on a cost of living increase to that statement. So, um, I would like to see personally, I don't know how you feel
because I'm not a I don't I don't do your financing or your numbers. Um, I would like to see a sip for that and and they're senior citizens, you know? I mean, if you're 70 years old and and a veteran, you should get $1,000 off. But
that's that's me. Some towns do that, you see. Um, everybody's budget's different, >> okay? And I'm not privy to that. You see, I've learned that through the, you know, they only allow me to understand certain information. Sometimes I I get
to see the overall budget. I have to go through each department's budget, >> you know, but I'm just a a >> just so you're aware, all budgets for all towns are posted on the website. It's a requirement. >> Yeah. Yeah. I I haven't been that um
>> Yeah. So our care this was helpful for us to kind of understand okay is your role that was really what we wanted to understand >> that was one thing >> and what you provide to us so we know what we're should be doing as a town for
our veterans. >> Yeah. >> You know I do we do have some of that information from what other towns are doing. If there's something that you specifically think is really really helpful in other towns, we need to know about it. >> Yeah. >> Then you should let us know because then
we can budget for that and make sure that >> we're executing on it. I get it that people don't want to get in line and say, "Hey, wave the flag of, hey, this is Jackie and I'm a veteran and I qualify for chapter 115."
It's a private thing, >> right? So, it also on the veteran. Now, right, if they reach out to Joe and then he responds and they don't come back, that's on them. Joe can only, you know,
respond what they they're >> like I said, you're you're right, sir. I I keep a log. So, I write down notes, you know, and uh so I can reference back and and uh you know, a date and time that I talked to the person and what
what what we talked about. Sometimes it's very important. >> Well, we've made this connection, Joe. I have your number now. We have your email. >> Yeah. >> You in the loop. But we need to step back as we got. We got to step back and find out exactly what you know the needs
of our vets in our town and and and have them take an active point, >> right, >> for themselves. And we want to know our responsibilities. and then we can assist them and take
some of the burden off of you. >> Right. >> Okay. Um, so yeah, if you want to have a a meeting, you know, if some veterans in town show up to do that, if you want to I don't know how how you going to organize that, but but um
um I know do do you do a a town letter, a mailer at all? Well, we'll we have a way of contacting the best and and uh we'll we'll we'll try and get something together so that
we can sit down with them and you and uh you know go forward from there. But we have we have to have a a list of of what we need to bring to the vets.
Well, I mean, uh, in terms of a list, okay, there's there's >> Gez, there's a lot. There's state and federal, you know, guidelines and benefits. Okay. >> Uh, you know, there's if if they have a housing need that that might be one area, housing and food. Okay. I don't I
don't Do you set up a like a food bank or something for uh people in need? >> Yes. >> You know, that might be something because, you know, people are shy about those things. they might go to another town. And I've talked to I was at uh uh
I was in Lello, their veteran center last week and I talked to a couple and uh you know uh uh so that that's that's something we can explore. >> Y >> you know they don't have an area where they can gather on a regular basis. you
know, a room or something where that's casual kind of like a a coffee, you know, have coffee or something and ask questions and do this and that or have like a food bank show up, you know, if if you if if you need if you're in need
of uh, you know, some sort of food supplements to get by, eggs or or milk or whatever have you, canned goods or something, we could we could look at starting that. Um, >> you know, >> go ahead. >> Let's do this. It's been an hour.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> We need to really kind of close down, >> but >> yeah, I could talk all day on this stuff once I get going. So, we appreciate your, you know, you're taking the time out on the call and let us know what it is that this role does because
>> I'm happy to have this conversation with you because, uh, you know, we have a concern here and uh, unfortunately, like everything else, the vets seem to fall to the side, right? >> And we don't want that to happen.
>> So, >> well, I don't think they've fallen to the side. I think that that it's more more the attitude of of the people in the Hilltowns. They're just more laid-back. They don't get involved in as much. And um and we don't have what's
called a district. Okay. >> So, I'm not full-time either. So, in other words, I I I don't even have an office space in your m, you know, in your town hall. So, um, so that's the other reason why I work at home because I keep all my documentation and
references here, okay? And it work it works out for me, you know, and it has, okay, but but um it's a small town, you know, and and you're right, we don't want want to let them think like they're being discarded.
They're not. Um, you know, once again, I am my phone number's posted. Maybe if we can post it somewhere else so we get more exposure. Okay. Um we could give them a website that so if they're curious on any benefits they can explore
on their own. A lot of people just want to do that. They don't want to be told what to do. They want to be given the you know the tools to do it with. Okay. And sometimes I have to let them explore on their own so they understand you know uh the complexities of it.
Well, so we're going to let you go. >> Yeah. >> And uh we will follow up though. >> So, what else? What else do you want me to do at this point? >> Oh, Paul, >> send us the list of five questions. Send us the valor information.
>> Give me an email address. >> J C J C O U R Y. >> Hold on a second. Hold on a second. I didn't get that. Uh, spell it out again for me. >> J C O U R Y
>> C O2 >> C O U R Y >> at townoflford.org. >> So that's it's not J dot, it's J Corey. >> J Corey at townoflford.gov. >> Okay, >> I'm gonna shut it down. Thank you, Joe.
>> Bye, Joe. >> Thank you, Joe. >> Thank you. Thank you for contacting me. Thank you. Have a good evening. Bye. Bye.