02/09/2022 BC Minutes

Bethlehem Cares Committee Work

2/9/2022

Present: Chris Jensen, April Hibberd, Tina Lister, Carol Johnson-Haywood, Alison Caruso

Next meeting: March 1, 2022 at 9:30

Public Meeting Discussion Points:

Minutes from 12/14/21 were accepted.

It was agreed to explore the idea of designing some kind of card (business-type) to be given to the recipients of Bethlehem Cares donations as a facilitator of moving our mission of “paying it forward.” Tina will work on the design.

 

Chris sought information from the state municipal legal team specifically to answer this question – “Is it possible, in an emergency, to allow a sub-committee (perhaps 2-3 members) to review applications, make a decision and then authorize payment?” The following is the response he received – “The idea of using a sub-committee of 2-3 people would still require that the sub-committee have a public meeting to make that emergency decision. I think the committee should delegate to the chair of the committee, in consultation with the town’s welfare administrator, the ability to make an emergency award to a deserving applicant. Any such emergency award would be capped not to exceed a designated amount.”

Based on the information received it was agreed to designate Tina Lister and Carol Johnson-Haywood co-chairs of the committee to allow for emergency decisions when a quorum is not feasible. Dawn Ferringo is the current (temporary at this point) welfare director for the town.

With a new structure in place to address emergencies as they arise it was agreed to schedule a monthly meeting to discuss non-emergency applications, in addition to any other committee work/ideas/plans that may need to be discussed. At this point we are looking at the first Tuesday of the month at 9:30.

Alison distributed copies of the financials that she put together for 2021. These reports reflect a gross of $5234.59 through Paypal and $7,175.00 donated through checks – with a total gross of 12,409.59. Thank you, Alison! (It was agreed that Alison is our official treasurer!)

Non-Public

#7 DM update: originally approved for about $500 in car repairs (11/21) however the money was not distributed due to a change in need. Applicant has come back requesting $300 for current car repairs. In a unanimous vote it was agreed to distribute the $300.

New applicant – #13 DB is in need of a new stove. The family of 4 has been without an electric cooking stove for several weeks now. In a unanimous vote it was agreed to approve up to $1000 (including delivery) for the new stove.