Committee Report - Vets - 2-3-16 — File 200716

Veterans and Public Services Committee Page 1 of 1 Printed 2/4/2016 February 3, 2016 REPORT OF THE VETERANS AND PUBLIC SERVICES COMMITTEE Attendee Name Title Status Arrived Matthew McLaughlin Chair Present John M. Connolly Vice Chair Present Dennis M. Sullivan Alderman At Large Others present: Bryan Bishop - Veterans Services, Doug Kress - HHS, Tim Snyder - Mayor's Office, Charles Sillari - Clerk of Committees The meeting took place in the Committee Room and was called to order at 6:00 PM by Alderman McLaughlin and adjourned at 6:55 PM. Document List: none Approval of the May 19, 2015 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 195831: That the Dedication Committee name the corner of Tremont Street and Webster Avenue in memory of Vietnam War veteran Arthur J. Downey. Mr. Bishop reported that since there are no family members involved in this, he doesn't have much information to go on. At the present time, there is no Dedication Committee and there are 16 pending applications for dedications, however, some of those requests do not meet the criteria. Street corner dedication are over-used and the criteria for dedications needs to be re-visited. Armed Forces day is on Sunday, March 20th and Mr. Bishop would like the city to come together as a whole in recognition of our military forces. Alderman Sullivan requested an update on the dedication applications submitted. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 196154: That the Dedication Committee update this Board on the park dedication in honor of Joseph Mackey.

Veterans and Public Services Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 2/4/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 199266: That the Administration consider holding a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. Mr. Bishop will look at scheduling an event. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED 199517: That the Veterans Service Department remain autonomous and separate from the Health and Human Services Department. There was a discussion about Veterans Services falling under the HHS umbrella and Mr. Kress stated that he is happy to work with Mr. Bishop. Mr. Bishop reported that the Veterans Services Departments in the City of Boston and at the state level, fall under their respective HHS departments. Mr. Bishop praised Cathy Carey as an asset to the Veterans Services Department and spoke about technical updates. He noted that there is a decline in membership at veterans' posts, noting that this has to do with the age gap of veterans. RESULT: WORK COMPLETED