Committee Report - Vets - 9-28-16 — File 202205

Veterans and Public Services Committee Page 1 of 2 Printed 10/11/2016 September 28, 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 Present Others present: Bryan Bishop - Veterans, Bob Hardy - Dilboy Post, Tim Snyder - Mayor’s Office, Rositha Durham - 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 6:50 PM. Approval of the February 3, 2016 Minutes RESULT: ACCEPTED 196154: That the Dedication Committee update this Board on the park dedication in honor of Joseph Mackey. Mr. Bishop reported that Mrs. Mackey is interested in moving forward with a park dedication. Mr. Snyder stated that the Mayor is also in favor of the dedication. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 201787: That the Administration consider honoring Somerville Youth League Basketball founder Fran Ferrarro with a plaque at the High School basketball court. Chairman McLaughlin submitted this item at the request of a constituent. Mr. Bishop stated that this falls within the purview of the ordinance, so it’s just a matter of getting the plaque, working with the high school and selecting a location for it. A biography and justification statement would be required in time for a formal approval in January. Alderman Sullivan suggested putting the plaque in the East Somerville Community School.

Veterans and Public Services Committee Page 2 of 2 Printed 10/11/2016 RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE 202116: That the Administration update this Board on the future of Veterans Memorial Park. looking into alternative locations for the memorials while the site is in construction. This park would be a place for people to reflect and honor those who served for our country. There was a discussion about having a wall of service, similar to the Vietnam wall. Mr. Bishop will be putting together a work order to have some of the monuments repaired. Members discussed possible locations for the park and asked if there were plans to move all the monuments to one location. Mr. Hardy spoke about the many moves of the World War 1 Memorial and said that he would like the memorial moved to a nice area in front of Somerville High School. There was also a discussion about about adding names to the honor roll, at a cost of approximately $100 per name. Alderman Connolly’s motion, that the Director of Veterans Services obtain the names of all Somerville veterans from the Korean War on, for the purpose of inclusion on the Veterans Memorial wall, was approved. Chairman McLaughlin asked that the Administration update the committee on this matters within the next 2 months. RESULT: KEPT IN COMMITTEE