BELLOWS FALLS, Vt. –
The Rockingham Selectboard met on Tuesday, May 19, in the lower theater at the Rockingham Town Hall, for the second of two regular meetings scheduled this month. The board will continue the current schedule for June and July, meeting on the first and third Tuesdays of each month.
Selectboard Chair Rick Cowan called the meeting to order and welcomed incoming Municipal Manager Aaron Patt. Patt’s first day on the job will be Tuesday, May 26.
EMS Coordinator for the Rockingham Fire and Rescue Department Nick Cushman attended Tuesday’s meeting to present the selectboard with a proposal for a local outreach and follow-up program. No action was taken at the meeting, but a lengthy, informative discussion took place.
Cushman told the board he had been working full time in the Rockingham area for more than 20 years and had been able to take on a larger role during the merging of the fire and emergency departments of Rockingham, Bellows Falls, and Saxtons River. After noticing some department needs over the past few months, Cushman spoke with residents and some fire department personnel, and worked with former public safety officer Ann DiBernardo to create the proposed plan.
Cushman reviewed current challenges and potential gains, including a chance to improve public trust, an opportunity for greater community engagement, and increased coordination and efficiency between public safety and community organizations. He mentioned they could apply for grants and other funding initiatives, and explore openings for future partnerships with local hospitals, behavioral health organizations, and wellness initiatives.
Rockingham Fire Chief Shaun McGinnis and deputy Ian Tuttle joined Cushman in praising this type of program, explaining the complexity of dealing with mental health crises, how draining they can be to the police and emergency departments, and how important it is to offer help to those who want it.
McGinnis reported, “One individual has been dealing with some addiction issues, which has led to some domestic violence issues. We are hoping to move the individual into housing tonight.”
“When this happens, you can’t say ‘Oh, well, we’ll get back to you tomorrow,’” McGinnis said. “There is a huge gap in services here, and a lot of people just need to be led in the right direction, and that’s kind of what this is about.”
It was proposed that part of the new program’s funding could come from reallocating money from social services, funds earmarked for distribution to nonprofit case management services.
Alyssa Harlow, finance director for the town, questioned the legitimacy of funding a portion of the municipal government through the social services fund, and there was discussion about how, or if, there was another channel.
Vice Chair Amy Howlett reminded the room that, at a recent meeting, the board heard from Senior Solutions and had considered reallocating some of the funds to them. “I think Senior Solutions is the appropriate reassignment of those funds that the town voted at the annual meeting,” Howlett commented.
Cowan pointed out the proactive nature of what Cushman presented. “[With] the other agencies,” Cowan noted, “people come to them. Nick actually goes to the people where they are when they need it.”
Harlow told the meeting that there was $1,500 budgeted for safety officer expenses, which could cover a night’s stay in a motel or a bus ticket, for instance. “We also have the opioid money,” she added. “That’s not an endless bucket, but at least could maybe provide money for a stipend, and create a policy and see how we could help.”
Cowan ended the discussion saying there would be an agenda item at the next meeting and future, further discussion.
Moving on to a revolving loan fund (RLF) request, Cowan said he and Gary Fox, development director, acted as an advisory committee to the selectboard regarding RLF funds disbursement, and were suggesting the board approve a loan to Bellows Falls Dental Care. Cowan relayed that this was a new dentist coming to the area, setting up in the former Bellows Falls Hospital dental location.
After meeting with the dentist, Dr. Hirving Henriquez, Cowan said the advisory committee was really impressed, and listed many of his qualifications before commenting, “He feels like a really good credit risk.”
One benefit mentioned was that Dr. Henriquez’s practice will accept Medicaid, which Fox said had been an original intent of the hospital’s dentist’s office. “And now [Dr. Henriquez] is fulfilling that need.” It was anticipated the new service will be operational within several months. The board approved the RLF loan in the amount of $100,000.
Other items covered included the hiring of Jarrod James as recreation director, and a reminder to village residents that guidelines require covered compost, citing recent rat issues. Also, the highway department will begin to paint crosswalks next week, with plans to repaint those located in The Square again in the fall.
The next Rockingham Selectboard meeting will be held on June 2, at 6 p.m.