Veterans’
Services
At
Monday’s BOS meeting (1/14/13), the first agenda item was discussion about
Veteran’s services with Neil McGuirk and Dennis O’Brien. Templeton is a member of the Northeast
Quabbin District; Neil McGuirk is the director of veterans’ services for the
Northeast Quabbin District.
At
the meeting, I asked for historical data from Mr. McGuirk – numbers and figures
since Templeton became a member of the Northeast Quabbin District nearly six
years ago. My request was not for the individual identities, but rather the
number of veterans served over the years and the benefits received as well as
the cost to provide those much-needed services to our veterans.
The
town coordinator received an e-mail
from Neil McGuirk regarding the BOS meeting the previous night:
“To begin: My attendance at any board meeting is to support the
town’s representative to the district. A board of selectmen meeting is the
worst possible forum for anyone without an understanding of Ch 115 and develop
a working knowledge of a very complex law in 30 short minutes. It can’t be
done.”
Chapter
115 is available online for anyone to read. I am more than a little
disturbed by the notion that Neil McGuirk feels Dennis O’Brien is the only
person in Templeton who can fully grasp the complexities of Chapter 115.
Neil
McGuirk continues:
“I found 3 of 4 board members and most residents to be courteous
and exhibiting the willingness to understand Ch 115. It was obvious a few had
their own agenda with a preconceived notion that it’s all about dollars and
cents. What was not displayed was any interest in Templeton’s veteran
community? In addition, the denigrating comments and interruptions from the
heckler/agitator sitting at the back of the room towards Dennis was
unacceptable, unprofessional, and should have been formally stopped. It was the
same heckler who threatened me with the salary reduction.”
A
preconceived notion that it’s all about dollars and cents…yes Neil, it is. It’s
all about providing the best, most cost effective
service to our veterans. Newsflash – to accomplish that, it IS about dollars and cents.
It gets
better:
“I heard the sounds from the audience
when I responded to Julie Farrell’s request. How many people in the room
thought I am employed by the town? It must be understood by all that my
employer is the Northeast Quabbin District, Department of Veterans’ Services.
If Julie were to properly make her request to the board (through Dennis), I am
100% certain a board vote would deny the request. The data requested will not
show a trend and it would take considerable time away from serving veterans. The
data I capture and present to the board is for identifying trends and
eliminating surprises.”
Neil, I don’t think anyone in the audience thought
you employed by the town. I think people were appalled at your lack of
cooperation to provide a simple request for information, which by your own
words, would be denied even if a “proper” request were made.
It is apparent that information will not be
forthcoming from the director of Northeast Quabbin Veterans’ services. In order
to do a cost/benefit analysis of veterans’ services in Templeton, I will
extrapolate from the data we do have.
“In response to
budget comments, there were no indicators in May 2012 that would suggest an an
upward caseload trend requiring an increase in FY13 benefit dollars. If there
were, Dennis would have delivered the new number to the town. It was late
September 2012 when I added two new applicants raising Templeton’s caseload to
9 resulting in the significant increase in veterans’ benefits.”
In May, Will Spring confirmed with Neil the budget
figure of $35,000 for FY 13. From above, Templeton had a caseload of 7 veterans
in May. The BOS was informed that an additional $27,500 was needed by January
(BOS informed in December) due to increased caseload. The increased caseload in
this case was 2 new applicants. Understanding that not all eligible veterans
receive the same benefits, these figures are puzzling. The budgeted figure of
$35,000 for 7 veterans calculates to an average benefit cost of $5,000/veteran.
Not all veterans receive the same benefits. Two additional applicants, at an
increase in $27,500, calculates to an average benefit cost of $13,750 for these
two applicants. Even more curious is Mr. McGuirk’s statement: The data I capture and
present to the board is for identifying trends and eliminating surprises.” I think an increase of $27,500
six months into the fiscal year qualifies as a surprise.
“Over the years, Templeton has saved
considerable administrative dollars as a member of the district. During my
nearly 6 years in this position, I have authorized $115,346 in payments for
veterans’ benefits with Templeton receiving $86,509 in reimbursements, or 75%.”
Omitted from this statement is the administrative
fee Templeton pays as a member of the Northeast Quabbin District. For FY 13,
Templeton paid 33% of the administrative costs to belong to Northeast Quabbin
District …close to $22,000. This fee is based on population of Templeton, not
the number of veterans served.
Templeton has not paid $22,000 in admin fees every
year it has been a member of the Northeast Quabbin District. $17,000/year would
be the average over 6 years, which comes to a total of $102,000 for
administrative fees over 6 years in order to provide $115,346 in veterans’
benefits.
It may be time to review our membership in the
Northeast Quabbin District. Is there a more cost effective way to provide
needed benefits to our veterans?
My opinions…supported by FACTS ! ! !
Julie Farrell
I still don't understand Mr. O'Brien's role in veterans services. I do not appreciate Mr. McGuirk's attitude in this email nor his attitude at the meeting. Is he a friend of the Echo Hill? He certainly shares the same characteristics. If this man's role is to help provide services to veterans, then why is he so apprehensive to provide proper information to the town in order for the town to fund said services? I did not see anyone displaying ANY opinions that they wanted to deny services. We love and appreciate our veterans in Templeton. No one can deny that. I'm confused as to his surprise that people were focused on the money issue as that was the topic of conversation, was it not? Wasn't the point of discussion the fact that he is looking for more money? So, how can we discuss money without discussing money? I know he could care less where the money comes from as all he does is send a bill for money to the towns he oversees. However, a Board of Selectman's responsibility is to figure out where the money is going to come from especially when the budgeted amount isn't enough 3 months into a fiscal year. I would be VERY concerned if our BOS DIDN"T ask questions and try to find ways to better estimate funding in the future so we are not in this position again...especially when we are in a financial emergency! Maybe this man should pay more attention to the towns' financial situations that he serves in order to provide better support for the services he manages. Any negative energy he felt from the audience was certainly from the attitude he brought to the meeting and NOT for the people he provides service to. I feel bad for anyone that has to get assistance by going through this man's office. He has a very unprofessional attitude. I'm thankful that we have a BOS member who asks questions and isn't afraid to ask the tough questions, unlike 3 of the 4 selectman that don't.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was kind of funny the disclosure at the end of the email, should the blog be destroyed? It is a copy of the email also!
ReplyDeleteMaybe metal mountain should go too.
I think the thing to be destroyed should be our araingnment with him!
The cost to administer benefits is a little lob sided and a disservice to our veterans
Shareholder
Dave Smart.
I know nothing about this Northeast Quabbin District, but I do know when my dad was alive and had to go to the VA Hospital, he went to see Charlie Grout in Winchendon. This man was the best Veterans Agent in the world. I know he passes away a couple of years ago, but someone took his place. So, how did we end up with this guy and the Northeast Quabbin District? I remember the night that O'Brien got his job. It had Echo Hill smeared all over it! The questions Julies asked were fine. It is clear that our friend O'Brien had cried on McGuirk's shoulder on the way to the meeting, and all the way home. There is a long time from Sept. to January. It seems O'Brien could have brought his money request to the board a lot earlier. Mr. O'Brien has earned the feelings the received from the tax payers, they do not like what he has done to contribute to the towns' problems, and they let him know it. Just think, he was the one who called the tax payers "stupid" on camera!! He does not look to smart now. My opinion, Bev
DeleteI hope O'Brien only cried on the man's shoulder and didn't cough on him!
DeleteI believe these indignant, arrogant responses (or total lack thereof) from representatives, employees, public service workers, etc. (I don't care where they are from or who they say employs them) are because they have put themselves above the law & everyone else. They need to be brought down a peg or two. I think the reason they get so flustered is because for far too long no one has had to answer to the tax payers. Now that we are opening our eyes & asking questions of those who have been & are doing their own thing they have gotten ticked off, to say the least, because they can't get away with all the less than forthright business ( to put it mildly) that they have been doing without question until recently. Due to the very good & responsible representation of Selectmen such as Julie Farrell, Jeff Bennett & Bob Mitchell (while we were lucky enough to have him before that unfair recall fiasco) who are truly looking out for the town, we have begun to see just how wrong "business as usual" has been!! I believe there are a few who are getting a bit worried or even downright scared of what is going to come out so they get unnerved when asked these questions. It has taken longer than some people would have hoped to resolve Templeton's problems & many who know the score are getting weary & concerned that the dirty deeds have not come out clean yet in Bev's washing machine. I have to keep faith in her words that it will all come out in the wash. Only God knows when that will be but because I think it is so big it has to be the right timing or everyone will not be caught who has been a part of the wrongdoings here in town. All my thoughts & opinions.
DeleteWell said, Isteach. I like the way you think.
DeleteWell it's obvious from the email that Dennie has been telling Mr McG all about how Julie and others are so bad and the three other selectmen are so wonderful. This is not what we need in a representive to the district someone bad mouthing the taxpayers and to Mr McG, do you not get it we have no issues with the Veterans getting the help we want to know about these "administrative cost" It's the same as when one donates to a charity, one wants to know how much actually goes to the people in need. and sorry but our town is hurting because of people like Dennie and others. we are in debt big time. and maybe we the taxpayers just don't have any faith in Mr O'Brien after all he call us taxpayers "stupid" on camera. He also signed the Purchase and sale for one of the worse waste of taxpayers money and is now being investigated by ethics. Oh yea and obviously he isn't doing a very good job as the Veteran's rep seeing as it to him 3 months to let anybody know that the veterans needed more money and that Templeton needed to pay by January. He could have called the Chairman of the board, he could have called Jeff R but no he decided to ignore it for 3 months. Some rep! oh yea - Hey Neil we could have fixed the money issue at the Nov special Town meeting if your boy Dennie was paying attention and actually cared about the veteran's in our town.
ReplyDeleteIf this guy McGuirk, thinks he is going to score points by bad mouthing Julie, he had better think again! Julie is the only one in the bunch, who has the brains to ask the questions that need to be asked. It is to bad that he does not want to be questioned! We should be learning that it is smart to ask, what needs to be questioned. If we had not been so trusting, we would not be in the hole we are in now. So I think we should send this man's boss a line or to, just to get the record straight. I remember the only time I met this McGuirk guy, I had the feeling he was more of a snake oil salesman, than a agent of the Veterans Administration. I guess I am not the only one he did not impress. It would have been nice if the other board members, had been smart enough to ask a few questions of their own. Oh, maybe GS did not leave them a list. My opinion, Bev
Deletei fully agree that o'b is a jerk. by himself and by his association with gerry. we need a different va agent. BUT, vets are comming home from 2,3,4,5 tours of duty in a war area. this has never happened in the history of the us. there were a few that came fron europe and went to the pacific in ww2, but few. we as a country ignored "shell shocked" etc for years!!!!! we have a commander and chief that takes freedoms form us by the hour!!!!!! these people on duty today try to keep the few freedoms we have lelt!!!! the ones we observe when we put flags on graves once a year!!!!! i will pay more for taxes for vets long befor i pay for illegals tv's and education!!!!! unfortunately the "progressives" don't give give us the choice!!! do, go back to the swamp called echo hill !!!!! stay ther !!!!! give up the vet gig !!!! get someone a chance to get $ for vets without having to think some of if it it is being misspent!!!!!! :-(
ReplyDeleteWell said Anon 11:32
ReplyDeleteWhen I ask questions about administrative costs, I am trying to get information to determine if there is a better way, a less expensive way to provide the needed services to our veterans.
If more money can go the veterans and less to admin costs, that's a win-win in my book.
The town is in a financial crisis. Questions need to be asked about all functions of town government, including veterans services.
A good Veterans Agent is worth his weight in gold. I hope Mr. McGuirk takes care of the guys that are coming home, and the ones that are already here. It is sad when the administration costs eat up all of the funding. The men and women coming back from Vietnam never got the help they needed, for so many years. Mr. Mc.Guirk needs to be told he is just the agent. I plan to write his boss a letter, and straighten out some of the things that were said about the meeting that was held Monday night. I do not think this man did a very good job representing his agency. I am hoping his boss gets a better idea of what really took place, and maybe we will get a better accounting of how our money is spent. Bev
DeleteThere was nothing wrong with any question you asked. This guy acts like any question is an affront to veterans. Well that's just baloney. Keep up the good work Julie.
DeleteThank the people that voted Julie Farrell as selectman for the knowledge and professionalism she brings to the board of selectmen. Without her and the support she receives from the townspeople our beloved town would be in a world of hurt; worse off than we already are. Get STUPID off all committees in this town; replace him with HONEST, COMPETENT people who will work for and with the selectmen. I see three out of four selectmen in the conference room a waste of the air that they breath. I am thinking that you can add McGuirk to that list as well as Bubba and a few others that are there in sheep's clothing!
ReplyDeletewell said,9:40!!!!! well said.
ReplyDelete