Special requests from more than a dozen social service agencies and community organizations, as well as two economic development groups, will be decided by voters on Town Meeting Day.
The requests total $240,000, said Springfield town comptroller Jeffrey Mobus.
In addition to the special requests, voters will decide whether to give each member of the Select Board $500 a year, an amount that dates back to the 1960s.
One of the new agencies seeking funding is the Springfield Supportive Housing Program, which has been working in Springfield for seven years, said Richard McInerney, executive director of the program.
McInerney said his organization provides housing for the homeless and people “who are on the verge of homelessness.”
He said his organization works with a $400,000 annual budget, most of which comes from state agencies. He said the group places people in about 12 apartments in Springfield, and last year helped about 75 people in Springfield.
“The majority of the people we help are from Springfield,” he said.
He said he wanted to get the program well established before asking for town funding. He said his organization helps people “from Bellows Falls to Windsor,” and has people working in Bellows Falls full time. He said he expected he would seek town funding from Rockingham and Windsor next year.
McInerney, who is the former director of Morningside Shelter in Brattleboro, said the group started its existence under the umbrella of the Springfield Family Center, but is now a standalone organization.
“We’re located right next to the Methodist Church,” he said.
Appearing on the town warning for the first time is the Springfield Regional Development Corp., which is seeking $30,000 in town funding. The regional development corporation has been funded by the town for about 20 years, but until this year, its allocation has been placed directly in the budget.
A little-known aspect of the town charter prompted the Springfield Select Board, on a 3-2 vote, to move the group’s funding request out of the budget and onto the warning, as a separate article.
Likewise, funding for Springfield On The Move, the local downtown redevelopment organization, is seeking $20,000, the same amount it received last year from voters.
Another social service agency seeking funding is the Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice of Vermont and New Hampshire, which has asked for $63,500, the largest single amount of all the agencies.
The Springfield Family Center has asked for $50,000 in funding to support its programs of offering a free daily meal, food shelf and other services in the community.
Connecticut River Transit Inc., is seeking $12,500 toward transit services it provides in the town of Springfield.
Also asking for funding is Turning Point Recovery Center, which is seeking $10,000 to help men and women from Springfield who are recovering from alcohol and substance abuse.
Mental Health Services of Southeastern Vermont is also seeking $10,000. It also works with people with substance abuse and mental health issues.
Southeastern Vermont Community Action has asked for $9,000 to help individuals and families in need.
Senior Solutions, formerly the Council on Aging for Southeastern Vermont, is seeking $8,500 to help support seniors and their families who are trying to remain at home.
The Meals on Wheels program is seeking $8,000 to help support the cost of providing a daily hot meal and cold home-delivered meals to qualified residents of Springfield.
Valley Health Connections, formerly the Precision Valley Free Clinic, is asking for $4,000 to help the uninsured access health care.
Green Mountain RSVP & Volunteer Center of Windsor County has asked for $3,300 to support its programs to develop opportunities for people age 55 and older.
Windsor County Partners is seeking $3,000 to support its youth mentoring program in Springfield schools and in Windsor County.
The Springfield Community Band is seeking $2,000 to support a series of eight concerts it offers in the summer.
Special requests top $240,000 in Springfield
By Susan Smallheer
Staff Writer | February 01,2013
Rutland Herald
SPRINGFIELD —
Friday, February 1, 2013
Special requests top $240,000 in Springfield
Special requests from more than a dozen social service agencies and community organizations, as well as two economic development groups, will be decided by voters on Town Meeting Day.
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$240,000
ReplyDeletePOOF!
This is unfortunately totally out of control. Shouldn't most of these services be being handled by either the Town government or the State government?
DeleteConfucius say 'Social Service Agency' mean paid director employment services for career in exploiting good intentions of the public.
DeleteWho is getting serviced?
DeleteConfucius say, "Bend over sweetie" and find out.
Deletebarf
DeleteHEY>>>>>
ReplyDeleteWhere isa OUR Special $100,000 Request for
The Springfied Auditing and Rifle Co.
Well now he didn't actually say that he was going to use that money to pay for housing in Bellows Falls, he said he was going to use it to help more people who can't afford to live in Springfield stay in Springfield. Makes very good sense, how else are we going to increase the number of good citizens with either no jobs or minimum wage jobs to come and live amongst us and add to our numbers. Why its essential to economic growth don't you see. If we can get the numbers high enough, we should warrant having two Family Dollar stores instead of just one. You know its hardtimes for the slumlords and all with people trying to crack down on the gangs in all, somebody needs to help support this endangered part of the community.
DeleteWhy settle for another Family Dollar? If we can add to our subsidized housing stock we might be able to get a Wal-Mart to come to town.
DeleteCute they are asking us to subsidize 17 more apartments?
DeleteWhy does the Town have to PAY for THESE?
ReplyDeleteWe cant even make repairs on our houses?
The Town doesn't have to pay for these if you vote NO
Delete@ 8:08.
DeleteDear sir, madam, voice of reason.
I have seen them vote in #s all based on who their friends are.
I will vote NO. But I fear their #s are to large.
We need EVERYBODY to VOTE NO. The future started already.
Very good question. Better question is why aren't most of these programs being run either directly by the State or the Town government?
DeleteI believe that William Marcy re-stated the question very well. Why do we have this shadow government which is supported by taxes, but whose governance is not accountable to the citizens at the polling booth?
DeleteI don't see anything that makes me want to give SRDC $30,000.00.
ReplyDeleteThey prevent outsiders from re-locating here.
Is there anybody out there who can stop this?
ReplyDeleteyes,the voters
DeleteCan we just block vote no?
DeleteWe are FAMILY
ReplyDeleteand your stealing money from your cousins.
NON- PROFITS KILL
yeah, they do what ever they want... It doesnt matter if it is a good idea, and it is NEVER your idea. It doesn't even need to be a money maker. In fact most loosing ideas, or ideas that will never make money, or ideas that are guaranteed to loose money, are set up as non-profits.
DeleteIt becomes seriously problematic when the non-profit is the recipient of municipal funding.
It becomes even more problematic when the non-profit recieved the municipal funds through fraud and LYING to the voters.
It is even more problamatic when the offset municipal funding has a detramental effect on the community due to the true criminal intent of the non-profit.
It became our problem when the balance of tit suckers outnumbered the amount of tits.
It became your imediate problem when my tumor was diagnosed and I was told I have less than 2 YEARS to KICK YOUR ASSES.....
Go ahead and poison me, kill me, murder my children..
You are going to be exposed and your criminal acts will be made public.
In a world of guilty untill proven inocent, why are you shaking ?
and oh yeah, vote no
spot on..
DeleteNon-Profits are most often created for loosing ideas by people who have the sole intention of drawing a salary from the pool of un taxed money that is not called "profit"
so make up your salary figure (what do you want to get paid?)/
and get the idiot voters to approve it by LYING to them.
ah yes....
Springfield, where dumb is good!
What's a "loosing idea"...is that some kinda sex slur?
Delete@ Jennifer, like what like a freudian slit ?
Deleteor like a sticky keeboards ?
Springfield vhere Dumb is Good
Confucius say what is "fredian slit" and "keeboards", Springfield need typing skills.
DeleteWhen is town meeting day? I can't wait to vote no
ReplyDeleteGotta love it, Town Meeting Day is the first Tuesday in March, like it has been for the 40 years I've been voting, how long have you voted, or you just vote with your mouth
DeleteI just turned 18 thanks
DeleteNow that's the spirit we like to see! Raising up a whole generation of people understanding the power of negativism. Get up off your duffs all, cease to be satisfied with inertia and move on to obstructionism!
Delete18 and wants to vote no... probably just listens to his/her parents and none of them have any idea what they are talking about.... Sweeping Declaration, in order to vote on each article you should write 2 sentences explaining what the article asks for, if you dont know what it asks for your vote is dismissed due to lack of knowledge
DeleteActually my parents do not talk about politics. They were very supportive and proud of me joining the Navy and starting boot camp in August. I have said for a while that I want to do something with my life and it doesn't involve staying in Springfield. I think joining the military is a good start and cannot wait until I start. Now here come the negative people who say "when I joined the military boot camp was 14 weeks" " when I joined the Army we got our butts kicked etc.."
DeleteI'm joining for me and to serve my country, I don't want to be a statistic and end up stuck, yes stuck in Springfield. If I'm going to go down with the ship it better be one that's been floating before. This town is sinking, as a kid I see it. The school system is ridiculous, politics are way too much here and when I see my neighborhood falling apart due to social rats that do nothing but stay at home, swill beer and smoke weed. I'm above that.
The prison that boss Hogg works at (yes I know who you are KC) has made this town a haven for the families of inmates and the way they live, just like the city they came from.
HCRS has lit the light at the end of the tunnel for the mentally disabled, druggies and alcoholics. All of a sudden there are druggies, alcoholics and mentally challenged people everywhere!
There are no jobs around here unless you want to work at HCRS or the prison. No thanks!
Haze grey and underway for me.
Anonymous 8:45, maybe not. A person could vote no on all of them as a matter of principle. The principle being that if these are things that are truly of benefit to the community, then they should be handled within either the State or Municipal government where the administration of the program is subject to accountability to the public and the citizens. If they are not such programs, then why should they be funded outside the government. Seems like they should have to make the case as to why they can do it better than the government, and why they should nevertheless be funded with direct taxpayer funds. I think that is a tough case to make don't you? And the burden is on them to make it.
DeleteNow that's what I call patriotism his parents don't talk politics they send him off to join the Navy. See the world young man! Kill a few people, it'll make a man of you. Its great to see this type of patriotism in action. The wave of the future...be all that you can be....oh wait a minute that's the Army. Let's see ... how does that Village People song go...oh wait they aren't straight. Hm... well bon voyage and all that...get a couple tats for me bro.
DeleteOh I do love young men in sailor suits and all.
DeleteOhh Boss Hogg my parents shipped me off? Actually I was the one who brought up joining the military to them. My mother wanted me to go to college but I decided it was smart to join and use the GI Bill to pay for college.
DeleteAs far as making a man out of me by killing someone....really? I honestly hope to see the world, hopefully I will find some place that I like and move there after I get out.
I'm sure I will get a tattoo, what is your moms name again? It will look great on my arm.
"Join de Navy, you can sail the 7 seas, you can put your mind at ease..." Confucius say three square meal and dry bed till boat blow up.
Delete18 and wants to VOTE NO
DeleteBecause she is sick of watching her parents cry when they can't afford to heat, eat, and make the tax bill. America, Springfield Vt. 05156
Confucius say, women can be in combat now. "Join de Navy, you can sail the 7 seas, you can put your mind at ease..." but take your birth control pills.
DeleteOh no, I been unmasked! How did you guess I worked at the prison? Was it my white suit, my cigar, or my waistline? But seriously, folks don't we want to continue the mystery of who is really spending our money? Like most of the semi-literate among you can name the members of the Selectboard and the Schoolboard, and the name of the Town Manager and the Superintendent. But it is so romantic to not have a clue who is on the board of HCRS or the Family Center or fill in the blank not for profit. Don't you find that so almost romantic, makes me proud to be part of the 19th Century. Why we have re-invented opaque governance, isn't that just...what do they say "cool"? No that's not it "wicked", no that's out of date too. But just savor the ambience of hundreds of people running around attending meetings and passing out pamphlets isn't it wonderful. In the words of Winston Churchill "never has so little been accomplished by so many for so much"...well wait a minute that isn't exactly how he put it. But funding the key to inspiration, we should think of Springfield as the incubator of not-for-profits, and supporting the new career track of executive directors in the field of philanthropy. Really cutting edge stuff which is appropriate for the precision valley.
Delete$240.000 for special request's,on top of the $40 million plus for budgets,really broad members,how much can we afford
ReplyDeletelook around, Bob can afford you to loose/pay more.
DeleteLYNCH BOB.
Guess its line item veto time for the not-quite-for-profits.
DeleteIts not the broad members, its the whole board. Don't blame this on us broads.
DeleteWe should get Bob out of our town he has been nothing but trouble.
DeleteI support Bob Flint, and I believe that SRDC works hard to try and bring industry into Town during these hard times. Having said that, it seems to me that the amount of special appropriation requests have grown to such an extent that they are like unto barnacles on a ship's hull -- except now they are barnacles on the real estate taxes. I am therefore reluctantly in favor of scrapping all of the special appropriation requests away with a solid "no" vote on all of them, and then recommend that in the year to follow the Town have a thorough discussion of which of these services should be run directly by the Town Government which in my mind includes the Housing Authority or the School System. We can then look to see what if anything should be financed via special appropriation requests.
Deletewe all support Bob Flint, that's the problem..
DeleteVOTE NO
now as for the other Bob, the fictional character Bob, I say lynch him.
The cause of Colony Collapse Disorder a comunicable disease that was first found in Bees. Has recently also been found, JANUARY 31st 2013, in HUMANS. It has been detected in Springfield Vt.
ReplyDeleteThe #1 cause of CCD has been determined to be Non-Profits funded by Municpal Tax $$.
God Save The Children
Or at least the Bees, the heck with the Children.
DeleteLOL !!!
ReplyDeleteI love this website! You guys are great! Keep up the good work! Better than the crossword puzzle from the paper!
have you been Biden your time here ?
Delete"Springfield, where dumb is good!" Now that really sums it up perfectly!
ReplyDeleteyou sound smart, you must not be from around here.
DeleteHey wait.. are you pikin' on me ?
The proposed Springfield Town Budget: $10.3 million
ReplyDeleteThe amount of special requests: $240,000
The insightful and humorous comments posted here: Priceless
Not so funny when you realize that the Selectboard has been offloading all of its social service duties to non-profits, and is now going to offload its budget responsibilities for economic development. It should be obvious at this point that the Town government has been getting its budgets passed because it offloads from its budget the government services which it should either be handling or refusing to handle. Now we have this huge group of non-profits collecting their operating funds via the tax rolls.
DeleteWhat does the VNA do for $63,000? Don't they bill there services to insurances?
ReplyDeleteThat is a lot of scratch.
ass scratching
DeleteNow, now you wouldn't want the insurance companies to have to start paying out a living wage to the nurses they use would you? Where is the profit in that. See this way we keep the nursing profession generally humble by forcing them to form organizations to go beg from the local citizens. Its the social conservative way, you see. Charity conquers all.
Delete....Excerpt from Jan 31 article... The VNA has just begun offering new Nissan Versas as company cars to employees such as Menard, who find themselves driving an increasing number of miles as demand for VNA services increase throughout the 4,000-square-mile service area along the Connecticut River Valley..... well I guess we know where the money is going and it's not to patient care....
DeleteI suspect this may not be a good year for Special Requests, in looking into my crystal ball I see visions of mass slaughter of not for profits, as the people wonder why the Town Government is running these programs directly instead of shifting them off budget. Wait do I see snow falling in my crystal ball? Dang somebody switched it on me...
ReplyDeleteConfucius say, someting wong here, we pay Bossman Forguites run and manage Town, he turn it over to swarm of not for profit people, now not sure who run tings.
DeleteBut all these people in the nonprofits work for free don't they?
DeleteI see many bake sales in the future for Springfield not for profits this year.
DeleteTis terrible I tell you. This ballyhoo against the non-profits. Where is your charitable spirit, the spirit of giving to paid directors and assistant directors, who are not accountable to the voters? Why we are all for small government aren't we -- this is a step on the way to small government, you out source all the government functions to non-profit organizations, then eventually you can upgrade to out sourcing government functions to for profit organizations.
DeleteSan Fran Flower Girl are you blonde? You are giving us broads a bad name.
DeleteConfucius say who exactly are people who run not for profits does anyone know?
DeleteIf you like it vote for it. If you don't like it vote against it. If the voters pass it. Live with it.
ReplyDeleteWise words, just like gas and gallstones.
DeleteOh Tony how profound...just don't know what to say...in the presence of such profundity.
DeleteGas and gallstones, ha ha, Boss Hogg he make joke of Tony's zen statement....
DeleteThat Tony, he's a real genius, he is. They don't come much smarter, or do they? Tony gives real credence to the new town motto: Springfield - Where dumb is good!
ReplyDeleteIf the voters pass it, leave this hopeless town (and Tony) behind!
Confucius say WTF did Tony say?
DeleteVoting No does not mean that these are not good causes. You can vote no and still contribute your own money to the organizations. By voting yes, you're contributing and REQUIRING others to do the same. I vote no on all that I do not believe are ESSENTIAL roles of local government.
ReplyDeleteNo, no, no, we need to keep this shadow government alive, that we can pretend that we support small government don't you see. Otherwise, people might come to understand that some of these are essential services that should be run directly by the Town or the State. Its kind of like using mercenaries to fight the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now don't rock the vote...just vote yes and nod your head and pat yourself on the back because you support small government.
Deletelike wat keeping your pipes full of dihydrogn monoxide?
DeleteConfucius say if any be essential role, then why not in budget...Confucius say very confusing.
DeleteI would be find approving the 240k if it was actually going to improve the town, but many of these requests will have absolutely no impact on our community.
ReplyDeletePut the 240k into road repairs not the VNA or the family center.
DeleteI say use the money to buy up dilapidated property around town. Imagine what could be done in 5 years of no special articles on the ballot.
Delete@ 2:59 you'd have a perfect golf course along a river.
DeleteSo one way to determine whether they have any impact on the Town is to vote them all down at Town meeting.
DeleteEman, is that bad?
Delete@ 9:20
Deletemmm good
Confucius say, "Power to de People"!
Deletei have a idea,take all the special request off the ballots,so we don't vote on them,then all the rich folks that live in Springfield and don't care how much they or their fellow citizens pay in taxes, can make big donation's to these groups out of their pocket's while us poor folks can keep some of our hard earned money to raise our families.
ReplyDelete"rich folks that live in Springfield"
Deleteand yet another " Oxy - MORON "
we are all poor, and then there are those with agendas
Confucius say, don't understand dis system, why so many paid directors of dis and dat and de other ting. Sounds like carrying water in leaky bucket that waters the weeds instead of de garden.
DeleteThe services aren't going anywhere if they don't get on the town budget. They will always be here. I would be more then willing to donate, just let me donate to the organizations I want. If I am force to pay to all, I will donate nothing.
ReplyDeleteThe services aren't in the town budget, that 240,000.00 will be in addition to the 10.3 million town budget, which may I remind people that, thats just over a third of what it costs to run the school system (28 million plus). Those organizations are articles on the ballot, because they acquired the number of petition signatures to be placed on the ballot, BY LAW
DeleteAh so, someone finally understand de problem. We have a town budget, and we have a shadow town budget. Town government as solid in its services as egg drop soup, neh? So it moves services outside its budget so charitable nature of public vote for it anyway and Town budget passes. Federal government and State government force School to put such things inside its budget and School budget get routinely voted down. How clever of the Selectboard.
Deletesom and srdc do not have the required signed petitions to be on the ballet,the only 2 people to stick up for these group was the 2 in charge of running them,they want to save their pay checks
DeleteAnonymous 12:14, interesting, are you sayin the Select Board lacks the authority to put them on the ballot?
Delete@ 1:13 the selectboard is supposed to represent the people's interests.
DeleteTheir action should reflect the majorities.
#democracysucks
Wanker, those special appropriations do not belong in the town budget. They are not the function of Town Government. The main purpose of the Board of Selectmen is for the safety and health of the residents of the Town of Springfield. Take a look at the Special Appropriations and see which ones, honestly pertain to health and safety
DeletePer the town charter the board may upon their discretion at Special appropriations to the ballot without requiring signatures...it is an option
DeleteI'm not exactly sure who would work for the Town as a regional developer for a measley 30K
DeleteAh Anonymous person posting 2:58, what they pay the Town Manager? Is he not charge wit development of Town? Confucius confused.
DeleteNo Wanker he is not charged with the development of the town.
DeleteAh so, dat is problem I tink, he not charged with development of the Town then he the supreme paper-clip chaser? Town need to fix that. Confucius say, no charge no pay, neh?
DeleteAh so Anonymous person posting 2:55 pm, if they do not pertain to the health, safety and general welfare, then they not belong on tax rolls, neh?
ReplyDeleteThats correct they do not belong in the Town Budget, its up to the taxpayers if they want the additional costs associated with such programs
Deletejhw why should every other group have to have the petitions,but the select board can decide these 2 groups don't have to go out and get them,doesn't sound fair to any group,now their talking about changing the town charter for these 2 groups,
ReplyDeleteI'd like to make a special request.
ReplyDeleteCan we please grow up now
It is soooo overated, growing up that is.
Delete