Veterans issues are topic at STAM meeting

At the Nov. 10 meeting of Small Town Administrators of Massachusetts in Princeton, local officials had a chance to discuss the obligations of cities and towns to provide services to veterans with Kenn Turner, deputy secretary for administration and finance for the Department of Veterans Services.

The meeting focused on providing veterans services in small towns. Attendees asked about the income and asset requirement test for services and the residency requirement.

Veterans receive services when they move to a town regardless of where they lived when they enlisted and/or served.

The conversation also addressed leveling the playing field across communities. Some communities, such as Buckland with seven veterans and Hatfield with 11, have a higher number compared with neighboring communities. Turner discussed the role of districts in helping to share the obligation across communities.

Attendees also discussed the current funding structure laid out in state law, and how a different reimbursement schedule might help communities better serve their veterans.

Turner also addressed the MMA’s Policy Committee on Municipal and Regional Administration in September.

For information about veterans services, visit www.mass.gov/veterans.