Easton Veterans Express Disapproval of Proposed Four-Town Veterans Services District

Easton town officials are considering enacting an agreement with the towns of Norton, Mansfield and Foxborough that would create a new veteran's services district.

The issue sent approximately a dozen Easton veterans to Monday's Board of Selectmen meeting to express disapproval of the plan.

The proposed district, which would likely be called the Crossroads Veterans' Services District, would add Mansfield and Foxborough to the current district of Easton and Norton. The Norton-Easton district was formed 18 months ago. Between the four towns, two veterans agents would be employed.

The plan was put together after the retirement of long-time Easton Veterans Agent Steve Nolan. At the time of his retirement, Nolan served as the veterans agent for the district of Easton and Norton. The current full-time agents in Foxborough and Mansfield would serve as the new agents for the four-town district.

"We think it would be a good plan," Town Administrator David Colton said Monday. "Its being introduced this week and next week its up for discussion in all four towns."

Colton said that while combining with Mansfield and Foxborough would not necessarily save money, it would create greater efficiency. Previously, Nolan served over 80 case-loads between Easton and Norton. With four towns and two veterans agents, the agents would each serve approximately 50 case-loads.

Colton added that a clerk in town offices would be trained in order to help veterans with their needs in the event that an agent wasn't available.

"We're not decreasing costs," he said. "Over time, there will be greater efficiency."

Veterans at Monday's meeting disapproved. They felt that Easton should have its own full-time veterans agent.

"We want our Veterans agent to be a full time veteran working for veterans in Easton, not farmed out to Norton or any other town," said Alvin Smart, the Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Private George F. Schindler Post 2547 of Easton. "Our Veterans Agent should be held accountable to the Veterans of Easton."

David Brown, Former Fire Chief and member of the VFW and American Legion Post 7 said that during his time as the Veteran's Agent, Nolan went out of his way to help, including bringing veterans on hospital visits. Going without a full-time veterans agent in Easton would be detrimental, he said.

"We relied on Steve 100 percent," Brown said. "To me he did a great job."

Colton explained that Easton has been without its own full-time Veterans Agent since June of 2010 when Easton combined with Norton. 

Because of low case loads in Mansfield and Foxborough, he saw the agreement as a positive.

"This doesn't save money," he said. "It doesn't change anything. I think it makes it better."

Selectman Sean Noonan, slightly choked up by the emotional outburst of veterans in the room, assured the veterans that he would do everything to help while making his decision.

"I want to make sure services aren't degraded at all," he said. "What I've heard here tonight - it's affecting me. There are no guarantees in life, but I can certainly guarantee that you have my attention."