Norton Selectmen Vote to Stay in Regional Veterans District

The Norton Board of Selectmen voted 5-0 Thursday to remain in the Crossroads Regional Veteran’s Service District.

The district’s effectiveness was called into question during the meeting. Selectmen chairmen Timothy Giblin, town manager Michael Yunits and members of the Finance Committee had looked at the costs associated with the district.

“Currently, the cost is $75,000 [per year],” Giblin said.

Giblin said by his and Yunits' estimates, it would cost the town about $75,978 for Norton to hire their own veterans agent.

“This is where we differ from the Finance Committee,” Giblin said.

The Finance Committee estimated a different number, $60,889, but Giblin said that is based on a single payer health insurance plan and a smaller base salary of $45,000. Gilbin and Yunits' estimates were based on family health insurance with a salary of $50,000.

Each plan takes into account about $15,000 in fees and other benefits. The town currently pays $74,493 for the district services.

Giblin said currently the district has three veteran service officer positions, one of which has been vacant since veterans service officer John Hogan retired in March. Giblin said the process of hiring a new agent is under way, headed by the current veterans service officer and the town managers of the district, which also includes Easton, Mansfield and Foxborough.

“Getting that third VSO will see a major difference,” he said.

Selectman Robert Salvo said he’s been hearing some complaints from Norton veterans.

“The complaint I’m hearing from the vets is that there’s nobody available,” he said. “I would strongly like to see somebody available all the time.”

Selectman Robert Kimball said the town currently has 44 veterans using services provided by the district.

“That’s double what Mansfield has,” he said.

Kimball said he feels the district offers the best services available. He pointed out while a veterans service officer may not be in Norton all the time, the town does have a veterans service secretary and veterans service officers can be called in from other towns if one is not in Norton at the time.

“I think personally right now the services we’re getting today are the best we’ve ever had,” he said. “If one person can’t make it here, there’s always supposed to be someone else here to help cover the office. If someone’s out sick or has a death in the family, [Norton residents] can go to the other town or the other VSOs can be called in.”

Giblin and Kimball said they didn't hear the same complaints as Salvo, but urged any resident having issues to come forward.