2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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The second Department initiative, Homelessness, continues to be at a crisis level. Collaboration with Mashpee Housing Authority and Housing Assistance Corporation is crucial to find rental assistance for many clients who are struggling or are disabled. In emergency situations, advocacy for residents through systemic complexity is a vital important role of this Department. The third Initiative identified by the Department, Advocacy for the Disabled: Home delivery of meals to the disabled under the age of 60, looks at the struggle for individuals who are homebound under the age of 60 to get food from the food pantry. St. Vincent De Paul put together a wonderful proposal entitled "Homebound Harvest." This pilot program looks at their ability to put food together for residents for delivery and the Human Services Committee is exploring ways this food can be delivered to those who are homebound. The Thanks for Giving Awards were held in March, 2016, the recipients were Mark Lawrence, owner of Polar Cave Ice Cream and Friends of the Mashpee Council on Aging. Mark Lawrence has been a member of the Special Events Committee since 2008, a tireless volunteer making any event a great success and always contributing his time for the good of the community. The Friends of the Council on Aging has approximately 25 dedicated volunteers who make contributions to support the senior community, the senior center and the greater community. The Human Services Committee thanks them for their commitment to the residents of Mashpee. As the Town Representative to the Human Rights Commission, the Department continues to advocate for individuals in the cases of discrimination or unfair practice. The Department typically will mediate situations before they reach the level of a formal complaint. The Department stands by the importance of the Human Rights Commission and the important work of the Town Representatives. This year the Human Services Department worked in collaboration with the Boys & Girls Club to give out Toys to Needy Families. The Fire/Police Department Toy Drive yielded approximately 1,800 toys for Mashpee residents. The Human Services Department wishes to acknowledge the continued support shown by the Town Manager, the Assistant Town Manager, the Human Services Committee, and all the Town Departments who provide services and support to the Human Services Department. I want to recognize two new members of the Human Services Committee, Frank Fantasia and Ebony Steele and thank all of the dedicated members of the Committee for their guidance and support. I value the collaboration with the Mashpee Schools; Mashpee Senior Center, Mashpee Housing Authority and Mashpee Police Department. In particular, I appreciate the support of the citizens at Town Meeting in recognizing the needs of the Department. As we look ahead, the Department continues to be proactive in identifying and responding to the human services needs of the community and empowering residents by ensuring accessibility to resources. For more information about the services of the Human Services Department please contact Gail Wilson at 508-539-8598, x8598. Respectfully submitted Gail Wilson, M.Ed., LMHC Human Services Director Report of the Mashpee Public Library To the Honorable Board of Selectmen and the Citizens of the Town of Mashpee: On behalf of the Library Staff, Board of Trustees, and Friends of the Mashpee Public Library, I am pleased to submit the 2016 Annual Report. One hundred and twenty-five years ago at the March 1891 Town Meeting, the residents of Mashpee pledged their support for a public library when they voted to accept the Massachusetts Act of 1890, Chapter 347, which was an act to "promote the establishment and efficiency of free public libraries." The Act of 1890 also established the state's Free Public Library Commission and offered state aid in the form $100 to buy books with the stipulation that each participating Town would elect Library Trustees, provide a facility, and annually appropriate a minimum of $15 in local funding. Throughout its 125 years of existence the Library has transformed its traditional services to meet 117