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Residents, select board press for clearer welfare director access after delays in aid to vulnerable adults
Summary
Residents described delays in Meals on Wheels intake and difficulty contacting the town welfare director; the board discussed posting the position, clarifying the role, and confirming whether the current appointee is performing duties.
Residents and community volunteers told the Brentwood Select Board on July 17, 2025, that two vulnerable adults in town have struggled to get timely help from regional social services and the town's welfare system. Speakers described repeated calls and lengthy waits for intake from Meals on Wheels and gaps in contact information for the town welfare director.
Daphne, a neighbor who has helped the two residents, praised the Brentwood Police Department for their responses and said outreach on local Facebook groups generated offers to help. Daphne told the board she called Meals on Wheels and was told "it's easily 3 weeks out before you'll hear anything from anybody," and that three weeks was the earliest the residents could expect initial intake contact.
Laura Hasher, chair of the regional association committee that advises the town on nonprofit funding, said her understanding is that regional intake should usually produce contact in about "8 to 10 days" and that the town's website lists a welfare director name but lacks a working phone number or town email for direct contact. Jim Hajjar of the budget committee said the town has paid the welfare director $2,025 year-to-date out of a $2,700 appropriation through June.
Board members and staff described operational confusion: applications are forwarded by a staff member (Jillian) to the welfare director, who appears to use a personal phone to make return calls and is reachable by the personal email address Jillian uses. Town Administrator Andrea said she had reached out to the welfare director but had not yet received a response and that she would try the personal email address to confirm the status of the position.
Select Board members proposed steps including posting the welfare director position if the current appointee does not want to continue, clarifying the role and contact method on the town website, and convening a subcommittee or meeting with the current welfare director to confirm duties and availability. The board agreed to follow up; one member requested the person be asked if they still want the job, and if not, to have them resign so the board could move forward.
No formal personnel action was taken at the meeting; the board directed staff to attempt additional contact and to bring the matter back for follow-up.
