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Torrington council allocates cannabis revenue to PAL and Youth Service Bureau, asks for oversight detail
Summary
The council approved $50,000 to the Police Activity League and $95,000 to the Torrington Youth Service Bureau from cannabis revenue; members asked for clarity on reporting and supervisory arrangements for a full-time social worker funded by the award.
The Torrington City Council on Aug. 18 approved allocating $50,000 in municipal cannabis-revenue funds to the Police Activity League (PAL) and $95,000 to the Torrington Youth Service Bureau.
Council members voted after hearing a summary of PAL’s summer activities and a description of how the youth-service funds would be used. The PAL representative, identified in the meeting as Chris, told the council, “We run 6 camps during the summertime. We run our cops and kids event, which is up at Bessie Pond…just this past Saturday, we had our backpack giveaway where we gave away close to 1,100 backpacks filled with school supplies.”
Council members pressed for more structure and accountability around the Youth Service Bureau funding. Councilwoman Espino asked for clarity about the statutory match and how the additional $60,000 (above a $35,000 statutory match) would be used; the mayor explained the extra funds “would be used to offset the cost of prevention staff, salary budget line item. They did hire a social worker.” Council members requested details about where that position sits administratively and who conducts performance reviews. Councilman (recorded as) Paul asked that the Youth Service Bureau provide those reporting lines; the mayor said she would invite Kathy Ohm, the bureau’s executive director, to a future meeting to explain the position’s oversight and outcomes.
The motion to allocate the funds was made by Councilman Iveen and seconded by Councilwoman Rouette. The council called the vote and the motion carried.
The council and PAL representatives emphasized the programs are low-cost or free to participants: PAL’s Chris said, “No child is left behind because they can't make a payment or can't register.” Council members thanked PAL for its fundraising and community work and noted that the cannabis-revenue statute targets prevention activities.
Council follow-up: members asked staff to provide a brief report at a future meeting about the social-worker position — who formally employs and supervises the worker, hours or full-time status, and basic outcome measures (e.g., juvenile review board participation, number of youth served). The mayor said she would request Kathy Ohm attend a future meeting to present.
Votes at a glance: Motion to allocate $50,000 to PAL and $95,000 to Torrington Youth Service Bureau — moved by Councilman Iveen, seconded by Councilwoman Rouette; outcome: approved.
