Commissioners approve inflation-adjusted annual payout from domestic-violence trust to DVAC; ask for clearer trust records and process

At a recent meeting of the Town of Needham commissioners, the board approved an annual, inflation-adjusted disbursement from a trust established for domestic-violence services to the Domestic Violence Action Committee (DVAC) after committee co-chairs described ongoing program needs.

Maureen Callahan, director of development and public relations for the community council, told commissioners the nonprofit runs Needham-only programs including a food pantry, English-language classes, medical transportation and a dementia-care partner-support program and said the group is “all privately funded” and exploring options to sustain or expand services.

Laura Duff, a public health nurse and co-chair of DVAC, presented the committee’s request. Duff said DVAC sought an annual amount “adjusted for inflation” compared with prior disbursements; staff materials and discussion referenced last fiscal-year…