Selectmen approve 2025 General Assistance rates, accept minutes and cancel Nov. 4 meeting

Selectmen Jerry Martin, John Hikel and Mark Brooks met Oct. 7 at the Irving Tanning Community Center and voted 3-0 to adopt the town’s General Assistance rates for 2025 following a public hearing. Town Manager Christopher Littlefield led the hearing and answered public questions about program eligibility and administration.

The hearing included questions about how residents learn of the General Assistance program and whether the same people repeatedly use it. Littlefield said the program is a state-required program, that the town posts signage and office hours, and that repeat use is not the norm. He said benefits are provided to candidates who meet the program’s eligibility criteria. The hearing closed at 5:48 p.m.

After the hearing, the board voted 3-0 to accept the proposed 2025 General Assistance rates. Selectman Mark Brooks read the minutes of Sept. 16, 2024; the board voted 3-0 to accept those minutes as well. The board initialed the September financial reports and agreed that Susan Frost will attend the Oct. 21 meeting.

Separately, the Selectmen voted 3-0 to cancel the Nov. 4, 2024 meeting; the record notes that warrants will be signed at the Town Office instead. Town Manager Christopher Littlefield also reported that attorneys are seeking dates to depose all three Selectmen and the Town Manager; Littlefield said he will schedule an emergency executive session with the town’s attorney to coordinate responses.

The meeting record shows routine approvals and scheduling items approved without recorded opposition. The board adjourned at 6:30 p.m.