Towns May Merge Veterans' Districts

Mansfield may be part of a four-town regional veteran's district, part of an effort to share resources in lean times.

At last week's regular selectmen's meeting, town manager Bill Ross said Foxboro had recently expressed an interest in joining a proposed district that would merge veterans' services under one administrative umbrella in Norton, Mansfield and Easton. Foxboro has so far been the odd man out, as Norton and Easton already share services, but state regulations require member towns of veterans' districts to be contiguous. With Mansfield in the mix, however, Foxboro would get a geographical link and a chance to take part.

Ross said he had recently met with town managers from Easton and Norton about joining their existing district, and then had been contacted by Foxboro.

"Foxboro recently hired a young well-qualified veteran's service officer," Ross said. "They can't pay him full time, but they want to keep him."

He added Mansfield's veteran's agent John Hogan is thinking about retirement at some point, and if he did retire, the Foxboro agent could become the lead officer in the group.

"If John retired, we could hire a half time or full time agent," he said. "Norton and Easton have clerical support."

Hogan is presently assisting Norton while that town looks for a replacement for the veteran's agent who recently left. Offices and staff are available in each town to assist in the distribution of benefits and other tasks related to veterans and their families.

"It would be appropriate and beneficial to form a district," he said. "There would be better continuity, we might save some money, and there would be better services for all four communities."

All the Mansfield selectmen endorsed the concept, giving Ross the OK to pursue joining the existing district, and also urging inclusion for Foxboro once the three-town group has received the O.K. from the state.

Ross said he would evaluate the numbers in the veteran's population, complete the application, and meet with parties from the other three towns.