by Brian Keaney

The Shuttleworth Committee met for the first time on Thursday to begin setting guidelines for the types and amounts of aid they will provide to residents struggling to pay their heating, utility, and other bills this winter. 

The money will come from the Shuttleworth Fund, which was formed by a bequest from the will of Hannah Shuttleworth in 1887.  The terms of the will stipulated that funds should go to assist “the worthy poor” of the town.  In 2006, the most recent year for which information is available, the Fund had $234,807 in expendable assets.

In determining what types of aid will be provided, the Committee will look to similar programs in other communities.  In neighboring Westwood, the Westwood Community Chest “helps individuals and families facing financial difficulties, by awarding funds towards basic needs such as medical expenses, utility payments” and scholarships to summer camps.  The City of Attleboro also has a Neighbors Helping Neighbors fund which provides fuel assistance.

Chairman Cathy Cardinale, also the Town’s Health Director, said she believed awards should be granted on a case by case basis, and funds distributed directly to the companies providing the fuel or prescriptions. 

“We should pay for specific deliveries,” she said.

The privacy of those receiving assistance was also discussed by the Committee.  A document will be compiled by the Treasurer’s office with the names of residents requesting assistance.  The Committee will then vote on an aggregate amount, with details showing how many people are being helped and the places the money is being spent, but not the names of those receiving aid.

“I think privacy is a big thing,” said Committee member Michael Windborne.  “The names should only be discussed in executive session.”

According to the terms of Shuttleworth’s will, the funds were to be distributed by a committee appointed by the Overseers of the Poor.  At the time of Shuttleworth’s death, the Overseers were also the Board of Selectmen, though they later became a separately elected board.  In 1927 their name changed to the Board of Public Welfare, and the body disbanded in 1967.

However, the Town’s by laws state only the Commissioners of the Trust Fund may order an expenditure from the fund.  Windborne, who is also a Commissioner, said the Commission had voted to spend no more than 10% of the available funds in the account in any 6 month period. 

Without a body functioning as the Overseers of the Poor, Town Counsel ruled that the Selectmen should appoint the Committee instead according to Robin Reyes, Town Treasurer and Collector and a member of the Committee.  They did at their meeting on December 18^th, and also appointed Assistant Town Administrator Nancy Baker to the Committee.

When it is ready, applications for assistance will be available at the Libraries, the Council on Aging, the Youth Commission, the Housing Authority, and at Town Hall.