Boston Council Reviews $4.8 Million Veterans Services Budget, Flags Three Staff Vacancies

BOSTON -- May 16, 2024, Boston City Council Ways and Means Committee scrutinizes a $4.8 million Veterans Services budget with three positions vacant. At the May 16 hearing, Commissioner Rob Santiago told Chair Brian Worrell and colleagues including Councilor Edward M. Flynn and Vice Chair Enrique J. Pepén that the 15-person office is operating with only 12 staff, with vacancies in the deputy commissioner, veterans benefit specialist, and transition advocate roles. Santiago highlighted the office's first-year Bridge to Gap mini-grant program, which offers up to $10,000 per award against a $200,000 pool, with applications due May 24. On the community engagement side, Boston 311 Director Ergie Budo announced that call taker starting salaries have been raised from $42,000 to approximately $50,000, and Office of Civic Organizing Director Natalia Benitez-Perez reported that Love Your Block hosted 122 cleanup sites and awarded $30,000 in block party grants this spring. The committee took no formal votes; a dedicated public testimony hearing is scheduled for May 28.