WENA meeting minutes January 12, 2022 6:30 on Zoom
Board members present:
Kim Sutton, Pamela Shaw, Bryan VanDussen, Barbara DeSerres, Liz Parsons, Roseanne Graef, Gwynne Williams. Also present: Barbara Wood, Espablad Dodd, Steven Scharf
Treasurers Report: Bryan VanDussen
– We have a balance of $24,686.
– A $14,834 grant from Maine Medical Center has been deposited into the account.
– Association dues can be paid with PayPal through the WENA website.
Agenda Items:
1. Community Room:
– The community room is temporarily closed. The challenges to keeping it open include; the current surge in Covid rates, construction at Reiche School and staffing shortages at Portland City Rec with whom we collaborate.
2. Legislative Update: Barbara Wood
– A public hearing was held on the proposed adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment.
– A resolution to commemorate the events of January 6 was opposed by House Republicans.
– House Democrats do not have a 2/3 majority.
3. City Budget: Steven Scharf
– Homeless shelters are full. Several area hotels are being used by the city to house the overflow.
– Approximately $8,000,000 in Federal funds are reflected in the city budget to compensate for lost revenues due to the Covid emergency.
– Budget documents are available to view online at
https://portlandme.com/Web/Gen
– School budget information is not currently available.
A WENA board meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2022 at 6:30.
