Published August 7, 2020
MELROSE — These are tough times, as everyone knows. And Mayor Paul Brodeur wants to do something to help.
Brodeur this week announced the relaunch of the Melrose Emergency Fund, used to assist residents who need it.
He said, “We all know it is important to support each other in these challenging times. The COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on families throughout Massachusetts, and Melrose is no exception. According to data from the state from June, over 2,000 Melrosians are unemployed, for a local unemployment rate of 14.3%. For context, the overall unemployment rate for Massachusetts is 17.4%.
“We also know that the federal government has failed to continue enhanced unemployment benefits, meaning that folks on unemployment will no longer receive the $600 supplement to regular state unemployment benefits that was meant as an added boost to help blunt the economic fallout from the pandemic. Over the years, the Melrose Emergency Fund has helped many people in many ways. Many times it’s a Shaw’s card or Target card to quickly help a family in need. Sometimes it’s hotel lodging or resources for necessities after a fire, or financial support after the loss of a family member. Other times it may be more substantial support for medical needs, housing assistance, or the like.
“We can’t solve all the economic problems that came about because of COVID-19 or other unforeseen challenges, but we can help each other bridge the gap during tough times. That is the reason for the Melrose Emergency Fund – to help Melrose residents in need.
“Today, I am happy to announce that the Emergency Fund has a new web page on the city website that provides the history of the Fund, a downloadable application for help, an electronic inquiry form requesting help, and the new policies and procedures that govern operation of the Fund. The page also lists the members of the newly-formed Advisory Board that will serve as a resource to the Fund Administrator to consult on individual cases and Fund operations.
“The new page is located at https://www.cityofmelrose.org/emergen…, and you can email the Fund at emergencyfund@cityofmelrose.org. All of this might sound a bit bureaucratic, but it is not. The City is committed to making the Melrose Emergency Fund a nimble, readily-available resource that can get people the help they need quickly.
“The Fund has always relied on the generosity and compassion of the people of Melrose to help our fellow residents. If you need help or know of somebody who does, please ask. If you can help, please do. Thank you for all you do for our community. Together we will get through this,” Brodeur concluded.
City Councilors Shawn MacMaster and Jeff McNaught urged Brodeur and his administration earlier this summer to be more open about the Emergency Fund. MacMaster has had issues with it since the Brazil Street sewer backup problem last year that badly damaged some of his constituents’ homes. MacMaster said assistance to Brazil Street residents came from the Sewer Enterprise Fund, not the Emergency Fund, and only after criticism mounted on then-Mayor Gail Infurna to do something to help.
“Frankly,” MacMaster said, “questions and concerns about the Emergency Fund have been lingering since then and the public deserves answers. Questions about how it can be accessed, who qualifies, what the parameters are, who makes the decisions, and so on.
“These questions are even more relevant, and I’d argue more salient, today while Melrose residents struggle with unemployment, under-employment and financial strain as a result of the pandemic.”
Brodeur made a commitment to McNaught and MacMaster to report frequently and routinely to the public on Emergency Fund activity and to use the city’s website as a vehicle to do so, MacMaster said.
MacMaster and McNaught filed an order calling for the administration to produce a public report on the Emergency Fund, which has been held in committee.
