The VNA Gets Its $50… And More

By Steve Bigham

The Legislative Council last week agreed to fund the Visiting Nurses Association’s (VNA) entire $500 budget request. The so-called $50 late fee imposed the week before was waived.

Earlier this month, the council’s administrative subcommittee voted to trim the VNA budget because it had been submitted late by VNA President Mae Schmidle. Council member Will Rodgers, who suggested the $50 reduction, said there were other reasons for imposing the fee. He said he made the motion under the impression that the VNA was now under the auspices of the town’s Health District. However, he then learned that the VNA is reportedly putting together a new program that does not fall under the Health District.

Mrs Schmidle appealed to have the $50 returned at last week’s budget meeting, pointing out that her budget was submitted late due to “negligence” on the part of the town’s finance department.

Mrs Schmidle informed the council that an elderly woman from Newtown contacted the VNA to say, “I already sent you some money, but I can give you $50 more if you really need it.”

In addition, a Trumbull man got wind of the story and sent in a contribution double the size of the so-called late-fee reduction.

In the end, the VNA got its budget money plus a couple of generous contributions from private citizens.

The town allocates money to the VNA in its budget each year.