Veterans Quality of Life Commission May 27, 2025

Commission on Veterans Quality of Life

Date: 27 May 2025
Time: 1:00pm 
Location: Virtual 

1. Call to Order/Attendance:  
   1. Cory Ahonen, Chair, called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm 
   2. Members were reminded that the meeting was being recorded  
2.  Roll Call: 
   1. Cory Ahonen, Chair 
   2. Scott Pitta, OVA Designee 
   3. Sarah Bateman, Senate President Appointee, working with Veterans 
   4. Bill Lebeau, Speaker Appointee, working with Veterans 
   5. Melissa Alden, House Minority Leader Appointee, Attorney   
3. Guests: 
   1. Nicolette Slezak, EOVS admin 
   2. Phoebe Flynn, on behalf of Senator Fernandes 
   3. Charlie Duquette
   4. Alexi Nowokunski
   5. Kathryn Watson
   6. Matthew Connolly
4. Members Absent: 
   1. Al Tenorio, Govenor Appointee, Veterans Advocacy 
   2. Senator Dylan Fernandes, Senate President Appointee, working with Veterans 
   3. Leroy Ashwood, BRAVE for Veterans
   4. Ashley Booker, Govenor Appointee, Veterans Advocacy
   5. Sergeant Ryan Puzzo, Senate President Appointee, working with Veterans 
   6. Robert Breaker, Senate Minority Leader Appointee, Veteran/Family Member 

10 members present. We do have a quorum.  

1.   Administrative Matters: 
   1. Cory Ahonen, Chair addressed Motion to approve the April 28th, 2025, minutes. Motion passed unanimously. 
2. Open Discussion/New Business: 
   1. Cory Ahonen, Chair discussed priority topics developing creative solutions, outlining an overview of the key agenda items, emphasizing discussion on challenges in outreach, highlighting VFW connections, exploring possible contracting with different agencies to help food support, insecurity and building connections and awareness. The committee discussed creating a collaborative approach to working together, looking into food-co-ops and availability of pet food for veterans. Members identified housing needs, focusing on tax abatements on the local town level, tax credits/ exemptions available for veterans providing an incentive for veterans to live in Massachusetts and recommendations to make to the state. Members addressed home equity theft and face market value withing housing as well as housing needs and emergency funds within town, state, local agencies. Cory Ahonen, Chair discussed identifying issues with state and federal benefits within housing, food reporting on chapter 115 and what is excluded on Massachusetts benefits for veterans. Members addressed the need to collaborate and understand the stressors veterans face leading to 1 year after transitional period, focusing on education and employment. Cory Ahonen, Chair discussed how to bring awareness for education and workplace within federal and state while meeting reasonable accommodations. Members suggested outreach at job fairs and affinity groups to track veteran's changes in 504 plans. Cory Ahorn, Chair outlined key agenda item on tuition at state schools, looking into what fees are waved if veterans qualify exploring next steps.
3. Next Steps/Action Items: 
   1. Developing plan, providing literature, exploring partnerships with non-profits. 
   2. Next meeting is June 23, 1:00 pm 
4. Public Comments/Questions: 
   1. None  
5. Adjournment 
   1. Meeting adjourned at 2:00 pm

1. Call to Order
2. Administrative matters
   1. Approve minutes from April 28, 2025
3. Open Discussion/New Business
   1. Prioritize Topics
      1. Reaching recently discharged veterans- streamline-
      2. ii. Housing insecurity
      3. iii. Food insecurity
      4. iv. Education/Training
      5. v. Employment
      6. vi. Caregiver Related Support/Resources
      7. vii. Family Life
      8. viii. Elderly Veterans
      9. ix. Suicide Prevention
      10. x. Access to Healthcare
      11. xi. Transportation
4. Next Steps/Action Items​
   1. Evaluate/Discuss past and present state of each topic
   2. Discuss potential recommendations
5. 5. Public questions/comment period
6. 6. Adjourn

Note: This agenda has been prepared in advance and does not necessarily include all matters which may be discussed at the meeting.

This agenda was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2025, at or before 6PM.