Selectmen interview two candidates for veterans agent position
By Karen Mann Journal Correspondent

Selectmen decided to wait until January 2 to issue their decision about who to hire as a veterans agent, after interviewing the two finalists at their Dec. 19 meeting.

During his interview, resident Keith Jackson said he wanted to offer his services to other veterans, to be the key to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs

“The veterans agent’s primary position is to assist veterans,” Jackson said. “You need to be proactive so everyone knows you are the man to see.”

One of the ways he said he could accomplish that is to be involved in activities in the community that fall under the veterans agent’s realm.

Town Administrator Gregory Barnes said the agent should hold four office hours per week, with a mix of day and nighttime hours. The agent also needs to be available to answer calls during the week, and attend necessary meetings.

Jackson, who has a full-time job, said he has a flexible work schedule and could be accessible to those that need him.

The second candidate, Joseph Mazzola, said he had plenty of time, because he is retired.

“That is the key to this whole thing,” said Mazzola. “I am available, I want to give my time.”

He said he wanted to get veterans to register with the town and file claims with the Veterans Administration, because he knows there are many in town who are not registered and are therefore not receiving their benefits.

Mazzola said as a veteran, he knows what veterans go through and what they need.

Selectmen set the salary for the position at $4,650.