**Date:** 7-3-67
**Source:** Unknown
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NAUGATUCK–It is no secret from the borough are far from having all their problems solved with the welfare payments, as they will be expected to pay back the funds granted them. This in addition to the unpaid bills, the extended credit and the depleted savings accounts which will plague most of the workers when a new contract is signed.
As the strike continues, said Welfare Supt. Catherine Brennan, the number of cases steadily increases.
June’s expenditures for “outside poor” totaled $3,951, up $1,175 from the May expenditures of $2,776 for the same item. The figure for May was up $1,183 from April’s expenditure.
The number of cases being handled by the Welfare Department have almost doubled due to strikers applying for assistance.
Monthly expenditures for “outside poor” in the past have hovered around half the amounts spent this past May and June. Expenditures in April, 1966, amounted to $1,688; in June, 1966 they totaled $1,888.
It was noted during Wednesday’s meeting, however, that were it not for the assistance strikers have received from veterans’ assistance programs, the borough’s welfare expenses would soar to crisis proportions in almost no time.
Exactly how many strikers have turned to veterans’ assistance is not known, but reliable sources indicated something in the area of 100.
Although the Welfare Board is not yet in a crisis, if the number of strikers on welfare continues its steady rise, the board will have to appeal for additional funds from the Board of Finance.
This would be only one of the Finance Board’s problems, since it is expected that the Police Department will have to seek additional funds for policemen who put in overtime on strike duty.