§ 1714 -   Powers and duties of the board of trustees

§ 1714. Powers and duties of the board of trustees

Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the board shall have all powers necessary and convenient for governing the home, providing services to veterans, and otherwise performing its duties under this chapter, including the authority to:

(1) Adopt policies, procedures, and bylaws regarding the operation of the board and the operation and management of the home.

(2) Receive, hold, accept, manage, and convey any interest in real or personal property acquired by the home by gift, grant, purchase, devise, or otherwise for the purpose of managing the home and providing services to veterans and such members of their families as the board deems proper, under such conditions and regulations as the board may from time to time prescribe. Included within the powers granted by this subdivision, and notwithstanding any other contrary provision of law, is the authority to apply and administer the real or personal property to further the purposes of the home in accordance with the terms specified by gift, grant, or devise; provided that in the absence of specified terms, the board shall have the authority to apply and administer the property in the manner and for the purposes the board deems appropriate. Also included within the powers granted in this subdivision is the authority to hold title to the real property originally conveyed to the Trustees of the Soldiers Home in Vermont by the Trenor W. Park Home for Destitute Children and Women by quitclaim deed dated January 15, 1887, which shall be administered in the manner provided by the gift.

(3) By written procedure, establish, revise, and collect charges for residential room and board. Charges collected under this subdivision shall be credited to special funds and shall be available to the home to offset the cost of providing services.

(4) Recommend for appointment by the governor a licensed nursing home administrator to serve as the commandant of the home. The commandant shall be appointed for an indefinite term and shall be subject to removal, after consultation with the governor, upon a majority vote of the board. The commandant shall be exempt from the state's classified service.

(5) Contract for professional services necessary and appropriate for accounting and managing gifts, grants, or devises acquired by the home in a manner consistent with 3 V.S.A. chapter 14.

(6) Contract for managerial and administrative services, provided the contract is reviewed and either renewed or renegotiated each year by the board in a manner consistent with 3 V.S.A. chapter 14.

(7) Contract with the federal Department of Veterans Affairs for services related to the purpose of the home.

(8) Contract for the services of a medical director.

(9) Contract for chaplain services.

(10) Establish committees of the board as necessary for the efficient and effective operation of the home.

(11) Adopt rules in accordance with 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 for the purpose of administering the provisions of this chapter. (Added 2003, No. 121 (Adj. Sess.), § 79, eff. June 8, 2004.)