| Total Eligible: | 14,608 | |
| May 22, 2019 @ 7:00 p.m | Attendance: | 369 @ 7:15 p.m. |
| Barrington High School Auditorium | | 517 @ 7:27 P.M. |
| | | 608 @ 8:00 p.m. |
| | | 693 @ 8:30 P.M. |
| | | 735 @ 9:15 P.M |
Present:
· Town Moderator: Julia Califano
· Town Clerk: Meredith J. DeSisto
· Town Council: President Michael W. Carroll, Vice President Kate G. Weymouth, Steve Boyajian, Jacob N. S. Brier and Joy Hearn
· Town Manager: Jim Cunha
· Business and Finance Director: Kathy Raposa
· Appropriations Committee: Chair Richard Staples, Vice Chair Cynthia Rosengard, Joshua Berlinsky, Steve Primiano and Per Vagge
· School Committee: Chair Dr. Megan Douglas, Vice Chair Erika Sevetson, Gina Bae, Anna Clancy, Patrick McCrann,
· School Superintendent: Michael B. Messore, III
· School Director of Administration and Finance: Doug Fiore
· Town Solicitor: Mike Ursillo
Moderator Julia Califano welcomed all to the 2019 Financial Town meeting and asked to please find a seat. She said that there are quite a few people filing in so we will wait just a few more minutes.
Mrs. Califano said that she would like to thank all our poll workers for checking us in so efficiently. Mrs. Califano declared that we have a quorum of 369 and she called the meeting to order at 7:15pm.
Mrs. Califano asked everyone to please rise and join her in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mrs. Califano explained that she is an elected Town Moderator. By Rhode Island law, Mrs. Califano stated, that she has sole authority to regulate Barrington’s annual Financial Town Meeting.
Mrs. Califano said that tonight we have an overflow crowd and are offering babysitting for those with young children as well as accommodating non-voters in the visitors’ section of the auditorium and the cafeteria. If necessary, the schools will provide a live feed to other classrooms. We are prepared to conduct voting in the cafeteria as well as the auditorium, but those who wish to make a motion or speak to a motion will need to come into the auditorium to speak.
Mrs. Califano said that the Barrington Town Meeting is your opportunity to ask questions of your elected and appointed officials and determine that your tax dollars are being spent wisely. The only subject for discussion this evening, therefore, is the proposed 2019-2020 Barrington budget.
Mrs. Califano introduced the Barrington Town Clerk, Meredith DeSisto, she will keep the official record of this meeting. We have two microphones here for your use in asking questions, making motions and debating motions…but please tell us your name and address for the record before beginning your remarks. If you are making a motion that is long or complicated, we would appreciate having a written copy to ensure that the motion is recorded correctly.
Mrs. Califano explained during voting, everyone in the auditorium must be seated except when a standing vote is called for. To save time, I will first ask for a voice vote. If the results are not clear, I will then call for those in favor to stand, followed by those opposed. If the vote is still not obvious, I will assign tellers Democrats: Liana Cassar, Jen Boylan, Caroline Morgan, Deb Kelty, Scott Weymouth, Jeff Brenner, Mary Alyce Gasbarro, Nick Califano – Republicans: Lisa Daft, John Allesandro, Ray Simone, Joan Warren, Chase Kazounis, Rhonda Holmes, Chuck Arneson and Shirley Applegate-Lockridge, to count each section of the room. Such standing votes take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Additionally, we are prepared to cast paper ballots this evening if that is requested by 20% of the voters present and voting. You were given numbers to be used for the paper ballot when you checked in, and I will explain the full procedure in detail if such a ballot is requested but casting a paper ballot requires some patience and may take as much as an hour.
Mrs. Califano thanked Mike Davis for being here and providing a live feed for Full Channel television, and Nahum Mitnik, who is again managing the sound system. We have a section (in front, to my left) reserved for non-voting guests including non-resident department heads, students from Barrington High School and members of the press.
Mrs. Califano acknowledged the Building Official Robert Speaker. Mrs. Califano recognized him for his long and dedicated service to this town. She said that, Bob will be retiring at the end of this month after serving as Barrington building inspector and sealer of weights and measures for 34 years. That kind of longevity says a lot about Bob, but it also says a lot about a town that is a great place to work. Bob is the longest serving building official in Rhode Island, and it will apparently take three people to fill his shoes. He will be sorely missed, but please join me in wishing him, his wife Joyce, his children and grandchildren the very best of health and happiness in his retirement.
Many of Barrington’s elected and appointed officials are up here with me on the stage, said Mrs. Califano. She said Mike Carroll is president of the Barrington Town Council and will introduce the other council members and the town manager (Kate Weymouth, Steve Boyajian, Jacob Brier and Joy Hearn. Jim Cunha).
Mrs. Califano said that Dr. Megan Douglas is chair of the Barrington School Committee and will introduce the other school committee members and the superintendent (Anna Clancy, Gina Bae, Erika Sevetson and Patrick McCrann. Michael Messore).
Mrs. Califano introduced the town Finance Director Kathy Raposa, the school finance director Doug Fiore and the Town Solicitor Michael Ursillo, who are available to answer your questions.
Mrs. Califano said that we also have the three members of the Board of Canvassers, Claire Boyes, Dan O’Mahony, Martha Wallick and their two alternates Sarah O’Brien and Shirley Applegate-Lockridge to help with voting. Pam Lauria and Geoff Grove, representing the Barrington Democratic and Republican Town Committees respectively, will serve this evening as timers. Everyone will be allowed 3 minutes to ask a question, make a motion or speak to a motion. Our timers will warn you when you have 30 seconds remaining, and this year Sarah O’Brien will be manning our new timer stoplight which turns red when your 3 minutes are up. All questions and motions should be directed to me, said Mrs. Califano.
Mrs. Califano explained the rules for tonight’s meeting are established by RI law, the Barrington Town Charter and this book called “Town Meeting Time”. RI law and these rules do not allow any motions to limit or shut-off debate or reconsideration of a budget line item once it has been approved. In addition, this meeting cannot be dissolved until a budget is approved, the tax rate set and next year’s Committee on Appropriations elected. Because the Charter requires that we maintain a quorum of 100, we would appreciate it if you would stay until the meeting is officially dissolved.
A Motion was made from the floor and seconded to dispense with the reading of the Call, but it is part of the record as it appears in Book 8 page 85 of the Financial Town Meeting Records book.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Mrs. Califano said that the budget you have in front of you is the budget as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations. Richard Staples is the chair of that committee and will introduce the other members of the committee and then present the committee’s recommendations for 2019-2020.
Chair Richard Staples introduced Vice Chair Cynthia Rosengard, Josh Berlinsky, Steve Primiano and Per Vagge.
Mr. Staples read the following message:
Your Committee on Appropriations welcomes you to the 2019 Town of Barrington Financial Town Meeting. We have been working diligently on your behalf this past year to receive and review the Municipal and School budgets you will be voting on tonight. Unlike many Rhode Island communities, Barrington’s Town Charter offers you the opportunity and responsibility to speak and then vote on how your town allocates and spends its revenue from property taxes and other sources each fiscal year.
THE CHARTER
By Charter, the Committee on Appropriations (the “Committee”) - five members elected at each Financial Town Meeting on staggered two-year terms - is charged with holding “a public meeting on the Wednesday two weeks prior to the Annual Financial Town Meeting at 7:00 p.m. for the purpose of hearing all registered voters of the Town interested in preparing a budget to be presented to the Annual Financial Town Meeting…” That public meeting, referred to as the Budget Hearing, was held on May 8.
For this fiscal year and in anticipation of the Budget Hearing, the Committee held eight meetings, publishing our meeting schedule in advance and including information about which budget was to be the agenda focus for each meeting. We met in one consistent location, the Middle School Presentation Room, detailed minutes were taken and made publicly available, and each meeting agenda included opportunity for public comment. The March 26 meeting included a joint meeting on Pensions with members of Town Council and School Committee.
THE BUDGETS
The process leading up to the Committee on Appropriations’ review of four draft budgets - Municipal Operating, School Operating, Town Capital and Financed Projects - began when voters elected members of the Town Council and School Committee, who campaigned on their vision of excellence and opportunities for our town, residents, schools, and students. Early in this fiscal year, Town Council, School Committee, and Municipal and School leadership began working with their management teams to assemble their recommendations for the budgets being presented tonight. (The Town Capital Budget was developed and presented by a Committee of the Planning Board.) All budgets were compared to last year’s approved numbers and multi-year expense history. The School Department applied a zero-based budgeting strategy again this year, and new initiatives were considered as a result of its recently completed strategic plan. Finally, the draft budgets were reviewed and approved by Town Council for the three Municipal Budgets, and by the School Committee for the School Operating Budget, before being presented to the Committee on Appropriations.
Once received, the Committee conducted its own review of the four draft budgets. Municipal and School administrators were present at our meetings and remained involved throughout the process. They answered our many questions and explained their methods of setting budget needs, priorities and initiatives with the community and taxpayers in mind. They also informed us of efficiencies and reductions in their budgets and presented budget cut scenarios at our request to show impacts of significant reductions on the quality of municipal services and on curriculum and athletics programs in our schools.
The top six Committee findings from our review process are: (1) compensation costs (contracts, parity and benefits) within the two operating budgets include some estimates this year due to contract negotiations; (2) new initiatives are included in the School budget after several years of mostly “level services” funding; (3) Town and School pensions are in compliance with all required contributions in accordance with State schedules, and we will continue annual monitoring; (4) maintaining excellent bond agency ratings requires balanced budgets and robust reserves; (5) consistent funding for future capital needs has kept borrowing and related expenses to a minimum, and some School capital expenditures receive 35% matching funds from the RI Department of Education; and (6) awards of grant dollars and thousands of volunteer hours help mitigate costs and enhance quality of life for Barrington residents.
The Fiscal Year 2019-20 Town of Barrington budgets, as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations and published in the Barrington Times on May 1, total $76,879,547, a 3.54% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19. This total is distributed across four major budget categories referenced in the table below. The first two categories - Municipal Operating and School Operating Budgets - represent 90.8% of the total budget and have recommended increases of 3.96% and 4.10% compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19. The combined increase of both operating budgets is 4.06%. The last two categories - Municipal Capital and Payments on Debt (financed projects) - represent the remaining 9.20% of the total budget and have a combined decrease of -1.40% compared to the prior fiscal year.
1. Municipal Operating Budget
The Municipal Operating Budget was presented to the Committee on March 12 and discussed at three additional meetings. The original budget request was $17,100,706, a 3.9% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19, with notable budget increases (other than Compensation Expense impacted by contract negotiations) for Pension Expense ($179,000) to fulfill annual obligations, Fire Department ($192,855) for salaries and overtime due to injuries on the job, and Public Works ($92,056) part of which is to hire an Assistant Superintendent after a five-year vacancy. Most other variances within the budget represent inter-departmental transfers of expenses, with offsets, undertaken by the Town Manager as he continues to realign town departments and bring a few department head salaries to market levels. The budget was favorably impacted, late in the process, by an increase in Interest Income revenue (+$75,000) thanks to rising interest rates. All adjustments slightly increased the final budget total to $17,103,876, a 3.96% increase when compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19.
2. School Operating Budget
The School Operating Budget was presented to the Committee on March 5 and discussed at four additional meetings. The original budget request was $52,904,771, a 4.5% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19, with notable department budget increases in Compensation ($948,535) an estimated number due to ongoing labor contract negotiations, Personnel Benefits ($606,066) due to estimated increases in health insurance premiums and pension contributions, and Other Purchased Services ($496,044) due to the Two-Tiered Busing Initiative, an additional bus for out-of-district student transportation, tuition to charter schools and other public school districts, and out-of-state tuition costs. Like the Municipal Operating Budget, most other significant line item variances represent inter-departmental transfers, including for three new initiatives using existing staff resources. The original budget request was favorably impacted by a decrease in health insurance expenses (-$201,423) when premiums came in lower than the original estimate. This decreased the final budget total to $52,703,348, a 4.1% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19.
3. Town Capital Budget
The Town Capital Budget was presented to the Committee on February 26 and discussed at three additional meetings. The original budget request, submitted by a Planning Board Committee, was $1,315,000, a 1.3% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19. Three budget modification requests were made by the Town Manager - all decreases - and accepted by the Committee on Appropriations: $5,000 (Land Conservation), $25,000 (Athletic Fields) due to funding elsewhere in the budget, and $15,000 (Climate Mitigation). In addition, the Committee decreased Public Works by $15,000 and funded a new capital project, School Wi-Fi Access Point Replacement, with $75,000. (An additional anticipated need to add $50,000 to fully fund a RI Department of Education Facilities Study was offset by a RIDE grant announced during the budget review process.) All adjustments increased the final budget total to $1,330,000, a 2.4% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19.
4. Financed Projects Budget
The Financed Projects Budget (payments on debt) was presented to the Committee on February 26 and discussed at two additional meetings. The original budget request was $5,622,323, a 4.29% decrease. One budget modification request was made by the Town Manager for $120,000 to fund the first year of principal and interest payments on anticipated property purchase financing. This adjustment increased the final budget total to $5,742,323, a 2.25% decrease compared to Fiscal Year 2018-19.
| Budget Category | FY19 Approved Budget | | FY20 COA Recommended | FY19 to FY20 $ Change | FY19 to FY20 % Change |
| Municipal Operating | $16,452,690 | | $17,103,976 | $651,186 | +3.96% |
| School Operating | $50,628,214 | | $52,703,348 | $2,075,134 | +4.10% |
| Total Town Operating | $67,080,904 | | $69,807,224 | $2,726,320 | +4.06% |
| Town Capital | $1,298,500 | * | $1,330,000 | $31,500 | +2.43% |
| Financed Projects | $5,874,527 | | $5,742,323 | -$132,204 | -2.25% |
| Total Capital & Financed | $7,173,027 | | $7,072,323 | -$100,704 | -1.40% |
| TOTAL TOWN (All) | $74,253,931 | | $76,879,547 | $2,625,616 | +3.54% |
| *Submitted by Planning Board | | | | | |
The recommended Total Town Budget voted on by the Committee on Appropriations on April 23, and the subsequent Town of Barrington Notice of Proposed Property Tax Rate Change that was approved by the state and published on May 1, is estimated to result in a proposed Fiscal Year 2019-20 tax levy increase of 3.61%, exclusive of motor vehicle excise tax collections, as required by state law. However, the adjusted increase would be 1.40% when budgeted revenues from motor vehicle tax collections are included.
The final tax levy and related property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2019-20 will be determined by the result of business conducted and votes taken at tonight’s Financial Town Meeting. Furthermore, each individual property owner’s actual property tax increase or decrease may be further impacted by any changes in assessed value of the owner’s property during the past year, such as exemptions and property sales.
Sincerely,
TOWN OF BARRINGTON COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Richard Staples (Chair)
Dr. Cynthia Rosengard (Vice Chair)
Joshua Berlinsky
Steve Primiano
Per Vaage
Town Council President Mike Carroll explained that there will be a number of resolutions this evening that will create “capital reserve accounts”. Simply put, these motions will allow capital project money to be carried into the next fiscal year.
Motion by School Committee Chair Dr. Megan Douglas and seconded by School Committee Vice Chair Erika Sevetson to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the School WIFI Access Point Replacement Capital Reserve Account
Dr. Megan Douglas explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Climate Mitigation Projects Capital Reserve Account
Mike Carroll explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by School Committee Chair Dr. Megan Douglas and seconded by School Committee Vice Chair Erika Sevetson to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the School Vehicle Replacement Capital Reserve Account
Dr. Megan Douglas explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Building Official Vehicle Replacement Capital Reserve Account
Mike Carroll explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Bay Spring Community Center Capital Reserve Account
Mike Carroll explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the McCulloch Fields at St. Andrew’s Farm Capital Reserve Account
Town Manager Jim Cunha explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by School Committee Chair Dr. Megan Douglas and seconded by School Committee Vice Chair Erika Sevetson to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Facilities & RIDE Compliance Study Capital Reserve Account
School Superintendent Michael Messore explained the resolution.
John Taylor, Fales Avenue, asked for clarification. Mr. Messore said that approximately 4 years ago each of the school were reviewed and studies were completed. We will be repeating the process.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
RESOLVED: That the account known as “Recreation Maintenance and Improvement” is hereby dissolved and all unused and future funds will be transferred to an assigned Field Maintenance Account
Town Council President Mike Carroll and Town Manager Jim Cunha explained the resolution.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll and seconded by Town Council Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: that the Town Council is authorized, for a period of time up to and including May 31, 2020, to enter into a tax stabilization or exemption agreement for the development of a senior residential village and associated uses located at Assessor’s Plat 14, Lots 2, 4, 13, 341, 342, and 343, which may exclude therefrom any and all cottages which are sold to third parties by the developer, pursuant to the requirements of Rhode Island General Laws § 44-3-9, such agreement to be voted upon and adopted by the Town Council only after a public hearing at which findings are made as specified by statute.
Town Council President explained the resolution. Mr. Carroll said that we had a tax stabilization agreement but that it had expired. He said that the property has not been developed but there has been an additional interest with a new buyer.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Carroll and seconded by Vice President Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
THROUGH THE ISSUANCE OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS AND/OR NOTES IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $1,125,000
Be it resolved that:
SECTION 1. The sum of $1,125,000 be appropriated to fund the acquisition and preservation of open space (the "Project") and to raise said appropriation, the Finance Director, pursuant to Section 45-12-2 of the General Laws of Rhode Island with the approval of the Town Council is authorized to issue general obligation bonds therefor in an amount not to exceed $1,125,000, to issue temporary notes in anticipation of the issuance of bonds, and to issue refunding bonds pursuant to Section 45‑12‑5.2 of the General Laws.
SECTION 2. The manner of sale, amount, denominations, maturities, conversion or registration privileges, interest rates, medium of payment, and other terms, conditions and details of the bonds and notes may be fixed by the officers authorized to sign the bonds and notes. The bonds and notes shall be signed by the Finance Director and by the President of the Town Council.
SECTION 3. The Finance Director and the President of the Town Council are hereby authorized to take all lawful action necessary or desirable under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to insure that the interest on any bonds and notes will remain exempt from federal income taxation to the extent provided in Section 103 of the Code, and to refrain from taking any action which will cause interest on such bonds and notes to lose the benefit of exclusion from gross income provided by Section 103(a) of the Code. The Finance Director and the President of the Town Council are further authorized to take all lawful action necessary or desirable to designate the bonds and notes as “qualified tax-exempt obligations” within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Code.
SECTION 4. This resolution is an affirmative action of the Town toward the issuance of bonds and notes in accordance with the purposes of the laws of the State. This resolution confirms the Town’s declaration of official intent, pursuant to Treasury Regulation §1.150-2, to reimburse the Town for certain capital expenditures for the Project paid on or after the date which is sixty (60) days prior to the date hereof but prior to the issuance of the bonds or notes. Such amounts to be reimbursed shall not exceed $1,125,000 and shall be reimbursed not later than eighteen (18) months after the later of (a) the date on which the expenditure is paid or (b) the date the Project is placed in service or abandoned but in no event later than three (3) years after the date the expenditure is paid.
SECTION 5. This resolution shall take effect upon passage.
Town Council President Mike Carroll explained the resolution.
Gail Hilty, Hilltop Avenue, asked what the next procedure is. Mr. Carroll said that we have ratified the purchase and sales agreement at an earlier meeting. If the voters agree this evening, the Town will own the land. Mr. Carroll said that we are researching through DEM for additional grant funding.
Bill DeWitt, Old Forge Road, questioned the amount of money that was budgeted for land acquisition. President Carroll said that the Town budgeted $120,000.
Melissa Horne, Co-President of the Barrington Conservation Land Trust, explained that this land is next to the Doug Rayner Wildlife Preserve. The preserve is a nesting ground for the terrapin turtles and would be detrimental if a development were to be built close by.
Peter Clifford, 6 Starbrook Drive, stated that the developer paid, $290,000 and that the assessed value is $349,000. Mr. Clifford stated that the purchase price of $1,100,000 is so much higher than the assessed value. Mr. Clifford asked for clarification of the bond/note of $1,125,000. Mr. Carroll explained that the bond/note of $1,125,000 includes $25,000 for administrative costs.
Joan Warren, 9 Surrey Road, asked if the Town Council was interested in this property previously. Mr. Carroll explained that the developer wanted to place 2-3 homes there along with affordable housing.
Amy O’Donnell, 124 Ferry Road, spoke of the original purchase price of $290,000,
Rachel Greenberg, 6 Ida Court, questioned the land use for affordable housing and the number of units.
Moderator Julia Califano explained that this land was a very early settlement of the American Indians and the first settlement of Europeans in what is now Barrington, so that land is important historically as well as environmentally.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Carroll and seconded by Vice President Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
TO FUND EMERGENCY APPROPRIATIONS NOT TO EXCEED $5,000,000
Be it resolved that
Section 1. In the event of an emergency threatening the public safety, health or welfare and requiring the immediate expenditure of money by the Town, the Town Council, on the written recommendation of the Town Manager, by resolution, may appropriate funds in an amount not to exceed $5,000,000 and for purposes in addition to those contained in the operating budget or in the capital budget. Such a resolution shall include a brief statement of the facts that show the existence of such emergency.
Section 2. To fund said appropriation, the Finance Director, with the approval of the Town Council, is authorized under Section 45-12-2 of the General Laws Rhode Island to issue emergency notes.
Section 3. The manner of sale, denominations, maturities, principal amounts, interest rates, and other terms, conditions and details of any emergency notes issued pursuant to this authority may be fixed by proceedings of the Town Council authorizing the issue or by separate resolution of the Town Council or, to the extent provisions for these matters are not so made, they may be fixed by the officers authorized to sign the emergency notes. The notes shall be signed by the Finance Director and by the President of the Town Council.
Section 4. The Finance Director and the President of the Town Council are hereby authorized to take all lawful action necessary or desirable under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), to insure that the interest on the emergency notes will remain exempt from federal income taxation to the extent provided in Section 103 of the Code, and to refrain from taking any action which will cause interest on the emergency notes to lose the benefit of exclusion from gross income provided by Section 103(a) of the Code. The Treasurer and the President of the Town Council are further authorized to take all lawful action necessary or desirable to designate the emergency notes as “qualified tax-exempt obligations” within the meaning of Section 265(b)(3) of the Code.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Carroll and seconded by Vice President Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $5,000,000
Be it resolved that
Section 1. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws Section 45‑12‑4 and Section 6-5-2 of the Town of Barrington Home Rule Charter the Finance Director and the President of the Town Council acting on behalf of the Town, are authorized to issue and refund, from time to time, not to exceed $5,000,000 interest bearing notes issued in anticipation of the receipt of the proceeds of the annual tax assessed or to be assessed upon the taxable property within the said Town as of December 31, 2018 for the financial year July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 for the purpose of providing funds for the payment of the current liabilities and expenses of said Town.
Section 2. The manner of sale, amount, denominations, maturities
conversion or registration privileges, dated dates, due dates, interest rates, medium of payment, and other terms, conditions and details of the Notes authorized hereunder may be fixed by proceedings of the Town Council authorizing the issue or by separate resolution of the Town Council or, to the extent provisions for these matters are not so made, they may be fixed by the officers authorized to sign the Notes.
Section 3. The Director of Finance/Treasurer and the President of the Town Council are authorized to take all actions necessary to comply with federal securities laws including Rule 15c2-12 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Rule”) and to execute and deliver if required in connection with the Notes a Continuing Disclosure Agreement or a Material Events Disclosure Agreement in the form as shall be deemed advisable by the Director of Finance and the President of the Town Council in order to comply with the Rule. The Town hereby covenants and agrees that it will comply with and carry out all provisions of any such Continuing Disclosure Agreement or Material Events Disclosure Agreement, as either of them may be amended from time to time. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Resolution or the Notes, failure of the Town to comply with any such Continuing Disclosure Agreement or Material Events Disclosure Agreement shall not be considered an event of default; however, any noteholder may take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate, including seeking a mandate or specific performance by court order, to cause the Town to comply with its obligations under this Section and under any such agreement.
Motion passed (voice vote).
I, THOMAS RIMOSHYTUS, 1 HOWARD STREET, BARRINGTON, RI, MAKE A MOTION TO CUT $246,000 FROM THE BARRINGTON SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET AT THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING ON MAY 22, 2019.
A second to the motion was heard from the floor.
Christopher Clyne, Briarfield Road, said that there is a substantive modification to the bus schedule; adding 2 monitors and questioning the necessity.
Mr. Rimoshytus made a motion for the use of a paper ballot.
Mrs. Califano asked for those to stand to be counted if agreeing to a paper ballot. Mrs. Califano stated that there are more than 20% of voters that are in favor of a paper ballot.
Motion passed (via paper ballot): YES: 401 No: 262
(The school budget is a bottom-line budget.)
Account Number Account FY Ending June 30, 2020
0300 Public Schools $52,457,348
Mrs. Califano stated if there are no further questions or comments, you have adopted the school budget as amended.
(Unlike the school budget, the municipal budget, is a line item budget.).
| 0010 | Town Council | $ 33,700 |
| 0020 | Town Manager | 198,364 |
| 0030 | Town Clerk | 247,278 |
| 0035 | Probate/Municipal Court | 5,824 |
| 0038 | Board of Canvassers | 20,200 |
| 0040 | Finance Department | 379,031 |
| 0045 | Computer Operations | 154,823 |
| 0050 | Tax Assessor | 153,353 |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0065 | Sealer of Weights & Measures | 2,232 |
| 0080 | Planning Board | 307,268 |
| | | |
| 0095 | Human Resources | 63,280 |
| 0100 | Recreation Department | 147,747 |
| 0110 | Library | 1,279,293 |
| 0120 | Senior Services | 118,001 |
| 0150 | Fire Department | 2,406,912 |
| 0155 | Hydrant Rental | 0 |
| 0180 | Police Department | 2,531,739 |
| | Dispatch | 369,387 |
| | | |
| 190 | Animal Control | 7,000 |
| 0200 | Harbor Control | 40,595 |
| | | |
| 0260 | Public Works | 2,342,958 |
| 0265 | Refuse Collection Contract | 952,441 |
| 0270 | Benefits Social Security 711,000 Medical Coverage 1,942,000 Pensions 1,660,000 Compensated Absences 35,000 Unemployment Insurance 7,500 | 4,355,500 |
| 0310 | Town Solicitor | 203,500 |
| 0320 | Insurance | 438,700 |
| 0330 | Agency Support Eastern RI Conservation District 750 The Samaritans 500 | 1,250 |
| 0340 | Principal on Bonded Debt | 2,695,367 |
| | | |
| 0350 | Interest on Debt | 3,046,956 |
| 0360 | Capital Items: Police Department 90,000 Fire Department 220,000 Public Works 285,000 Other 735,000 | 1,330,000 |
| 0365 | Government Center Utilities | 90,000 |
| 0366 | Peck Center Utilities | 95,000 |
| 0367 | Public Safety Complex Utilities | 145,500 |
| 0370 | Miscellaneous | 13,000 |
| Municipal Expenditures School Expenditures Capital Items –Town/School | 22,846,199 52,457,348 1,330,000 | |
| Total Government-Wide Operations | $76,633,547 | |
Mrs. Califano asked if there were any further questions or comments; there were not.
Mrs. Califano stated you have approved the municipal budget.
Mrs. Califano explained that the sewer utility is an enterprise fund. The budget is fully funded by the sewer fees and that Revenues are established outside the authority of the town meeting.
850SE Sewer Utility 3,972,478
Motion by Richard Staples and seconded by Cynthia Rosengard to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
OF THE COMMITTEE-ON-APPROPRIATIONS
RESOLVED: that the report of the Committee-on-Appropriations, appointed to prepare a budget, be adopted and in accordance therewith, the sum of $76,633,547 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to pay out of the several appropriations mentioned, said sums within the amounts appropriated, as may be required upon receipt by her of proper vouchers approved by the Town Manager, or otherwise as provided by law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the report of the Committee-on-Appropriations with regard to the Sewer Enterprise Fund be adopted and in accordance therewith the sum of $3,972,478 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and the Town Treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to pay out of the Sewer Enterprise Fund said sums within the amount appropriated as may be required upon receipt by her of proper vouchers approved by the Town Manager or otherwise as provided by law. The expenditure shall be supported by revenue generated by said fund.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Richard Staples and seconded by Cynthia Rosengard to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
WITH KINDRED MATTERS
RESOLVED: that the electors of the Town of Barrington, qualified to vote on any proposition to impose a tax, in Town Meeting assembled, on this 22ND day of May, a.d. 2019, hereby order the levy and collection of a tax on the ratable real estate, the ratable tangible personal property, ratable tangible personal property of manufacturer's machinery and equipment (the rate of said ratable tangible personal property of manufacturer's consisting of manufacturer's machinery and equipment to be in accordance with limitations and provisions of statutory law of the State of Rhode Island) and motor vehicle excise tax in the sum not less than $65,142,459 nor more than $65,619,573, said tax to be for ordinary expenses and charges, for the payment of interest and indebtedness in full or in part of said Town and for other purposes authorized by law.
The Tax Assessor shall apportion said tax on the inhabitants and taxable property of said Town according to law, and shall, upon completion of said resulting tax roll, date, certify and sign the same and deliver to and deposit the same in the Office of the Town Clerk. The Town Clerk, upon receipt of said assessments, shall forthwith make a copy of same and deliver it to the Finance Director with a warrant under her hand directed to the Collector of Taxes of said Town commanding him to proceed to collect said tax on the person and estates liable therefor. Said tax shall be due and payable on the 1st day of September, a.d. 2019, and all taxes remaining unpaid after September 30, 2019, shall carry until collected, a penalty at the rate of 18 per cent per annum from the due date of any quarterly installment, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the persons assessed to pay their taxes shall have an option to pay the same in equal quarterly installments; the first installment of twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of September 2019, and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of December 2019, twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of March 2020, and twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of June 2020.
If the first installment or any succeeding installments of taxes is not paid by the last date of the respective installment period or periods as they occur then the whole tax or remaining unpaid balance of the tax as the case may be shall immediately become due and payable and shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of 18 per cent per annum.
As of the 31st day of December 2019, at twelve o'clock midnight, the Assessor of Taxes shall determine the assessed valuation of ratable property in the Town for tax purposes and against such assessed valuations so determined shall apportion the tax levy to be made by the electors in Financial Town Meeting on May 27, 2020 on the inhabitants of the Town and ratable property therein to meet appropriations.
RESOLVED: that the Finance Director is hereby authorized to hire such sum or sums of money as may be necessary for the operation of the Town Government, and
RESOLVED: that the Finance Director and Collector of Taxes and such other Town Officers as the Town Council may designate shall secure their bonds from some good surety company and the Town assume the expenses.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Richard Staples and seconded by Cynthia Rosengard to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION
RESOLVED: that the real estate and personal property tax rate be set at not greater than
$ 20.10 per $1,000 valuation and the motor vehicle tax rate be set at $35.00 per
$1,000 valuation.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Mrs. Califano said by the Barrington Town Charter, we elect members to the Committee on Appropriations for two-year, staggered terms. Last year, we elected Richard Staples and Tricia Marlar for terms ending in 2020. When Ms. Marlar resigned, Steve Primiano was appointed to complete her term. This year, we will elect or re-elect three members of the committee for terms ending in 2021. We have received applications from 6 candidates: incumbent Cynthia Rosengard, John Alessandro, Lisa Daft, Michael DeAngelis, Jude Kostas, and Jim Sanderson. In alphabetical order, each candidate or his/her designee will place the name in nomination and give a 3-minute statement. Nominations do not require a second. We will start with John Alessandro.
Mrs. Califano asked if there any other nominations from the floor? There was not.
The nominations are now closed, and we will be using paper ballots. The names of the six candidates who submitted applications are printed on the ballot, and there are three spaces for any additional nominees from the floor, and those names will be posted on the easel pad. You may vote for any three candidates. These votes will then be hand counted by the Board of Canvassers.
RESOLUTION
TO PREPARE A BUDGET AND SUBMIT A REPORT
(3 Positions for Re-election)
RESOLVED: that a Committee of Appropriations, consisting of five (5), is ordered to hold a public meeting on the second Wednesday in May 2020 at 7:00 o'clock p.m. for the purpose of hearing all persons interested in preparing a budget to be presented to the Financial Town Meeting and to submit a printed report of their recommendations for expenditures to the Financial Town Meeting, and the amount of tax which will be necessary to levy to pay such expenses, and
RESULTS
| John Alessandro, Jr. | 15 Meadowbrook Drive | 221* |
| Lisa Daft | 5 Robins Drive | 217* |
| Michael F. DeAngelis | 14 Manning Drive | 192 |
| Jude Kostas | 16 Heritage Road | 182 |
| Cynthia Rosengard | 374 Sowams Road | 207* |
| Jim Sanderson | 32 Primrose Hill Road | 76 |
| *Top vote getters | | |
RESOLVED: that, John Alessandro, Jr., Lisa Daft, and Cynthia Rosengard are hereby elected to two (2) year terms on the Committee of Appropriations ending May, 2021 and will serve with Stephen B. Primiano, 15 Driscol Lane and Richard F. Staples, Jr., 13 Middle Street, with terms ending May, 2020.
RESOLVED: that, in case of a vacancy in the Committee on Appropriations, after the election of its five (5) members, such vacancy shall be filled immediately by the Town Council, and
RESOLVED: further, that, the Town Clerk with the said Committee-on-Appropriations shall prepare and have printed an order of business for each Financial Town Meeting.
Motion passed (paper ballot) Please see the results above.
Mrs. Califano said that the work of the 2019 Financial Town Meeting is complete, and I would entertain a motion to dissolve; motion by Mike Carroll and seconded by Kate Weymouth. Mrs. Califano declared the 2019 Barrington Financial Town Meeting dissolved at 10:42PM.
Motion passed (voice vote).
__________________________
Meredith J. DeSisto, Town Clerk