| Total Eligible: | 14,694 | |
| July 18, 2020 @ 9:00 a.m. | Attendance | 111 @ 8:55 AM |
| Barrington High School Victory Field | | 171 @ 9:20 AM |
| | | 195 @ 10:05 AM |
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 (absent) and Joy Hearn
· Town Manager: Jim Cunha
· Business and Finance Director: Kathy Raposa
· Appropriations Committee: Chair Stephen B. Primiano, Vice Chair Lisa Daft, John Alessandro, Cynthia Rosengard and Richard Staples
· School Committee: Chair Gina Bae, Vice Chair Dr. Megan Douglas Erika Sevetson, Anna Clancy, Patrick McCrann and Erika Sevetson
· School Superintendent: Michael B. Messore, III
· School Director of Administration and Finance: Doug Fiore
· Town Solicitor: Mike Ursillo
Moderator Julia Califano congratulated all for being so diligent in following the COVID-19 health care directives that we are able to meet here together today, and she welcomed all to the 2020 Financial Town meeting.
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.
She declared that we have a quorum of 111 and called the meeting to order.
Mrs. Califano explained that all should have a copy of the 2020-21 proposed Barrington Budget as well as a booklet of paper ballots, 5 yes/no ballots in various colors as well as a ballot for the election of the Committee on Appropriations. These ballot booklets are proof that you are a registered Barrington voter, and you will need to have them with you whenever a vote is taken. (Mrs. Califano explained other details relating to recycling, restroom facilities, and emergency exits.)
Mrs. Califano thanked Peter Archambault with PMA Sound Systems who has provided the audio and Scott Morpeth and a group of Barrington students who provided the simulcast. She explained that this year you may remain in your car and listen to the broadcast on the radio at 102.9 FM or 700 AM. But if you would like to vote you will have to return to the field and line up along the north and south ends of the field fencing as well as remain with social distancing.
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.
As well as recording and securing the logistics for the Financial Town Meeting, our Town Clerk’s office and the Board of Canvassers supervise all our elections. This has been a particularly challenging year, and we salute Meredith and her team of Stephanie Bernardo, Michele Cross and Lisa Dias for a job well done and always with a smile on your faces.
Mrs. Califano said that this has been an incredible effort on the part of many members of our school and municipal departments, including our Town Manager Jim Cunha (she asked for applause).
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 2020-2021 Barrington budget.
Mrs. Califano explained during voting, everyone on the field and in the grand-stands must be seated except when a standing vote is called for. Those who have remained in their cars need to return to the field if they want their vote to be counted. 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, tellers of the Democrat and Republican Parties will be asked to help count the votes.
Such standing votes take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete. Additionally, we are prepared to cast paper ballots this morning if that is requested by 20% of the voters present and voting. Mrs. Califano explained the procedure.
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 (not present) and Joy Hearn. Jim Cunha).
Mrs. Califano said that Gina Bae is Chair of the Barrington School Committee and will introduce the other School Committee members and the Superintendent (Dr. Megan Douglas, Anna Clancy, 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. This morning the timers will be Pam Lauria and Republican Jim Jackson. 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. All questions and motions should be directed to me, said Mrs. Califano.
Mrs. Califano explained the rules for this morning’s meeting which 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 100 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. Stephen Primiano is the Chair of that committee and will introduce the other members of the committee and then present the committee’s recommendations for 2020-2021.
Chair Stephen B. Primiano introduced the following members: Vice Chair Lisa Daft, John Alessandro, Cynthia Rosengard and Richard Staples.
Mr. Primiano read the following message:
Your Committee on Appropriations welcomes you to the 2020 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 today. 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 July 1st.
The 2020 – 21 Budget process began in the fall of 2019 with the Budget Forecast Committee meeting to update the Budget Forecast. This valuable document projects spending and revenues over several years based on both known amounts and assumptions. It is not intended to predict the actual budget, as priorities and circumstances change. It does provide a baseline to aid the Administrations and COA in crafting budgets. The Committee is composed of two members of the Town Council, School Committee and COA. They are supported by the Municipal and School Finance Directors. The final Forecast document was presented and discussed at a joint meeting of the Town Council, School Committee and COA on January 28, 2020.
For this fiscal year and in anticipation of the Budget Hearing, the Committee held ten meetings to review the various proposed Budgets. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic there were only three in person meetings (in addition to the aforementioned Budget Forecast presentation), with the remainder held virtually via Zoom. In addition, the Virus caused us to pause due to uncertainty over the status of the Financial Town Meeting and Budgeted State Aid, resulting in an extended process. Although there is still uncertainty over both revenues and expenses the Committee voted on and unanimously approved a recommended 2020 - 21 Budget on June 10th. Unlike prior years we did not receive an update on the status of our pensions as that joint meeting with the Town Council and School Committee was cancelled due to health concerns. All meetings were publicized in advance and allowed for public Comment.
THE BUDGETS
The process leading up to the Committee on Appropriations’ review of five draft budgets - Municipal Operating, School Operating, Town Capital, School Capital (more on that later) and Debt Service - began early this year, when the 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 Capital Budgets were developed and presented by the Planning Board based on input from the Administrations.) 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 continues to fund implementation of their Strategic Plan. Finally, the draft budgets were reviewed and approved by the 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 five 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 were challenged to defend their spending plans.
The top six Committee findings from our review process are: (1) compensation costs (contracts, parity and benefits) within the two operating budgets continue to account for large portions of the budget and spending increases; (2) new initiatives and reallocation of how services are provided are included in the School budget; (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 the quality of life for Barrington residents.
The biggest issue the COA wrestled with was how to recommend a budget given the uncertainties created by the Coronavirus Pandemic. We face uncertainty on both the revenue side – especially concerning budgeted State Aid – and the expense side – what unbudgeted additional costs will be required for our departments (especially the Schools) to operate safely. In addition, we had to consider that many residents are facing financial hardships as well.
Ultimately, we weighed all these factors and are recommending a budget based on the best information – or lack of – that we have at this time.
As part of our review, we asked the Finance Directors to provide us with any revisions – both in spending and revenue - to the original proposed budgets necessitated by the Pandemic. Our final recommended budget included an increase of $73,459 spread over several revenue and expense accounts to compensate for anticipated changes due to the pandemic. As an illustration of how quickly things are changing in the current environment, it came to our attention after our final budget vote on June 10th that the Library reopening schedule had changed and we had cut too much from their budget to allow them to operate on their new schedule. At our July 7th COA meeting the Committee voted to support a motion to restore $55,000 to the Library budget. That amount is not reflected in the recommended budgets below and will be voted on separately.
Total Town Budget
The Fiscal Year 2020-21 Town of Barrington budgets, as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations and published in the Barrington Times on June 24, total $82,773,361 an 8.01% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2019 - 20. This total is distributed across five major budget categories referenced below. The first two categories - Municipal Operating and School Operating Budgets - represent 87% of the total budget and have recommended increases of 3.09% and 3.82% compared to Fiscal Year 2019 - 20. The combined increase of both operating budgets is 3.64%. The last three categories - Municipal Capital, School Capital, and Debt Service - represent the remaining 13% of the total budget and have a combined increase of 51% compared to the prior fiscal year.
1. Municipal Operating Budget
The Municipal Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $17,949,827 a 4.95% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2019 – 20. Notable budget increases were Police Department $83,040 (3.28%) primarily for wage increases, Fire Department $196,530 (8.17%) for wage increases and to cover the expiration of a grant that had subsidized salaries for four new positions added three years ago, Public Works $163,053 (6.96%) which included a request for two new positions. Other variances were offset by inter-department reallocations.
The revenue side of the Budget included a decrease on interest income of $175,000 (-77.78%), and an increase in State Housing Aid of $4,118,024 (2,236.97%).
The COA recommends a Municipal Operating Budget of $17,632,886 an increase of 3.09% over the 2019 – 20 Budget. This lower amount than requested was primarily the result of eliminating the two new Public Works positions.
2. School Operating Budget
The School Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $54,500,526 a 3.9% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2019 – 20. Notable department budget increases were Compensation $741,314 (2.3%), Academic Coaches $129,067 (125.8%), Personnel Benefits (Health Insurance) $576,025 (13%), and the estimated increase in the Transportation Contract of $226,695 (14.5%).
On the plus side Retiree Health and Medical Premiums were reduced by $265,061 (80.2%), by allocating money from our OPEB fund, and Special Education Tuition was reduced by $108,140 (100%).
The COA recommends a School Operating Budget of $54,460,526, an increase of 3.82% over the 2019 – 2020 Budget.
3. Municipal Capital Budget
In reviewing the Town Charter, the Town Council voted on March 4th, 2020 to separate School Capital from the Municipal Capital Budget to better conform to the Town Charter. As a result, the original School Capital request was withdrawn and re-instated by the COA separate from the Municipal Capital Budget. For comparison purposes the chart below illustrates how this Fiscal Year compares to the last Fiscal Year when School capital and operating budgets are combined to compute the 4% spending cap.
SCHOOL CAPITAL REQUEST CONTEXT
| | FY20 Approved Budget | | FY21 COA Recommended | | |
| | | | | | |
| School Operating Budget | $52,457,348 | | $54,460,526 | | |
| School Capital | $385,000 | | $388,595 | | |
| Total School Appropriation | $52,842,348 | | $54,849,121 | | |
| | | | | | |
| Cap, based on 104% of prior year | | | $54,956,042 | | |
| | | | | | |
| Actual 20 – 21 Increase % | | | 103.8% | | |
The Municipal Capital Budget recommended by the Planning Board was for $1,144,200, an increase of 21.08%. Changes requested by the Town Manager were: decreasing Pavement Management from $25,000 to 0, increasing the Harbormaster from $20,000 to $25,000, increasing Energy Conservation from 0 to $10,000, increasing the Bay Spring Community Center from 0 to $30,000, and increasing Land Conservation from $10,000 to $210,000. The additional $200,000.00 in Land Conservation is to fund the purchase of land on Sowams Road.
The COA recommends approval of a Municipal Capital Budget of $1,349,200 an increase of 42.77%. This includes all of the Managers requests except the Bay spring Community Center request which was reduced to $15,000.
4. School Capital Budget
The Planning Board recommended a School Capital budget of $388,595 an increase of .93%. Included in the request are School Technology $269,595, Wireless Access Point Replacement $95,000, and Vehicle Replacement of $24,000.
The COA recommends approval of the requested amount of $388,595, an increase of .93%.
5. Debt Service Budget
The Debt Service Budget request was for $8,942,154 an increase of 55.72%. The large increase is due to the completion of the Middle School triggering a large one-time payment, which was offset by an increase in State Housing Aid. Going forward Middle School Bond payments will be approximately $2.7M annually.
The COA recommends approval of $8,942,154 for Debt Service.
BUDGET SUMMARY
| Budget Category | FY20 Approved Budget | | FY21 COA Recommended | FY20 to FY21 $ Change | FY20 to FY21 % Change |
| Municipal Operating | $17,103,876 | | $17,632,886 | $529,010 | +3.09% |
| School Operating | $52,457,348 | | $54,460,526 | $2,003,178 | +3.82% |
| Total Town Operating | $69,561,224 | | $72,093,412 | $2,532,188 | +3.64% |
| Municipal Capital | $945,000 | | $1,349,200 | $404,200 | +42.77% |
| School Capital | $385,000 | | $388,595 | $3,595 | +.93% |
| Financed Projects (Debt Service) | $5,742,323 | | $8,942,154 | $3,199,831 | +55.72% |
| Total Capital & Financed | $7,072,323 | | $10,679,949 | $3,607,626 | +51.01% |
| TOTAL TOWN (All) | $76,633,547 | | $82,773,361 | $6,139,814 | +8.01% |
PROJECTED REVENUES
| Source | Amount | | Percent | | |
| Municipal Department Receipts | $1,166,090 | | 1.4% | | |
| State Aid & Housing Aid | $7,822,977 | | 9.45% | | |
| School Aid | $5,886,818 | | 7.1% | | |
| Other Income | $1,367,076 | | 1.65% | | |
| Auto Tax levy | $3,221,463 | | 3.9% | | |
| Tangible Property and Real Estate Tax | $63,308,937 | | 76.5% | | |
| | | | | | |
| TOTAL REVENUES | $82,773,361 | | 100% | | |
ANTICIPATED IMPACT ON TAX LEVY
The recommended Total Town Budget voted on by the Committee on Appropriations on June 10th, and the subsequent Town of Barrington Notice of Proposed Property Tax Rate Change that was approved by the state and published on June 24th, is estimated to result in a proposed Fiscal Year 2020 - 21 tax levy increase of 2.01%, exclusive of motor vehicle excise tax collections, as required by state law. However, the adjusted increase would be 1.09% when budgeted revenues from motor vehicle tax collections are included.
The final tax levy and related property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020-21 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
Steve Primiano (Chair)
Dr. Lisa Daft (Vice Chair)
Richard Staples, Jr.
Dr. Cynthia Rosengard
John Alessandro
Special Recognition:
Jim Cunha & Kathy Raposa
Mike Messore & Doug Fiore
Meredith DeSisto
Mrs. Califano said that before we address the budget, we have four (4) resolutions on page 8 and 9. Two of these resolutions either create or dissolve “capital reserve accounts”. Because the Financial Town Meeting can only appropriate money for the upcoming budget year, capital reserve accounts allow the town to set aside money over a period of several years of the major expenditures like tax revaluations, fire trucks and constructions projects.
Motion by Town Council Chair Michael Carroll and seconded by Vice President Kate Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Zoning/Rewrite Comprehensive Plan Initiative
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by School Committee Chair Gina Bae and seconded by School Committee Vice Chair Megan Douglas to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: That the account known as “School Facilities & RIDE Compliance Study” is hereby dissolved and all unused funds will be transferred to the School Technology Capital Reserve Account
Motion passed (voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Carroll and seconded by Vice President Weymouth to adopt the following resolution:
OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF EMERGENCY NOTES
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:
AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES
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, 2020 for the financial year July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 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).
Mrs. Califano said we can now turn to the Barrington School budget. By RI law, voters can only make motions to increase or decrease the bottom line of the school budget. The School Committee has sole authority to determine how that bottom line is allocated. You may, however, ask questions about individual budget items and make non-binding recommendations.
By the Barrington Town Charter, no motion to increase or decrease the school budget by more than $50,000 can be made unless it was pre-filed 5 business days before this meeting. This year there are no pre-filed motions affecting the school budget.
(The school budget is a bottom-line budget.)
Account Number Account FY Ending June 30, 2021
0300 Public Schools $54,460,526
Mrs. Califano stated since there are no further questions or comments, you have adopted the school budget as amended.
Mrs. Califano said, now we come to the municipal budget. Unlike the school budget, the municipal budget is a line item budget. Motions may be made to increase or decrease any department budget, although no motion to increase or decrease a municipal department budget by more than 20% or $50,000, whichever is less, will be accepted unless it was pre-filed by July 13. (For instance, motions to increase or decrease the Town Council budget of $33,700 cannot exceed 20% or $7640, and motions to increase or decrease the budgets of the larger departments such as police, fire or DPW cannot exceed $50,000.)
There have been 2 pre-filed motions amending the municipal budget. One was filed by Thomas Rimoshytus, to increase the DPW budget by $145,000 and one filed by Stephen Primiano to increase the Library budget by $55,000. Mrs. Califano said we will begin with the Town Council budget and when we reach those with motions, we will have them address their motions.
Municipal Budget
| 0010 | Town Council | $ 33,700 |
| 0020 | Town Manager | 214,870 |
| 030 | Town Clerk | 252,622 |
| 0035 | Probate/Municipal Court | 6,324 |
| 0038 | Board of Canvassers | 33,477 |
| 0040 | Finance Department | 383,793 |
| 0045 | Computer Operations | 170,298 |
| 0050 | Tax Assessor | 156,652 |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0065 | Sealer of Weights & Measures | 2,132 |
| 0080 | Planning Board | 301,170 |
| 0095 | Human Resources | 66,035 |
| 0100 | Recreation Department | 152,150 |
Mrs. Califano said that Mr. Primiano will make his motion which pertains to the Library budget:
I, STEPHEN B. PRIMIANO OF 15 DRISCOLL LANE, BARRINGTON, RI MOTION TO ADD $55,000.00 TO THE LIBRARY BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-21. THE FUNDS SHOULD BE APPORTIONED AS FOLLOWS:
PART TIME SALARIES $48,638.48
SUNDAY HOURS $ 2,729.52
JANITORIAL SUPPLIES $ 2,000.00
TECHNOLOGY $ 1,632.00
Seconded by Laura Young
Ms. Young, 14 Manor Road, spoke in support of the motion and described the process of creating a budget and how the process from which the funding from the state affects the library’s budget.
Motion passed: (via voice vote)
| 0110 | Library – to add $55,000 for 20-21 budget | $1,261,345 |
Mrs. Califano continued:
| 0120 | Senior Services | 118,224 |
| 0150 | Fire Department | 2,603,442 |
| 0155 | Hydrant Rental | 0 |
| 0180 | Police Department | 2,614,779 |
| | Dispatch | 366,632 |
| | | |
| 190 | Animal Control | 7,000 |
| 0200 | Harbor Control | 47,050 |
Mrs. Califano stated that there has been a pre-filed motion regarding the budget of the Department of Public Works.
I, THOMAS A. RIMOSHYTUS OF 1 HOWARD STREET, BARRINGTON, RI WOULD LIKE TO ADD THE MONEY THAT WAS CUT BY THE COA FOR THE 2 NEW DPW WORKERS. THIS WOULD ADD $97,138.00 TO THE PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET AND $47,862.00 TO THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TOTALING $145,000.00.
Public Works: Salaries $ 88,244
Overtime $ 6,494
Clothing Allowance $ 2,400
Total Public Works $ 97,138
Employee Benefits: Social Security/Medicare Tax $ 7,456
Medical/Dental $ 29,796
Pension Expense $ 10,610
Total Employee Benefits $ 47,862
Total restored to budget $145,000
Seconded by Vice President Kate Weymouth
Town Manager Jim Cunha spoke on behalf of the motion. He said that he had originally put this into the budget after a man-power study was conducted in which it was determined that the lack of man-power has effect the work that needs to get done by the department. The study shows that the department is underfunded by six (6) employees. Mr. Cunha said that his intent was to hire two (2) employees each for the next three years.
Vice President Kate Weymouth said that she supports this motion. She said that the Department of Public Works is understaffed. She said that the list of tasks is increasing because many times the employees are tasked with picking up litter across the town, not to mention the amount of dog waste that people have left by the side of the road or even tacked to telephone poles.
COA Chair Steve Primiano stated that it was not that the Committee on Appropriations doubted that we needed the addition of employees but because we thought this was not the right time to be increasing the budget with the hiring of additional employees because of the overwhelming events related to the COVID crisis.
Geoff Grove, 16 Robbins Drive, said, “absolutely not!” “Raising budgets at the maximum – Give us all a break.”
TR Rimoshytus, 1 Howard Street, that he has lived here for 46 years. Every year the municipal budget is always cut. He said that he calculates this increase is 4 cents on the tax dollar. He said, “Why not cut the schools, they are adding teachers.”
Jose (Joe) Bahena, 22 Oak Manor Drive, said that he respects the DPW, but these are uncertain times. We need to tighten our budgets. Mr. Bahena said that we may need to give more to the schools.
Geoff Turner, 7 Lincoln Avenue, said that he is in favor (of this motion) that the DPW works hard.
Paul Daugherty, 23 Martin Avenue, said that he has been furloughed for three (3) months and is uncertain of the future. He said that it isn’t that I am not sympathetic to adding to the headcount but not when I and others in town are impacted with the threat of unemployment.
Motion passed (via standing vote): YES: 90 (adding $145,000) No: 86
| 0260 | Public Works – (See above motion by TR Rimoshytus to add $97,138 Salary line for 20-21 budget) | 2,502,011 |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0265 | Refuse Collection Contract | 977,471 |
| 0270 | Benefits – (Motion from TR Rimoshytus $47,862 adding to Benefit line item for 20-21 budget) Social Security 747,000 Medical Coverage 2,015,000 Pensions 1,768,000 Compensated Absences 35,000 Unemployment Insurance 7,500 | 4,572,500 |
| 0310 | Town Solicitor | 203,500 |
| 0320 | Insurance | 441,209 |
| 0330 | Agency Support The Wildlife Rehabilitators Assoc of RI 1,500 Eastern RI Conservation District 500 The Samaritans 500 Barrington Preservation Society 2,500 Flower Power Summer Hanging Plants 500 | 5,500 |
| 0340 | Principal on Bonded Debt | 5,959,334 |
| | | |
| 0350 | Interest on Debt | 2,982,820 |
| 0360 | Capital Items: Police Department 90,000 Fire Department 290,000 Public Works 390,000 Other 967,795 | 1,737,795 |
| 0365 | Government Center Utilities | 85,000 |
| 0366 | Peck Center Utilities | 96,000 |
| 0367 | Public Safety Complex Utilities | 143,500 |
| 0370 | Miscellaneous | 14,500 |
| Municipal Expenditures School Expenditures Capital Items –Town/School | 26,575,040 54,460,526 1,737,795 | |
| Total Government-Wide Operations | $82,773,361 | |
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 4,001,078
Motion by Stephen Primiano and seconded by Lisa Daft to adopt the following resolution:
ADOPTING THE REPORT
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 $82,973,361 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, 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 $4,001,078 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, 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 Stephen Primiano and seconded by Lisa Daft to adopt the following resolution:
ORDERING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX AND DEALING
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 18th day of July, a.d. 2020, 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 $66,730,400 nor more than $69,774,645, 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. 2020, and all taxes remaining unpaid after September 30, 2020, 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 2020, and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of December 2020, twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of March 2021, and twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of June 2021.
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 2020, 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 26, 2021 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:
TO ESTABLISH TAX RATES
RESOLVED: that the real estate and personal property tax rate be set at not greater than
$ 20.90 per $1,000 valuation and the motor vehicle tax rate be set according to state law.
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 re-elected Cynthia Rosengard, Lisa Daft and John Alessandro. This year, we will elect or re-elect two members of the committee for terms ending in 2022. We have received applications from 4 candidates: incumbent Stephen B. Primiano, and candidates Anthony P. Arico, Steve DeLuca and William C. DeWitt 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 Anthony P. Arico; Steven DeLuca, William DeWitt and Stephen Primiano.
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 two spaces for any additional nominees from the floor, and those names will be posted on the easel pad. You may vote for any two candidates. These votes will then be hand counted by the Board of Canvassers.
ELECTING A COMMITTEE
TO PREPARE A BUDGET AND SUBMIT A REPORT
(2 Positions for Re-election)
RESOLVED: that a Committee of Appropriations, consisting of five (5), is ordered to hold a public meeting per Resolution of the Barrington Town Council voted unanimously on April 6, 2020 to postpone the Financial Town Meeting; and, on June 22 the Town Council voted 4, in favor; 0, opposing; 1, abstaining and 0, recusals to hold the Financial Town Meeting on Saturday, July 18, 2020 with rain dates of Sunday, July 19th and, if need be, a rain date of, Saturday, July 25th 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
RESOLVED: that, Stephen B. Primiano and William C. DeWitt are hereby elected to two (2) year terms on the Committee of Appropriations ending May, 2022 and will serve with John Alessandro, Jr., 15 Meadowbrook Drive, Lisa Daft, 5 Robbins Drive and Cynthia Rosengard, 374 Sowams Road, with terms ending May, 2021, and
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.
RESULTS
Anthony P. Arico 166 Lincoln Avenue 23
Steven J. DeLuca 19 Houghton Street 85
William C. DeWitt 4 Old Forge Road 101*
Stephen B. Primiano 13 Driscoll Lane 166*
*Top vote getters
RESOLVED: that, Stephen B. Primiano and William C. DeWitt are hereby elected to two (2) year terms on the Committee of Appropriations ending May, 2022 and will serve with John Alessandro, Lisa Daft and Cynthia Rosengard, with terms ending May, 2021.
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.
President Carroll stated that Ms. Califano has decided not to run this upcoming year for re-election. He thanked Julia Califano for her many years of service as the Town Moderator
Mrs. Califano said that the work of the 2020 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 2020 Barrington Financial Town Meeting dissolved at 10:42AM.
Motion passed (voice vote).
__________________________
Meredith J. DeSisto, Town Clerk