Annual Financial Town Meeting Total Eligible: 14,774
May 25, 2022 @ 7:00 p.m. Attendance: 113 @ 6:58 PM
Barrington High School Auditorium 156 @ 7:09 PM
220 @ 7:30 PM
259 @ 8:05 PM
292 @ 8:30 pm
311 @ 9:00 pm
Present:
· Town Moderator: Richard F. Staples, Jr.
· Town Clerk: Meredith J. DeSisto
· Town Council: President Michael W. Carroll, Vice President Robert Humm, Councilman Jacob N.S. Brier, Councilwoman Annelise Conway (absent) and Councilman Carl Kustell
· Town Manager: Phil Hervey (absent)
· Business and Finance Director: Kathy Raposa
· Appropriations Committee: Chair Dr. Cynthia Rosengard, Vice Chair Susannah Holloway, Stephen Primiano and William DeWitt
· School Committee: Chair Gina Bae, Vice Chair Dr. Megan Douglas (absent), Patrick McCrann, Amanda Regino Basse and Erika Sevetson
· School Superintendent: Michael B. Messore, III
· School Director of Administration and Finance: Doug Fiore
· Town Solicitor: Mike Ursillo
Moderator Richard Staples began by thanking all our checkers out in the foyer for checking us in. They have confirmed that we have a quorum (quorum of at least 100 registered voters present) he called the meeting to order at 7:01pm and welcomed everyone to the 2022 Financial Town Meeting.
He was asked by the Fire Chief to point out the emergency exits in the back and the two in front by the stage. Bathrooms are available in the corridors outside the auditorium.
Mr. Staples asked everyone to please rise and join him in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Mr. Staples explained that he is an elected Town Moderator. By Rhode Island law, Mr. Staples stated, that he has sole authority to regulate Barrington’s Annual Financial Town Meeting.
He declared that we have a quorum of over 113.
Mr. Staples explained that all should have a copy of the 2022-23 proposed Barrington Budget as well as a sheet of numbers. This sheet of numbers is proof that you are a registered Barrington voter, and you will need to have them with you whenever a vote is taken using a paper ballot. At the conclusion of the meeting, we would appreciate it if you would deposit unused numbers, unwanted budgets plastic bottles in the recycling bags. There are also receptacles for garbage.
He said tonight, the Auditorium is the location where all motions and public debate will take place, and where all votes will be taken. However, we have video links to three nearby classrooms and in the cafeteria in case we have an overflow crowd. A few rows of seating in the back are reserved for those voters for when they come to the Auditorium to participate in person.
Mr. Staples 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.
Mr. Staples explained during voting, everyone in the auditorium [and cafeteria] 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 to count each section of the room. Such standing votes take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
He said 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 paper ballots when you checked in, and I will explain the full procedure in detail if such a ballot is requested.
Casting a paper ballot requires some patience and may take as much as an hour.
Mr. Staples explained that this is an open meeting that anyone can attend, but only registered Barrington voters can vote. There is a section (in front, to my left) reserved for non-voting guests, including non-resident department heads, students, and members of the press.
Mr. Staples explained that fully functioning technology is a very important part of our Financial Town Meetings, and thanked Mike Davis and Scott Morpeth for being here and providing a live feed for i3 Broadband cable television, and to Nahum Mitnik, who again managed the sound system.
Also, we are fortunate that the Covid-19 pandemic is largely behind us to the point that we are able to meet indoors without social distancing limits. However, lingering concerns about personal safety mean that some may choose to wear masks while others may not. Please respect personal choices made regarding this as each individual continues to deal with the health concerns of Covid in his or her own way. If you have concerns about distancing as attendance increases, I’d suggest moving to one of the classrooms or to the cafeteria where you can watch the meeting on video link.
Mr. Staples said and finally, I’d like to offer special thanks to members of the School Department, especially George Finn, who led the team making this evening possible, the Town Clerk’s Office, Clerk Meredith DeSisto, and her staff, Stephanie Bernardo, Michele Cross and Lisa Dias, and the Board of Canvassers, Chair Claire Boyes, Shirley Applegate-Lockridge, Sara O’Brien, Dan O’Mahony and Al Schrade, for their diligence and flexibility in organizing and working on tonight’s meeting to make sure it is both safe and successful.
Many of Barrington’s elected and appointed officials are up here in front of you tonight, said Mr. Staples.
Mr. Staples introduced Town Council President Mike Carroll and he introduced the other council members (Jacob Brier, Annelise Conway (absent), Robert Humm, Carl Kustell) and the Town Manager Phil Hervey. President Carroll said that he is not here tonight because of COVID.
Mr. Staples introduced Chair of the Barrington School Committee Gina Bae and she introduced the other school committee members, Amanda Regino Basse, Patrick McCrann, Dr. Megan Douglas (unable to attend due to COVID), Ericka Sevetson and the School Superintendent Michael Messore.
In addition, said Mr. Staples, we have Town Finance Director Kathy Raposa, School Finance Director Doug Fiore and Town Solicitor Michael Ursillo here and available to answer your questions.
Mr. Staples said that Pam Lauria and Geoff Grove, representing the Barrington Democratic and Republican Town Committees respectively, will serve as Timers this evening.
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 Sara O’Brien will be manning our timer stoplight which turns red when your 3 minutes are up. All questions and motions should be directed to me in my role as Moderator and I will request a response from the Council President or Chairs of the Committee on Appropriations or School Committee, as appropriate.
He said that the rules for tonight’s meeting are established by Rhode Island law, the Barrington Town Charter and this little red book called “Town Meeting Time”.
He explained that Rhode Island law and these rules do not allow any motions to limit or shut-off debate, or for 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.
Mr. Staples said that if you wish to be recognized, raise your hand or line up behind one of the microphones. He said that he is going to try his best to keep the meeting moving along.
He said if any voter in the classrooms or cafeteria wishing to speak, please come to the auditorium and approach the microphone. You may wait for an open microphone by sitting in the reserved section in the back of the Auditorium, if you wish.
Mr. Staples said that first on the agenda is the reading of the call, or warrant, published and posted in advance of the meeting. Because the call is printed and before you on Page 2, he said that he would entertain a motion to dispense with the reading of the call. Seconded from the floor.
Motion passed (Voice Vote)
The budget you have in front of you is the budget as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations. Dr. Cynthia Rosengard is the Chair of that committee and will introduce the other members of the committee and then present the committee’s recommendations for Fiscal Year 2022-2023 (pages 3-6). (Chair Dr. Cynthia Rosengard, Vice Chair Susannah Holloway Steven DeLuca, Bill DeWitt, and Steve Primiano.)
Committee on Appropriations 2022 Financial Town Meeting Message
Your Committee on Appropriations (COA) welcomes you to the 2022 Town of Barrington Financial Town Meeting. We have been working diligently on your behalf over the past several months 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 the 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 11, 2022.
THE PROCESS
The 2022–23 Budget process began in the fall of 2021 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 and advised by the Municipal and School Finance Directors. The final forecast document was presented by the Budget Forecast Committee and discussed at a joint meeting of the Town Council, School Committee and COA on January 25, 2022.
For this fiscal year and in anticipation of the Budget Hearing, the Committee held nine meetings to review the various proposed Budgets (in addition to the aforementioned Budget Forecast presentation). One of those meetings also focused on the status of our various pension plans. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic some meetings were held virtually on Zoom and all meetings, including those that were held in person, allowed for public participation on Zoom. All meetings were publicized in advance and allowed for public comment. The Committee approved in a 3 to 2 split vote a recommended 2022-23 Budget on April 12th.
THE BUDGETS
The process leading up to the Committee on Appropriations’ review of five draft budgets - Municipal Operating, School Operating, Town Capital, School Capital, 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 Municipal Capital Budget was developed and presented by the Planning Board based on input from the Municipal Administration on March 1, 2022). 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 and Capital Budgets, 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 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) Town and School pensions are in compliance with all required contributions in accordance with State schedules, and we will continue annual monitoring; (3) maintaining excellent bond agency ratings requires balanced budgets and robust reserves; (4) 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; (5) awards of grant dollars and thousands of volunteer hours help mitigate costs and enhance the quality of life for Barrington residents; and (6) A significant increase in the School Operating Budget was largely offset by revenue increases in the school funding formula of over 1.9 million dollars, lessening the impact of the increased spending on the tax levy.
Total Town Budget
The Fiscal Year 2022-23 Town of Barrington budgets, as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations and published in the Barrington Times on May 4, 2022, total $87,016,329, an increase of 3.91% compared to Fiscal Year 2021-22. This total is distributed across five major budget categories referenced below. The first two categories - Municipal Operating and School Operating Budgets - represent 91% of the total budget and have recommended increases of 5.03% and 4.5% compared to Fiscal Year 2021-22. The combined increase of both operating budgets is 4.63%. The last three categories - Municipal Capital, School Capital, and Debt Service - represent the remaining 9% of the total budget and have a combined decrease of 2.6% compared to the prior fiscal year. The decrease was due, in part, to a municipal capital request that was reduced by almost 14% from the prior fiscal year.
1. Municipal Operating Budget
The Municipal Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $19,644,579 a 5.41% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2021-22. Subsequent modifications increased the request by $8,896 – due to results of a fire pension, property insurance, and the sick leave buyback, fuel surcharge, and health insurance figures being finalized. Notable budget increases were due to 3% salary increases and implementation of a $15/hour minimum wage for all town employees; hiring a new police lieutenant to oversee a body-worn camera program (+$154,868, a 5.8% increase of that line item); hiring an additional dispatcher (+$57,676, a 15.7% increase of that line item); and DPW increase for tree maintenance, fuel costs, and competitive salaries (+$213,705, a 7.85% increase of that line item).
The COA recommends a Municipal Operating Budget of $19,574,508 an increase of 5.03% over the 2021-22 Budget.
2. School Operating Budget
The School Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $59,886,777, a 5.45% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2021-22. Notable department budget increases were Contractual compensation (including benefits) of +$1,400,000 and funding for new positions which would add $616,700 and a pension contribution rate change that added $434,400.
The COA recommends a School Operating Budget of $59,346,586, an increase of 4.5% over the 2021 - 22 School Operating Budget.
3. Municipal Capital Budget
The Municipal Capital Budget recommended by the Planning Board was for $1,563,000, a decrease of 15.4% from fiscal year 2021 - 22. Changes requested by the Town Council increased the request to $1,613,000, a 13.6% decrease. Primary drivers of the fund request were $235,000 to purchase fire equipment, $200,000 for climate mitigation, $130,000 for Public Safety Building Improvements, and $80,000 for Town Hall boiler replacement.
Six thousand dollars was removed, and the COA recommends a Municipal Capital Budget of $1,607,000, a 13.93% decrease from fiscal year 2021 – 22’s Municipal Capital Budget.
4. School Capital Budget
The School Capital Budget request was $388,595, the same as fiscal year 2021 - 22. Included in the request are School Technology $347,612, Wireless Access Point Replacement $26,208, and security and PTZ camera purchases of $14,775.
The COA recommends approval of the requested amount of $388,595, the same as the prior fiscal year.
5. Debt Service Budget
The Debt Service Budget request was for $6,099,640, an increase of 0.73% from fiscal year 2021 – 2022.
The COA recommends approval of $6,099,640 for Debt Service.
BUDGET SUMMARY
| Budget Category | FY22 Approved Budget | | FY23 COA Recommended | FY22 to FY23 $ Change | FY21 to FY22 % Change |
| Municipal Operating | $18,636,550 | | $19,574,508 | $937,958 | +5.03% |
| School Operating | $56,790,991 | | $59,346,586 | $2,555,595 | +4.5% |
| Total Town Operating | $75,427,541 | | $78,921,094 | $3,493,553 | +4.63% |
| Municipal Capital | $1,867,000 | | $1,607,000 | -$260,000 | -13.93%% |
| School Capital | $388,595 | | $388,595 | 0 | 0 |
| Financed Projects (Debt Service) | $6,055,385 | | $6,099,640 | $44,255 | +0.73% |
| Total Capital & Financed | $8,310,980 | | $8,095,235 | -$215,745 | -2.6% |
| TOTAL TOWN (All) | $83,738,521 | | $87,016,329 | $3,277,808 | 3.91% |
| | | | | | |
PROJECTED REVENUES
| Source | Amount | | Percent |
| Municipal Department Receipts | $1,294,179 | | 1.49% |
| Other Municipal Income | $1,117,507 | | 1.28% |
| State Aid & Housing Aid | $5,648,980 | | 6.5% |
| School Aid | $9,777,357 | | 11.24% |
| Other School Income | $545,669 | | 0.63% |
| Auto Tax levy | $2,355,543 | | 2.7% |
| Tangible Property and Real Estate Tax | $66,277,094 | | 76.16% |
| | | | |
| TOTAL REVENUES | $87,016,329 | | 100% |
ANTICIPATED IMPACT ON TAX LEVY
The recommended Total Town Budget was voted on by the Committee on Appropriations on April 12, 2022 and amended on April 29, 2022. The Town of Barrington’s Notice of Proposed Property Tax Rate Change, that was approved by the state, along with a Report to Taxpayers on the Current and Proposed Budget was published on May 4, 2022. It is estimated to result in a proposed Fiscal Year 2022-23 tax levy increase of 2%, exclusive of motor vehicle excise tax collections, as required by state law. However, the adjusted increase would be 1.54% when budgeted revenues from motor vehicle tax collections are included.
The final tax levy and related property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2022-23 will be determined by the result of 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 building permits.
Sincerely,
TOWN OF BARRINGTON COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Cynthia Rosengard (Chair)
Susannah Holloway (vice Chair)
Steve DeLuca
Bill DeWitt
Steve Primiano
Special Recognition:
Phil Hervey & Kathy Raposa
Mike Messore, Doug Fiore & Patrick Guthlein
Meredith DeSisto
Mr. Staples thanked Cynthia, and members of the committee for their time and dedication to this important work, and to the Budget Forecasting Committee that met and made contributions earlier in the Fiscal Year, as well.
Mr. Staples said before we address the budget, we have eight resolutions printed in the call. One of these resolutions creates a new Capital Reserve Account. Since the Financial Town Meeting can only appropriate money for a single budget year, these capital reserve accounts allow the town to set aside money each year over a period of several years for major purchases like fire trucks, police cars or roof repairs, and to acquire assets, such as land, for conservation and other purposes.
The remaining seven resolutions address other financial matters that will be explained when those Resolutions are introduced.
Motion by President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING TO CREATE A CAPITAL RESERVE ACCOUNT FOR THE TOWN HALL WELL
RESOLVED: Resolution to create a capital reserve fund to be known as the Town Hall Well.
President Carroll briefed the members of the audience on the high expense of water and with this resolution it will help offset the costs of water by saving the town money over the years.
Motion passed (Voice vote).
Motion by President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create an assigned fund balance to be known as Town Council Contingency.
President Carroll briefed the voters that the Town Council Contingency is budgeted at $10,000 but the money is not always spent. He said that if the Council does not spend all of the money it usually goes back into the General Fund. This assigned fund balance will allow for the unspent funds to remain in this fund.
Motion passed (Voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create an assigned fund balance to be known as Department of Public Works Winter Maintenance.
President Carroll gave a brief synopsis. He said that if we happen to have a light winter, the funds will not go back into the General Fund and will remain in the fund.
COA Vice Chair Susie Holloway asked that these two funds (winter maintenance and the Town Council Contingency Fund be made public record and that the information be made available to the Committee on Appropriations (COA)
Motion passed (Voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt:
RESOLVED: Resolution to create an assigned fund balance to be known as Debt Stabilization Fund
President Carroll explained that this is a product of good investing. He said with the Middle School Bond we took in money and made some money by holding the bond balance. This allows us to use the interest that was generated from the bond fund that we have to use it to pay down the bond debts in the future.
COA Vice Chair Susie Holloway requested that it is made a public record and made available to the Committee on Appropriations (COA).
Representative Knight, Newbrook Drive, requested that the Town Council President answer COA Vice Chair Holloways request.
President Carroll stated that all of our funds are generally transparent and are available for those who would like to see them. President Carroll asked Finance Director Kathy Raposa to explain.
Finance Director Kathy Raposa explained that all of the funds are represented in the financial statements of the Town.
Solicitor Ursillo confirmed that the balances will be made available to the COA as well as anyone else from the public who wishes to see them. Discussion ensued that these statements will be in the packets for the COA to review.
COA Vice Chair Holloway stated that it is not true that all of the fund statements are not available to the public. She said that she has requested Spencer Trust Fund statements and was specifically told that it is not available.
President Carroll stated that Spencer Trust is not a town fund. It is a private trust, created by Wilton Spencer and decided that the Town Council would be the Trustees for the fund, and it is not supported by the taxpayers.
Ann Strong, Teed Avenue, said that she is puzzled and appreciates Ms. Holloways comments. She asked for the town to define how these funds work – we are creating funds with 0 in them?
Finance Director Kathy Raposa explained that $1,154,000 million will be part of the debt stabilization account and will be used over the 20 remaining years of debt service (Barrington Middle School) and allocating approximately $57,000.00 each year to reduce the principle, and interest (interest earned on the Barrington Middle School money) on the fiscal debt. She said we are trying to save the taxpayers money because the money would have just gone into the general fund. (Saving $57,000 over the next 20 years.)
Ken Block, Atlantic Crossing, questioned the remaining monies leftover from the school bond – making money on the unspent money – what is our debt service costing and what are you investing in, are we getting a better return then what we are paying out on the interest on the bond?
Finance Director Kathy Raposa stated that our financial advisors with US Bank agreed to invest the funds.
Ken Block, is the Town making more money on the interest from the return of the investment than it is spending on interest that they pay on the bond?
Finance Director Kathy Raposa stated all I can tell you is that we have earned about $1.4 million in total on the outstanding funds that have not been used from day one - now the funds are almonst used so we are not making any interest.
Ken Block would the Town be in better financial shape if taking the remaining money and paying it back into the bond as opposed to investing them. He said he suspects a lower interest rate then what you are paying for the bond in the first place.
Finance Director Raposa said that we have used some of it to do that, some of the interest has gone towards the bond. In 2021 we had to make a $4.4 million principal payment plus interest – interest was used and some of the housing aid was used to pay it. She said there was no more housing aid that year because the school determined that the project was complete. So, she said, it is the combination of the interest and housing aid that we are putting into this fund.
Pam Groves, Robins Drive, questioned how these resolutions are going to be funded.
Finance Director Raposa said that they are not being funded with any money. At the end of this fiscal year (FY22), if there was any money left in a town reserve budget it would get transferred to that account. (Town Council Contingency Fund – Well is in a reserve (there are funds that have been placed in a budget – this year and last year) Winter Fund).
Beverly Migliorio, Chachacapassett Road, asked that all of these particular funds come from the previous year (left over money then funded for the next fiscal year), is there a cap?
Finance Director Raposa said that currently there is a 0 balance – there won’t be any funds going into the next fiscal year – they have been spent. As accounts get bigger, there may be a time that we will not need to budget the line item for it. There are not specific caps right now.
Motion passed (Voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt:
President Carroll explained that there is money left over from (the new Barrington Middle) School. The Town Council has voted to utilize these funds for sidewalks and pedestrian projects throughout the town that fund balance is approximately $4 million.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Chapters 290 and 296 of the Public Laws of 2016 (the "Barrington School Bond Act"), a vote of the electorate on November 8, 2016 (the “Referendum”), and a Resolution of the Town Council adopted on January 9, 2017 (the "Resolution"), the Town was authorized to issue general obligation bonds (the “Bonds”) in the amount of $63,480,000 for the purpose of financing the acquisition, construction, furnishing and equipping of a new middle school and all expenses incident thereto, including but not limited to costs of design, demolition, athletic fields, landscaping and parking (the "Project"); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the Middle School Bond Act, the Referendum and the Resolution the Town issued the Bonds to the Rhode Island Health and Educational Building Corporation ("RIHEBC") in order to evidence a loan from RIHEBC for school construction purposes, and
WHEREAS, due to prudent procurement and contract administration, there remains approximately $5,000,000 in unspent bond proceeds; and
WHEREAS, the Town’s financing agreements with RIHEBC require that any unspent proceeds be applied to the next upcoming debt service payment or payments on the Bonds; and
WHEREAS, the Town had previously budgeted and appropriated monies sufficient to pay fiscal year 2022 debt service on the Bonds, a portion of which is now no longer needed for that purpose and is available to be appropriated for other Town purposes; and
WHEREAS, the Town projects that there will be $2,983,961.47 of unspent proceeds to offset fiscal year 2022 debt service and $1,016,038.53 of unspent proceeds available to offset fiscal year 2023 debt service on the Bonds, resulting in monies available to be appropriated for other Town purposes (the “Available Funds”); and
WHEREAS, the Town is in need of repair, rehabilitation and improvement of streets and sidewalks in the Town for which those Available Funds could be appropriated; and
WHEREAS, with the approval of the Town’s electors at a Financial Town Meeting, the Town can establish and fund a Capital Reserve Fund with the Available Funds.
WHEREAS, by Resolution adopted on May 2, 2022, the Town Council voted to request approval of the Town’s electors to establish and fund a Capital Reserve Fund with the Available Funds; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the sum of $2,983,961.47 is hereby reappropriated for fiscal year 2022 and there is hereby appropriated $1,016,038.53 for fiscal year 2023, plus any amounts that may be available after final completion of the Project, to fund a Capital Reserve Fund. Amounts in the Capital Reserve Fund shall be applied to the design, construction, repair, rehabilitation and improvement of streets and sidewalks in the Town, including but not limited to, pedestrian and bike facilities, paving, drainage, traffic control devices, road maintenance equipment, safety improvements, recreation facilities and landscaping and all costs incidental or related thereto.
This Resolution shall take effect upon passage.
Motion passed (Voice vote).
Motion by Town Council President Michael Carroll and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt:
RESOLVED: That the restrictions on the Town’s purchase of property located at 25 Watson Avenue are hereby amended to allow the Town to request and accept proposals for redeveloping the property including the option to physically modify, renovate, expand, or partially or fully demolish, any of the buildings on the property.
President Carroll said at the last FTM we all approved (passed) the purchase of the Carmelite Monastery. It was understood that the property would be preserved but we have learned from the engineers that it is a difficult building to work with because structurally it is hard to cut into the floor, cannot place an elevator inside and must use existing hallways. This motion would allow but not require this Council or a future Town Council to take proposals that would include the demolition of the building. He said that one of the goals that we had is to recover as much as we could. (President Carroll described the potential loss with reconstructing this building.)
Moderator Staples opened the floor for the voters to comment:
The following voters stated during public comment how they are opposed to demolishing the building (with such comments and concerns regarding: asbestos (with long-term effects), town invited us to speak but has not listened, no impact studies conducted (traffic etc.), cottage style is not in-keeping with neighborhood, “bait and switch”, hazardous to inhabitants and obtrusive to nature:
· Elizabeth Green, Watson Avenue
· Pamela Danforth, Ferry Lane
· Paige Barber, Clarke Road
· Tom Cregan, Tallwood Drive questioned why the price was re-negotiated.
President Carroll responded and explained that there was a contingency in the agreement and negotiated the price from $3.5 million to $3.2 million.
· Mary Grenier, Watson Avenue
· Vanessa Sheehan, Adelaide Avenue
· Susannah Holloway, Fales Avenue (Ms. Holloway commented that she was moved by President Carroll’s speech that his children were baptized at the monastery. Later he clarified that his children were not baptized at the monastery.)
· Steve Sheehan, Adelaide Avenue
· Mary Alice Gasbarro, Robbins Drive – she does not believe that the land is adaptable to hold the plan in which the town is suggesting for senior and affordable housing.
· Deb Nyser, Adelaide Avenue
· Alex Carracuzzo, Nayatt Road
· Alicia Field, Nayatt Road
· Ian Burgess, Adelaide Avenue
· Nora Aswald, Nayatt Road
· Peter Clifford, Starbrook Drive
· Elizabeth Grenier, Watson Avenue
President Carroll clarified that his children were not baptized at the Monastery. He said that the consensus of the Council is that they would like senior and affordable housing located on the Monastery property. With the market rate, units would pay for the affordable units. President Carroll reiterated that the vote is to approve the option to demolish (see resolution above).
Sara O’Brien, Boyce Avenue requested a legal advisement regarding if this vote were to be delayed.
Solicitor Ursillo stated ultimately the property that is now owned by the Town can be sold at a FTM via the voters. No matter what, this subject will be back at an FTM when there is a proposal from a developer. Whether or not the proposal contains saving the building or demolishing the building or partially refurbishing. This is to give the Town Council broader options on the Request For Proposal (RFP).
James Egan, Watson Avenue, asked for clarification with regard to the “proposals” as stated within the resolution (above).
Solicitor Ursillo commented that the Council wants to be very transparent when it goes out for proposals and the reason it is back at the FTM is to go out for a request for proposals that includes an option to not preserve the building. Knowing what is on record is that this body voted to buy the property with the restriction on it and it would not be in the best interest of the community, and it would not be a transparent transaction. He said his advice to the Council is that the RFP must be as transparent with the information regarding the building. Mr. Ursillo stated the resolution containing the following wording:
…TO INCLUDE THE OPTION TO PHYSICALLY MODIFY, RENOVATE, EXPAND, OR PARTIALLY OR FULLY DEMOLISH, ANY OF THE BUILDINGS ON THE PROPERTY.
and concluding that this resolution amends the resolution from the 2021 FTM.
TR Rimoshytus, Howard Avenue asked to reiterate the comment that we must return to an FTM for the sale of the property.
Solicitor Ursillo reiterated that when the property gets sold for development with a developer the voters must return and approve at a FTM to sell the property.
Councilman Kustell discussed the intent and motive in which we bought the property and to give us options with this open, transparent meeting(s).
Sam Chase, Nayatt Road asked once it goes to the developer, do we lose control.
President Carroll in this case we have restrictions (included in the RFP).
Solicitor Ursillo the sale will contain the deed restrictions.
Susannah Holloway stated to the audience to go slow and vote no.
Lisa Lowenstein asked for clarification.
President Carroll said it is not to demolish but to permit and remove a restriction.
Mary Grenier, Watson Avenue said she does not believe this is giving more options and have not been presented with options but setting up for a developer with an RFP to give them the option.
Pam Grove said what is to stop you from coming back next year with another option.
David Butera said as a builder the building does have potential and a good design team can come up with a new design.
Tim Twohig, Eleanor Drive said the option is for the developer to do studies. Where was the concern when the Barrington Middle School was being torn down with asbestos.
The following stated during public comment that they would be voting in favor to demolish the building (with such comments as: we need more flexibility and options, asbestos must be abated whether demolished or not, it is more costly to refurbish a building, the property is to serve the entire town, and, that we are all impacted how the town spends money:
· Richard Godfrey, Pine Avenue
· Kate Berard, Planning Board member – with voting yes, we see the options for the property.
· Carla DeStefano, Housing Board of Trustees member - with voting yes, we see the options for the property.
· Ed Hawrot, Watson Avenue
· Duenna Karner, Clarke Road
· Lisa Lowenstein, Hamilton Avenue
Motion failed (Voice vote: (2:13:04)).
Motion by Town Council President Michael Carroll and seconded from the floor to adopt:
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 Michael Carroll and seconded from the floor to adopt:
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, 2021 for the financial year July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 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).
Mr. Staples 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, but if you have any questions or comments on the school budget, or if you wish to make a motion in an amount less than $50,000, this is the time to be heard.
The first pre-filed motion will be introduced by John Stafford, if passed it will increase the budget bottom line by $416,977. If that motion fails, we will turn to the motion filed by William Frazier Bell that would increase the budget bottom line by $118,994. If Mr. Stafford’s motion passes, the second motion will be moot.
John Stafford presented his motion:
The motion was seconded by voter on the floor.
Lisa Daft, Robbins Drive thanked the COA and support the budget as presented. She is opposed to Mr. Stafford’s motion.
Marc Hanchar, 25 Frederick Drive questions the school department/committee why they are unwilling to commit to less than a third of their surplus to what Mr. Stafford would like to achieve.
Superintendent Michael Messore explained that by building a capital reserve fund account within the district, for the long-term would end up saving the taxpayers money. He said to take a look at the website, search, “capital” and you will see how the capital reserve funds since 2004 have been reinvested into the school district. He said that the capital reserve funds will be used to prioritize immediate needs of the district and will use that money to invest in the infrastructure of the school and at the same time, with the approval from the RIDOE, receive a 35% reimbursement on the money that we put into making sure that our buildings are safe, and accessible for our students and staff.
School Finance Director Doug Fiore said that we have a fund bond policy that indicates that we have an unassigned fund balance of 2% of our operating budget ($60,000,000 with over $1 million in that fund balance). He said we are restricted on what that fund balance can be and can only be used for emergencies and unanticipated program needs. We need to not put us in a structural deficit.
Mr. Messore discussed that the Barrington High School is in need of a new roof – our number one goal to use the capital reserve funds.
Mr. Hanchar discussed that the school continues to accumulate money – can you commit one third this year for this request.
Mr. Fiore reiterated that this is approved by RIDOE, and we do receive a 35% reimbursement.
Scott Douglas, Rumstick Road, asked the voters to approve this motion.
Paul White, Hunt Drive, supports this motion.
Pam Lauria, Martin Avenue requested to stop cutting the budget because you have a vendetta against the school committee.
COA Bill DeWitt explained why he cut the school budget because the school can support with surplus.
Geoff Grove Robbins Drive said that he supports the COA.
Kate Berard, Cheshire Drive asked that the voters support the motion.
Ellen Schaffer, King Phillip requested a breakdown of legal fees – why does the public struggle with transparency and accountability.
Mariah Thompson, Salisbury Road asked what would be lost if this amendment does not pass and how it will impact the mental health.
Superintendent Messore said that the loss of money would affect the support for students and teachers with services with additional education and mental health with social and emotional support. He said we need additional support with human resources personnel and college and career support for our students and many other services.
School Finance Director Fiore discussed how the budget is managed, although we do have some unanticipated legal fees but the budget is managed with long-term absences, success with our health insurance collaborative and some turnover by replacing employees at a lower cost originally anticipated and we are still on target to finish with a surplus – why can’t we use the surplus to offset next year’s expenditures– there is no mechanism to shift expenses one year to the other. (He then reiterated what was said earlier regarding capital reserve fund with a benefit for a 35% match.)
COA Bill DeWitt stated if you have a surplus every year you probably can find $600,000.00 for the current year – not to move it to the next year but they have it in excess.
TR Rimoshytus, Howard Avenue said that the surplus money goes into an account that they use to do projects. Why is there not a line item for projects in the future instead of using the surplus every year. If you have a surplus every year, we must be giving you too much money. If the line item is in there it becomes part of your budget -proposed every year with a fixed amount of money. He said to put money in a line item every year that RIDOE would match instead of relying on a surplus every year.
COA Susie Holloway said that she thinks it would help us along the way with transparency in the school budget. When you try to match up the monthly expenditures that the schools are reporting with the proposed budget for the COA, it can’t be done (especially in the 5300 and 5100 categories – line items are categorized differently).
Superintendent Messore discussed surpluses – we obtained surpluses due to Covid (with the shut down and with distance learning, less heat, no transportation needed) an enormous savings. He discussed the years before Covid and how the surplus was not as large but these last 2 years are extraordinary because of Covid. It is a win-win with a surplus to reinvest in our schools and additional funding from RIDOE.
COA Steve Primiano said that he heard a comment from a voter that the COA has a vendetta with the school committee – nothing can be further from the truth. He said he takes offense with that but what did happen is the ever-increasing amounts with the school budgets and that they are unsustainable. Mr. Primiano discussed the increases over the years and is concerned that they are compounded and worries about the effects to the taxpayer.
Scott Douglas, Rumstick Road asked Mr. Primiano to repeat the increases and asked him to tell him what the increases are after you decrement out the inflation, cost of medical care and the cost of compliance with state mandates. It would give us a better understanding of what the actual level of new investments over year. He asked him to give him the figures in which he had asked for at a past COA meeting.
COA Steve Primiano said that he did not have the figures with him, but he did say that those percentages translate to dollars and the dollars are real. Whether the increase is increased by inflation or new spending it is something that the taxpayers will have to pay.
COA Susie Holloway said that we do know that the health insurance costs went down.
School Finance Director Doug Fiore said that we do not ever have a year that the health insurance went down. He commented that they are very transparent and if one looks at the website contains every monthly report that relates to the budget. As well as all of the support that we provided to the COA is on our website.
COA Susie Holloway said that she may have misspoken but maybe it was the projection that was higher than what it actually turned out to be.
Shelly Edgar, So. Meadow Lane, said that she moved here because Barrington is a well-funded school system. She said that she has never voted against the school budget but tonight she will because the COA was very thorough and that the increase is at 4.5%. This increase is more than we have had in 5 years. This is not a cut, but still a huge increase. She questioned the notion that we are underfunded and asked the COA to comment.
School Finance Director Doug Fiore commented that the projection for next year is up $1.9 million, and the majority of the increases is coming from the state.
Ms. Edgar asked how much the state funding has changed over the years.
Finance Director Fiore stated approximately $3million. Moderator Staples said that on page 25 there was a 21% increase in state aid.
Ms. Edgar commented that this is a significant change. She said that Barrington is unique because our enrollment has stayed flat with the lowest per pupil cost for the last ten years. She said that we are not comparing like things and to say that Barrington is underfunded is a huge misnomer compared to Central Falls.
School Finance Director Fiore agreed that the enrollment is stable and a good point. He said that we have been in the lowest (ranking) for costs per pupil in the last five years.
Representative Jason Knight, Newbrook Drive, explained that the last couple of years the actual dollars coming from the state budget into Barrington has been wild because of CARESACT money and ARPA (American Rescue Protection Act). He said that Rhode Island has approximately $1billion of free money that could come back for educational purposes, but it is still being worked out. Rep Knight said that the funding is based on enrollment with tweaks to the formula.
Motion passed (voice vote).
I, WILLIAM FRAZIER BELL OF 55 ALFRED DROWN ROAD, MOVE TO INCREASE THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS PROPOSED SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET BY $118,994. THIS AMOUNT REPRESENTS THE SALARY AND BENEFITS FOR AN ADDITIONAL EIGHTH-GRADE MATH TEACHER AS LISTED IN THE SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND REMOVED BY THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS. FUNDING THIS POSITION WILL HELP TO ALLEVIATE TEACHER BURDEN AND PREPARE EIGHTH GRADERS FOR THE RIGORS OF HIGH SCHOOL MATHEMATICS. NO VOTE NEEDED ABOVE MOTION PASSED.
Moderator Staples asked if there are any other motions to increase or decrease the School Budget in amount less than $50,000.00?
(The school budget is a bottom-line budget.)
Account Number Account FY Ending June 30, 2023
0300 Public Schools (proposed) $59,346,586
J. Stafford’s motion to increase 416,977
$59,763,563
Mr. Staples stated since there are no further questions or comments, you have adopted the school budget as amended.
We can now move on to the proposed municipal budget beginning on Page 14.
PROPOSED 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, but, other than pre-filed motions relating to the municipal budget, no motion can be made to increase or decrease any department budget by more than $50,000 or 20% (whichever is less).
For instance, motions to increase or decrease the Town Council budget of $45,200 cannot exceed 20%, or $9,040, 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 two pre-filed motions that would impact two non-operating town budget accounts, if passed.
There is one pre-filed motion listed on Page 9 of the call that would impact the Proposed Police Department Operating Budget. We will consider this motion when we reach that budget line item.
In addition, there is one pre-filed motion listed on Page 9 of the call, that would impact the Library account within the Proposed Municipal Capital Items Budget, if passed. Again, we will consider this motion when we reach that budget line item.
We will now begin our review of the Proposed Town Budget on Page 14
Municipal Budget
| 0010 | Town Council | $ 45,200 |
| 0020 | Town Manager | 244,125 |
| 030 | Town Clerk | 279,080 |
| 0035 | Probate/Municipal Court | 6,150 |
| 0038 | Board of Canvassers | 65,655 |
| 0040 | Finance Department | 400,495 |
| 0045 | Computer Operations | 208,158 |
| 0050 | Tax Assessor | 111,998 |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0065 | Sealer of Weights & Measures | 250 |
| 0080 | Planning Board | 340,902 |
| 0095 | Human Resources | 86,914 |
| 0100 | Recreation Department | 185,905 |
Mr. Rimoshytus read his motion into the record:
The motion was seconded by voter on the floor.
President Carroll said that the Town Council voted unanimously to place these funds back into the budget.
Ken Block, 8 Atlantic Crossing, said that this town will have another full-time position in order to formulate policy and potentially deal with any issues relating to the body cameras. He asked for clarification.
President Carroll answered that this position will work to establish policy and to establish compliance as well as the accreditation. President Carroll talked further regarding the benefits (insurance costs) of having the position work towards the accreditation of our police force.
Police Chief Michael Correia explained that this is standard procedure to have one officer accountable to oversee the whole program for body worn cameras. It is much more than just policy; officers have to be held accountable. The proposed Lieutenants responsibility is making sure that all officers are compliant. The body worn cameras are to provide trust and transparency.
Discussion ensued regarding the reduction to the proposed budget by COA Member Bill DeWitt and how the budget was reduced via this particular line item. Discussion ensued.
Police Chief Correia said that he promises and pledges to dedicate an officer to provide a good program even though this is not optimal.
COA Member Steve DeLuca having experience within the Attorney General’s office, it is very important for these officers to be trained and monitored with body cameras on 24/7 to protect all. He said he voted for this funding to start immediately.
Scott Douglas, Rumstick Road, reiterated what he heard: I heard a dedicated public servant say, “I will not let your security fall, I will make do.” The honorable response is not to nickel and dime and create a deficient and keep the program from being optimal. This is what is required, fully compliant, a forward thinking police department that operates at the optimum level.
Police Officer Lt Kevin Igoe and Union President said that we have the lowest number of police officers in the State. He said that we have many transfers going to other police departments and one of the reasons is because this program is necessary for our police department to provide up to date programs.
Members of the COA (Steve Primiano and Susie Holloway) discussed the justifications for the reduction to the budget regarding a proposed full position for a lieutenant to oversee the body camera program in the Police Department.
Representative Jason Knight said the Barrington Police Chief needs the funding to do it right (body worn camera program). “Let’s do it right.”
MOTION PASSED: (via voice vote) (to increase the *Police Budget and Employee Benefits Budget).
| 0110 | Library | $1,328,445 |
| 0120 | Senior Services/Adult Enrichment Center | 148,171 |
| 0150 | Fire Department | 2,764,060 |
| | | |
| 0180 | Police Department *Motion added $47,774.00 | 2,771,949 = 2,819,723 |
| 0185 | Dispatch | 425,776 |
| | | |
| 190 | Animal Control | 7,000 |
| 0200 | Harbor Control | 53,750 |
| 0260 | Public Works | 2,935,950 |
| | | |
| | | |
| 0265 | Refuse Collection Contract | 1,106,471 |
| 0270 | Benefits *Motion added 31,193 Social Security 793,764 Medical/Dental Coverage 2,271,986 Pensions 1,870,580 Compensated Absences 35,000 Unemployment Insurance 7,500 | 4,837,500 = 4,950,023 |
| 0310 | Town Solicitor | 214,500 |
| 0320 | Insurance | 536,774 |
| 0330 Agency Support: 4000 The Wildlife Rehabilitators Assoc of RI 0 Eastern RI Conservation District 500 The Samaritans 500 Barrington Preservation Society 2,500 Flower Power Summer Hanging Plants 500 | | | | ||
| 0365 | Town Hall Utilities | 106,000 | |||
| 0366 | Peck Center Utilities | 106,000 | |||
| 0367 | Public Safety Complex Utilities | 149,000 | |||
| 0370 | Miscellaneous | 23,000 | |||
| 0340 | Principal on Bonded Debt | 3,344,334 | |||
| | | | |||
| 0350 | Interest on Debt | 2,755,306 | |||
Mr. Van Sluyter read his motion into the record:
I, CHARLES VAN SLUYTER RESIDE AT 1 ADELAIDE AVENUE AND AM THE INTERIM PRESIDENT OF THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY. I AM WRITING ON BEHALF OF THE FRIENDS TO REQUEST THAT THE $6,000.00 THAT WAS DELETED BY THE COA FROM THE BARRINGTON PUBLIC LIBRARY’S CAPITAL BUDGET BE RESTORED. THE FUNDS ARE NEEDED TO COMPLETE AIR CONDITIONING IN THE REMAINING WORKSPACE OF THE LIBRARY. THE SPACE IS USED DAILY BY FRIENDS VOLUNTEERS TO PREPARE THOUSANDS OF DONATED BOOKS FOR SALE TO FUND THE LIBRARY’S PROGRAMS AND SERVICES THAT OTHERS MIGHT NOT BE POSSIBLE. THE FAILURE TO AIR CONDITION THIS REMAINING SPACE WAS SIMPLY AN UNFORTUNATE OVERSIGHT IN THE PECK CENTER RENOVATION PLANNING PROCESS.
Second from the floor.
President Carroll said that this motion was endorsed by the Town Council.
Mark Hanchar, 25 Frederick Drive, said there is no doubt that this was an oversight but strongly suggested to use part of the reserve account (approximately $20 million) for the oversight of $6000 to fund the air conditioning in the library workspace. What is the reserve account if it cannot handle a $6000 oversight.
President Carroll said that we have a AAA bond rating because of the general reserve account. This account is used to help fund the dips in revenue. We vote every year on tax anticipation notes, and we never use them because we are prudent financially. We are able to use this money, essentially borrow from it until we get the tax revenues to fill-in the tax revenues back into the account. He said that we do have a plan, in accordance with the best practices for accounting. Once we get to 30% of our annual budget in the reserve, we then place money over the 30% into a capital reserve which offsets our capital needs going forward. (Later Ms. Raposa commented that we are at 28%.)
Mr. Hanchar said that he once sat on appropriations and the percentage was at 15%. It is double for a cushion and you are asking the taxpayers to fund it every year. This needs to stop.
John Allesandro, Meadowbrook Drive, questioned why we couldn’t use it as a capital expenditure. He then questioned, the line item for Peck Center sorting room at $12,000.
President Carroll said that we budgeted $12,000 but the COA recommended $6000, and the request is to put $6000 back into the line item.
COA member Steve Primiano explained in order to get to an increase of only 5% we ask department heads/town manager to take a look at what can be reduced and what the departments can live without. Mr. Primiano said that somewhere in the municipal budget there can be an additional $6000.
School Committee member Erika Sevetson said that she is speaking as a Librarian (does not work for Barrington) said that she wants to remind us that the only thing that was still open was the Library during COVID. It is $6000.00 to sort books and not have the books become moldy without air conditioning.
Jordan Jancosek, said she is a librarian and for $6000 she urged everyone to vote it back into the budget.
Motion PASSED: (via voice vote)
| Municipal Capital Items: Police Department 107,500 Fire Department 395,000 Public Works 420,000 Other 684,500 *Motion added $6000 to Library Capital Total 690,500
| 1,613,000
| | | | |
| | | | |||
| | | | |||
| | | | |||
| | | | |||
| Municipal Expenditures School Expenditures Capital Items –Town/School Debt (lines 0340 and 0350) | 19,653,475 59,763,563 2,001,595 6,099,640 | ||||
| Total Government-Wide Operations | $ 87,518,273 | ||||
Mr. Staples asked if there were any further questions or comments; there were not.
Mr. Staples said that you have approved the municipal budget.
Mr. Staples 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 4,217,750
Motion from the floor and seconded by a voter on the floor to adopt the following resolution:
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 $87,518,273 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, 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 $4,217,750 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, 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 from the floor and seconded by a voter on the floor to adopt the following resolution:
ORDERING THE LEVY AND COLLECTION OF A TAX AND DEALING
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 25th day of May, a.d. 2022, 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 $69,134,581 nor more than $70,003,617, 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. 2022, and all taxes remaining unpaid after September 30, 2022, 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 2022, and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of December 2022, twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of March 2023, and twenty-five per centum on or before the 30th day of June 2023.
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 2022, 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 24, 2023, 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 from the floor and seconded by a voter on the floor to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLVED: that the real estate and personal property tax rate be set at not greater than $ 19.65 per $1,000 valuation and the motor vehicle tax rate be set according to state law.
Motion passed (voice vote).
Mr. Staples said by the Barrington Town Charter, we elect members to the Committee on Appropriations for two-year, staggered terms. Last year, we re-elected Dr. Cynthia Rosengard and elected Susannah Holloway and Steve DeLuca for terms expiring in 2023. This year, we will elect or re-elect two members of the committee for terms ending in 2024. We have received applications from three candidates: incumbents William “Bill” DeWitt and Steve Primiano, and first-time applicant John Stafford.
Mr. Staples asked if there are 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 three 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 two candidates. These votes will then be hand counted by the Board of Canvassers.
RESOLUTION
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
on the second Wednesday in May 2023 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
RESOLVED: that, Steve Primiano (111 votes), and William ”Bill” DeWitt (70 votes) are hereby elected to two (2) year terms on the Committee of Appropriations ending May, 2024 and will serve with Steve DeLuca, 19 Houghton Street, Susannah Holloway, 64 Fales Avenue, and Dr. Cynthia Rosengard, 374 Sowams Road with terms ending May, 2023, 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
Steve Primiano 13 Driscoll Lane 111*
William “Bill” DeWitt 4 Old Forge Road 70*
John Stafford 4 Strawberry Drive 69
Write-in:
Richard Staples 13 Middle Street 1
*Top vote getters
Mr. Staples said that the work of the 2022 Financial Town Meeting is complete, and I would entertain a motion to dissolve, motion by Town Council President Mike Carroll. Mr. Staples declared the 2022 Barrington Financial Town Meeting dissolved at 11:22PM.
Motion passed (voice vote).
__________________________
Meredith J. DeSisto, CMC
Barrington Town Clerk