Committee on Appropriations 2023 Financial Town Meeting Message

Your Committee on Appropriations (COA) welcomes you to the 2023 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 10, 2023.

THE PROCESS

The 2023-2024 Budget process began in the fall of 2022 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 24, 2023. 

For this fiscal year and in anticipation of the Budget Hearing, the Committee held seven meetings to review the various proposed Budgets (in addition to the aforementioned Budget Forecast presentation).  Meetings were “in person” and also available on Zoom.    All meetings were publicized in advance and allowed for public Comment.

Final votes on the budgets were taken at the April 18, 2023, meeting.  The Committee unanimously approved the Municipal and School Capital Budgets as presented.  The committee voted 3 to 2 to recommend Municipal and School operating budgets that included a reduction in the Administrations’ requests. 

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 Administration.) 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.

Significant 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 and Municipal budgets; (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; (6) awards of grant dollars, and thousands of volunteer hours help mitigate costs and enhance the quality of life for Barrington residents; and (7) Increases in the Municipal and School Operating Budgets were partially offset by increased interest income, lower bond payments, and an increase in State School Aid.  These offsets allowed the tax levy to remain below the State mandated 4% increase even with a proposed increase of 5.87% in the Municipal Operating Budget and a 4.16% increase in the School Operating Budget.

Reserve Accounts

The status of reserve accounts often comes up at the FTM.  Current balances are listed below.  For a variety of reasons, the COA does not recommend using reserves to offset current spending.

However, the School Department will likely have to tap into their Operating Reserve Account to partially cover 2022-2023 State Aid shortfall (see below).

School:

Operating Reserve (2% of budget): Current Balance = $1,135,820

Capital Reserve: Current balance = $5,441,145

Municipal:

Reserve: Current balance = $22,179,763

A Note on School Aid

After approval of the 2022-2023 Budget, the State Legislature reduced the amount of projected State Aid by approximately $1,200,000. To partially cover this shortfall the School Department has reduced spending by about $600,000 and will have to dip into their Operating Reserve Account to cover the balance of the shortfall.  It should be noted that the 2023-2024 Budget includes a return to the State Funding Formula that restores the $1,200,000 going forward.  That does not show up in the 2023-2024 budget, as we are comparing it to the last budget, as opposed to actual results.  

Total Town Budget

The Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Town of Barrington budgets, as recommended by the Committee on Appropriations and published in the Barrington Times on May 03, 2023, total $91,001,876, an increase of 3.98% compared to Fiscal Year 2022-2023. 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 5.87% and 4.16% compared to Fiscal Year 2022-2023. The combined increase of both operating budgets is 4.6%. The last three categories - Municipal Capital, School Capital, and Debt Service - represent the remaining 9% of the total budget and have a combined decrease (primarily due to lower debt payments) of 2% compared to the prior fiscal year. 

1. Municipal Operating Budget

The Municipal Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $20,886,937 a 6.3% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2022-2023.   Notable budget increases were labor contract wage re-openers for public safety and DPW employees to increase employee recruitment and retention, and Increases in non-union employee compensation to increase retention.  The request also included an additional DPW employee. 

The COA voted 3 to 2 to eliminate the requested position at DPW ($75,004) and eliminate raises in the Town Council stipend ($5,000).  The COA recommends a Municipal Operating Budget of $20,806,933, an increase of $1,153,458 or 5.87% over the 2022-2023 Budget. 

2. School Operating Budget

The School Operating Budget as presented to the Committee was $62,493,714, a 4.6% increase compared to Fiscal Year 2022-2023.  Notable department budget increases were Contractual obligations of $1,380,000 and a net of $484,000 for five new FTE’s (including benefits).  The COA voted 3 to 2 to reduce the request by $242,049.  The COA recommends a School Operating Budget of $62,251,665, an increase of $2,488,102 or 4.16% over the 2022-2023 Budget.

3. Municipal Capital Budget

The Municipal Capital Budget recommended by the Planning Board was $1,649,000, a 2.23% increase from fiscal year 2022-2023.  Notable

changes were an increase of $25,000 for auto replacement, an increase

of $65,000 to the Tax Assessor Budget for revaluation, $225,000 for fire apparatus, and $50,000 for park and trail improvement.   The COA voted unanimously to recommend the Municipal Capital Budget as presented.

4. School Capital Budget

The School Capital budget request was $388,595, the same as fiscal year 2022-2023.  Included in the request are $203,595 for BMS/BHS one-to-one devices, $104,500 for Kindergarten to grade 3 devices, and $50,000 for vehicle replacement. 

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 $5,905,683, a decrease of 3.18% from the prior year.

The COA recommends approval of $5,905,683 for Debt Service.

BUDGET SUMMARY

PROJECTED REVENUES

ANTICIPATED IMPACT ON TAX LEVY

The recommended Total Town Budget voted on by the Committee on Appropriations on April 18, 2023, and the subsequent Town of Barrington Notice of Proposed Property Tax Rate Change that was approved by the state, along with a Report To The Taxpayers on the current and proposed budgets and published on May 03, 2023, is estimated to result in a proposed Fiscal Year 2023-2024 tax levy increase of 3.32%.

The final tax levy and related property tax rate for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 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 revaluation.

Sincerely,

TOWN OF BARRINGTON COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

Steve Primiano (Chair)

Susanna Holloway (vice Chair)

Bill DeWitt

Dr. Cynthia Rosengard

John Stafford

Special Recognition:

Phil Hervey & Kathy Raposa

Mike Messore & Doug Fiore

Meredith DeSisto

Mr. Staples thank Steve Primiano and his committee for their time and dedication to this important work, and to the members of the Budget Forecasting Committee that met and made contributions earlier in the Fiscal Year.

Mr. Staples said before we address the budget, we have six resolutions printed in the call on (Page 6) that will require our attention. 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.

Motion by President Carl Kustell 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 CYBERSECURITY.

RESOLVED:  Resolution to create a capital reserve account to be known as Cybersecurity.

President Kustell stated that this is sound fiscal policy and allows us to be more reactive to changes in technology. 

President Kustell asked if Finance Director has anything to add.  She did not.

Representative Jason Knight, 1 Newbrook Road, asked if there was an anticipated purchase.  He asked, is this a contingency fund.

President Kustell stated that this is a contingency fund.

Finance Director Raposa said that currently we are working on zero-trust, and we will be looking into penetration testing and vulnerability for preventative measures.

Motion passed (voice vote).

Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING TO RESTORE $75,004.00 FOR PROPOSED DPW LABORER.

RESOLVED:  Resolution to restore funding for proposed Department of Public Works Laborer.

President Kustell stated with regard to the DPW, we had a study from 2020 that indicated that we were understaffed in terms of our DPW.  He said to be clear, the service we get from our workers is excellent.  He said that we were lucky we did not get as many storms this past year and the number of complaints with regard to downed trees has gone down.  But with regard to ground maintenance, we could use more staffing and the 2020 study is accurate to that effect.  He said therefore, the council did resolve to add that worker to the budget so that we can provide the serve that we should provide our residents in town.

COA Chair Primiano said that he would like to provide the rationale.  Mr. Primiano said that the committee recognizes the need to add staff in DPW, eventually.  He said but this year we had to increase the wages, or reopen contracts for the police, fire and DPW to try to retain and recruit at our current levels.  He said we were trying to put the brakes on because if you look at the number of employees on the municipal side in 2016 there were 112 and now, we have 126.  He said that our government is growing faster than our town.

COA member DeWitt said that there were a number of other requests to hire additional people that we did agree to do.  He said he thinks (COA) has done good work, since we added four out of the six of the proposed positions.

TR Rimoshytus, 1 Howard Street said that he totally disagreed with everything that was just said.  He said that every year we cut nothing but municipal side of the budget and never touch the school side.  He said that everyone has great service here and everybody complains that a lot of things does not get done. He said that the study was generated from the Ad hoc Committee on Fields and that ended up going to another study, to hire more employees for DPW to keep up with what they need to get done, especially the maintenance on fields.  He said that he would move to put the money back (for this position).

COA member Stafford said that he was in favor of putting this appropriation back in the budget.  He described that when you talk with DPW they will tell you that you need staff to maintain the fields.  He said that now that the Council has been addressing the need for additional fields the budget should be sustained to fully fund the DPW for this year.

Motion passed (voice vote).

Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:

RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING TO RESTORE $5,000.00 FOR TOWN COUNCIL STIPEND.

RESOLVED:  Resolution to restore funding for Town Council Stipend.

Councilman Cloutier spoke in favor of this resolution.  He said that our Town Council works extremely well and hard and for someone while is unlike me, they would have economic barriers to serving on the Town Council.  He said and that is why you most likely why you do not see anybody else who looks like me sitting up here today.  He said in order to improve that, he said he thinks it is fair that we improve the amount that the town council receives for their service.  He said that we do not only have one meeting a month, and when we do have one meeting a month that meeting lasts more than 4-6 hours.  He said that we meet people outside of work, we fit meetings in between our schedules during our full-time jobs so it is pertinent to be able to allow ourselves a little bit of extra cushion when we are making different decisions as to whether or not we are going to serve on this council or not.  He said that we are close to being dead last as compared to other councilors from other cities and towns.  He said that we owe it to our future leaders in Barrington.

President Kustell said that when you serve on the Council you are making a serious sacrifice when you step up to run.  President Kustell discussed the amount of the stipend ($1000). He said that you spend hundreds of hours, it is not uncommon to have three to four meetings a week and we have held multiple meetings this year, sometimes over six hours as well as the preparation for each of these meetings.  He said that the question is whether the community wants to recognize that and defray a portion of the costs who may have challenges with transportation, paying for childcare, or whatever it may be to help someone step up and serve and succeed us in these roles in the future.

Erica Svetson, 48 Chapel Road said last year I was sitting up on the stage with the school committee.  She said that she is not arguing with anything that the council members have said, and she pointed out that the school committee averages about $500 a year.  She said that it is dwarfed by what the Town Council gets.  She said that the school committee makes peanuts and does probably twice as much.  She said that this school committee does at least as much work as the town council and never feels like they can speak up for themselves to add to their reimbursement – it is a lot of work. 

Kate Weymouth, 79 Alfred Drown Road said that she had served on the council for 16 years and we realized that we were the lowest stipend of $500 as council in the state.  She said that when I first made the proposal, I was shot down by all of my colleagues, who were all men.  She said that one colleague said that it was an honor to serve.  But she said it is not an honor to be underpaid.  She said that the last manager managed to increase our stipend to $1,000. She said that she thinks it is time to compensate you for the work that you do, at least 10-20 hours a week.  She said she sees no reason why the school committee doesn’t do this.

Geoff Grove, 16 Robbins Drive, said that he is against the increase.  He said that people volunteer to serve and should not be paid.  He said please do not make this position from volunteer to careerism.

(Audio issues occurred.)

Ann Strong, 55 Teed Avenue, said that she has served on several boards and volunteered many hours and that she has grown to love since she moved here.  But these are positions that we moved to this town with a collection of human beings with differing views to come to a conclusion for the good of all of us.

Mike Carroll, 24 Third Street respectfully disagrees with Geoff Grove and Ann Strong and questioned if you were a single parent and truly would like to serve but you could not afford to pay for the daycare.  He said that it is not wrong to provide a stipend.

Mary Alice Gasbarro, 14 Robbins Drive, said that she had the privilege of sitting at the table – she said that she was a professional volunteer and was never paid.  She said that she has mixed feelings on a stipend.  She said the fact that things  have changed does not lead her to think you should be there serving for the money but to help make it a better town.

Councilwoman Berard stated that she would like to comment on “careerism”.  She said in particular, she said that she is a full-time attorney and I like to volunteer.  But, she said, I must keep up on my reading, printing those documents at home, paying a babysitter to cover the time between my full -time job and the meeting.  So, she said, the stipend is exactly that, because this comes with costs and that is very measurable in paying the babysitter, paying for copies in which that stipend is supposed to cover.

Lianna Cassar, 1 Hope Court, said that there isn’t anything wrong with a career in politics – it is what we want and what we need in order for government to function correctly.  She said it is worth it.  She said that our student interns get paid a little more than this, so it is worth it to consider the increase.

Scott Douglas, 25 Rumstick Road, said that his wife serves on the School Committee.  He said that he and his wife talked about the disparity between the Town Council stipend and that of the School Committee.  He said that we personally chose to turn down the stipend every year.  He said after listening this evening he echos Lianna and others the $2000 does not get you a career anywhere and would like to think that it is a gesture of respect for the deep amount of time.

Vice President Humm said that when you look at this motion it looks greedy.  He said that none of us is in it for money and this is not my career.  He said that this motion is not about me but about us and the impact of our future.  He said that someone made a comment about a single parent wanting to serve because maybe they do not have the support.  He said that this motion is about giving the opportunity to qualified people. He said yes, he would support an increase of the school committee if that were on the table.

Motion passed (voice vote).

Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution to authorize the Town to enter into a long-term lease with Solect, a solar installation company out of Hopkinton, Massachusetts for the proposed installation of solar panels and a battery system at the Bay Spring Community Center.

RESOLUTION OF THE FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING TO ENTER INTO A LONG-TERM LEASE WITH SOLECT SOLAR INSTALLATION.

RESOLVED:  Resolution to enter into a long-term lease with Solect Solar Installation.

President Kustell described the efforts that the Town is making to revitalize the Bay Spring Community Center with new siding, there will be air conditioning to allow the second floor to host more events and replacement of the playground equipment.  He said that this is one of our buildings that we can use as resiliency.  If there was an adequate battery system in place, then that might provide a respite for people who do not have power.  He said that he also notes that this will not happen without the solar agreement through the Middle School. He said once it is selected it is the same contractor who would be installing the Middle School Solar.

Councilwoman Berard asked a question to the Solicitor:  She said that in our town council meeting we addressed the Middle School issue directly in the motion, should it be part of the motion.

Solicitor Goins confirmed that it should.

AMENDED Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution to authorize the Town to enter into a long-term lease with Solect, a solar installation company out of Hopkinton, Massachusetts for the proposed installation of solar panels and a battery system at the Bay Spring Community Center that the installation be contingent upon the Middle School project being approved and the lease entered into with Solect Solar.

Discussion ensued regarding the resolution for the Town to enter into a long-term lease. Voters at the meeting questioned the lease, regarding that no dollar amount was stated associated with the lease and was not included in the motion and with a long-time obligation of a financial responsibility that would extend over the long-term lease.  Further discussion regarding further amendments to the resolution brought about further questions especially with Charter 1-3-3 DISPOSITION OR CHANGE IN USE OF REAL ESTATE:

Fletcher Thompson, 3 Richmond Road, stated that he may not be opposed to the concept but questioned if this is a proper motion before the Town Council, before the Financial Town Meeting and read Charter 1-3- aloud.

President Kustell stated that on local governing issues, admissible and procedural issues, we rely on the solicitors advice and therefore, he said that he stands by the legality of doing this given your comments, Mr. Thompson and also just a sense that people want more certainty and my confidence that this lease agreement will be something that people find roundly acceptable and widely and broadly support he said that he was willing to withdraw the motion and he did so.

Moderator Staples said that after conversations with the Solicitor and with the Town Council President the motion has been WITHDRAWN.

Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:

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.

President Kustell commented on this motion that this is for emergency situations.  He said that in 2008, we had an emergency sewer failure near the bike path in the Alfred Drown area and it needed immediate repair and since then this resolution has routinely passed at the FTM.

Spencer Cowles, 7 Central Avenue, said that we do have a capital reserve with a current balance of over $5million.  He questioned  why would we need to authorize emergency notes when we have the reserve?  And why couldn’t we authorize the notes in the event of exceeding that amount that we haven’t reserved?

President Kustell said that generally we have passed the motion because we can act extremely quickly, we do have the reserve account.  But he said here you would have an emergency situation and you would want to act immediately.  He said that you would want to reserve that to maintain our bond rating and if you bring the reserve account down, your borrowing costs go up.

Finance Director Raposa commented that the capital reserve account is different accounts for specific purposes, fire apparatus, DPW, equipment, fire equipment.  She said it is not for any emergency use; we have no funds appropriate for that.

Motion passed (Voice vote).

Motion by President Carl Kustell and seconded from a voter from the floor to adopt the following resolution:  

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, 2022 for the financial year July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 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 is one pre-filed motion affecting the school budget.

The first pre-filed motion will be introduced by Morgan Hellmold.  If passed it will increase the School budget bottom line by $242,049.00.

Ms. Hellmold was invited to the microphone, and she read her motion:

I, MORGAN HELLMOLD OF 4 STRAWBERRY DRIVE, MOVE TO INCREASE THE PROPOSED SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET BY $242,049.00 TO RESTORE THE ORIGINAL SCHOOL OPERATING BUDGET PASSED BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. (Submitted May 17, 2023.)

A second motion was made from the floor.

Ms. Hellmold stated that the School Committee presented a budget with the important end goal in mind that we can continue to appropriately staff our schools, we can continue to develop the curriculum offerings our students deserve and all of the needs to be housed in the facilities our children deserve. 

SC Chair Patrick McCrann asked the Superintendent to outline the negative impacts of the money that has been removed from the budget which would be restored if this motion passes.

Superintendent Messore said that a significant amount of that money was going towards a position that was going to help support, not just implementation of curriculum, but also how the curriculum is taught in the school district by our educators.  He said that there is a need in the district to have “boots on the ground” assisting our teachers in the classrooms as far as how they are delivering instruction.  He said that in the last four years, and moving forward, we have had state directive as far as implementation of math, science, social studies coming down the road.  He said that art has just been passed by the Legislature.  We are revisiting our physical education and health curriculum – if you are a teacher, it is not a scripted curriculum, but you look at how you deliver lessons and look for opportunities to keep the individuality of teaching in the classroom.  This position was the sole purpose of implementation and support of our staff.  It is part of the Governor’s 2030 improvement plan with significant impacts on our schools – trying to raise test scores to compete with Massachusetts.  He said the problem is when you are a top performing school and they tell you to raise the bar, it places pressure on our educators to deliver high quality instruction.  He said it is for further academic support for our educators.

SC member Bell questioned Mr. Messore and asked, was that position, when originally put forward, that we would get rid of a sixth-grade teacher; is that position back in the budget.

Superintendent Messore stated, no, it wasn’t to replace an elimination of a teacher.  He said when we began the budget process, we look at enrollment numbers from 5^th grade to 6^th grade and the number of students moving is almost is high.  He said that we could do a reduction of one teacher in sixth grade and then still have the same amount of class size for students going from Hampden Meadows to our Middle School.  He said that in the long run, it wasn’t a reduction of any staff.  He said that there were retirements and no teaching positions have been eliminated with our proposed budget.

SC Committee VP Peck said that he originally voted for the budget inclusive of the Assistant Director of Curriculum.  He said that it was his understanding at a school committee meeting was that it was formally withdrawn and is surprised to hear that this money is reallocated to that.

SC member Douglas said that we actually discussed this at the last school committee meeting.  She said one of the issues is that we have a bottom-line budget.  She said that she suggested that perhaps we cut those things.  She said that Doug Fiore said, actually this is looking like a very uncertain year because of some of our out of district special education needs due to inflation and it’s a challenge for school budgets.  She said so instead of tying the school budget to a smaller number but keeping the flexibility to do what we need for the student (our primary responsibility), the School Committee at that meeting voted to keep the budget the same.

COA Chair Primiano said that some of the rationale behind his thoughts (he voted for that cut at the COA meeting) that we had an increase in employees in the school between 2016 and 2022, almost 31 positions.  He said that he does not think that the population is growing at that same percentage rate, and the COA approved budget would provide 99.6% of the requested budget.  He said if you look to last year, when their funding got cut, after the budget was adopted, they are still going to end up with a loss because that was a lot of money to make up.  He said, but they have been able to save $600,000.  He said that it is his understanding there is no significant cut to programs or services.  He said, correct me if I am wrong, but they can complete their mission and absorb this cut.

COA member DeWitt stated that he made the motion at the COA meeting to cut this budget based on a presented number of $494,098 that was to fund 4.6 positions.  He said that instead of growing 4.6 positions they could grow 2.3 positions.  But how they decide to use those positions is up to them but to present it as this is the most important position that they need to fill, and we didn’t get the money is disingenuous.

COA member Douglas said that we have this same argument every year.  She said what continues to be left out of the discussion are the number of positions that are cut before we even present to the COA.  She said that it is important to remember that if you don’t remember the complexity of the school budget then add additional because we can’t get to the number that we actually need.

SC Committee member Bell said that Dr. Douglas makes some excellent points.  He said that if increasing the budget by $258,000 was going to mean a language program in the Middle School, he said that he would vote for it.  But it’s not, it’s clearly going to be another administrative position.

COA member Stafford stated that he voted to fully fund the schools as part of this Committee.  He said that he is not interested in another administrator but interested in the classroom.  Mr. Stafford said that Barrington remains number 33 of 34 school districts $9 million below what Bristol/Warren pay per student, $10 million below East Providence pays for student.  He said that $242,000 is just a small amount but helps us get there and we cannot expect excellence from our schools when we are paying discount prices to get there.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Devon Smith, 14 Smith Street, said that we have added two (2) administrators in the last two years to the school administration (Communications and Human Resources).  He said that these last two years the School Administration has been a disaster in communication with the public.  So, we are going to trust they are going to add another administrator that the highest priority thing for this money?  He said that the teachers were against this position – they spoke out against this position.  He said clearly, there is a disconnect between what the administration views as important for us as a town and all of us as parents what we want for our kids.

Maria Roberts 11 Adams Avenue said to make it clear, there is a sixth-grade teacher that is retiring but by not replacing that teacher you are reducing your number of teachers at the sixth-grade level.  She explained that instead of two teams of four teachers, and one team of three, you will have one team of four teachers and two teams of three.  It is important that you realize that it is the secondary level which starts at grade six and continues to grade 12.  She said that at that point you have content specialists – a specialist in math, in science, in social studies – you are not a generalist (By law you can teach one area outside of your certification).  You are setting up an inequitable situation where some children are getting four content specialists and the other teams are not.

Scott Douglas, 25 Rumstick Road, said that it is disingenuous to argue to randomly cut and then expect a School Committee to prioritize it to no harm – a cut is a cut.  He said that if you want more like everywhere else in life you must invest more.  He said do not take resources away but enable people to continue to push the additions of excellence in them and chase the margin but don’t pretend, taking resources away, doesn’t have an impact.

Sarah O’’Brien, 8 Boyce Avenue, spoke about the budget for the electricity bill of $420,000.  She said that if we put solar panels on the school, we would have $420,000.

Ann Strong, 55 Teed Avenue, asked what that “dollar” would do to the percent cap?  Where are we with the budget? Would it bring us over the 4% cap?

Finance Director Kathy Raposa stated that if we were to include the $242,000 with the other additions, we would have about $133,000 left.

Ann Strong said, so that is why this person didn’t get a call to withdraw their motion.  She said that Barrington has always done more with less to their credit.  She said she would choose not to vote for this and agreed with Mr. DeWitt that the school administration can figure it out. She said it is not how much you spend but it is the result that you get.  Barrington is a high performing school district.  She urged people to vote against the motion.

COA member DeWitt said to look at the chart on page 3 of your handout and it says when they were increasing their budget to $2,488,000 there was no contemplation of cutting any resources.  He said that we are not giving them all the resources that they sked for be we are giving them enough to work with just not everything – it is not a cut, that is investing in our schools.

John Taylor, 55 Fales Avenue said he was a teacher for over 41 years and worked at a college where we were always underfunded.  He said that these kids in this town have experience, contact, and have a lot of things that make them smart.  It is not the money that makes them smart but the teachers.  He said hats off this year to the superintendent, this time he didn’t say he would cut the athletics.  He said that he is confused what you are going to use the money for.

Tinsley Kampmier-Williamson, 19 Meadowbrook Avenue, said we are going to make a cut of $242,000 from a budget of $64 million to save what?  To make a point that we do not value our teachers and we don’t support them, and we are more interested in saving a buck?

Madeline Lauria, 56 Martin Avenue, said she thinks it would be a shame if we did not give the teachers every resource.

Shelly Edgar, 14 South Meadow Lane, wanted to clarify that at our school committee meeting, this proposed allocation of money was for an assistant to Dr. Dillion?  She said that the teachers went to this meeting and absolutely opposed it.  She said that anyone who supports teachers should make sure that there is an amendment that none of the increase will be spent on another administrator and that we invest in our teachers.  She said that she would not support an investment in more administrators who are not doing a decent job.

TR Rimoshytus, 1 Howard Street, said the point is that we are looking for teachers and not administrators.  He questioned if the school administrators can guarantee they will hire teachers, then I would vote for the money.  He said that the school has over a $600,000 surplus.  Mr. Rimoshytus commented that we do support our teachers, parents and the children support our teachers.

Neil Hartman, 18 Great Road, asked for clarification if there was an amendment that would dictate that the increase would not be used for administration.

Moderator Staples asked the Solicitor answer – Mr. Staples said that the Assistant Solicitor is shaking her head, no, it is a bottom-line budget.

Neil Hartman, 18 Great Road, the audience member said that trust is with the school committee to allocate the money.  Or is it with the administration?

SC Committee Chair McCrann said that he is in agreement with the Solicitor, and it would be a very slippery slope to give the town an opportunity to amend it.  He said that we do have the power as a (school) committee to go back and specifically direct the superintendent with or without this amendment to use money accordingly to support the needs of our schools.  But I am not going to guarantee anything that is going to happen.  And so, said SC Chair McCrann, the budget you have before you, which was amended by the COAs change, which is now being essentially modified by this motion, is what our best effort was, and we support it with a 3-2 vote.  He said that we stand by that vote as a committee.  He said that we are doing our best with whatever money that we are given at the time.

Voice vote:  Failed

Standing Vote:  Passed:   Yeas:  109 Nayes:  62.

Moderator Staples asked if there are any other motions to increase or decrease the School Budget in amount less than $50,000.00?  There was none.

Mr. Staples said that has been stated that the school budget is a bottom-line budget.

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..

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.

We will now begin our review of the Proposed Town Budget.

Municipal Budget     

Moderator Staples stated that we have a motion that was submitted for consideration of the Financial Town Meeting under the conditions in the Town Charter that allow a motion of $25,000 or less for a line item not previously reviewed and recommended by the Committee on Appropriations made by George Voutes.

George Voutes made the following motion, and it was seconded by a voter from the floor.

          To allocate $25,000 for Barrington residents who purchase battery or electric corded power leaf blowers or string trimmers.  These two equipment types are often cited as most disruptive lawn and landscaping machines in our Barrington Community quality of life and due to their archaic two stroke gasoline engine design.  Barrington residents would receive a rebate from the Town of up to $250 one rebate per household with proof of purchase of a new battery or electric corded powered leaf blower or string trimmer.  The allocation of rebates would be on a first come first serve bases meeting once the $25,00 budget has been allocated to Barrington residents meeting the qualified requirements, the program would end.

Mr. Voutes said that rationale behind this is to incentivize Barrington residents to transition over into battery or electric corded power leaf blowers and string trimmers.  Second, said Mr. Voutes, would be to build momentum in the town to accelerate the transition away from loud and highly polluting gas powered two stroke engine, landscaping equipment and over to quieter cleaner, healthier and safer machines. And third, said Mr. Voutes, to evaluate this program proposal for consideration of future initiatives that reduce the impact of gas-powered lawn and landscaping equipment on Barrington residents, workers, animals in the natural world.

Finance Director Raposa explained that if this was funded it would be a new line item added to the general fund and the funds would have to get transferred over to a special revenue fund and the funds would be committed until they were exhausted.

Ann Strong, 55 Teed Avenue, said that she is curious what the administration costs would be on a program that would have yet to vet?

Lisa Lowenstein, 20 Hamilton Avenue, said before we get into administrative costs, I think that it is more important that Barrington make a statement – this is a great idea.

Paul O’Brien, 8 Boyce Avenue, will support this measure and encourages everyone to support it.  It is a small thing for us to do that will have a big impact.

Megan Levine, 17 Highview Avenue, said that she supports this but questions the impact of private owner’s vs lawn care companies – will it apply, will it be separate?

Moderator Staples said that at this time it would be for Barrington residents.

Motion passes: (voice vote).

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                                                                      4,276,401

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 $91,348,929.00 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, 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 $4,276,401.00 be and the same hereby is appropriated to be expended during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, 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:

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 24^th day of May, a.d. 2023, 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) in the sum not less than $69,432,152.00                            nor more than $69,540,562.00 , 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 1^st day of September, a.d. 2023, and all taxes remaining unpaid after September 29, 2023, 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 29^th day of September 2023, and the remaining installments as follows:  twenty-five per centum on or before the 29^th day of December 2023, twenty-five per centum on or before the 29^th day of March 2024, and twenty-five per centum on or before the 28^th day of June 2024.

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 31^st day of December 2023, 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 22, 2024, 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:

RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH TAX RATES

RESOLVED: that the real estate and personal property tax rate be set at not greater than $20.30         

per $1,000 valuation.

Motion passed (voice vote).

Mr. Staples said by Barrington Town Charter, we elect members to the Committee on Appropriations for two-year, staggered terms. This year, we will elect or re-elect three members of the committee for terms ending in 2024.

We have received applications from four candidates:

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. In alphabetical order, we will start with John Alessandro, followed by Tinsley Kampmier-Williamson, Dr. Cynthia Rosengard, and, finally, by John Stafford.

Mr. Staples asked if there are any other nominations from the floor?  There was not.

Mr. Staples stated that the nominations are now closed, and we will be using paper ballots. The names of the four candidates who submitted applications are printed on the ballot, and there are three spaces for any additional nominees from the floor, and those names will be posted on the easel pad. You may vote for any three candidates. These votes will then be hand counted by the Board of Canvassers.

RESOLUTION ELECTING A COMMITTEE TO PREPARE A BUDGET AND SUBMIT A REPORT

(3 Positions for Re-election)

RESOLVED: that a Committee of Appropriations, consisting of five (5), is ordered to hold a public meeting

on the second Wednesday in May 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, Dr. Cynthia Rosengard, John Stafford and Tinsley Kampmier-Williamson are hereby elected to two (2) year terms on the Committee of Appropriations ending May, 2025 and will serve with William DeWitt, 4 Old Forge Road and Steve Primiano, 15 Driscoll Lane, with terms ending May, 2024, 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

*Top vote-getters

Mr. Staples said that the work for the 2023 Financial Town Meeting is complete.  The 2024 Financial Town Meeting is scheduled for May 22, 2024, and encourage you to place it on your digital calendars.

Mr. Staples asked for a motion to dissolve, motion by President Carl Kustell.  Mr. Staples declared the 2023 Barrington Financial Town Meeting dissolved at 10:20pm.

Motion passed (voice vote).