MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M.

VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm with a roll call of members.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Kinch, Councilors Magill, Beaulieu, Metivier, Bradley, Shaw and Schmitt

 

Also present— Mayor Jeffrey Mutter; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Finance Director Gene Ferrari; Tax Assessor Al Wylie

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Kinch asked that an update on the Town Council chambers modifications be placed on the next agenda.

 

OLD BUSINESS

1. #21-09 – An ordinance amending the General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2020-2021

 

Public hearing opened at 7:33pm.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #21-09A IN PLACE OF #21-09 BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

President Kinch read any revised totals into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter summarized, the change in #21-09A is $80,000.00 as suggested by Councilor Shaw to reduce the reliance on the fund balance. The Council engaged in a brief discussion.

 

President Kinch asked if any member of the public wished to address the Council.

 

Kerry Carlson, an educator in the Cumberland schools and president of the Cumberland Teachers’ Association, encouraged the Council to fully fund the school budget to avoid cuts. It would be particularly detrimental at this time of Covid to make any cuts, in the interests of the students.

 

Cumberland teacher Jodi Lamagna agreed with Ms. Carlson. The last couple of years have been very difficult for students. The students can’t handle losing mental health professionals and the support they provide in the classroom.

 

Councilor Shaw interjected that as much as he appreciated the comments just made, they would be better suited for the next budget meeting where the proposed school budget for the next year will be heard. This meeting is to close out the current year’s budget.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:51pm.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE #21-09A BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

2.  R-21-23 – A resolution adopting unsynchronized tax levy for portions of Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2022

 

Councilor Mayor stated the levy being presented is a range of $70,000,000 to $71,500,000.  The biggest difference between what was presented last week was the change to the reliance of the fund balance. 

 

Discussion ensued with the Council.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Councilor Schmitt suggested that anyone wishing to speak in public comment should be participating with video if they have the capability and give their full name and address as they would be required to if in person. Solicitor Morris Salvatore stated that the Open Meetings Laws require people to participate as if they were one of the members of the Board. People allowed to speak should be promoted to panelists on the Zoom meeting. President Kinch stated he would ask participants to provide that information in the future.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILORS SHAW & SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:01PM BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

 

 

 

 

________________________________

Sandra M. Giovanelli, Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

FOR A FULL ACCOUNT OF THIS MEETING PLEASE REFER TO THE VIDEO RECORDING ACCESSIBLE ON THE TOWN’S WEBSITE, www.cumberlandri.org.

ADDITIONALLY, THE DVD OF THE ENTIRE MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT THE EDWARD J. HAYDEN LIBRARY.