MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22, 2022 AT 6:30P.M.

CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND

OPEN SESSION

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:30pm

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

In-person: President Kinch, Councilors Metivier, and Schmitt.

Participating remotely: Councilors Shaw and Beaulieu

Absent: Councilors Magill and Bradley

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Outreach Coordinator Sarah King
                       

NEW BUSINESS

a.  A discussion of potential use of the American Rescue Plan Act Refunding

Mayor Mutter spoke to a Powerpoint presentation illustrating the funding Cumberland is receiving, the areas in which the funds can be used, and how the formulas for eligibility are calculated. He spoke briefly to a capital plan, noted potential projects for consideration, and the public input to date.

 

President Kinch asked the public for their comments, in person and via Zoom.

 

Ted Vecchio, 584 Bound Road, Pawtucket, reiterated his request from the first hearing for assistance to small businesses and the arts; as well as the need for new sidewalks and the potential for bike lanes.

 

Cumberland Fire Board member Phillip Koutsogiane called to ask the Council and administration to consider the Fire Department’s issues with aging engines, ladder trucks, and associated equipment which are beyond their useful life span. Fire stations 1 & 2 also need significant improvements.

 

Councilor Beaulieu stated, if we expanded the capital plan to prioritize the scope and development of it to address both large and small ticket items, it would allow us to create a road map for what needs to be repaired, what potential funding sources might be, when it needs to be completed; and set some year-to-year steps.

 

Councilor Schmitt had a list of suggestions of how he might allocate money, in the following broad categories:

·         Restoration of the high school bridge - $500,000.00

·         Replacement of Tucker Field – $1,000,000.00

·         Enhancement of Diamond Hill & other parks $1,000,000.00

·         A small business relief fund -  set aside $1,000,000.00

·         Sidewalks – $2,000,000.00 Depending on the sidewalk study, use it to partially fund a bond

·         Town Hall elevator – replace it.

·         Water & Sewer infrastructure improvements - $2,000,000.00

·         Every department wish list - $2,000,000.00. Every department would make a list of everything they need, everything they’ve wanted to budget for but haven’t been able to in the past, that would allow them to function more effectively.

·         Town Line broadband access - $500,000.00

Councilor Schmitt added that he had not heard about the fire department’s issues before tonight.

 

Discussion ensued with the Mayor and Council regarding the fire district and having a five-year plan.

 

Councilor Metivier asked to get money to the parks in the Valley and asked what the plan might be for Kinch Street, if money might be allocated.

 

President Kinch stated he supports drainage and infrastructure, and is also supportive of the sidewalks; a program to alleviate evictions, at least offering residents a meeting with an attorney; supporting other groups such as the Food Pantry, Happy Baskets and Franklin Farm.

 

Ted Vecchio, 584 Bound Road, Pawtucket, said the fire department just doesn’t have the budget or generate money to purchase new equipment. His company services their trucks; the equipment is very old and they do what they can, but they are buying time. Maybe the town can jump start an equipment/apparatus replacement fund to get them going.

 

Councilor Schmitt asked, where do we go from here? We’ve had the second of our two public hearings, the survey has been out several months, there have been some attendees, half of the money is in the bank already.

 

Mayor Mutter responded that depends on how the Council wants to see it – as a separate fund or built in? He will send examples. He thinks a supplemental would be better.

 

Councilor Beaulieu reiterated that it would be helpful and a good first step to understand which needs are most urgent. Prioritizing and discipline are important.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were no further comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS METIVIER & SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:17PM. VOTE 5/0

 

 

 

 

 

 

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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.