MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

THURSDAY, JUNE 2, 2022 AT 6:00P.M.

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

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND
VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:06pm with a roll call of members   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

In person: President Kinch, Councilors Magill, Shaw, Metivier, Beaulieu and Schmitt.

Absent: Councilor Bradley

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; DPW Director Joseph Duarte; School Superintendent Philip Thornton

 

CALL TO ORDER

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Kinch gave an overview of how the meeting would be structured.

 

OLD BUSINESS  (Budget Powerpoint, Final Budget)

ORDINANCES    

1.  #22-14 – An ordinance establishing the operating budget for the Town of Cumberland’s General Fund for fiscal year 2022-2023 (First public hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:08pm

 

President Kinch announced that the Mayor had submitted an amendment and asked for a motion to accept #22-14A in place of #22-14.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #22-14A IN PLACE OF #22-14.  VOTE 6/0.

 

President Kinch read the General Revenue and Expenditure figures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter explained the amendment to the ordinance is due to the motor vehicle phaseout dilemma. Because of the expected acceleration of the phaseout on the part of the state, we will be back to amend this again. The Mayor went on to give an overview of the budget.

 

The Council had no questions.

 

School Superintendent Philip Thornton spoke to the growing student population, which was partly due to tuition-paying students attracted by the tech program. Another growth factor is an increase in multi-language students from 175 to 230. Mr. Thornton spoke to anticipated future budget problems.

 

President Kinch asked if anyone from the public wished to ask questions – there were none.

 

President Kinch reviewed the figures for the individual town departments with the Council. The Mayor responded to questions on the various departments.

 

DPW Director Joe Duarte spoke about the various recycling programs in the town and cautioned that it was becoming more difficult to easily recycle some items as the recycling industry has slowed down. The central landfill has reduced the items they will accept, and t his could increase the tonnage costs in the waste removal budget.

 

Library Director Celeste Dyer spoke to the library’s budget.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:21pm. No vote was required.

 

2.  #22-15 – An ordinance establishing the operating budget for the Town of Cumberland’s Water Department for fiscal year 2022-2023 (First public hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 7:21pm.

 

President Kinch asked the Council to substitute an amended version and asked for a motion to accept #22-15A in place of #22-15.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #22-15A IN PLACE OF #22-15.  VOTE 6/0.

 

President Kinch read the totals into the record.

 

Schmitt and Mayor discussed the Pawtucket water line item.

 

President Kinch asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. There was no one.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:25pm. No vote was required.

 

3.  #22-16 – An ordinance establishing the operating budget for the Town of Cumberland’s Sewer Department for fiscal year 2022-2023 (First public hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 7:26pm

 

President Kinch asked for a motion to accept #22-16A in place of #22-16.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #22-16A IN PLACE OF #22-16.  VOTE 6/0.

 

President Kinch read the totals into the record.

 

There were no questions from the Council.

 

President Kinch asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. There was no one.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:27pm. No vote was required.

 

4.  #22-17 – An ordinance establishing the operating budget for the Town of Cumberland’s Recreational Special Revenue for fiscal year 2022-2023 (First public hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 7:28pm

 

President Kinch read the totals into the record.

 

There were no questions from the Council.

 

President Kinch asked if anyone from the public wished to speak. There was no one.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:28pm. No vote was required.

 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:29PM. VOTE 6/0

 

 

 

 

___________________________________

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.