MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2024, at 6:00 P.M.

JOSEPH L. MCCOURT MIDDLE SCHOOL

45 HIGHLAND AVENUE, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

CALL TO ORDER

The special meeting was called to order at 6:05pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Members person: President Kinch, Councilors Bradley, Shaw, Magill, and Schmitt.

Arrived late: Councilor Beaulieu, at 6:33pm

Absent: Councilor Metivier

 

Also present: Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah F. King; Legal Counsel Nick
                      Hemond; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Acting Finance Director Melinda Brouillard;
                      Planning Director Glenn Modica; EMS Chief Scott Dessert; DPW Director Joe Duarte; Water
                      Superintendent Romeo Mendes

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Kinch noted that the School Department had held a fine ceremony for distinguished scholars.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

1.  #24-15 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (First Hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:07pm

 

President Kinch stated he would read the budget into the record by reading the total adopted FY2024 and proposed FY2025 revenues and expenditures. He would then turn it over to Mayor Mutter for comments and presentation; next to the Superintendent of Schools, followed by department heads and finally to any members of the public.

 

President Kinch proceeded to read the totals.

 

Mayor Mutter spoke about the budget as illustrated by a Powerpoint presentation.

 

Superintendent Philip Thornton had five slides to illustrate the points he wanted to make. He spoke to the increasing student population. As most towns are laying off staff and closing schools, Cumberland is growing. Mr. Thornton outlined details as to why the school department is was asking for a 3.1% increase to their budget.

 

 

EMS Director Scott Dessert elaborated on one of the proposals in his budget request for this year. Cumberland is the only fully 100% paramedic staffed EMS department in the state. He would like to add 8 paramedics and a part-time ambulance for day shifts; the estimated budgetary increase would be about 720K per year in salaries The ability to do more calls would bring in more revenues to offset some of the expense.

 

Discussion ensued with the Council and the Mayor.

 

President Kinch asked if any member of the public would like to speak. There was no none.

 

President Kinch made note that the Finance Sub Committee would be meeting on these same ordinances on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 in Council chambers at 6:00pm.

Public hearing closed at 6:50pm

 

2.  #24-16 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Water Department for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (First Hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:50pm

 

President Kinch read the revenues and expenditures into the record.

 

Water Superintendent Romeo Mendes and DPW Director Joe Duarte were in attendance if anyone had questions.

 

Councilor Schmitt and the Mayor discussed the shortfall in the water department and how it will be rectified.

 

President Kinch asked if any wished to speak. There was no one.

 

Public hearing closed at 6:54pm

3.  #24-17 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Sewer Department for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (First Hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:55pm 

 

President Kinch read the revenues and expenditures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter mentioned they would like to legitimize the sewer fund as an enterprise fund. That is in the process and there is a sewer fund rate study that has to accompany the documentation to make that happen. There are also capital improvements that need to happen inside this department. The sewer department fund is in the black but does not have the ability at this point to fund repairs. Grant requests are in process to offset some of the expenses.

 

There were no other questions.

 

Public hearing closed at 6:58pm

 

4.  #24-18 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Recreation Fund for Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (First Hearing)

 

Public hearing opened at 6:58pm

 

President Kinch read the revenues and expenditures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter commented that a few years back this was rolled into the general fund and then returned to its individual status.

 

President Kinch asked about the increase in summer camp allocation.

 

There were no other questions from the council or public.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:01pm

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS  

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:02PM. 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.