MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

MONDAY, JUNE 2, 2025, at 6:00 P.M.

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

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

Call to Order

Council President Kinch called the special meeting of the Cumberland Town Council to order at 6:03 PM on June 2, 2025.  He noted that all council members were present except for Councilor Bob Shaw, who would be arriving late.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Council President led those present in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Old Business

Ordinances for Public Hearing

1.      #25-06 – An Ordinance amending the General Fund Budget for Fiscal year 2024-2025 (First Hearing)

 

Council President Kinch explained that this ordinance was heard at the Finance Sub-committee last Thursday, May 29, 2025 and was tabled.  He suggested tabling it again until June 18, 2025.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU TO TABLE ORDINANCE #25-06 UNTIL THE JUNE 18, 2025 COUNCIL MEETING.  VOTE 6/0.

 

2.      #25-10 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO ACCEPT #25-10A IN PLACE OF #25-10.  VOTE 3/3.   AMENDMENT FAILED.

Yea:  Councilors Beaulieu, Kinch, and Sweet

Nay:  Councilors Bradley, Metivier, Magill

 

There was a discussion among council members about whether they could accept amendments that were proposed in #25-10A when Councilor Shaw arrives to take another vote. 

 

The Council President opened the public hearing at 6:10 PM.

 

The Council President then read the revenue and expenditure figures for Ordinance #25-10A into the record, at which point it was determined that he should have been reading #25-10.  A recess was taken to review proper procedures and numbers.

 

Councilor Shaw arrived at 6:11 pm 

 

Councilor Beaulieu proposed an amendment to replace Ordinance #25-10 with #25-10A.  Mayor Mutter explained that the amendment would reduce the IT line by $85,000, increase the revaluation line in the tax assessor budget by $10,000, and increase the town contribution to the school department by $75,000.

 

The public hearing was closed at 6:34 PM.

 

Councilor Beaulieu proposed another amendment to reduce the IT line item by $75,000 from $427,827 to $342,827 for Total Administration of $342,827, increase the property revaluation by $10,000 from $53,600 to $63,600 for Total Town General Expenses $1,467,902, and increase the Town Contribution to schools by $75,000 from $50,844,795 to $50,919,795 for Total School Department from $83,685,749 to $83,760,749.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE AMENDMENTS BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 4/3

 

Nay:  Councilors Bradley, Metivier and Magill.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-10 AS AMENDED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE OF 4/3.

 

Nay:  Councilors Bradley, Metivier and Magill.

 

During public comment:

●       Superintendent Phil Thornton thanked the council for the additional funds and stated he would recommend using them for the MLO position at BF Norton.

●       Amy Vogel, a resident, thanked the council for allocating more money to the school budget.

●       Jason Kirkpatrick, a resident, pointed out a potential $10,000 discrepancy in the amendment, which the Mayor clarified was not an issue.

 

Councilor Sweet expressed support for the budget, highlighting the town's increasing enrollment and high-achieving schools.  Councilor Metivier stated he would vote against the budget as he believed it exceeded a reasonable tax cap.  Councilor Sweet defended the budget, noting the lack of wasteful spending and the need to support Town employees and services.

 

3.      #25-11 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Water Department for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

 

MOTION COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO ACCEPT #25-11A IN PLACE OF #25-11.  VOTE 7/0.

Council President Kinch opened the public hearing at 6:47 PM and read the revenue and expenditure figures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter explained that this budget includes a deficit reduction surcharge, as the Water Department owes the general fund approximately $3 million. The budget aims to start repaying this while making necessary system improvements.

 

The public hearing was closed at 6:49 PM.

MOTION COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-11A WITH A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

4.      #25-12 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Sewer Department for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

 

Council President Kinch opened the public hearing at 6:51 PM and read the revenue and expenditure figures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter noted that this budget reflects previously approved council ordinances on sewage fees for the years 2026 and 2027, and that they anticipate legitimizing this as an enterprise fund.

 

The public hearing was closed at 6:52 PM.

 

MOTION COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET AND METIVIER TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-12 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

5.      #25-13 – AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING THE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE TOWN OF CUMBERLAND'S RECREATION FUND FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025/2026 (SECOND HEARING & FIRST VOTE)

 

Council President Kinch opened the public hearing at 6:53 PM and read the revenue and expenditure figures into the record.

 

Mayor Mutter explained that this is a program fund run through the recreation department, where revenues and expenditures typically balance out based on participation levels.

 

The public hearing was closed at 6:55 PM.

MOTION COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-13 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 7/0.

Public Comments

No public comments were made.

Adjournment

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 6.56 P.M.  VOTE 7/0.