1.      An application for a Second-Class Victualling House License from 3M Boba Café Inc dba 3M Boba Café, 3400 Mendon Road.   

Council President pointed out that all materials were in order. No representative of the applicant was present. 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 7/0.

B.     HAWKER/PEDDLER ONE DAY LICENSE

1.      An application from New England Novelty for the 4^th of July fireworks event at Tucker Field on July 3, 2026 from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m., with rain dates of July 5, 6, & 10, 2026.     

It was noted that all materials were in order. No representative was present.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 7/0.

C.    ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.      An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from El Rodeo Family Mexican Restaurant for a 4^th of July celebration event on July 4, 2026.

Representative Anthony Gonzalez described the event as outdoor live music on the restaurant's patio, with food and alcohol service, security, and perimeter fencing in place. The event runs from 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.

1.      #26-11 – An ordinance amending the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (First Hearing)

At the Mayor's request, Ordinance #26-11 was tabled until the June 17, 2026 meeting.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JUNE 17, 2026. VOTE 7/0.

2.     #26-12 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

Council President requested a motion to accept the amended ordinance named #26-12A in place of #26-12.  

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO SUBSTITUTE ORDINANCE #26-12A IN PLACE OF #26-12. VOTE 7/0.

A public hearing was opened at 7:38 PM.

Council President read the following revenue and expenditure amendments into the record:

Revenue Changes:

·         Property taxes revised to $79,231,831 (an increase of $684,846)

·         Revenue Stabilization Fund revised to $46,878 (a decrease of $435,122)

·         Total general revenue revised to $84,940,958 (an increase of $249,724)

·         Library seat total revised to $410,005 (an increase of $14,177)

·         School state aid revised to $30,679,838 (an increase of $95,909)

·         Total school receipts revised to $33,347,926 (an increase of $95,909)

·         Motor vehicle phase-out revised to $6,329,071 (an increase of $124,099)

·         Total state aid and grants revised to $11,299,831 (an increase of $124,099)

·         Total revenue revised to $129,998,820 (an increase of $483,909)

Expenditure Changes:

·         Library revised to $2,031,783 (an increase of $6,000)

·         Planning Department revised to $358,407 (an increase of $10,000, attributed to the tree warden)

·         Total town departments revised to $15,857,162 (an increase of $16,000)

·         Other contributions to education revised to $33,347,926 (an increase of $95,909, reflecting increased state aid)

·         Town contribution to education revised to $51,533,918 (an increase of $372,000)

·         Total school department revised to $85,699,222 (an increase of $467,909)

·         Total general fund revised to $129,998,820 (an increase of $483,909)

Mayor Mutter explained that the revenue changes reflected figures recently approved by the House Finance Committee. He noted that the property tax line was recalculated using a 4% levy based on a 48% first-quarter collection rate, which—due to increased debt service—does not require state legislative approval or Department of Revenue sign-off. The Mayor emphasized the structural reasoning: instead of relying on fund balance, which may not be available in future years, revenues would flow from the property tax line. He identified the majority of the additional expenditure as directed toward the school department to support the essentials program.

Celeste Dyer, 65 Rebecca Street, Coventry, and outgoing Director of the Cumberland Public Library, confirmed that the $6,000 library increase was sufficient to fund an additional full-time maintenance position. She took the occasion of her retirement to thank the Council for its longstanding support of the library.

Keri Smith, 133 Bear Hill Road, a member of the School Committee, acknowledged the increased school funding but noted it fell well short of the $2,000,000 requested by the school department. She stated that even with the increased allocation, the school department would still face cuts to staff positions and program offerings, with classroom sizes continuing to increase. She raised a pointed question about $890,000 associated with a master lease and why those funds were not directed toward the school operating budget instead.

Robert Dumas of 135 Fairview Avenue asked for clarification on the severance line item, which had doubled to $250,000.

Mayor Mutter explained that this line covers payouts to retiring police officers and EMS professionals, and that the amount, while increased, may still prove insufficient if multiple eligible officers retire in the same year. He noted the line was separated from departmental budgets to improve transparency.

The School Committee Chairwoman Amy Vogel also addressed the Council, expressing appreciation for the increased funding while acknowledging it did not fully address the school department's needs.

Councilor Shaw introduced a motion to amend the budget to reflect a 5% tax levy, rather than the 4% proposed by the Mayor. He argued that while neither figure represents a final tax rate—as the unsynchronized system means the actual rate won't be set until the following spring—setting a 5% ceiling would further reduce the town's structural reliance on one-time fund balance revenues. Specifically, his amendment would eliminate the Revenue Stabilization Fund line of $46,878 entirely, increase the property tax line to $79,608,066, and reduce the debt service fund transfer draw from $739,000 to $429,643. He noted that even under a 5% budget, the Council could still choose to set the actual tax rate at 4.5% if circumstances warranted, passing savings to ratepayers while approaching the next budget cycle with a smaller deficit. He stated he was not advocating for spending the additional revenue, but for creating a better fiscal ceiling. Councilor Beaulieu seconded the amendment, noting it would help reduce reliance on one-time revenues.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT WAS VOTED TO AMEND ORDINANCE #26-12A TO REFLECT A 5% TAX LEVY, ELIMINATING THE REVENUE STABILIZATION FUND DRAW AND REDUCING THE DEBT SERVICE FUND TRANSFER TO $429,643 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE FAILS 4/3. 

Nay votes:  Councilor Bradley, Councilor Metivier, Councilor Magill, and Council President.

Aye votes: Councilor Shaw, Councilor Sweet, and Councilor Beaulieu

Councilor Sweet offered extended remarks, acknowledging the difficulty of the budget process and the balance required between the community's desire not to face large tax increases and the town's growing operational costs. She noted bluntly that "there isn't really a situation where we just don't raise taxes, where we keep taxes neutral and the town continues to do well." She cited rising healthcare, operational, and staffing costs, and spoke to the added pressure of debt service from voter-approved school construction. She thanked all residents who had reached out—whether asking to keep taxes lower or to fund the schools more—for engaging in the process.

Councilor Beaulieu commended the Cumberland Teachers Association for reaching out directly to share their concerns, and noted that the unity among teachers, faculty, parents, and school leadership around the preservation of a single specific program sent "a very strong message." She also weighed in on the per-pupil expenditure argument raised during public comment, characterizing it as "a dead argument" in his view, explaining that as Cumberland gains enrollment and other communities lose enrollment, Cumberland's per-pupil figure will naturally decrease while others' rise. She suggested UCOA proportional spending as a more meaningful comparison metric. She expressed appreciation that the additional funding would help restore at least part of the Essentials Program.

The Council President shared his reasoning for voting against the 5% amendment. He cited the significant increase in the cost of living for Cumberland residents—home purchase income requirements rising from $135,000 to $174,000, and average monthly mortgage payments increasing from $3,300 to $4,300 over just two years.  He stated he had tried to keep the taxpayers in mind given the way the times are now.

Councilor Metivier raised a question about the Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry line, noting it had doubled and asked whether it now covered both food pantries.

The Mayor confirmed it was intended to fund two organizations, the Northern Rhode Island Food Pantry and Lighthouse, and suggested the line should be renamed "Food Pantries" for clarity.

Mayor Mutter also addressed the master lease question raised during public testimony. He clarified that no master lease payment appears anywhere in the current budget. He stated it would come before the Council during the fiscal year as a separate item and that it had been used in prior budget cycles (approximately 2015 and 2020). He emphasized that declining to fund the master lease would worsen the school department's position but that the decision remains with the Council.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY BOTH COUNCILOR MAGILL AND COUNCILOR METIVIER TO AMEND THE EXPENDITURE LINE FROM “NORTHERN RI FOOD PANTRY” TO “FOOD PANTRIES”.

The public hearing was closed at 8:07 PM.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-12A AS AMENDED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 5/2.

Nay Vote: Councilor Bradley and Councilor Magill

3.      #26-13 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Sewer Fund for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

The public hearing was opened at 8:25 p.m.

The proposed revenue and expenditure totals for FY2027 were both $831,532.

Mayor Mutter noted the budget corresponds to a previously approved rate increase and that the long-term goal is to establish the Sewer Fund as a fully compliant enterprise fund with appropriate reserves.

Councilor Bradley voted in the negative, citing concerns about job numbering and the cross-departmental charging of personnel.

The public hearing was closed at 8:25 p.m.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-13 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1. 

Nay vote: Councilor Bradley

4.                  #26-14 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Water Fund for Fiscal Year 2026/2027 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

The public hearing was opened at 8:30 p.m.

The Water Department had requested $8,029,591; the Mayor's proposed budget for FY2027 is $7,998,502. The Water Superintendent was present and available for questions; no questions were directed to the superintendent.

Mayor Mutter acknowledged Councilor Bradley's concern about cross-departmental cost allocation, noting that some charges to water and sewer from the general fund are already reflected in the budget, though perhaps not at the level the councilor would prefer.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-14.  VOTE 6/1. 

Nay vote: Councilor Bradley 

5.      #26-15 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Recreation Fund for    Fiscal Year 2026/2027 (Second Hearing & First Vote)

The public hearing was opened at 8:31 p.m.

The adopted FY2026 budget was $173,000; the Mayor's proposed FY2027 budget is $171,000.

Mayor Mutter noted that the Recreation Fund has consistently generated revenues that exceed expenditures and that he intends to consult with the Town Solicitor regarding whether a formal budget ordinance is required for this type of program fund.

The public hearing was closed at 8:34 p.m.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.

NEW BUSINESS

A.    APPOINTMENT

1.      Sarah Clary, Deputy Finance Director

MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.

B.     RESOLUTION

1.       r-26-28 – A resolution adopting the unsynchronized tax levy for portions of Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028.

Mayor Mutter explained that this resolution is required by the Department of Revenue and must be passed in conjunction with the final budget vote. He advised that it should be tabled and brought forward at the same meeting as the second and final vote on the general fund budget, so that any changes made at that meeting could be reflected in the resolution simultaneously.

Council President confirmed the item would be tabled to the June 8, 2026 meeting.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JUNE 8, 2026 MEETING. VOTE 7/0.

C.    ORDINANCE for presentation and permission to advertise

1.       #26-16 – An ordinance amending code of ordinances relative to truck routes (Presented by Councilor Sweet)

The item was referred to the Ordinance Subcommittee.

Councilor Beaulieu requested that the item be added to the Monday, June 8 sub-committee agenda.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:38 P.M.  VOTE 7/0.