MINUTES FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

MONDAY, JUNE 8, 2026, at 6:30 P.M.

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

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

CALL TO ORDER

Council President called the Special Meeting of the Cumberland Town Council to order at 6:34 PM.

 

MEMBERS ABSENT

Councilor Bradley

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Parks and Recreation Director Michael Crawley provided a detailed update on Cumberland's activities in connection with the FIFA World Cup taking place in the region, explaining that the process of securing state grant funding had been long and ultimately disappointing in scope, though the town ultimately landed in a workable position.

He explained that Cumberland had developed an extensive, collaborative proposal that was submitted jointly with the town and several local soccer organizations originally valued at over $100,000.  The proposal included line-item detail for every planned event and activity, from trash pickup to security details.  However, the state communicated that far less funding was available than originally promised. The initial allocation offered to Cumberland was just $2,000 — a figure Director Crawley described as insufficient to accomplish anything meaningful, particularly given that showing World Cup games publicly would require a FIFA broadcast license estimated at approximately $20,000 on its own.

He recounted that after approximately two weeks of persistent follow-up Cumberland was ultimately awarded $25,000. He acknowledged that Council President Kinch had been present at several of those meetings and expressed appreciation for that engagement.  With those funds now secured, Director Crawley outlined three planned activities:

The first event will be held on June 25th during a regularly scheduled food truck night, which will be transformed into a soccer-themed evening. New England Revolution representatives, the FC Rhode Island club with mascots, and several regional soccer clubs are expected to attend. Bounce houses will be purchased for the event and reused at subsequent activities.

The second event is planned for July 3rd, coinciding with the town's annual fireworks and music celebration. The existing programming will be enhanced with soccer-themed activities, following the same format as the June 25th event.

The third activity will be a float in the July 4th parade, organized primarily by the local soccer community.

Director Crawley noted that a promotional flyer had already been coordinated with the soccer organization's president and would begin circulating on social media the following day.

Addressing the broader state-level picture, Director Crawley expressed some frustration, noting that 17 communities throughout Rhode Island had invested significant time submitting applications after being led to believe millions of dollars would be available. He stated that the only allocation he did not take issue with was Providence's, given that Providence serves as the hub of the World Cup fan experience and will be hosting a full-month fan fest. He added that parity across other communities could have been handled more equitably but acknowledged that Cumberland's $25,000 award made the considerable effort a little more parable to the time we spent on the grant

 

Council President thanked Director Crawley for the update and acknowledged the effort invested by the Recreation Department.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.    ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING  

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

 

Before proceeding to a motion, Mayor Mutter raised a question regarding the tabling history of the item, recalling that at the most recent meeting on which this item appeared, it had been tabled to June 17, 2026.

The Council President briefly consulted the record and clarified the intent to table the first hearing to June 17, 2026, so the second hearing and vote is to be tabled to the July 15, 2026 meeting.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE #26-11 TO JULY 15, 2026. VOTE 6/0.

 

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

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-12A BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 5/1.   Nay vote Councilor Magill.

 

 

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

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-13 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

 

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

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-14 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

 

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

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-15 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

 

B.     RESOLUTION

1.       r-26-28 – A resolution adopting the unsynchronized tax levy for portions of Fiscal Year 2027 and Fiscal Year 2028. (Tabled from June 3, 2026 council meeting)

 

Mayor Mutter addressed the Council to provide context on the resolution. He explained that while the town does not formally adopt the final tax levy through this resolution, that action occurs again in April 2027.  At that point the Council would have another opportunity to act.  The Department of Revenue had, some years prior, recognized a potential vulnerability in municipal revenues should that April vote fail to achieve a majority. This resolution serves as a protective placeholder to ensure continuity of the tax levy in that scenario.  He further clarified that the levy range established in the resolution— between three and four percent, effectively representing a four percent levy — is fully compliant with and consistent with Ordinance #26-12A, which the Council had just approved. He stated that they will revisit this in April, but a vote tonight ensures that in case in April you could not get a majority to approve a levy, this one would take its place.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R-26-28.  VOTE 6/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 6:48 P.M.  VOTE 6/0.