No. 1 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

Town Council President Daniel Patterson led Council and the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

No. 2 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:

The Special Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:31p.m., on Monday, April 10, 2023, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Present

Michael A. Lefebvre Present

Diane Bampton Allen Present

Olivia DeFrancesco Present

Calvin A. Ellis Present

Also Present: Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk

Maria Lawler, Town Treasurer

Kenneth Findlay, Council Assistant

No. 3 USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS: TOWN HALL ADDITION v. NEW TOWN HALL v. POSSIBLE PURCHASE OF 742 TEN ROD ROAD:

Lengthy discussion and review ensued regarding the three options. Council reviewed a Report drafted by Mr. Findlay showing the Financial Impacts of each option [costs, funding (actual, pending, and possible), financing, positives, and negatives]. Rather than spending the funds and time going out to bid for a feasibility study, Mr. Findlay will continue with and update this Report. For an addition to the current building, Council has a proposal by Torrado Associates. In 2014, the building at 742 Ten Rod Road was for sale. The then Council considered buying to replace the existing Town Hall. Azzinaro Larson Architects were engaged. Council reviewed Azzinaro Larson’s assessment and design options. Mr. Findlay will contact the owner of 742 Ten Rod Road to gather information on the building and take pictures and draft an RFP for a new building at the Library site.

No. 4 FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET PREPARATION:

Maria Lawler, Town Treasurer, distributed a draft of the proposed budget. It is currently over the cap, 4.87%, because of the State’s phase out last year of motor vehicle taxation. Discussion ensued. The next budget meeting was scheduled for April 19. The Directors of Public Works and the Library will be invited to review their budgets.

No. 5 OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:

There were no Other Administrative Issues.

No. 6 ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Special Meeting was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

Exeter Town Clerk

Approved: May 1, 2023