No.  1   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

Town Council Member Michael Lefebvre led Council and the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

No.  2   CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:

The Work Session of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:35 p.m., on Wednesday, April 19, 2023, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No.  3   FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET PREPARATION: 

Draft Budget #1 was over the cap max of 4%.  The chances of getting approval from the State to go over the cap are doubtful.  Ms. Lawler has reworked the numbers (Draft Budget #2, before Council tonight) to show an increase of 3.97%.

A.    REVIEW OF LIBRARY BUDGET:  Library Director, Tien Tran, is requesting an increase of $2,500.00, or a 3.4% increase, in the Library’s operating budget.  Regarding his request for an increase in salaries for himself ($36.22 to $38.00/hour), his Youth Services Librarian ($23.64 to $26.00/hour), and his staff’s salaries ($13.87 to $18.00/hour), Mr. Patterson noted that there is an increase of 3% across the board all staff members factored into the budget.  The budget is close to the max.  Mr. Lefebvre suggested that Mr. Tran’s request for an increase of $2,500.00 in his operating budget be shifted to the salary line for his staff and Mr. Tran’s and the Youth Services Librarian’s increases stay at 3%.  In order to give the staff something more, perhaps the Library could do without a few less supplies.  It has not used what it was granted last year.  The Library’s operating budget would be level funded.  Following discussion, the budget was adjusted in accordance with Mr. Lefebvre’s suggestion. The increase to the Library Staff line item will be 5.32%.  Mr. Tran will develop a pay scale with the total amount to be distributed among his staff to be approved by the Library Board of Trustees.

B.    REVIEW OF PUBLIC WORKS BUDGET:  Director of Public Works, Robert Shappy, presented Council with his budgets for road improvements, Public Works, the Animal Shelter, and the Transfer Station, which were reviewed and discussed.  No changes were made.

C.    REVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET:  Ms. Lawler reviewed Draft Budget #2, pointing out where she made changes in order to reduce the cap on this budget to 3.97% and why, reviewing, explaining, and discussing with Council.   Town Planner Bill DePasquale informs Council that the State will pass reformed planning, zoning, and land development legislation, which will require a consultant to rewrite the Town’s ordinances at a cost of $70,000.00 and will be unfunded by the State.  It will take two years.  Half, $35,000.00, is requested this year.  The other $35,000.00 will be requested next year.  The Planning Board’s budget was increased by $35,000.00. Mileage Reimbursement and Insurance Expenses were level funded.  GPS Mapping/Stormwater was reduced to $15,000.00.  

No.  4   OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:  

The next budget meeting will be Thursday, April 27, at 6:30 p.m.  The Budget Public Hearing will be Monday, May 8, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.  Both meetings will be held in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Building, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No.  5   ADJOURNMENT:

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

The Work Session was adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

                                                                                    Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                    Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

                                                                                    Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:  May 1, 2023