No.   1   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

Town Council Member Calvin Ellis 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 7:03 p.m., on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No.   3   SENATOR GORDON ROGERS:  LOW TO MODERATE HOUSING; RURAL COALITION: 

Senator Rogers lives and has lived his whole life in Foster.  He served on the Foster Town Council from  2010 to 2018, is currently Foster’s Highway Director, and is serving his third term as Senator.  The House is proposing bills that are going to be submitted that will “trample” zoning ordinances and increase density for accessory dwelling units and low-moderate housing percentages.  He believes that if the smaller towns unite and pull together, the rural communities will have a stronger voice against the proposed legislations.  He asked Council

to consider joining the coalition he hopes to form and to be prepared when it is time to act.

Exeter has sent its opposition in advance of the bills being submitted.  The House is not happy that it is getting push back from the cities and towns.  It will not do to just say no.  It will be better to negotiate the language and nature of the bills.

No.   4   USE OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS: TOWN HALL ADDITION v. NEW TOWN HALL:

  Council discussed at length the pros, cons, issues, concerns, practicalities, impracticalities, ideas, suggestions, and funding for building an addition on the existing building or building a new building in the field near the Library.  The problems of the current building were discussed.  The high cost of building  a new town hall was discussed.  Some time ago, the Town considered buying the building and property at 742 Ten Rod Road.  The Clerk was directed to contact the current owner to inquire whether he or she would be interested in selling.

Council reviewed the projects approved by resolution at the 2022 Financial Town Meeting to be funded by American Recovery Act Funds.  The resolution allows Council to make changes. 

After its review and reconsideration, Council deemed some projects most likely never to come to fruition and some needing less than originally set aside.  The excesses were added to that put aside for the Town Hall Addition.

Council will continue this discussion at its Special Meeting on February 27.

No.   5   OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES: 

Mr. Ellis inquired regarding the status of posting  the vacancy of Director of Public Works.  Council directed the Clerk last evening to post the vacancy, which she will do by the end of the week.

No.   6   ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Ms. Allen;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Special Meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:  March 6, 2023