No. 1 CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL:

The Special Meeting of the Exeter

Town Council was called to order at 6:31p.m., on Monday, May 8, 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 Absent – On Vacation

Also Present: Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk

Maria Lawler, Town Treasurer

Kenneth Findlay, Council Assistant

No. 2 PUBLIC HEARING:

PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAM

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 (JULY 1, 2023, TO JUNE 30, 2024); QUESTIONS AND

ANSWERS; PUBLIC COMMENT:

MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. Allen;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Town Treasurer, Maria Lawler, presented the proposed budget to Council. She made the changes discussed at the last budget meeting. Council reviewed and discussed the budget

one more time. Only one change was made, to reduce the Town Sergeant’s operating budget

so a two-thirds vote will not be required.

There was no one present from the Public for questions, answers, or comments.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No. 3 ADOPTION OF PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 (JULY 1, 2023 TO JUNE 30, 2024):

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adopt Proposed Municipal Budget and Capital Program for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 (July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024); seconded by

Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No. 4 OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES:

Proposed Residential Treatment Facility: The State plans to establish a residential treatment facility on its property near Job Corps. It has set aside $250,000.00 for its land use plan and

will be going through the Town permitting, development plan review, etc.

Work From Home Fridays: Considering that the Town’s employees are greatly underpaid

and the Town cannot afford to pay them what it should, Ms. DeFrancesco will propose at the June meeting that the Town Hall staff work from home on Fridays, as an additional benefit versus compensation, and asked Council to consider this idea in the meantime.

No. 5 ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adjourn the meeting; seconded by

Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:11 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

Exeter Town Clerk

Approved: June 5, 2023