No. 1: CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:

The Special Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:01 p.m., on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, in Council Chambers,

Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Yes

Raymond A. Morrissey Yes

Diane Bampton Allen Yes

Olivia DeFrancesco Yes

Calvin A. Ellis Yes

Also Present: Vincent F. Ragosta, Jr., Esq., Labor Attorney

Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Town Solicitor

Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk

Maria Lawler, Town Treasurer

No. 2: EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Because his wife, Janette Morrissey, works in the Clerk’s Office, and is a Union member,

Mr. Morrissey recused himself and left Council table at 6:01 p.m.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter Executive Session regarding labor negotiations

between Town of Exeter Public Works and Town Hall, Animal Control and Transfer Station and Local Union 1322; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted as follows:

Daniel W. Patterson Yes

Diane Bampton Allen Yes

Olivia DeFrancesco Yes

Calvin A. Ellis Yes

Motion passes

Council left Council table to hold Executive Session in the Clerk’s Office Vault.

Council entered into Executive Session at 6:01 p.m., proceeded to the Clerk’s Office Vault, adjourned Executive Session at 6:56 p.m., reassembled in Open Session at Council Table,

and proceeded with the meeting.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to seal the minutes of and affirm votes taken

in Executive Session; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in

the affirmative.

Attorney Ragosta left the meeting.

Mr. Morrissey rejoined the meeting and returned to Council table.

No. 3: JOINT MEETING WITH BOARD OF CANVASSERS: BOARD OF CANVASSERS BUDGET PREPARATION:

The budget proposes to double the Board of

Canvassers’ stipend. The Board of Canvassers has changed their meeting day to Wednesdays, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The three members will meet the first Wednesday of each month.

There will be one member in attendance on each of the other three Wednesdays of the month. There will no longer be additional time paid for extra hours required, such as for meetings or trainings with the State. The stipend will be all inclusive of how many or how little hours they have to do.

No. 4: PUBLIC HEARING:

A. PRESENTATION OF PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND CAPITAL

PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 (JULY 1, 2025, TO JUNE 30, 2026);

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 reviewed the proposed budget to date.

Lengthy discussion ensued regarding salary increases. Changes were made that will be

reflected in the proposed budget presented at the Financial Town Meeting on June 10.

Asa Davis, Resident, had questions regarding several line items, including tangible tax,

building permits, solar pilot, transfer from fund balance, impact fees, legal, and state police, which Town Treasurer Maria Lawler answered.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No. 5: ADOPTION OF PROPOSED MUNICIPAL BUDGET AND CAPITAL PROGRAM FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 (JULY 1, 2025 TO JUNE 30, 2026):

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt the Proposed Municipal Budget and Capital Program for Fiscal Year 2025-2026 (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) as presented and amended; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

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 8:01 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

Exeter Town Clerk

Approved: June 2, 2025