MINUTES
EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
MAY 22, 2025, 6:30 P.M.
MEETING LOCATION
The Special Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, May 22, 2025, in the Town Council Chambers, in the Exeter Town Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Present
Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr. Present
Diane Bampton Allen Present
Olivia DeFrancesco Present
Calvin A. Ellis Absent
Also Present: Kenneth Findlay, Town Council Assistant
Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Town Solicitor
Maria Lawler, Town Treasurer
Patricia L. Whitford, Deputy Town Clerk
One Bid has been received from TischlerBise, Inc., Discussion Mr. Patterson would like to see the formula for commercial property changed to encourage business. MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to award the bid to TischlerBise, Inc. for the amount of $25,000.00; seconded by Mr. Patterson; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
TOWN COUNCIL TO ASSIST FIRE DISTRICT IN COLLECTION OF TAX SALE PAYMENTS PENDING AUTHORIZATION TO DO SO BY FIRE DISTRICT:
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to give the Tax Collector the authority to help with the collection of the Fire District Tax Sale if needed by the District; Seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
INTERIM PLANNING CLERK, INTERIM ZONING CLERK, INTERIM BUILDING CLERK
Discussion on pay for the interim positions, Treasurer Ms. Lawler stated the part time union pay is $19.04 per hour as of July 1, the pay will be $20.00 per hour, the interim positions will not be part of the union. Ms. DeFrancesco stated union pay should not be granted to those not in the union.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson the rate of pay for the interim Positions to be $19.04 per hour, after July 1, $20.00 per hour; Seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
INTERIM CLERKS; MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Rebecca Lukowicz as Interim Planning Clerk for 2 days a week, and Cheryl Fernstrom as Interim Zoning and Building Clerk for 2 days a week; Seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-4 (a) (2); Potential Litigation; Employment Matter; Seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 6:45 p.m., adjourned Executive Session at 7:00 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session
Motion made by Mr. Patterson to seal the minutes of Executive Session; Seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patteson to adjourn the meeting; Seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:05 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia L. Whitford
Exeter Deputy Clerk
Approved: July 7, 2025