No.   1   CALL TO ORDER: 

The Special Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m., in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No.   2   FUTURE TOWN HALL, 742 TEN ROD ROAD:  SELECTION OF ARCHITECT:  CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT: 

Council had selected Brewster Thornton Group Architects (hereinafter “Brewster”) for this project.  Mr. Findlay presented

the contract between Brewster and the Town to Council.  The contract has been through a

few reiterations, reviewed by Mr. Findlay, Mr. Turner, and the Town’s Solicitor.  Brewster

will provide Council with three initial drawings.  The cost for this phase will be $5,000.00.  Thereafter, Brewster will charge per hour according to the fee schedule in the contract

(Exhibit B).  Once a drawing is selected, Brewster will do the final designs, write specifi-

cations for a request for proposals to select a general contractor, and then will oversee the construction phase to completion.  Discussion ensued regarding the project and process,

the contract terms, the funds to pay for the project (Covid funds to be used by December

2026), etc.

MOTION made by Mr. Turner to accept the contract between the Town of Exeter

and Brewster Thornton Group Architects relative to 742 Ten Rod Road; seconded

by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   3    FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 PROPOSED BUDGET:  REVIEW AND PREPARATION: 

Review of the proposed budget continued from Monday, April 13.  Treasurer Lawler presented Council with Draft 2, which reflected the changes made on

April 13.  Mr. Turner requested that revenue received from the Solar Farm Pilot be explained.  This solar farm, located next to the Exeter Post Office, was installed prior to State legislation regarding taxation of solar farms.  The owner approached the Town and offered an agreement

in lieu of taxes, which was put in place.  Following discussions, adjustments to the Town Sergeant’s, Social Services’, and Council’s salary increases were made.  At this point, there

is not room in the budget to sustain a salary for a Town Manager.

No.   4    ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adjourn; seconded by Mr. Schiffer;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative. 

The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully submitted,

                                                                                                Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:   May 4, 2026