THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.

At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI held by telephone conference at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 P.M.

Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding

Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III

Councillor Terri Flynn

Councillor Christopher M. Logan

Councillor M. Theresa Santos

Councillor Dennis B. Turano

Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present

All Councillors were present except for Councillor Flynn who participated in the meeting by zoom.

POSTED – May 12, 2021

SPECIAL MEETING – May 19, 2021

The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a Special Meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. - Said meeting will be conducted by telephone conference call/ webinar, in accordance with Executive Order 20-46 issued by Governor Raimondo on April 15, 2020, extended to May 27, 2021, which modifies certain provisions of the Open Meetings Act (“OMA”) and the Access to Public Records Act (“APRA”) as part of the State’s emergency response to COVID-19. Members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 841 6760 5434; or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84167605434

Wendy J.W. Marshall, Town Clerk

Town of Middletown

Town Hall – 350 East Main Road

Middletown, Rhode Island 02842

Dear Ms. Marshall:

Pursuant to the provisions of Article II, Section 203 of the Town Charter and in accordance with Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-3, 42-46-4, 42-46-5 and 42-46-6, RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and vote upon the following items of business:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

PUBLIC HEARING - BUDGET

1. Public Hearing (Advertised)

An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

An Ordinance in amendment to the ordinances of the Town of Middletown General Fund, Parks and Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund, Refuse and Recycling Fund, Appropriating revenues for the Fiscal Year July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

Said meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 at 6:00 P.M. Town Council will meet in accordance with Executive Order 20-46.

____________________________________

Paul M. Rodrigues, President

Middletown Town Council

cc: Town Council Town Administrator Town Solicitor

Finance Director Public Library

This meeting location is accessible to the handicapped. Individuals requiring interpreter services for the hearing-impaired should notify the Town Clerk’s Office at 847-0009 not less than 48 hours before the meeting.

Posted on May 12, 2021 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.

Present representing the School Department were Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger, Assistant Superintendent Michele Fonseca, Business Manager Cindy Brown, School Committee Chair Theresa Spengler and members Liana Ferreira Fenton and Tami Holden. (All joined the meeting by zoom)

1. Public Hearing (Advertised)

An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)

Public Hearing was declared open.

Council President Rodrigues noted that this Public Hearing is for the public to weigh in on the proposed FY2022 budget. Council President Rodrigues stated the second public hearing will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that the Council tries to adopt the budget by May 30^th each year to allow 30 days for the School Committee to adopt their budget.

Finance Director Marc Tanguay and Deputy Finance Director Elaine Colarusso were present to assist the Town Administrator with the presentation and to answer Council questions.

Town Administrator Shawn Brown presented a Power point, giving an overview of the budget, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.

Discussion centered around the mill rate, there being a $50.00 increase for sewer users, proposed percentage increase to the tax rate being 3.26%, Council requesting what would be decreased in the budget if the Council approved a 0%, 1%, 2% or 3% budget and if the Council would prefer going through the budget line by line.

Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed a power point with proposed reductions in the budget, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.

Discussion centered around combining the Public Works Department and the Facilities Department from the Schools and an additional Building/Zoning Officer position.

The School Committee and Administration were present to answer Council questions.

Discussion centered around Senate Bill 3050 caps the tax rate increase at 4%, tax burden is spread-out through the entire Town, definition of homeless school students, projected Federal funds for the upcoming school year, ESSER monies, not having the specifics on how ESSER monies can be spent, summer school to help close the gap for some students, building based substitute teachers, per pupil expenses, fee and reduce hot lunch, military students in the Town, English as a Second Language Students, cost of Special Education for students, School Capital projects, reductions in school staff, the Beyond the Bell School Program, Areas that the School Department would like to expand the Beyond the Bell Program (Early Childhood, Backpack to Briefcase and Leadership Academy), not wanting to duplicate services for the students and cleaning supply monies.

Paul Mankofsky, 20 Pequot Lane, addressed the Council, noting that Barrington and other Towns have better student achievement with a lower cost per pupil. Mr. Mankofsky explained that throwing money at the problem will not solve issues.

Discussion centered around that Barrington is a different demographic area with a different school system and the need to improve math proficiency and reading.

Council President Rodrigues thanked all for participating in the meeting. Mr. Rodrigues noted that the Second Public Hearing and potential Adoption of the Budget will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

There being no other persons desiring to be heard, public hearing will remain open.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.

On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:21 p.m.

_____________________________

Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC

Council Clerk

Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri