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 26, 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 Councilors’ were present except for Councillor Flynn and Councillor Turano who participated in the meeting by zoom.
POSTED – May 20, 2021
SPECIAL MEETING – May 26, 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 26, 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 0750 1696; or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84107501696
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:
1. Public Hearing (Advertised)
Public Hearing Remains Open.
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second 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.
2. Resolution of the Council, re: Levy Resolution.
Said meeting will be held on Wednesday, May 26, 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 20, 2021 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
1. Public Hearing (Advertised)
Public Hearing Remains Open.
An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (Second 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.
Public Hearing remains open.
Council President Rodrigues noted that there are a lot of unanswered questions and is unsure if the budget will be adopted tonight. Mr. Rodrigues explained that the School Department has 30 days to adopt its budget after the Town has adopted the budget. Council President explained If the budget is adopted too late, the school could incur some unemployment costs, due to layoff notices that would need to be given.
Nate Levin-Aspenson, Providence, representing Newport County Mental Health, addressed the Council noting that Newport County Mental Health has requested a civic appropriation, which is increased from last year’s request by $30,000. Mr. Levin-Aspenson explained the request is a one-time request for capital improvements to the adult mental health care facility at 65 Valley Road for primary care doctors working with CODAC, creating doctors’ offices in the facility.
Discussion centered around that Newport County Mental Health has requested support from Newport, but missed the deadline to submit a civic support request from Portsmouth, that the Town cannot give the School Department less funding than was given last year, Department consolidations between the Town and School Department, the need for a plan to consolidate departments, issues between collective bargaining units when consolidating departments, there have been no successful models of consolidation of departments, first step to consolidation for the Town and School Finance Offices is to purchase one accounting system (cost $300,000.), and custodial services at the Police Station and Town Hall are contracted out.
Tax Assessor George Durgin was present to answer Council inquiries.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed Rate Illustrations:
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed Rate Illustrations with Tangible Change.
Discussion centered around normalizing the tax rate, change to the mill rate, the average tax rate increase for a median home, a zero-tax increase is not sustainable, contract obligations and the commercial tax rate.
Interim Fire Chief Rob McCall joined by zoom to answer Council inquiries.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the Pumper Replacement slide:
Discussion centered around the protocol for Fire Department response to calls, repairs for the current pumper truck, lifespan of a pumper truck, and the pumper trucks are a lease purchase paid from the Rescue Wagon Fund (no tax dollars).
Police Chief William Kewer joined by zoom, reviewed the following slide Middletown Police Vehicle Replacement Program:
Discussion centered around gas prices, tolls and if any Police Vehicles were taken home at night by Officers.
Police Chief William Kewer joined by zoom, reviewed the following slide Annual Detail Cruiser Revenue from Construction Projects:
Discussion centered around fees for use of police vehicles on details, purchase of vehicles from the Rescue Wagon Fund (no tax dollars) and reviewing the current ordinance to increase the fee for details.
Police Chief William Kewer joined by zoom, reviewed the following slide Beach and Sachuest Point Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV):
Discussion centered around the UTV can be used for details, used to patrol the beach, a donation from Honda Club towards the purchase, a JAG grant can be used towards the purchase, the remainder to purchase would come from the Rescue Wagon Fund, the UTV would be used by the Police and Fire, summer Police intern program, having a safe environment in the Town, police presents at the beaches and more boots on the ground for enforcing Town ordinances.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the following slide regarding Proposed Zoning Enforcement Officer:
Interim Public Works Director Robert Hanley was present by zoom to answer Council questions.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the following slide regarding the Proposed increase in the Department of Public Works Full Time Employees:
Discussion centered around the DPW staff has not increased, the Town has grown the department has not, there are 18 full time employees including the director, there are 2 part time seasonal employees and it has been 30 years since someone was added to the DPW.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting for 10 minutes at 9:02 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 9:13 pm.
Discussion centered around the proposed Outreach Program introduced by Councillor Turano, potential funding for the program being $95,000, concern of the learning gap due to COVID and focusing on solving educational problems in the town.
Councillor VonVillas presented a powerpoint presentation “Promoting Student Success Academic Recovery after COVID”, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around funding the program as needed with clear goals for the program, proposal is a limited program to assist students with learning loss, due to Covid, the need for a director to oversee the proposed Outreach Program, concern with redundancy of this program with the current after school programs and the proposed department consists of a Director, four part-time staff, supplies and a consultant.
Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie Kraeger addressed the Council noting that Councillor VonVillas’ proposal makes sense, it is in line with what RIDE has asked the cities and towns for.
Discussion centered around ESSER dollars, summer educational programs, grant monies for student transportation, if there is a new location for buses to move them from Gaudet School, Newport County Regional Special Education renting space at Oliphant School, the cost of Special Education for Middletown and no ESSER money will be received for Newport County Regional Special Education.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded it was voted unanimously that the Public Hearing Remains Open and the public hearing will be continued to June 7, 2021.
2. Resolution of the Council, re: Levy Resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this item to the June 7, 2021, Regular Meeting.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 10:10 p.m.
_______________________________
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri