At a Special Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person and by telephone conference call/webinar, on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 6:06 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
AMENDED AND POSTED – JUNE 21, 2022
POSTED – June 20, 2022
SPECIAL MEETING – June 23, 2022
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 Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 6:00 P.M. at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person, by telephone conference call/ webinar, 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: 883 4255 0392 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88342550392
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., 42-46-4., 42-46-5., and 42-46-6., RIGL, I hereby call a Special Meeting of the Town Council to formally consider, discuss and act upon the following items of business. All items on this agenda, may be considered, discussed and voted upon.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
1. Resolution of the Council, re: Approve award of contract - Owner Project Manager Consulting Services- School Building Projects.
2. 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, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
3. Resolution of the Council, re: Tax Levy.
Said meeting will be held at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island 02842 on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at 6:00 P.M.
____________________________________
Paul M. Rodrigues, President
Middletown Town Council
cc : Town Council Public Library Finance Director
Town Administrator Town Solicitor School Committee
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 this meeting.
Posted on June 20, 2022 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Posted on June 21, 2022 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
1. Resolution of the Council, re: Approve award of contract - Owner Project Manager Consulting Services- School Building Projects.
Town Solicitor Peter Regan noted that the contract for owner project manager consulting services for the school building projects is under review and will be going back to Colliers with revisions. Mr. Regan explained the contract will come before the council for consideration at the June 29th Special Meeting.
A vote was taken at this time.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to continue this item to the June 29, 2022, Special Meeting.
2. 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, 2022 to June 30, 2023.
Vice President Welch announced that the Public Hearing Remains Open.
Council President Rodrigues explained the Council requested several Civic Appropriation applicants attend the Public Hearing to explain their funding request, in some cases there were new requests or there was an increase in the amount of funding.
Max Kraimer, representing Clean Ocean Access, explained there should have been just one request submitted totaling $9,500.
Jim McKenna, President Community Blessings, explained the one request for funding is new and the funds would be used to purchase a van to transport people to and from treatment. Mr. McKenna noted the additional request of $20,000 was being withdrawn, the request for that funding was to renovate St. Lucy’s Hearth.
Betsy Akin, Vice President Development & Communications of Child and Family Services, explained the request to increase funding is to provide for a full-time volunteer position coordinator. Ms. Akin noted the funding would assist with the cost of benefits and salary.
Marco Camacho, Aquidneck Island Planning Commission Board Chair, noted the request is for the final year of the Island Waters Project and the request amount will be reduced next year. Mr. Camacho informed the Council that the same request was asked of Portsmouth and Newport.
Mike Miller, CEO Newport County YMCA, explained the request was new and the YMCA was seeking funds for the expansion of the building which will help service the community. Mr. Miller noted the YMCA is continuing to raise funds to help decrease the debt of the project.
Vice President Welch noted he spoke with Walt Wildemann of the Middletown Youth Soccer Club, explaining the increase in funds requested was due to repairs needed to the soccer field from damage that occurred from someone driving on the field over the winter. Vice President Welch explained if funds are obtained from the court case, they will be given back to the Town.
It was the consensus of the Council to grant the funding requests of Clean Ocean Access, Child and Family Services, Middletown Youth Soccer Club, Middletown Wrestling Club and Maher Center; and not to fund the Newport County YMCA or laundry for Community Blessings, but keep the van request in for when they return with more information.
Jamie Lehane, Newport County Community Mental Health, thanked the Council for their continued support.
Katrina High, Middletown High School Student and current MHS Ensemble President, addressed the Council noting concern with the retirement of a music teacher at the high school and the Ensemble program will not be continuing. Ms. High explained the importance of the Ensemble program to her and fellow members.
Gwen Prather, Middletown High School Graduate, and former Ensemble member addressed the Council noting concern with the potential elimination of the Ensemble Program. Ms. Prather explained the positive impact the program makes for her and fellow members, requesting the Council to support funding of the program.
Discussion centered around the elimination of school programs do not encourage students to attend school, the chorus program has not been eliminated at either the high school or middle school, participants must audition for the ensemble program, there is a possibility of the program remaining in place depending upon the high school class schedule and enrollment, and the expense of funding one teacher position with salary and benefits is approximately $125,000.
Deanne Reilly, Middletown, addressed the Council requesting support of funding to move the volleyball team equipment from the Gaudet Gymnasium and install a volleyball system at the Middletown High School Gymnasium.
Paul Mankofsky, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the students and teachers at Middletown Schools deserve better leadership and accountability from the Middletown School Administration. Mr. Mankofsky explained the Town does an excellent job managing town funds and requests the Council to level fund the School Department.
Discussion centered around once the audit is complete and certified the Town will no longer have to approve School Department spending requests, the Town Council would like the School Committee to consider continuing to have the Finance Director approve all spending requests, the possibility of the Town continuing to work with the School Business Office, it is the decision of the School Committee to agree to allow the Town to oversee the School Department finances, the need for the School Department to provide an accurate budget to the Town, the need to find an interim school business manager, and the Town Solicitor will contact the School Attorney to discuss the Council continuing to approve school expenditures once the audit is complete.
Lori Verderosa, Middletown Prevention Coalition Coordinator, addressed the Council explaining the request is to move the current Gaudet staff member from part time to full time is based on student needs and survey data. Ms. Verderosa reviewed the following data/information entered here:
Discussion centered around student mental health needs are significant, the student assistance counselor at the high school is overwhelmed and how the student wellness survey is administered.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the following power point, entered here:
The public hearing remains open.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue said public hearing.
3. Resolution of the Council, re: Tax Levy.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue said resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:15 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri