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 Regular Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person, on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 6:01 P.M.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano, Members Present
Councillor Christopher M. Logan, Absent
POSTED FEBRUARY 1, 2023
REGULAR MEETING FEBRUARY 6, 2023
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
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 regular meeting to be held on Monday, February 6, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. Executive Session and 6:30 P.M. Regular Meeting 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: 847 2853 9041 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84728539041
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If you chose to join the meeting by zoom or telephone, Council Rules allow for the Public to speak only during the Public Forum and Public Hearings. If calling in by telephone, pressing *9 raises your hand and pressing *6 will unmute.
The items listed on the Consent portion of the agenda are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will ordinarily be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests and the Town Council President permits, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. All items on this agenda, with the exception of the Public Forum Session, may be considered, discussed, and voted upon in executive session and/or open session.
Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
Any person not a member of the Council, desiring to address the Council concerning a matter on the docket of the Council, not the subject of a Public Hearing, shall submit a written request to the Town Clerk stating the matter upon which he desires to speak. Persons are permitted to address the Council for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes.
The Middletown Town Council follows the codification of present-day general parliamentary law as articulated in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10th edition (2000), together with whatever rules of order the Council has adopted for its own governance. The motion to reconsider is one of the motions that can bring a question again before an assembly, and is designed to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on:
If, in the same session that a motion has been voted on, but no later than the same day or the next day on which a business meeting is held, new information or a changed situation makes it appear that a different result might reflect the true will of the assembly, a member who voted with the prevailing side can, by moving to Reconsider [RONR (10th ed.), p. 304-321] the vote,
propose that the question shall come before the assembly again as if it had not previously been considered. (From Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, Robert, Evans et al., De Capo Press, 2004)
There were no reconsiderations.
1. Executive Session - Pursuant to provisions of RIGL, Sections 42-46-2, 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 (a), (5) Land Acquisition (West Main Road), (5) Land Acquisition, (5) Land Acquisition, (2) Collective Bargaining (FOP) and (2) Collective Bargaining (IAFF) - review, discussion and/or potential action and/or vote in executive session and/or open session.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess open session and reconvene in executive session at 6:02 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 6:34 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to accept the letter from Middletown IAFF regarding contract negotiations.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to seal the executive session minutes pursuant to Section 42-46-7. RIGL.
2. Town’s Legislative concerns to be addressed at the 2023 session of the General Assembly - with the Town’s General Assembly Delegation. (No documentation)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin discussion regarding the Town’s Legislative concerns to be addressed at the 2023 session of the General Assembly with the Town’s General Assembly Delegation.
Present representing the Town’s General Assembly Delegation were Senator Louis P. DiPalma, Representative District 72 Terri-Denise Cortvriend and Representative District 74 Alex Finkelman.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the following Legislative Agenda PowerPoint, entered here:
Senator Louis P. DiPalma addressed the Council presenting them with the following FY2024 Governor’s Budget information, entered here:
Discussion centered around educational funding, high cost of special education, English language learners, Town infrastructure and getting federal funds for some Town projects.
Representative District 72 Terri-Denise Cortvriend addressed the Council echoing agreement Senator DiPalma’s comments.
Discussion centered around homelessness in the schools, the National Grid LNG project on Old Mill Lane project after school programs for students.
Representative District 74 Alex Finkelman addressed the Council noting he will support Middletown initiatives.
The Town Council noted appreciation to the Legislators for their support.
3. Memorandum of Town Planner, re: Development Impact Fees Study and Ordinance Amendments (Town Code Ch. 150).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around the history of the Development Impact fee ordinance, there are no impact fees being collected for the schools, due to decreasing enrollment; the Town Council has the discretion not to collect impact fees, the impact fees for homes are the same fee no matter the square footage of the structure and the fees are one-time fees.
4. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown (First Reading)
An ordinance in amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title XV, Land Use, Chapter 150, Development Impact Fees.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
5. Pursuant to Rule 25 of the Rules of the Council, Citizens may address the town on one (1) subject only, said subject of substantive Town business, neither discussed during the regular meeting nor related to personnel or job performance. Citizens may speak for no longer than five (5) minutes and must submit a public participation form to the Council Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. All items discussed during this session will not be voted upon.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council read the following into the record:
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the Town Council.
I shared some thoughts with the School Building Committee at their meeting last Wednesday and I am here tonight to share some thoughts on the meeting with you.
As a taxpayer, I would like to remind the Town Council, and the public, where the Middletown School Building issue has come from. Just last January, Town Council told the School Building Committee “Take your $90M dollar proposal and come back with a $60 million dollar proposal.” Why? Because council knew $3.3 million dollars a year to pay the loan payments was too rich for Middletown citizens. Then, last May, Town Council approved the regionalization proposal for the ballot that not only cost taxpayers in extensive staff labor but would actually increase the annual amount due from taxpayers from $3.3 million dollars to $3.7 million dollars. Council’s justification was ROI. Return on investment. An 80% percent RIDE reimbursement.
Despite National Grid rebate offers and attractive energy loan interest rates, I have close friends who are not replacing an old and inefficient heating system. They pay hundreds extra each month in the winter to supplement with electric space heaters. Why? Because taking on payments for a $15 thousand to $25 thousand dollar loan right now does not leave them confident that the other bills and any unexpected expenses would be taken care of. I wouldn’t expect anything less from the community leadership.
Like back in 2016 when the Middletown Town Council asked voters to approve a $10 million dollar bond for school repairs. A June 2016 Newport Daily News article stated, “For years, Middletown educational officials have been looking for ways to improve their four school buildings. Shifting away from a $122 million dollar plan to build a new high school on the former Starlight Drive-in property on Aquidneck Avenue and consolidate two elementary schools into the existing home of Middletown High, educators now plan to fix what they have.” That was the plan: Fix What They Have. Taxpayers approved the $10M dollar bond - and that plan.
Would voters have approved that $10M dollar bond if they were told that the plan was to spend $10 million dollars, plus interest, for repairs and then some of those repairs would be torn down or irrelevant just a few years after completion because there’s going to be a new plan? Oh, and by the way, the new plan is to push Middletown to the brink of financial capacity, which means Middletown may have difficulty getting funds when other needs or unexpected expenses occur.
One question is: Are the schools falling down around our students after investing $10 million dollars in them? No, they are not. Are they inefficient to run and less efficient than brand-new buildings? Certainly they are. So are a lot of homes in town, like mine. And in weather anomalies like the extreme cold we had this weekend, it’s not just the old and inefficient systems that might fail, any system is subject to fail. I am not questioning the list of school building deficiencies - not at all. But they are inefficiencies not pressing endangerments. If they were, there would be another whole conversation going on.
In keeping with its historically, strong financial practices, Middletown made a plan in 2016: Fix What They Have. Shouldn’t the next step be a continuation, or supplement to that, considering taxpayers have already spent $10 million dollars plus interest? Proposing to throw away any part of that money after just 6 years and 3 months seems unacceptable. For example, someone spends $50 thousand dollars upgrading their kitchen. They know they will be providing space for their elder parents in the future and it turns out 6 years and 3 months later, the parents must move in. They realize that the best place for their parents is near the driveway, right where the new kitchen is. Do you believe they will decide the best use of their resources is to tear down that $50 thousand dollar kitchen? Or, to make a plan around the major investment they have already made, and work around What They Have.
The question and request for the School Building Committee, and now the Town Council, from a taxpayer perspective, is: What is the plan? The 5-year, 10-year, 15, 25, and 50-year plan.
A plan that incorporates the investment in school buildings that the taxpayers have already made.
Thank you for allowing me to share this evening.
Tom Welch, Middletown, addressed the Council reviewing the following:
Lawrence Frank, Middletown, addressed the Council read the following into the record:
The next item on tonight’s agenda will be an update from the Town Administrator on town projects. When he completes his recitation of the multitude of projects it is clear that Shawn Brown is managing an almost unsustainable workload.
So it was with interest that Councilman Dennis Turano, at the January 17 council meeting, resurrecting a rejected and discredited tax proposal, wants to add to Mr. Brown's burden. Mr. Turano, to use his words “would like to look at ways to manage the reassessment process to make taxes more predictable and accurate.” In his telling multimillion dollar homes are being built next to modest houses, resulting in property tax reassessments that cause income limited homeowners to have to move. And this is true, that is what is happening. Real estate investors, those who buy single family homes that are converted into short term rentals, are accorded many tax advantages that regular homeowners do not have. Many investors collect large sums of money and pay little or no state or federal income taxes.
Which brings me to the discussion of short-term rentals. The financial incentive for purchasing multimillion dollar properties purposed as short-term rentals is
irresistible. When you remove the incentive, this type of business and the damage to our community will stop. If Mr. Turano was really interested in predictability of taxes, he would support the prohibition of short-term rentals in residential areas. Instead, what he has proposed will cap the real estate investors tax burden.
For a real estate investor, building more short term rentals, increasing the bottom line makes perfect economic sense.
Just the other day Governor McKee released his new budget. It calls for a decrease in money for education in Middletown. One of the reasons cited was declining enrollment. It is not hard to understand that as more and more residences are converted to short term rentals, the number of families in Middletown will decline. Not to mention the price appreciation which has made living here unaffordable. Fewer families, fewer children. This is only one of the many ways short term rentals have damaged our town. If the town council is serious about the long-term viability of Middletown it will begin the process of prohibiting short term rentals. They benefit only real estate investors, while damaging the finances
and social fabric of this community.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said Town Projects update.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown addressed the Council reviewing the following:
To: Hon. Paul M. Rodrigues, President
Town Council Members
From: Shawn J. Brown, Town Administrator
Date: February 6, 2023
Re: Updates on Middletown Projects
Here is a brief update on town projects:
Affordable Housing – The Town Council authorized the consultant to prepare and submit a master plan application to the Planning Board. The Town and consultants are negotiating changes to the existing agreements to reflect the changes in the scope of work associated with the projects.
Middletown Center – The Town and developer are meeting to discuss the fair valuation of the land lease and identify steps necessary to clarify assumptions made about development costs associated with the property.
Green End Safety / Roundabout – The consulting engineer is working on a 30% design.
Roads – The contract for roadwork was awarded, and work is underway. Drainage and prep work will be completed before the winter shutdown, and paving operations will occur in spring.
Tax Reform – No open work to address here.
Middletown Outreach – The Outreach Coordinator has been focused on administering the Civic Appropriations program and addressing individual cases identified through various channels. The Town partnered with MLK Center to provide a mobile food pantry to the community and held an event to sign families up for SNAP benefits.
School Building Committee – The Committee is pursuing constructing a Middle/High School and funding a capital improvement program in place of the regionalization plan. The School Committee has voted to support this recommendation. The matter has been promoted to the level of the Town Council to determine whether to proceed as recommended.
Middletown IT Department Update – Next 5 Years – No update here.
Bond – Infrastructure Repair – We are investigating the costs associated with several projects and will aggregate them into a GO Bond that we will propose for 2024.
Pickleball Courts – Bids have been received and the prices are unfavorable to the project budget. There is a matter related to the funding source that needs to be better defined before the award of contract should be considered.
Keeping Middletown Clean – No update.
ARPA Money/Projects – The Finance Director will provide an update about ARPA commitments at the Town’s first meeting in February.
Town/School Consolidation – The staff are working on a plan for operating a consolidated Finance & HR office.
Water Issues/Maidford River Project – No update.
Short-Term Rentals – The staff is registering units for the upcoming season. The Planning Board is collecting data from other communities that have adopted measures related to STRs.
Build-Out Study Recommendations – The design for the roundabout at GEA/Berkley/Paradise is underway. The Nutrient Control Ordinance has been drafted and under review by the Solicitor’s Office (Attorney Desautel).
School Performance Audit – No update.
Regionalization – No open work to address here.
Marijuana Legalization – The Planning Board will begin to consider the revised ordinance prepared by the Solicitor in March.
The Town Council met on January 23, 2023, and discussed its strategic priorities for the upcoming session. They include:
• Zoning and housing stock
• Schools (building and education)
• Generate new revenue without raising taxes
• Water
• West Main Road redevelopment
• Atlantic Beach District
• Development of additional recreation spaces
• Development of applications to interact with the ‘digital citizen’
Contact me with your questions.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to Act as a Board of License Commission.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Discussion center centered around supporting businesses in the Town, not raising the cap as a whole, raising the cap on a case by case basis, requirements for license holders and concern that the establishment is not for just 21 and over.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjust the current cap on Class B Alcoholic Beverage Licenses by increasing the number of Class B Licenses from 40 to 41.
8. Application of Island Cinemas 10, LLC, 866 West Main Road (Plat 106, Lot 150), for a Class BL Liquor License for use at the same premises. (New; Requires Advertising for a future Public Hearing and Notification to abutters)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said application, advertise for public hearing for February 21, 2023 and notify abutters.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
9. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, January 3, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
10. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, January 17, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
11. Communication of David A. Bergantino, CPA, CFE, Interim Auditor General, re: Granting the Town of Middletown an extension to March 31, 2023 for submission of the audited financial report and management letter, if applicable, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
12. Application from Middletown Senior Citizens Center, 650 Green End Avenue, for RENEWAL of a Bingo license for the 2023-2024 licensing year – Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays). (Fee to be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license and waive said fee.
13. License of Burial, re: Dan Daniels – Section 54, Lots 50 & 51.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
14. Application for Special Event Permit from Audrain Automobile Museum, Inc. for Bonhams & Butterfields Veteran Car Auction to be held Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at 250 West Main Road.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit.
15. Applications for Special Event Permits, seven (7) events, from Audrain Auto Museum for the Cars and Coffee at Second Beach on the following dates listed below:
§ Sunday, April 16th, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, April 23rd, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, May 21st, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, October 15th, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, October 22nd, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, November 5th, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
§ Sunday, November 12th, 2023 – 8:00 am to 10:00 am
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permits.
16. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport Polo for the Newport County Winter Festival to be held on Saturday, February 25, 2023 and Sunday, February 26, 2023 at 3:00 pm at Second Beach/Middletown Beach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit.
17. Application for Special Event Permit from the Yankee Travelers Chapter of FMCA for the Annual Motorhome Rally to be held at Second Beach Parking Lot on Thursday, May 25, 2023, thru Monday, May 29, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said Special Event permit.
Recycling Co-Ordinator/ Operations and Facility Manager Will Cronin addressed the Council noting the applicants have had this event in the past with no issues.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permit.
18. Applications two (2) for Special Event Permits from AmpSurf a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization for 1) VA Summer Sports Camp Adaptive surfing clinic for disabled veterans to be held at Sachuest Beach, Path 8 on Tuesday, July 25, 2023 and Wednesday, July 26, 2023 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm (Applicant requests fees to be waived) and 2) Adaptive Surf Clinic for people with disabilities to be held at Sachuest Beach, Path 8 on Saturday, September 9, 2023 from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm. (Applicant request fees to be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event permits and waive said fees.
19. An Ordinance of the Town of Middletown. (First Reading)
An ordinance in amendment to the Town Code of the Town of Middletown, Title VII, Traffic Code, Chapter 75, Traffic Schedules, Seascape Avenue, 20mph.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
Councillor Santos suggested that all neighborhood roads should be 15 mph.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said ordinance on its first reading.
20. Communication of St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, re: Request for support by placing an ad in the Parade Bulletin or donating to the parade committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said communication and approve a half-page ad (cost$140.00) in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Booklet to be appropriated from the Council President’s Discretionary Fund; Vice President Welch amended said motion, which was duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve a full-page ad (cost $250.00). to be appropriated from the Council President’s Discretionary Fund.
21. At the request of the Open Space and Fields Committee, Resolution of the Council, re: Earth Day 2023 Celebration, Aquidneck Island Earth Week (AIEW).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
22. Communication of Robert Crump, Interim Chair, Library Board of Trustees and Theresa Coish, Library Director, re: Review of the Library Building Program document and requesting a meeting with the Town Council to discuss the building program.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and schedule a review for Monday, March 6, 2023 at 6:30 pm.
23. Memorandum of Councillor Turano, re: Discussion Dunlap Park.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Councillor Turano addressed the Council noting that Dunlap Park needs upgrades. Mr. Turano explained that stormwater floods the park and area. Councillor Turano suggested the Open Space and Fields Committee review the area.
Discussion centered around the development of the Dunlap Park, the Town has about 16 parking spaces along the side of the park for Town Residents with beach stickers and the Dunlap park improvement project is in the CIP.
On motion of Councillor Turano, duly seconded, to forward this matter to the Open Space and Fields Committee to review.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that this matter is being addressed by the Middletown Economic Development Advisory Committee (MEDAC).
A vote was taken.
On motion of Councillor Turano, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to forward this matter to the Open Space and Fields Committee to review.
24. Communication of Councillor Logan and Councillor Turano, re: Request for Department of Child, Youth and Learning name be changed to Department of Community Outreach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Councillor Turano addressed the Council noting he recommends the Department of Child, Youth and Learning be changed, due to the major function of the Department is Community Outreach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to change the name for the Department of Child, Youth and Learning to Department of Community Outreach.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 8:27 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 8:39 pm.
25. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Impact of School Construction Bond on Taxes.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum above.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay reviewed the following handout:
(reviewed 52.5% first)
Colliers Project Leader-Derek Osterman and Financial Advisor, representing Hilltop Securities, Inc., Vice President Matthew Blais were present to answer Council questions.
Discussion centered around the average cost to the taxpayer per year, the potential savings to the taxpayers for the 25 year bond payoff verses the 30 year bond payoff, taxpayers understand dollars when taxes are being increased, potential for increasing the reimbursement rate from RIDE, there are eighteen communities impacted by the housing aid reimbursement legislation (requesting legislation to increase the percentage of housing aid) the numbers used to estimate the project were conservative, minimizing the risk to the Town bond rating and after ten years the bond will be eligible to be refinanced.
Ronald Heroux, Middletown, addressed the Council noting he is a taxpayer and supports construction of a new school.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that he would like to see the tax rate decrease once the bond is paid off.
26. Resolution of the Council, re: A RESOLUTION MEMORIALIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO ENACT LEGISLATION AUTHORIZING THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN TO ISSUE NOT TO EXCEED $190,000,000 GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS, NOTES AND OTHER EVIDENCES OF INDEBTEDNESS TO FINANCE THE CONSTRUCTION, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING A MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL AND THE RENOVATION, IMPROVEMENT, ALTERNATION, REPAIR, FURNISHING AND EQUIPPING OF SCHOOL FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE TOWN AND ALL ATTENDANT EXPENSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, DEMOLITION, ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTUAL AND LANDSCAPING COSTS, PROVIDED THAT THE AUTHORIZATION SHALL BE REDUCED BY THE AMOUNT OF CERTAIN GRANTS RECEIVED FROM STATE BOND PROCEEDS, FROM THE RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OR FROM THE RHODE ISLAND SCHOOL BUILDING AUTHORITY.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution and hold a Special Election on May 2, 2023, as set forth in the proposed legislation.
Colliers Project Leader-Derek Osterman was present to answer Town Council inquiries.
Discussion centered around the concern that the vocational technical programs are not within the resolution, the resolution is broad for flexibility, the educational planning process is just beginning, there is time to refine the design and contents of project once state funding is secured.
Charlie Roberts, Middletown, Co-Chair of the Building Committee noted agreement that Vocation Technical programs are important, but explained that a separate building is not necessary for the programs.
Audrey McCloud Pfeiffer, Middletown, addressed the Council noting support for the Vocational Technical programs. Ms. Pfeiffer suggests the Town look outside the box.
Terri Flynn, Middletown, addressed the Council, reading the following into the record:
Thank you, Mr. President and members of the Town Council.
I understand this resolution is verbiage for the state legislators and ultimately a ballot question? That being asked, the verbiage states, “middle school and high school.” But at the School Building Committee meeting just last Wednesday, there was a variety of discussion points from the members that would seem to maybe conflict with this:
Certainly, that conversation, just five nights ago, didn’t sound like something was definitive and ready to be presented to our legislators.
I also understand from the discussion that a special election, as has been mentioned tonight, could be held at the beginning of May; I think it's got a date now: May 2nd. That’s in three months. Last year, the council approved the regionalization ballot question in May for the election in November. Council was told that all the information would be provided before the November election, and a September deadline was recommended -two months before the election- so there would be time to ensure that the information did get to all voters. Despite that recommendation, informational meetings, discoveries, curriculum and union conversations were occurring well into September and as late as October 27th when Middletown hosted a joint school committee meeting. That was 11 days -only 6 business days- before the November 8th election.
Town staff spent an excessive amount of time and resources on Regionalization information. And yet, subsequently it was learned that a number of voters did not know that students would not be going to school together outside a common curriculum choice. Voters did not realize that despite the return on investment it was a more expensive proposal to taxpayers.
At your last regularly scheduled meeting on January 17th, Antone Viveiros, town council candidate, pointed out to council, that a large number of voters did not know that the proposed regional school board would have had the power of eminent domain and could take Middletown land with a mere 4 to 3 vote. Additionally, many voters did not realize that portions of their 2016 $10 million dollar plus interest school building investment, would not be used to their full potential useful life.
I have to say, the verbiage of the resolution just doesn’t seem aligned to the public meetings of the School Building Committee and the Town Council and apparently this puts the town at risk financially with many variables out of the town’s control. On that fact alone, approving this resolution seems irresponsible.
If the consensus of the council is to move forward with this verbiage, voters will need full information disclosures to make a good decision. Based on the recommendations from the last election, and the number of resultant information gaps, a full complement of data should be available to the voters by the beginning of March, two months before the special election in May.
The information provided to the voters should include:
Thank you for your consideration of these issues.
Ed Brady, Middletown, Co-Chair of the Building Committee, addressed the Council noting that the plan for the bond is a middle school/high school and there will be 20 million dollars in funding to make repairs in the elementary schools. Mr. Brady explained at the last Building Committee meeting, the Building Committee discussed the options for the elementary schools.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that the Council will not have all the information needed before the May 2, 2023 Election.
Superintendent of Schools Rosemarie Kraeger addressed the Council noting there will be a meeting on Thursday, February 9, 2023 with the Educational Consultant. Ms. Kraeger also noted that there will be future meetings with teachers, residents, etc. for the educational planning piece of the project.
Ron Heroux, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the need to educate the voter on the need for new schools and the educational benefits.
Discussion centered around not leaving the Vocational Technical students behind, deadlines for the Phase II application for the school improvements, deadline for having a May 2, 2023 Special Election and a plan to educate the residents on why new schools are needed.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution and hold a Special Election on May 2, 2023, as set forth in the proposed legislation.
27. Memorandum of Recycling Coordinator/Operations & Facility Manager, thru Town Administrator, re: Campground rate review.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
Recycling Co-Ordinator/ Operations and Facility Manager Will Cronin addressed the Council reviewing the memorandum above.
Discussion centered around not raising the rates for the 2023 Campground season and campsite availability.
28. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Equipment Purchase: DPW dump truck with plow and sander.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
29. Resolution of the Council, re: Equipment Purchase of Freightliner 108SD Dump truck with Stainless-Steel Material Spreader and Snowplow package.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Public Works Director Robert Hanley was present to answer Council inquiries.
Discussion centered around the bid price increase, due to the market increase, funding for the purchase is from the CIP and the truck/equipment will be received in December 2023.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
30. Memorandum of Finance Director, re: Financial Report – Six Months Ended December 31, 2022.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and report.
Finance Director Marc Tanguary addressed the Council reviewing the following PowerPoint slide.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted the School Department has provided their School Financials which will be on the next meeting agenda.
31. Communication of Tax Assessor dated January 30, 2023, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 10:20 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk