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 at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person, on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 8:02 A.M.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor Christopher M. Logan
Councillor M. Theresa Santos
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano, arrives at 8:10 A.M., Members Present
POSTED – May 16, 2023
SPECIAL MEETING – May 20, 2023
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 Saturday, May 20, 2023 at 8:00 A.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: 838 8059 2341 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83880592341
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.
1. Receipt of FY 2023-2024 Budget.
2. Communication of Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools, re: Middletown Public School Budget Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024- In accordance: Article VIII – Section 812 – Town Charter.
3. Budget Presentation Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 – School Committee and matters related thereto.
4. Review of Town of Middletown Proposed Budgets and Capital Improvement Plan, General Fund, Parks & Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund and Refuse & Recycling Fund of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and matter related thereto.
____________________________________
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 May 16, 2023 at Middletown Town Hall, Middletown Public Library, Middletown Web Site and Secretary of State Web Site.
Council President Rodrigues requested a moment of silence for longtime resident Kevin Garcia.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown, Finance Director Marc Tanguay, Deputy Finance Director Patrick Guthlein and Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan present.
1. Receipt of FY 2023-2024 Budget.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said FY2023-2024 Budget.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown addressed the Council reviewing the potential levy scenario sheet, as of May 20, 2023, entered here:
2. Communication of Rosemarie K. Kraeger, Superintendent of Schools, re: Middletown Public School Budget Fiscal Year July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024- In accordance: Article VIII – Section 812 – Town Charter.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Present representing the School Department were Superintendent of School Rosemarie Kraeger, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca, School Attorney Lori Miller, Business Manager Theresa Gomes and IT Director David Annesse, Gaudet Middle School Principal William Niemeyer, Gaudet Middle School Principal Rebecca Silveira and Aquidneck Avenue School Principal Erica L. Bulk.
School Committee Chair Theresa Silveira Spengler, Vice Chair Tami E. Holden and members Wendy E. Heaney, Gregory M. Huet and William R. O’Connell.
School Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger, Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca, School Attorney Lori Miller and School Committee Chair Theresa Silveira Spengler, were present to answer Council inquiries.
School Superintendent Rosemarie Kraeger and Assistant Superintendent Michelle Fonseca reviewed the PowerPoint presentation “Coming Together for the Students of Middletown”, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
Discussion centered around the need to maintain services which are provided in the schools, RI Department of Education has an individual measure for each student and the school department uses the statics to compare Middletown to other school districts, Beyond the Bell after school program helps students, focusing on instructional programs, student absentee rates, arts and sports programs help motivate students, partnerships are key to the school department, meeting with Salve University to partner with the Schools, getting students that come to Middletown from other countries to recognize the value of a High School Diploma, the need to ensure success for every student, students coming to school just to eat, checking with Tiverton School Department to compare their program and budget for special education, the cost per student for Special Education, grants that are sunsetting, the Life Skills program now serves students to the age of 22, unfunded mandates on the schools, reimbursement funding for students in the special education classes, an increase in English Language Learners in the schools and the need to provide services for these students, the School Department hiring teachers from a grant, it is not a good practice filling positions with grant monies, lobbying the General Assembly regarding the school funding formula and the School Department reduced positions to keep the budget request at 4%.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 10:11 am.
Aquidneck Avenue School Principal Erica L. Bulk addressed the Council noting the need for a Special Education, math intervention and a reading specialist for the students. Ms. Bulk explained the importance of reading support; reading is the foundation of education for the students.
Discussion centered around Ms. Bulk was not provided with her total school budget, the costs of teachers needed at Aquidneck School, students that come into the school that do not speak English are paired with other students, the school reaches out to the parents to have them be part of the process for the student attending school, all students are treated equally, homeless grants encourage hiring for positions and there are translators brought into the schools when needed.
Gaudet Middle School Principal Rebecca Silveira (Grades 4 & 5) addressed the Council noting the need to keep the librarian and teacher positions which are being eliminated.
Discussion centered around there are fifty to sixty English Language Learning students at Gaudet School, the cost of a librarian and that Ms. Silveira has not been provided with her total school budget.
Gaudet Middle School Principal William Niemeyer (Grades 6 – 8) addressed the Council noting concern of safety and security in the school, due to the loss of a Dean position.
Discussion centered around communication with the students’ families, truancy at the school, the cost of a dean position, and Mr. Niemeyer has not been provided with his total school budget.
Further discussion centered around contractual obligations at the School Department, RIGL requires the principal to be provided their total budget for the year, the social/emotional needs of the students, retired teachers coming in to volunteer to assist the students, there is no reduction in the budget of sports and clubs and with the potential increase in affordable housing in Middletown the student population may increase.
3. Budget Presentation Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 – School Committee and matters related thereto.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said Budget Presentation Fiscal Year 2023 - 2024 – School Committee and matters related thereto.
The budget was discussed under item #2.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin said Review of Town of Middletown Proposed Budgets and Capital Improvement Plan, General Fund, Parks & Recreation Fund, Sewer Fund and Refuse & Recycling Fund of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 and matter related thereto.
Planning Department Budget
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski joined by zoom to answer Council inquiries.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed a PowerPoint presentation “Atlantic Beach District Streetscapes & Dunlap Wheeler Concept Plans”, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
The following Planning Department budget slide, budget proposal and CIP request was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the construction of sidewalks on Aquidneck Avenue, an increase in funding for consulting work for the Comprehensive Community Plan, utilizing TIFF monies for projects and a bike lane on lower Aquidneck Avenue.
Building Department Budget
Building Official Chris Costa was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following Building Department budget slide, budget proposal and CIP requests was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the Building Official’s Office has been closing outstanding building permits and the number of building permits issues this year is approximately the same as last year.
Tax Assessor’s Department Budget
Tax Assessor George Durgin was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following Tax Assessor’s Department budget slide and budget proposal was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the third clerk in the Tax Assessor’s Office is being moved to the Finance Office, review of the revaluation process, each year in the budget monies are put aside for revaluation and Councillor Turano requests a Vision Appraisal representative attend an upcoming Council meeting.
Middletown Prevention Coalition (MPC) Budget
MPC Director Lori Verderosa was present to answer Council inquiries.
MPC Director Lori Verderosa addressed the Council reviewing a pamphlet, “Middletown Prevention Coalition Promoting Health and Wellness in our Community” which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
The following slide and budget proposal of the Middletown Prevention Coalition budget was reviewed:
Discussion centered around that with this budget there will be two full time positions in the MPC department, funding of the position is not from tax revenues and Councillor Tessier offered her time to assist with the outreach of eating disorder prevention.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 12:08 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 12:39 pm.
Library Budget
Librarian Theresa Coish and Library Board Members Holly Johnson and Joan DeFinis were present to answer Council inquiries.
Librarian Theresa Coish reviewed a PowerPoint presentation “FY24 Library Budget”, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
The following slide and budget proposal for the Library Budget was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the Library working with the School Department, design fees for the new library and learning programs offered online through the Library.
Outreach Department Budget
Healthy Communities Coordinator Lori Turner was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal for the Outreach Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the mission of the department, calls received by the department, the department is working with the School Department, staffing in the Outreach Department and being able to weigh the results of the department.
Council President Rodrigues recused from acting on the following discussion, due to a possible conflict of interest.
Vice President Welch presiding.
Senior Center Budget
Senior Center Director Arleen Kaull was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal for the Senior Center budget was reviewed:
Discussion centered around programs and services offered by the Senior Center, membership at the Senior Center has increased and the proceeds from the thrift shop go to the activity fund at the Senior Center.
Council President Rodrigues returned to the dais.
Public Works Department Budget
Public Works Director Robert Hanley was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide, budget proposal and CIP request for the Public Works Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around red road paving projects, installing an additional diesel tank at Public Works, the DPW Department is almost fully staffed, there is an issue getting seasonal employees for the department and a Town Engineer will be hired after the summer.
Sewer Budget
Finance Director Marc Tanguay and Public Works Director Robert Hanley were present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal for the Sewer Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the projects in the Sewer CIP, the number of employees in the Sewer Department, the department is almost fully staffed, money being set aside to fill in the ditches on Paradise Avenue and amending the contract with the City of Newport which deals with the Town sewer.
Parks & Recreation Department Budget
Recycling Coordinator/Operations and Facilities Manager Will Cronin was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide, budget proposal and CIP request for the Parks & Recreation Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around hiring for beach employees is an issue, competitive salaries for beach employees, an increase in beach fees due to salary increases, the Second Beach Parking lot looks great, Campground upgrades have been made and if the Campground capacity can be increased.
Refuse & Recycling Department Budget
Recycling Coordinator/Operations and Facilities Manager Will Cronin was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide, budget proposal and CIP request for the Refuse & Recycling Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the number of Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) participants, there is an increase in participation in the program during the summer, an increase in the user fee by $40.00 to be split over two years which is due to the increase in tipping fees and offering a trial program free for two months for the PAYT program.
Fire Department Budget
Fire Chief James Peplau was present to answer Council inquiries.
Fire Chief James Peplau addressed the Town Council reviewing a PowerPoint presentation, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
The following slide, budget proposal and CIP request for the Fire Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the increase in cost of diesel fuel and online classes for the firefighters.
Town Administrators Budget
Town Administrator Shawn Brown was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Town Administrator budget was reviewed:
Public Affairs Officer Matt Sheley reviewed the following:
Finance Department Budget
Finance Director Marc Tanguay was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Finance Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around the software for the consolidation of the School and Town Finance offices, the staffing of the consolidated Offices and Town wide employee training.
Town Clerk’s Department Budget
Town Clerk Wendy J.W. Marshall was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Town Clerk’s Department was reviewed:
Discussion centered around there is an increase in the budget due to the upcoming Special Elections, advertising cost and printing of the Town Code has increased.
Town Council Budget
Town Clerk Wendy J.W. Marshall was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Town Council budget was reviewed:
Town Solicitor’s Budget
Town Solicitor Peter B. Regan was present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Town Solicitor’s budget was reviewed:
Support Services Budget
Town Administrator Shawn Brown and Finance Director Marc Tanguay were present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Support Services budget was reviewed:
Boards and Committees Budget
Town Administrator Shawn Brown and Finance Director Marc Tanguay were present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Boards and Committees budget was reviewed:
Non-Department Specific Budget
Town Administrator Shawn Brown and Finance Director Marc Tanguay were present to answer Council inquiries.
The following slide and budget proposal request for the Non-Department Specific budget was reviewed:
The IT Department, Police Department and Civic Appropriations will be discussed at the Regular Meeting of the Council on Monday, June 5, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 3:42 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri