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.
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councillor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councillor Emily M. Tessier
Councillor Dennis B. Turano
Councillor Barbara A. VonVillas, Members Present
Councillor Christopher M. Logan, Absent
Assistant Town Solicitor Michael Monti was present.
POSTED OCTOBER 11, 2023
REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 16, 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, October 16, 2023 at 5:30 P.M. Executive Session, Presentations Immediately following 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: 820 7741 5606 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82077415606
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, (5) Lease and (2) Collective Bargaining (NEARI) - 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 5:34 p.m.
Assistant Town Solicitor Michael Monti recused himself from acting on the Land Acquisition discussion and left the session at 5:53 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess executive session and reconvene in open session at 6:12 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to authorize and create the new positions Budget Analyst-School, Payroll Clerk – School, Accounts Payable Clerk-School, General Ledger Accountant-School and Fiscal Clerk.
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. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Summary of Upcoming Presentation by School Building Project Team.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum and begin presentation.
Council President Rodrigues noted that there are index cards in the hall for participants to complete with their questions, which will be read and answered by the panel after the presentation.
Council President Rodrigues introduced Town Administrator Shawn Brown.
The following Public Forum Outline was followed, and a PowerPoint presentation was given.
| Middletown | |||||
| Public Forum Outline | |||||
| Public Forum Outline | |||||
| Date: | October 16, 2023 | Location: | Town Hall | ||
| | 6PM | Phone #: | . | Code: | . |
60-90 Minute Plus Q&A
I. Intro and Project History (20 Minutes)
a. Paul Rodrigues
i. Welcome & Introduce Shawn Brown
b. Shawn Brown
i. What is the Project
ii. What is the Scope
iii. How Did We Get Here
iv. Why is This Process Credible
v. Introduce Georgia Fortunato or Michelle Fonseca
c. Ed / Charlie
i. Welcome and Introduce the Building Committee
ii. Introduce Michelle Fonesca
d. Michelle Fonseca
i. A Vision for Education
e. Colliers
i. Introduce Consultant Team & MC the Program
II. Education (10 Minutes)
a. Manuel Cordero
i. Overview of Grade Alignment
ii. Demographics and Enrollment
iii. Impact to Teaching and Learning
III. Design (25 Minutes)
a. HMFH
i. Big Design Concepts
1. Plan for Early Childhood Center
2. Plan for Elementary Education
3. Plan for New MS/HS
ii. Overall Concept Site Plan MS/HS
iii. Overall Concept Floor Plan MS/HS
IV. Funding and Finance (25 Minutes)
a. Mark Tanguay
i. Tax Rate Impact
b. Hilltop
i. Borrowing Program and Bonding Strategy
V. General Management (10 Minutes)
a. Colliers
i. Timeline
ii. Thank You to Attendees
VI. Q&A (45-60 Minutes)
a. Paul Rodrigues Opens Q&A
The following questions were submitted:
What is the cost of renovating all the other school buildings? (Town Administrator Shawn Brown will provide an answer at a later date.)
What is the tax impact with the library and open space bonds included? (Town Administrator Shawn Brown will provide an answer at a later date.)
What is the estimated tax impact with the current budget increase, filling teacher vacancies, new teachers contract & replacing multi-purpose fields plus Open Space and Library bonds? (Town Administrator Shawn Brown will provide an answer at a later date.)
What are all the team consultants being paid?
When are you going out to bid for the construction and will we have to vote on this again if it is more?
The June 15, 2023, Hilltop Securities report shown on page 8: Average Annual Debt Service of $6,853,121
It also shows on page 9:
13 years with debt service over $8 million
7 years with debt service over $9 million
3 years with debt service over $10 million
In the 23 years the debt service is over $6,853,121, the average. Do taxes increase to cover the difference between debt service due that year and the average debt service of $6,853,121?
Has the state approved our debt capacity and what is it today and will it be enough for the school project?
Will there be any energy efficiency such as solar panels? Every student plugs in a laptop in addition to other energy use.
Can you convince me that we won’t end up with a $20 - $30 million shortfall like Newport is facing? Is $190 million enough?
The last Hilltop report is dated 6-15-2023, interest rates have increased. How has this impacted the financials? What are the current numbers?
Breakdown of tax increase – 14%?
Forecast of timing of tax increase.
What will the town’s debt to property value be and compare to other towns?
The forecast of enrollment seems to be declining.
Discuss other options like repairing Gaudet electrical and plumbing issues.
What is the financial effect of the $190,000,00 on taxpayers in the next 3 years?
Is it true that interest rates and bond market variables are determined AFTER the voter’s vote? A longer-term costs taxpayers more interest.
The high school was going to be demolished, now will house the 4th & 5th grades; Gaudet is to be demolished even after the multi-million-dollar addition; Aquidneck was going to be demolished, now will potentially be used for something else. What is the accurate proposal?
What is the link between building school complex first, followed by market rate housing? Will Town ask the federal government to send illegally entered families to Middletown to get federal funding?
What is the Town debt and will we exceed our debt capacity?
Why don’t you stop spending on things we don’t need until after November 7th?
Will we pay more for our schools in taxes if the bond fails?
Some groups in Middletown are opposed to the bond issue. Do you think it is selfish of these people to deprive our children of safe schools when they attended safe schools as children because their parents and grandparents paid their taxes.
What is meant about the 28.7 million housing aid not being eligible?
Can we fix our current schools to give our students and teachers the technological, special and 21st century educational opportunities as proposed in the new middle/high school – cheaper?
What is the difference between the Newport School Committee Building Committee and the Middletown School Committee Building Committee and why won’t we have the same issues as Newport?
With the estimated $700 increase on a $400,000 house assessment, will there be any tax relief on the senior population/fixed income?
Does a good education system drive economic development, higher real estate values and improved quality of life in a community?
With the student population decreasing and prices of housing at extreme unheard of prices, how are families going to either live here or return if preferred? What is the 10-to-20-year projection of the student population?
The high percentage or part-time second home residents are not sending their children to Middletown.
Will the Town incur the debt of $190 million bond plus interest until 90 to 95% of construction?
Will the teachers be able to afford supplies they are currently lacking with new schools’ efficiencies and town financial oversite?
What is the cost of interest on the $190 million bond and what will the taxpayer debt be after the 55% reimbursement from RIDE?
Why does the net debt service change so much each year?
How can the taxpayers afford a tax increase of approximately 14%?
How can the School Department be trusted to oversee the spending of the $190 million bond?
What will it cost the taxpayer with the following assessments?
$450,000.
$700,000.
$900,000.
$1,000,000.
Will the proposed auditorium and CTE programs be available for the residents after school hours?
Can we please solve the housing issue first? With soaring inflation, can we please take up new schools, when the economy is in better shape?
All the questions above were answered by either the Town Council, Town Administrator Shawn Brown, Finance Director Marc Tanguay, Colliers Project Leader Derek Osterman, HMFH Architect Matt LaRue and Hilltop Securities Financial Advisor Matthew Blais.
Follow up questions were heard at this time.
Philip DiMattia, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern for transparency. Mr. DiMattia explained the Town Council should have periodic reviews of the project and make sure the project does not exceed its budget.
Neil Harrell, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern that the new Middle/High School is able to accommodate all the School Athletic programs.
Don Morin, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the school facility condition assessment report is on the Building Committee website. Mr. Morin explained that it will cost more to make repairs to the existing facilities, than it would to build a new facility.
George Shaver, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern about the amount of money being borrowed. Mr. Shaver explained good schools bring in residents, but high taxes will keep them away.
Karen Biastre, Middletown, addressed the Council noting concern regarding the size of the project, the timing of the project, high construction costs and inflation.
Theresa Spengler, Middletown, addressed the Council noting that other facilities in the Town have been renovated or replaced. Ms. Spengler explained that you cannot keep band-aiding the school buildings, the longer you wait the cost of replacement increases.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring about the bottom line for the project and the proposed tax increase for the project.
Leon Amarant, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring if a budget forecast has been developed for the potential new buildings.
Greg Huet, Middletown, addressed the Council explaining if the bond does not pass, the taxpayers will end up paying more for renovating the existing buildings and some reimbursements from RIDE will be lower.
Robert M. Silva, Middletown, addressed the Council noting the schools are an economic driver for the community.
Philip DiMattia, Middletown, addressed the Council inquiring about the status of Kennedy School.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown explained that Kennedy School is part of the West Main Road Re-development project.
On motion of Council President Rodrigues, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to recess this meeting at 10:19 p.m.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene this meeting at 10:28 p.m.
3. Communication of Paige Myatt, Aquidneck Island Regional Resilience Coordinator, Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank, re: Climate Resilience Update.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and begin presentation.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski addressed the Council noting that Paige Myatt, Aquidneck Island Regional Resisilience Coordinator, will make a presentation at a future meeting.
Antone Viveiros, Middletown, suggested waiting on the project, due to the proposed school bond.
4. Memorandum of Planning Director, thru Town Administrator, re: 2023 RIIB Resilient Rhody Municipal Resilience Program (MRP) Action Grants.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
5. Resolution of the Council, re: Authorizing the Planning Department to prepare and submit a grant application for the 2023 RIIB Resilient Rhody Municipal Resilience Program (MRP) Action Grants.
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 Act as a Board of License Commission.
6. (Public Hearing Advertised)
Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Alcoholic Beverage Licenses for the 2023-2024 licensing year. (See attached list)
Public Hearing was declared open.
There being no persons present or on zoom desiring to be heard, public hearing was declared closed.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewals.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reconvene as a Town Council.
7. 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.
No one spoke during this session.
8. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, October 2, 2023.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
9. Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Victualling House Licenses for the 2023-2024 licensing year. (See attached list)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewals.
10. Application of Alyson Rego, Warren, for RENEWAL of a Tattoo License for the 2023-2024 licensing year to be used at Secret Beach Tattoo, LLC dba Secret Beach Tattoo, 146 Aquidneck Avenue.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewal.
11. Resolution of the Council, re: Resolution to Join the Town of Jamestown in Support of the Request to RIDEM for the South Gould Island Public Recreation Plan.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
12. (Public Hearing Advertised)
Applications received from the following named persons, firms or corporations for RENEWAL of Victualling House Licenses, Additional Hours of Operation, for the 2023-2024 licensing year. (See attached list)
Council Clerk Wendy Marshall noted the continuance is due to an advertising error.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to continue this public hearing to the November 6, 2023, Regular Meeting.
13. Application for Special Event Permit from Louis DiPalma, for the Windover Farm Residents – Neighborhood Block Party, to be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 from 3:00 pm to 10:00 pm on Jib Court.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive permit fee.
14. Application for Special Event Permit from the James L. Maher Center, 906 Aquidneck Avenue for the Maher Fall Festival, Fall Festival – kids arts and crafts, pumpkin sale and food trucks to be held on October 21, 2023 from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm at 906 Aquidneck Avenue.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
15. (Continued from the October 2, 2023, Regular Meeting)
Communication of Tax Assessor and Finance Director dated September 11, 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.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay addressed the Council explaining that the abatement is due to a coding error.
16. (Continued from the October 2, 2023, Regular Meeting)
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.
17. Communication of Tax Assessor dated September 21, 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.
18. Resolution of the Council, re: Cancellation of Taxes for certain Middletown residents.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Finance Director Marc Tanguay addressed the Council explaining the error was a duplication of the bill.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
Council President Rodrigues recused himself from item #19, due to a possible conflict of interest.
Vice President Welch presiding.
19. Appointment of three (3) members to the Beach Commission for terms expiring November 2025.
On nomination and motion of Councillor Connerton, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Jay Bogosian, reappoint Kathleen Silveira and appoint Andrea Borges to the Beach Commission for terms expiring November 2025.
Council President Rodrigues returned to the dais.
20. Appointment of one (1) member to the Open Space and Fields Committee for a term expiring November 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Nicholas Coogan to the Open Space and Fields Committee for a term expiring November 2026.
21. Appointment of one (1) member to the Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee- Professional Member, to complete a term expiring January 2024.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to appoint Marc Thayer to Roads and Utilities Advisory Committee- Professional Member, to complete a term expiring January 2024.
22. Appointment of one (1) member to the Tax Assessment Review Board- Republican or Unaffiliated Representative, term expiring October 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to reappoint Noelle Shiland to the Tax Assessment Review Board for a term expiring October 2026.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 10:42 p.m.
______________________________
Wendy J.W. Marshall, CMC
Council Clerk
Supporting documentation is available at http://clerkshq.com/default.ashx?clientsite=Middletown-ri