RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Budget Workshop

April 11, 2022

5:00 P.M.

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

President Carpenter called the meeting of the Richmond Town Council to order at 6:00 P.M. held on   April 11, 2022. This meeting was held In-Person at Town Council Chambers, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI, and was also teleconferenced via Zoom.

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

Town Council Members present in Council Chambers were as follows: President Nell Carpenter, Vice President James Palmisciano, Councilor Ronald Newman, Councilor Rich Nassaney and Councilor Lauren Cacciola. Also present Town Administrator Karen D. Pinch, Finance Director Laura Kenyon, Public Works Director Scott Barber, Town Planner Shaun Lacey, Senior Services Director Dennis McGinity, and Town Clerk Erin Liese.

 

C.        NEW BUSINESS

1)         Consideration of the Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 Municipal Budget

a.         Richmond Town Administrator’s Budget for FY 2023

b.         Finance Board FY 2023 Budget Recommendations

c.         Preliminary Capital Projects and Programs FY 22/23

 

Town Administrator Pinch advised on the budget process. She further explained the Finance Board recommendations with corrections. She explained health and dental rates have been reduced. She also advised the school budget is still outstanding. She explained they would like to utilize some ARPA funding to offset the grants.

 

 

Finance Director Kenyon presented the following proposed budget:

 

 

 

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned the increase of the technology.

 

Finance Director Kenyon explained the increase in costs. She advised $10,000 is going towards equipment replacement. She explained many desktops and laptops are over their service life. She also advised on the new switches.

 

Discussion ensued on IT costs.

 

Discussion ensued on the need for a secure lock box. It was noted that currently the slot in the door is not sufficient size to accommodate for the use. It was also aide in the security.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance Director Kenyon reviewed the Capitol Plan. She explained these a typical large need requests.

 

Public Works Director Barber advised on the street sweeper replacement.

 

 

2)         Consideration of the American Rescue Plan Funding for FY23 and beyond

 

Finance Director Kenyon reviewed the proposed expenditures of American Rescue Plan Funding; however the Council will need to determine some cuts. She further explained some Capitol requests were moved to American Rescue Plan Funding.  She explained some of those requests were the compactor for the Transfer Station, Town Hall Generator, and funding for the Dog Park.

 

 

 

Discussion ensued on the water chlorination system. It was noted that 500 residents were on the water system.

 

Finance Director Kenyon explained the need for grant administration. This would assist the town by hiring a part time temporary personnel.

 

 

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised we need a consensus from Council on what to utilize of ARPA funding.

 

Finance Director Kenyon also explained the potential use of bonding. However if there is federal money for road construction you would not want to bond.

 

Finance Director Kenyon explained the Police Detail money for vehicle replacement.

 

3)         Consideration of Bond Authorization for Roads

 

4)         Other Budget Financial Matters

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised the American Rescue Funds list is long. She further explained the impact on the operating budget with utilization. She explained the need to purchase $30,000 heating system for the garage.

 

Public Works Director Barber explained the need for the garage heating system.

 

Public Works Director Barber commented on the savings of compactor. With reducing the trips to the Johnson Landfill from 6-7 trips to 1. He also explained ½ of the containers would be eliminated and fuel savings.

 

Public Works Director Barber also advised on the radio needs.

 

Discussion ensued on radio needs.

 

Discussion ensued on the generator.

 

 

Finance Director Kenyon gave an overview on the water line, chlorination system, Dog Park, and healthcare advocate. She explained some amounts will need to change. She explained this access to funding is unprecedented. She advised on the need for grant matches.

 

Public Works Director Barber advised on the radio tower.

 

Town Administrator Pinch advised on the grant opportunities. She also spoke on the need for camera’s and the updates to that technology.

 

Finance Director Kenyon reviewed the community requests.

 

Public Works Director Barber clarified the EMA request.

 

Discussion ensued on the EMA request.

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised that some of the requests are variable. The need to determine the allocation of American Rescue Funds.

 

Council President Carpenter questioned the land acquisition line item.

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised it was the balance of the bonds.

 

Discussion ensued on the Land Trust funds.

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned the water chlorination.

 

Discussion ensued on the water system.

 

Councilor Nassaney advised that the cost for replacement would be $600.00 per customer.

 

Discussion ensued would the town fund it and then it be reimbursed by the customers. It was noted there were many variables to the water system.

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned Councilor Cacciola on the Dog Park funding.

 

Councilor Cacciola advised she has not spoken to them recently.

 

Discussion ensued on Dog Park funding.

 

Council President Carpenter suggested only meeting for another 30 minutes.

 

Councilor Newman advised he may not make a future workshop meeting.

 

Council President Carpenter advised there is a meeting scheduled for Thursday.

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised on the recommendations needed to move forward in the process.

 

Discussion ensued on bonding and road repair.

 

Public Works Director Barber spoke of the replacement of vehicles and delay in shipping. He further explained the road repair needs.

 

A motion was made to move forward the Fiscal Year 2022- 2023 Municipal Budget to Public Hearing by Councilor Newman seconded by Vice President Palmisciano. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye   

 

A motion was made to move forward the consideration of American Rescue Funding as presented:  by Councilor Cacciola seconded by Councilor Newman.

 

President Carpenter stated concern with moving all that forward.

 

Finance Director Kenyon advised on moving the projects earmarked for 2022/2023.

 

A motion was made to amend the previous motion to move forward the consideration of American Rescue Funding as follows: COPs grant, the police digital radio, IT computers, Beaver River Park playground equipment, healthcare advocate for the police, and grant administration totaling $174,050 by Councilor Cacciola seconded by Councilor Newman. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye   

 

A motion was made to move forward the consideration of Bond Authorization for Roads in the amount of 2.5 Million by Councilor Nassaney seconded by Councilor Newman. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye   

 

A motion was made to move forward the Police Detail Vehicle carry forward by Councilor Nassaney seconded by Councilor Newman. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye   

 

It was noted all items were voted on regarding the budget so no need for second work session.

 

D.        ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Councilor Newman with second by Councilor Nassaney to adjourn at 6:33 P.M. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye     

 

 

Attest:

 

 

_________________________________

Erin F. Liese, CMC Town Clerk