RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

 

Special Town Council Meeting

January 18, 2022

5:30 P.M.

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

Council President Carpenter called the meeting of the Richmond Town Council to order at 5:34 P.M. held on January 18, 2022. This meeting was held pursuant to Executive Order 22-01 and was Teleconferenced via Zoom.

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

Town Council Members present were as follows: Council President Nell Carpenter, Vice President James Palmisciano, Councilor Ronald Newman, Councilor Rich Nassaney and Councilor Lauren Cacciola. Also present Town Administrator Karen D. Pinch, Town Solicitor Michael Cozzolino, Police Chief Elwood Johnson and Town Clerk Erin Liese.

 

C.        NEW BUSINESS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Discussion and Consideration Regarding Soliciting Proposals for Town Solicitor for the Town of Richmond

a)         Establish Qualifications/Review Criteria

b)         Determine Advertisement Scope

c)         Determine Potential Contract Terms

 

Council President Carpenter explained this could be considered individually or as all or none. She also referenced the review criteria provided by Vice President Palmisciano.  She suggested the following motion:

 

A motion was made by Council President Carpenter with second by Councilor Cacciola to direct the Town Administrator Karen Pinch to craft a contract, including the current requirements, as stated in the Home Rule Charter Article Four Administration, Section 6, Town Solicitor. In addition to the following: Member in good standing with Rhode Island Bar Association and to have practiced law for no less than five years additionally. To include defined expectation documentation of municipal activity, including hours of service and a probationary period, as described in the Code of Ordinances titled Administration Chapter 2-20 Administration. With rate of pay, to be determined at the Financial Town Meeting, as stated in the Home Rule Charter and subject to performance review and standards as requested and presented by Vice President Palmisciano.

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned who would perform the performance review. He thought it was important to have an objective way to evaluate. He thought the Town Manager should do review by any contractor to be appointed. The Manager would also submit a recommendation to Council after the review. The Council could use the evaluation form.

Council President Carpenter agreed the Town Administrator to review; however there are various reviews, specifically to page 6. She further commented on the review procedure of town employees.

 

Councilor Newman questioned this would be for everybody not just Town Solicitor.

 

Council President Carpenter stated this was for the Town Solicitor. She explained Town employees are subject to criteria and review by the Town Administrator. Currently this does not exist for Town Solicitor.

 

Councilor Newman questioned Town Solicitor term.  Council President Carpenter advised it is a one year term per the Charter.

 

Councilor Cacciola thinks it’s a great idea to have a contract. She is in full support of that.

 

Vice President Palmisciano questioned as we have an agenda item that relates to the Solicitor as well on the 6 P.M. Agenda, and does anything preclude us from continuing to have a discussion and consideration on the agenda item of New Business J?

 

Town Solicitor Cozzolino advised there is not a conflict as the item is a review process for existing appointees, so this applies to me currently and technically this would only apply to Karen if she were to be reappointed.

 

Vice President Palmisciano would be a first step. This specific assessment could be applied to future appointments. This is a start of process to be in place.

 

Council President Carpenter advised this would apply to whoever is appointed. She also clarified she did not make the motion just suggested it.

 

Vice President Palmisciano clarified the proposed motion.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Cacciola seconded by Vice President Palmisciano Discussion and Consideration Regarding Soliciting Proposals for Town Solicitor for the Town of Richmond to Establish Qualifications/Review Criteria and to Determine Potential Contract Terms and to direct the Town Administrator Karen Pinch to craft a contract, including the current requirements, as stated in the Home Rule Charter Article Four Administration, Section 6, Town Solicitor. In addition to the following: Member in good standing with Rhode Island Bar Association and to have practice law for no less than five years additionally. To include defined expectation documentation of municipal activity, including hours of service and a probationary period, as described in the Code of Ordinances titled Administration Chapter 2-20 Administration. With rate of pay, to be determined at the Financial Town Meeting, as stated in the Home Rule Charter and subject to performance review and standards as requested and presented by Vice President Palmisciano.                                             Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Nay; Councilor Cacciola, Aye

 

Councilor Cacciola advised we had not addressed item B.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Cacciola Discussion and Consideration Regarding Soliciting Proposals for Town Solicitor for the Town of Richmond and Determine Advertisement Scope. No second on the motion. Motion Fails.

 

D.        ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Councilor Nassaney with second by Vice President Palmisciano to adjourn at 5:52 P.M. Vote: President Carpenter, Aye; Vice President Palmisciano, Aye; Councilor Newman, Aye; Councilor Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Cacciola, Aye

 

Town Clerk Liese reminding the public if they plan to attend the six o’clock meeting they would need to sign out and use the code for that meeting.

 

Attest:

 

 

__________________________________

Erin F. Liese, CMC Town Clerk