RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Special Town Council Meeting Minutes

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

June 10, 2025

4:00 P.M.

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

President Wilcox called the meeting to order at 4:02 P.M.

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

Council Members present in chambers were as follows: Jeffrey Dinsmore, Daniel Madnick, Jim Palmisciano, Mark Reynolds and Samantha Wilcox. Also present in chambers were Town Administrator Karen Pinch, Town Solicitor Chris Zangari, Finance Director Danielle Andrews, Deputy Clerk Kendra Tanguay, and Town Clerk Erin Liese.

 

C.        THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence.

 

D.        EXECUTIVE SESSION

1)         Pursuant to § 42-46-5 (a)(2) Regarding the following Pending Litigation Superior Court Appeals of Taxes on property at the Preserve at Boulder Hills:

a)         Appeals filed in 2021 for the 2020 tax year: WC2021-0329 Dickson - 6B/4-C0I; WC202 l-0330 Stavola - 6B/4-C02; WC202 l-0332 White Tail Ridge LLC - 6B/4-C03;  WC202 l-0333 CH Tang, LLC - 6B/4-C04; WC2021-0334 SA Tang, LLC- 6B/4-C05; WC2021-0335 Bazzano -6B/4-RBI; WC202 l-0336 Townhouses on the Green, LLC, PPM II & Co LLC - 6B/4-RB2; WC2021-0337 Townhouses on the Green, LLC, PPM II & Co LLC- 6B/4-RB3; WC202 l-0338 Masse - 6B/4-RB4; WC202 l-0339  Hilltop Lodge, LLC - 6B/4-G00; WC202 l-0340 Laurel Ridge LLC - 6B/4-RM I, 6B/4-RM2, 6B/4-RM3, 6B/4-RM4, 6B/4-RM5, 6B/4-RM6, 6B/4-RM7, 6B/4-RM8, 6B/4-RM9;WC2021-0341 Castle Residences, LLC- 6B/2; WC2021-0342 Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC-6B/4; WC2021-0343 Preserve Range, LLC- 6B/4-87C; WC202 l-0344  Preserve at Boulder Hills IV, LLC - 6A/5

 

b)         Appeals filed in 2022 for the 2021 tax year: WC2022-0276 Blueberry Hill LLC, Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC - 6B/2-LU14; WC2022-0277 Castle Residences, LLC, Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC-6B/2-LUl3; WC2022-0278 Townhouses on the Green, LLC- 6B/4-RDI, 6B/4-RD2, 6B/4-RD3, 6B/4-RD4, 6B/4-RD5, 6B/4-RD6, 6B/4-RD7; WC2022-0279 Bazzano -6B/4-RBI; WC2022-0280 SA Tang, LLC - 6B/4-C05; WC2022-0282 Stavola - 6B/4-C02; WC2022-0283 Masse - 6B/4-RB4; WC2022-0284 Preserve Range, LLC - 6B/004-87C; WC2022-0285 Hilltop Lodge, LLC - 6B/004-G00; WC2022-0286 Preserve at Boulder Hills IV, LLC - 6A/5; WC2022-0287 CH Tang, LLC - 6B/4-C04;WC2022-0288 Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC, Preserve at Boulder Hills II, LLC B6/4LU3; WC2022-0289 Dickson - 6B/4-C0;WC2022-0290 Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC - 6B/4-AS1; WC2022-0291 PPM & Co., LLC-6B/4 RB2;WC2022-0292 Wells - 6B/4-RB3;WC2022-0293 Laurel Ridge LLC- 6B/4-RM1, 6B/4-RM2, 6B/4-RM3, 6B/4-RM4, 6B/4-RM5, 6B/4-RM6, 6B/4-RM7, 6B/4-RM8, 6B/4-RM9 WC2022-0294 NRPRE, LLC - 6B/4-C03

 

c)         Appeals filed in 2023 for the 2022 tax year: WC2023-0374 Blueberry Hill LLC - 6B/2-LU14A, 6B/2-LU14B, 6B/2-LUl4C, 6B/2-LU14D; WC2023-0375CH Tang, LLC - 6B/4-C04; WC2023-0376  Dickson - 6B/4-C01;WC2023-0377 Hilltop Lodge - 6B/4-G00; WC2023-0378 Bazzano - 6B/4-RB1;WC2023-0379 Laurel Court, LLC - 6B/4-RB3; WC2023-0380 Masse - B/4-RB4; WC2023-0381NRPRE, LLC, MTM Naples Investments, LLC - 6B/4-C03; WC2023-0382PPM & Co. II, LLC 6B/4-RB2;WC2023-0383 Preserve at Boulder Hills, LLC- 6B/4-AS1;WC2023-0384 Preserve at Boulder Hills LLC, Preserve at Boulder Hills II, LLC - 6B/4-LU3, 6B/4-LU15, 6B/4-LU16; WC2023-0385 Preserve at Boulder Hills IV, LLC - 6A/5; WC2023-0386 Preserve Range, LLC - 6B/4-87C; WC2023-0388 SA Tang, LLC - 6B/4-C05;WC2023-0389 Townhouses on the Green, LLC-6B/4-RD1, 6B/4-RD2, 6B/4-RD3, 6B/4-RD4, 6B/4-RD5, 6B/4-RD6, 6B/4-RD7;WC2023-0390 Stavola - 6B/4-C02;WC2023-0391Laurel Ridge, LLC, CL Preserve, LLC, US Homes RI WTC, LLC, Hound at Preserve, LLC, Taylor Lukof, Daniel Eastman, Jeffrey Dickson, Jo-Ann Dickson - 6B/4-RN 1, 6B/4-RN3, 6B/4-RN4, 6B/4-RM3, 6B/4-RM4,6B/4-RM5, 6B/4-RM6, 6B/4-RM7, 6B/4-RM8, 6B/4-RM9

 

d)         Appeals filed in 2024 for the 2023 tax year:WC-2024-0441 B3 LLC, and LAUREL COURT, LLC; WC-2024-0435 KARYNE BAZZANO; WC-2024-0445 CASTLE RESIDENCES, LLC et al; WC-2024-0437 CH TANG, LLC;WC-2024-0433 JEFFREY DICKSON et al;WC-2024-0444 LAUREL RIDGE, LLC et al; WC-2024-0460 Paul Masse et al; WC-2024-0438 MTM NAPLES INVESTMENTS, LLC;WC-2024-0442 PPM & CO II LLC;WC -2024-0434 THE PRESERVE AT BOULDER HILLS II, LLC;WC-2024-0446 THE PRESERVE AT BOULDER HILLS, LLC et al; WC -2024-0436 SA TANG, LLC;WC-2024-0439 MICHAEL STAVOLA; WC-2024-0440 TOWNHOUSES ON THE GREEN, LLC, and WC-2024-0443.

 

A motion was made by Vice President Reynolds, seconded by Councilor Dinsmore, to enter into Executive Session at 4:03 P.M.  Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Palmisciano, seconded by Councilor Madnick, to return to Open Session at 4:37 P.M. Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Palmisciano, seconded by Vice President Reynolds, to seal the minutes of the Executive Session. Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

President Wilcox advised that no votes were taken during Executive Session.

 

E.        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 of June 3, 2025, Budget Referendum Results and Budget FY 25/26

 

President Wilcox discussed the budget revision process. She advised on the following two options pursuant to the Charter:

 

1)   Level Fund expenses and remove expenses in the amount of $465,276, and not have to go to another referendum.

2)   Make revisions and proceed to another all-day budget referendum. 

 

Discussion ensued regarding the cost of holding another referendum.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Palmisciano, seconded by President Wilcox, to remove the grant writer position in the amount of $60,000.

 

Councilor Palmisciano suggested removing the grant writer and view the success of the Chariho grant writer to be revisited at a later date for the Town

 

Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Nay; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Councilor Dinsmore suggested cutting $465,000 and not going to a referendum.

 

Councilor Palmisciano stated he would like to go back out to a referendum. 

 

Councilor Madnick stated that it is fiscally irresponsible to level fund and expressed his disappointment that the budget did not pass.

 

Vice President Reynolds stated that there needs to be more of an adjustment other than just the $60,000.

 

Councilor Dinsmore suggested cutting half of the merit increases and stated that he thought DPW was more underpaid than other departments.

 

Vice President Reynolds advised that DPW can’t be singled out, but would support half the amount. He further suggested giving 3% and half of the adjustments.

 

Discussion continued.

 

Town Administrator Pinch advised that it was not across the board, and that it was based on comparison with other towns.

 

A motion was made by Vice President Reynolds, seconded by Councilor Palmisciano, to reduce the salary adjustment to $54,000.

 

Councilor Dinsmore questioned if this would be on top of the 3% raises.

 

Councilor Palmisciano requested clarification that staff get 3% and the remaining $54,000 would be for salary adjustment.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

Back to the Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Nay; Councilor Palmisciano, Nay; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

A motion was made by Vice President Reynolds, seconded by Councilor Palmisciano, to remove $130,000 from the Equipment SIP from DPW.

 

Vice President Reynolds provided clarification regarding the suggestion of removing $130,000.

 

Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Nay; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Discussion continued regarding suggested budget cuts.

 

A motion was made by President Wilcox, seconded by Councilor Madnick, to approve the Budget as presented and go back out to referendum.

 

Finance Director Andrews advised that $83,543 would come out of the unassigned fund balance.

 

Vice President Reynolds clarified that the tax rate will stay the same.

 

Jeff Noble shared that it was a mistake to make cuts.

 

Janet Tefft stated that on June 3rd, the people said no.

 

President Wilcox provided clarification on the fund balance.

 

Helen Sheehan shared that she thinks there should be more cuts.

 

Gary Stoner stated there was a choice between having staff and upkeep or investing in infrastructure, but that it can’t be both.

 

Bob Sayer noted tax rates throughout the state and employee retention. 

 

Tom Marron commented on the budget process.

 

Chris Kona shared his disappointment at cutting the $54,000 to maintain wages.

 

Roberta Engel shared concerns about the time of the meeting.

 

Douglas DesLauriers shared that he would like to go to a referendum

 

Peter Burton shared that staff should not be cut. He further implored that more people needed to vote.

 

Louise Dinsmore implored to respect the will of the voter.

 

Joyce Flannagan commented on having to look to the future.

 

Pam Rohland echoed others regarding staff retention.

 

Town Administrator Pinch provided clarification on what the fund balance is and how it works. 

 

Jim Brear thanked the council for the work they’d done and noted the misinformation being spread about spending money the town doesn’t have. 

 

President Wilcox reiterated that she was reluctant to cut raises.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Palmisciano, seconded by Councilor Madnick, to amend the previous motion to remove $20,000 from parks and move it to wage contingency.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

Councilor Madnick clarified that moving $20,000 from parks to salary increases. He further stated that it is important to recognize that staff are underpaid and are being lost to other towns.

 

Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Nay; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Nay; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Back to Initial Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Discussion ensued among the Council on the importance of supporting this unanimous budget.

 

Councilor Dinsmore requested clarification on the budget adjustments so that they do not go back to a referendum. It was advised that the budget would need to be reduced by $465,000. So, more cuts would need to be made.

 

No other adjustments were made to the budget.

 

A motion was made by President Wilcox, seconded by Councilor Palmisciano, to add to the agenda a Discussion on the Ballot Question for discussion purposes only. Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the ballot question. It was noted that it would be continued to the next meeting.

 

F.         ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Vice President Reynolds, seconded by Councilor Palmisciano to adjourn the meeting at 6:11 P.M. Vote: Councilor Dinsmore, Aye; Councilor Madnick, Aye; Councilor Palmisciano, Aye; Vice President Reynolds, Aye; President Wilcox, Aye.

 

Attest:

 

 

_______________________

Erin F. Liese, CMC

Town Clerk