TOWN OF SCITUATE

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, March 9, 2023 @ 6:00 PM

 

High School Auditorium

94 Trimtown Road

N. Scituate, RI 02857

 

The Town has set up the following internet video conference and telephonic access capabilities for remote public participation for items other than public hearings:

 

By internet/Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81243292388?pwd=aUU3aHg4cmRaME5jaE83R1pyTlQ5dz09

 

Dial via telephone:

888 788 0099 US Toll-free

Meeting ID: 812 4329 2388

Passcode: 13231

 

AGENDA

Attachments are available to view on our website www.scituateri.org

 

1.   Pledge of Allegiance

 

2.   Call to order – Town Council President

 

3.   Roll Call – Town Clerk

 

4.   Possible Motion(s) to convene into Closed/Executive Session:

 

A.   The Town Council may convene into Executive Session to discuss, take possible action, and/or vote pursuant to the relevant requirements of R.I. General Laws § 42-46-5(a) Subsection (5) Real Estate, specifically regarding possible sale and/or transfer of real estate and/or interest(s) in real estate for which the Town owns tax title.  Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning possible sale and/or transfer of real estate and/or interest(s) in real estate for which the Town owns tax title.

 

B.   The Town Council may vote to move into Executive/Closed session pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5 (a)(2) Potential Litigation regarding Smithville Cemetery access through Silk Lane laneway.  Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning potential litigation regarding Smithville Cemetery access through Silk Lane laneway.

 

C.   The Town Council may convene into Executive Session to discuss, take possible action, and/or vote pursuant to the relevant requirements of R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5(a) Subsection (2) Pending Litigation (National Opioid Litigation). Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning National Opioid Litigation.

 

5.   Motion to close Executive Session / Motion to seal Executive Session minutes / Announcement of Vote(s) in Executive Session, if any.

 

6.   Regular Meeting call to order – Council President – Beginning no earlier than 7:00 P.M.

 

7.   Public Hearings—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote (Note: No virtual participation on these public hearing items):

 

A.   Kennel License Renewals – Expiring 3/31/2024 – Town Council in its capacity as the Board of Police Commissioners, all subject to receipt of all required paperwork, all State and Local permits, and compliance with all stipulations, law, ordinances, rules and regulations, and as previously required by the Town Council:

 

i.    Wanda Monroe – 581 Trimtown Road

ii.   Donna Rosciti – 1324 Chopmist Hill Road (Maximum Allowed – 7 Adult Dogs)

iii.  John Washburn – 1153 Hartford Pike

iv.  Anne Hubbard – 177 Trimtown Road

v.   PV Farmstand Inc. – Peeptoad Road (Maximum Allowed – 5 Adult Dogs with restrictions)

vi.  Scott Bergantino D/B/A Perfect Puppy, Inc.  – 1265 Chopmist Hill Road

 

B.   First reading of an Ordinance the use, consumption and possession of regulated products on public property and amend the following sections of the Scituate Code of Ordinances: Section 8-4 of Part II, Chapter 8 (“Possession, consumption of alcoholic beverages on town property”), Section 9-1 of Article I, Section 9-29 of Article II, Section 9-55 of Article III, Section 9-73 of Article IV, Section 9-83 of Article V, Section 9-93 of Article VI, Section 9-103 of Article VII, Section 9-123 of Article VIII, Section 9-133 of Article IX, and Section 9-143 of Article X of Chapter 9 (“Parks and Recreation”).

 

8.   Public comment for items not on the agenda

 

9.   Appointments—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:

 

A.   Housing Authority, term ending 12/31/2024, applications received from:

 

i.    Katie Werchadlo

ii.   Brenda Frederickson

 

B.   North Scituate Village Overlay District Committee, term ending 5/31/2023; applications received from:

 

i.    Katie Werchadlo

 

C.   Board of Canvassers Alternate member appointment; term expiring March 6, 2023 (first Monday of March per R.I.G.L. § 17-8-2); One alternate member from each political party to be appointed per R.I.G.L. § 17-8-1 with term expiring March 4, 2024; this appointment is to replace John Tessitore, appointed at the February 9, 2023 Town Council Meeting.

 

Democratic Names Submitted:

Martha Asermely

Sacha Hummel

Michael Marcello

Carol Costa

 

10. Consent Items—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:

 

A.   Approval of Town Council meeting minutes:

 

i.    Regular Meeting – January 26, 2023

ii.   Executive Session – February 9, 2023

iii.  Regular Meeting –   February 9, 2023

 

B.   Department Reports

 

i.    Town Clerk

ii.   Public Works

1.   Water results from Community House

iii.  Building Official/Zoning

1.   Community Septic Loan Program year end reporting

iv.  Police       

v.   Treasurer

vi.  Senior Services

vii. Human Services

viii. EMA

ix.  Recreation

 

C.   Abatements and Additions: See attached list

 

D.   Correspondence: NONE

 

E.   Joint Pole Location(s):  NONE

 

F.   Re-Appointments: NONE

 

G.   Resignations & Retirements:

 

i.    David G. Mack – Deputy Chief of Police, effective 2/18/2023

ii.   Karen J. Troll – Police Dispatcher, effective 4/7/2023

iii.  Ryan Galitskie, Hope Village Overlay District Committee

 

H.   Authorization to post for open positions:

 

i.    Authorization for the Town Clerk to post for one open position on the Hope Overlay Review Committee; term expiring 5/31/2024 

ii.   Authorization for the Chief of Police to begin the recruitment and hiring process to fill the full-time Police Dispatcher position that will be open on 4/7/2023

iii.  Authorization for the Chief of Police to begin the recruitment and hiring process to fill one full-time Police Officer position

 

I.    Licenses—subject to receipt of all required paperwork, all State and Local permits, and compliance with all stipulations, rules and regulations as previously required by the Town Council:     NONE

 

J.    Payment of Town Bills:

 

i.    Early Town Expenses - $177,432.84

ii.   Early General Obligation Bond - $292,472.40

iii.  Regular Town Expenses - $37,468.26

 

K.   Approval/Ratification of management plans for the following properties:

 

i.    Lawton Farm Management Plan (2019)

ii.   Esek Hopkins Park Management Plan (2019)

iii.  Esek Hopkins Park Baseline Documentation Report (2019)

iv.  Doctors Field Baseline Documentation Report (2018)

v.   Tasca Field Management Plan (2017)

 

L.   Ratification of Authorization for the Town Council President to sign the deed from the State of Rhode Island in which the State proposes to transfer the Esek Hopkins land (Lots 7 & 39 on Scituate Tax Assessor’s Plat 32), with restrictions, to the Town, and to take any other action relative thereto, if required at a later date, previously approved by the Town Council on February 13, 2020.

 

M.  Ratification of Authorization for the Town Council president to work with the Land Trust and DEM to complete the transfer of Parcel A of Lot 9 on Scituate Tax Assessor’s Plat 9 (approximately 15 acres of Lawton Farm) from the Town to the Land Trust, including signature authority for the Town Council President and the chair of the Land Trust to complete the required documents resulting in the deed transfer and extending appropriate perpetual conservation protections to the parcel, if required at a later date, previously approved by the Town Council on February 13, 2020.

 

N.   Approval of the proposal by the Conservation Commission and Land Trust relating to the approval process of management plans and other official documents concerning open space properties.

 

11. Resolutions—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:

 

A.   Proposed Town Council Resolution regarding support of H-5309 to adjust the date of primary elections when following Labor Day.

 

B.   Proposed Town Council Resolution to authorize the Town Council to reserve those capital funds from Fiscal Year 2022-2023 as set forth and described in Exhibit A to the proposed resolution (attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference), which were authorized by the electors of the Town at the 2022 Financial Town Meeting held on April 5, 2022.

 

C.   Proposed Town Council Resolution concerning Tax Anticipation Notes ("TANS") authorizing the Town Treasurer, during the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year of the Town, to borrow from time to time with the consent and approval of the President of the Town Council, such sum or sums of money as shall be necessary for the current expenses and maturing obligations of the Town, but not to exceed in the whole the sum of $5,000,000; said Town Council approval to be subject to approval by the electors of the Town at the 2023 Financial Town Meeting on April 4, 2023.

 

D.   Proposed Town Council Resolution concerning for the possible issuance of $1,000,000 of Bonds for a Water Project at the Scituate Public Schools; said Town Council approval to be subject to approval by the electors of the Town at the 2023 Financial Town Meeting on April 4, 2023 and approval by the Rhode Island General Assembly.

 

12. Town Business—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:

 

A.   Update from EMA Director John Robinson.

 

B.   Approval of FY 2023/2024 Budget as recommended by the Budget Commission.

 

C.   Request to authorize out of state training for SRO Richard Parenti to attend National SRO Training Conference in Indianapolis, IN, in an amount not to exceed $1,989.45

 

D.   Recommendation from the Chief of Police of plan to fill administrative position within the police department now vacant due to the retirement of Deputy Chief David Mack

 

E.   Approval for Building Official to attend a virtual training sponsored by Eastern States Building Officials Association in cooperation with the ICC Region VI, North East Regional Coalition for 74th Annual Spring Training in an amount not to exceed $100.00

 

F.   Approval for the Purchasing Agent in consultant with the Director of Public Works, to post an RFP for a tractor with the following requirements: enclosed cab, front end loader, 3 pt. hitch, sickle bar mower, 40 horse-power, to be purchased using ARPA funds.

 

G.   Approval for the Purchasing Agent in consultant with the Director of Public Works, to post an RFP for a Road Plainer to be purchased using ARPA funds

 

H.   Recommendation from the Purchasing Agent and Town Treasurer to award the bid for Professional Audit and Agreed Upon Procedures to Damiano & Company, pending Auditor General approval, for the bid price listed below; Bids received from:

 

Vendor:	Rates:				Consulting Hourly Rates:
	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Total:
DAMIANO & COMPANY LLP	$45,065	$ 46,590	$47,035	$138,690	$195 CPA (JD, PD)
					$140 CPA (GP)
					$110 Staff Accountant
					$75-95 Other Staff
MARCUM ACCOUNTANTS LLP	$77,000	$79,000	$81,000	$237,000	$265 Partner/Director
					$200 Mgr/Supervisor
					$125 Senior
					$105 Staff
					$60 Other Admin
HAGUE, SAHADY & CO, CPA'S	$49,500	$51,500	$53,500	$154,500	$190 Partner
					$150 Manager
					$125 Supervisor
					$90 Senior(s)
					$85 Staff

 

13. Adjournment of Meeting

 

 

INDIVIDUALS REQUESTING INTERPRETER SERVICES FOR THE DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING MUST CALL 647-2822 SEVENTY-TWO (72) HOURS IN ADVANCE OF SAID HEARING.  TTY #1-800-745-5555