For informational purposes only

Posted 5.7.24

 

TOWN OF SCITUATE

TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

Thursday, May 9, 2024 @ 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: 132310

 

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.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.

 

B.   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 (2) Collective Bargaining (Union negotiations with International Brotherhood of Police Officers (“IBPO”) Local 502 for new collective bargaining agreement beginning July 1, 2024). Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning a possible new collective bargaining agreement beginning July 1, 2024 with IBPO Local 502.

 

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. General Laws § 42-46-5(a) Subsection (3) concerning Security and Police Command Structure. Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning Security and Police Command Structure.

 

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.   Proclamations, Presentations and Acknowledgements—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:

 

A.   In Memoriam Proclamation:  Daniel J. Casey

 

B.   Police Promotional Ceremony

 

i.    Recommendation from the Police Chief to promote Christopher DeCesare to Deputy Chief, a non-union position, with a recommended salary of $1,856.3122 per week and benefits consistent with the Town of Scituate Human Resource Manual and the collective bargaining agreement with International Brotherhood of Police Officers (“IBPO”) Local 502.

 

ii.   Recommendation from the Police Chief to promote Ian Noonan to Captain, a non-union position, with a recommended salary of $1,739.54 per week and benefits consistent with the Town of Scituate Human Resource Manual and the collective bargaining agreement with IBPO Local 502.

 

C.   Public Works Week to be celebrated May 19–24, 2024

 

D.   Municipal Clerk’s Week celebrated May 5–11, 2024

 

E.   National Police Week to be celebrated May 12-18, 2024

 

F.   Teacher Appreciation Week to be celebrated May 6-10, 2024

 

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

 

A.   Second Reading of the proposed Public Event Ordinance amendment.  Proposed ordinance amendment of Chapter 6, Article VII, which will establish standards to provide one-time and reoccurring entertainment.

 

B.   First Reading on the amendment to the Stop Sign Ordinance to add stop signs at the intersection of Ridgewood Drive and Crestview Drive as recommended by the Traffic Safety Committee; Article II, Section 7-28 Approval of Stop Signs

 

C.   Town Council sitting as Beverage Licensing Board Liquor License Approval, expiring 12/01/2024, subject to receipt of all required paperwork, all State and Local permits.

 

i.    Class BVL – Field and Fork, Inc. for premises known as “Groundwater Cafe,” 985   Chopmist Hill Road, Scituate, RI

 

9.   Public comment for items not on the agenda

 

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

 

A.   Ratification of Agreement and Appointment of the State Building Official to act as Interim Building Official at a rate of $75 per hour as needed.

 

B.   Ratification of Appointment of Brittney Wilson, Esq. to act as Interim Zoning Official at a rate of $75 per hour as needed.

 

C.   Recommendation from the Police Chief to hire Helen Dexter as the full-time, non-union, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chief of Police with recommended salary of $31.50 per hour, other terms and conditions of employment consistent with the Town of Scituate Human Resource Manual.

 

D.   Recommendation from the Public Works Director to hire John Lomastro as the full-time, non-union, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Works with recommended salary of $85,000 per year, other terms and conditions of employment consistent with the posted job description and the Town of Scituate Human Resource Manual.

 

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

 

A.   Approval of Town Council meeting minutes:

 

i.    Regular Meeting – April 11, 2024

ii.   Executive Session – April 11, 2024

 

B.   Department Reports

 

i.    Town Clerk

ii.   Public Works

iii.  Building Official/Zoning

iv.  Police

v.   Treasurer

vi.  Senior Services

vii. Human Services

viii. EMA

ix.  Recreation

x.   Conservation Commission/Land Trust

 

C.   Abatements and Additions: None

 

D.   Correspondence: NONE

 

E.   Joint Pole Location(s):

 

i.    Woodcrest Drive (lot 313) – 5 new J/O poles for a new house

 

F.   Re-Appointments: NONE

 

G.   Resignations & Retirements:

 

i.    Peter Meusert, Pawtuxet River Authority

 

H.   Authorization to post for open positions:

 

i.    Pawtuxet River, term expiring 06/01/2026

ii.   Finance Administrative Assistant/Accounts Payable Specialist

 

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 – $346,394.16

ii.   General Obligation Bond – $36,150.00

iii.  Regular Town Expenses – $46,121.36

 

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

 

A.   Resolutions For Presentation at the Town Financial Town Meeting; Town Council approval of below resolutions are subject to approval by the electors of the Town at the 2024 Financial Town Meeting on June 4, 2024 at 7:00 P.M. at the High School Auditorium:

 

i.    Proposed Resolution concerning Tax Anticipation Notes ("TANS") authorizing the Town Treasurer, during the 2024-2025 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 $3,000,000.

 

ii.   Proposed Resolution Relating to the Issuance of Not More than $1,500,000 of Bonds to Finance the Purchase of a Fire Truck and Related Equipment.

 

iii.  Proposed Resolution Relating to the Issuance of $3,500,000 of Bonds for Capital Projects at the Scituate Public Schools and Request to the General Assembly for Legislation affirming eligibility for State Aid (such request to be submitted immediately); OR see 12(B) below.

 

B.   Request to General Assembly for Bond Act Issuance of $3,500,000 of Bonds for Capital Projects at the Scituate Public Schools to be submission to the Town electorate as a Town-wide referendum on November 5, 2024.

 

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

 

A.   Update from the EMA Director concerning the December 2023 and January 2024 severe storms and the Federal Disaster Declaration of March 20, 2024.

 

B.   Recommendation from the EMA Director to disband the Hazard Mitigation Committee due to new federal requirements and guidelines; further recommendation to create a new Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan Advisory Committee, comprising of Town Staff, residents and other stakeholders, with the EMA Director as Chair; further authorization to post for up to 12 committee members, with terms expiring December 31, 2024.

 

C.   Draft budget recommended by the Budget Committee; Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Budget; said Budget to be presented to the qualified voters at the Financial Town Meeting on June 4, 2024.

 

D.   Posting of warrant, warning and notice for the Financial Town Meeting; authorization for Treasurer and Solicitor’s Office to approve final version prior to publication.

 

E.   Consideration, following up on Budget Committee discussion, of whether the Town Council should pursue a legislative charter from the General Assembly, including discussion of timeframes and practical considerations.

 

F.   Possible bid award concerning Request for Proposals (SCIT056R) for Potterville Fire Department Floor Epoxy Contractor; Recommendation from Treasurer and Purchasing Agent to award the bid to Bay State Epoxy; Bid Responses received from:

 

Bidder:	Bid Price:
Provcity Group, Inc.	$66,512.00
Bay State Epoxy	$23,974.00
Excellent Flooring	$40,249.00

 

G.   Request from Michael Vieira and Rhode Island Housing to waive requirements with regard to the Town’s Community Septic System Loan Program (“CSSLP”) concerning Lot 178 on Scituate Tax Assessor’s Plat 10 , also known as 26 Spruce Drive, in which the applicant is requesting a loan in the amount of $23,700.00 at 1% for a term of 10 years; Applicant and RI Housing wish to allow reimbursement for already installed system, which replaced a failed cesspool.

 

H.   Consideration of request from the Scituate Booster Club for $53,000.00 in matching American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) funds specifically set aside for nonprofits, for building a concession stand at Caito Field.

 

I.    Consideration of request from the Scituate Land Trust for $4,500.00 in ARPA funds, for purchase of Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) compliant benches for Esek Hopkins Park.

 

14. Adjournment of Meeting

 

 

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