MINUTES OF SMITHFIELD TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
VIA TELECONFERENCE – VIRTUAL MEETING
Date: Tuesday, July 27, 2020
Place: Smithfield Town Hall
Time: 2:00 P.M.
Present: Town Council President Suzanna L. Alba
Town Council Vice-President T. Michael Lawton
Town Council Member Dina T. Cerra
Town Council Member Sean M. Kilduff (excused)
Town Council Member Maxine A. Cavanagh
Town Manager Randy R. Rossi
Town Solicitor Anthony Gallone, Esq.
Town Clerk Carol A. Aquilante
Town Manager Rossi explains the Tele-Conference procedure.
Council President Alba reads the twenty-one (21) Charter Revision questions.
*See supporting documentation attached.
Council member Cavanagh asks Solicitor Gallone why he stated that there are nineteen (19) questions, rather than twenty-one (21) questions.
Solicitor Gallone replies that it was originally twenty-one (21) questions with the consolidation of a few questions and these questions were reviewed by Chair Costantino and member Santucci.
Council member Cerra believes that question number twenty-one (21) was rejected by the Town Council members.
Council President Alba states that if question twenty-one (21) was rejected, there are twenty (20) questions being certified for the ballot.
Solicitor Gallone instructs Town Clerk Aquilante and Town Manager Rossi to research that further and it can be reflected in the vote of the Town Council today.
Council President Alba wishes to thank the members of the Charter Review Commission for all of their hard work on the commission. Council President Alba states that she is proud of the work the Town Council members have done in conjunction with the Charter Review Commission. Once again, thanks to all who participated.
Motion is made by Council Vice-President Lawton, seconded by Council member Cerra, to approve the resolution of proposed charter amendment ballot questions for the November 3, 2020 General Election codifying the language accepted by the Town Council at the Public Hearing which was held on July 22, 2020. Motion is approved by a unanimous 4/0 vote.
Public Comment:
Council President Alba reads a letter sent to William Hawkins, Charter Review Commission member regarding his comments during the last Charter Revision meeting.
Trish Williams, Charter Review Commission member, states that it was a pleasure serving on the commission and although it was challenging, difficult at times and frustrating with nine (9) people from different demographics, it was a wonderful experience. Ms. Williams apologizes on behalf of the commission for any misunderstanding and wishes Council member Cavanagh well after her many years of service on the Town Council and further states that Council member Cavanagh was a big help to the commission.
Beverly Tobin, Charter Review Commission member, states that it was a pleasure serving on the commission, and she has no complaints. Ms. Tobin agrees that everyone did a great job and wishes the Town Council members the best of luck and thanks everyone who has served on the commission.
Michael Iannotti, Charter Review Commission member, thanks the Town Council members for appointing him to the commission and there were many good proposals for voters on the ballot and the process works very well. He thanks everyone who served on the commission and this very successful project.
Ms. Williams states that it was challenging and thanks Paul Santucci for serving as secretary of the commission and wishes everyone to stay healthy.
Solicitor Gallone states that although it was a little chaotic the last two (2) weeks he thanks everyone on the Town Council as well as the commission members, including Chair Costantino and member Paul Santucci (Secretary), for working with him and achieving this goal.
Ms. Williams states that it was difficult at times especially when reaching out the Town Council members for a meeting and not getting a response.
Council President Alba replies that she does not recall being invited to a Charter Review Commission meeting and the Town Council members not attending or responding to the commission. The Town Council did offer a clerk to take note, however, the commission members decided it would be best to have Paul Santucci act as secretary of the commission.
Council President Alba is very proud of the Town Council and for the work they have done. Council President Alba feels proud the members of the Town Council because they voted what was best for the Town of Smithfield with a fair conscious and integrity.
Council member Cavanagh thanks Ms. Williams for her kind words.
Ms. Williams states that her comments were never made to be malicious and she has no ill feelings toward the Town Council members, Town Manager and commission members. She was glad they were able to work together.
The following are comments through the chat room on the Zoom Meeting as exactly as they appeared:
Joe Siegel: The Town Manager should NOT be an elected position.
Joe Siegel: I support Randy!
Dina Cerra: Thank you all for your service.
Joe Siegel: Pray for a vaccine for coronavirus.
Joe Siegel: Praise for our first responders and health care workers. They are true HEROES.
Joe Siegel: I said what I wanted to say.
Joe Siegel: Stay cool everyone. Its 95 degrees.
Motion is made by Council Vice-President Lawton, seconded by Council member Cerra, to adjourn the meeting. Motion is approved by a unanimous 4/0 vote.
Meeting adjourns at 2:27 P.M.
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Town Clerk