WORK SESSION

 

JUNE 27, 2022

 

At a WORK SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 27^th day of June 2022 at 7:00 PM.

 

            PRESENT:     Rory H. McEntee, President

Abel G. Collins, Vice President

Deborah D. Bergner

Deborah J. Kelso

Jessica L. Rose

 

 

 

1.         A.        WORK SESSION

 

Kenneth Burke, Chairman, Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) is in attendance and introduces Committee Members Dorothy Hill, James Vogel, Lisa-Beth Sanford, and Dave Hamill. Mr. Burke gives a presentation on the Bicycle – Pedestrian Master Plan (BPMP) and its core features. The intention of this presentation is to request that the BPMP be adopted, initiate the process of a complete street ordinance, and to recognize the BPAC as the SK advocates for bicycle and pedestrian items to the community and Town Staff. Mr. Burke gives a brief history of the BPAC and its goals to work towards achieving a more bikeable and walkable community.

 

James Rabbitt, Director of Planning reviews the difference between adopting the BPMP and adopting a resolution in support of the BPMP. The Master Plan is non-regulatory, but begins to set a policy going forward.

 

Discussion ensues relative to referring the BPMP to other Town Departments and the Planning Board for review to ensure there are no conflicts, and the timeline for Departmental review. Mr. Rabbitt notes that the American Rescue Plan Act includes some consideration for complete streets ideas.

 

Mr. Burke reviews the philosophy of the Complete Streets Ordinance. The Ordinance would be applied to all capital and operating projects from planning through design, construction including ongoing maintenance. BPAC is requesting that the Complete Streets Ordinance be ready for Public Hearing by October 1, 2022.

 

Mr. Rabbitt notes that meeting the October 1^st timeline would be difficult without sacrificing other projects.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the ability to hold the Public Hearing within the requested timeframe or by the last meeting of the current Town Council, the policy goals of the Town Council, reviewing ordinances from other communities, and circulating among the other Boards and Commissions for their input.

 

The Town Council reaches consensus to refer the BPMP to Planning and the Planning Board for review, and have the Complete Streets Ordinance reviewed and prepared for consideration by the first meeting in November. BPAC’s request to expand their charge is referred to the Town Solicitor for review.

 

1.         B.        INTERVIEWS

 

The Town Council interviews Lindsay Madom concerning her interest in being reappointed to the Library Board of Trustees.

 

The Town Council interviews Jeanine Silversmith concerning her interest in being appointed to the Sustainability Committee.

 

1.         C.        WORK SESSION

 

James M. Manni, Town Manager reviews Communication Item 7A concerning a resolution adopted by the Barrington Town Council in support of legislation restoring funding for state aid to libraries to the full 25%. The Town Manager gives a brief history of state aid that was provided to libraries in the past and that the House of Representatives approved the state budget which includes full funding of 25% for state aid to libraries.

 

Communication 7F concerns an email from Marjorie Burston relative to the institution of a homestead tax exemption. The Town Manager notes that Municipal Court, rental registration and a homestead exemption are being reviewed by staff.

 

Mr. Manni notes that during the Town Manager’s Report, he will introduce the new Police Chief, and review a Temporary Mass Gathering application that was received by Whalers Brewing Co.

 

The Town Manager reviews the New Business on this evening’s Agenda beginning with Item 12A relative to advertising a Public Hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that would add a third Alternate Member to the Zoning Board of Review, and Item 12B concerning an amendment to the Town Council Rules of Conduct adding “Rule 18. Placement of Correspondence on Agenda.” The Town Solicitor is available for questions on these items.

 

New Business Items 12C, 12D, 12E, 12F, 12G, and 12H are memorandums by Jon Schock, Director of Public Services who will be available for questions during consideration of those items.

 

New Business Item 12I concerns an award of bid to Ben’s Uniforms, Inc. for the purchase of Blauer uniform garments for the Police Department.

 

New Business Item 12K is relative to authorizing the Town Manager to execute an extension agreement with Power Options and Constellation New Energy for the purchase of electricity for municipal facilities under the RI Energy Aggregate Program as participating member of the RI League of Cities and Towns. The Town Manager notes that this is for the municipal buildings.

 

New Business Item 12L is in regard to executing an individual Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) Agreement for FY 2022-2023 with The South Kingstown Land Trust. It is requested to continue to the July 11, 2022 Town Council meeting in order to make necessary amendments and to include all other PILOT Agreements for approval.

 

New Business Item 12M concerns the abatement of uncollectible tangible/personal property taxes for 2011 in the amount of $11,117.11; and uncollectible motor vehicle taxes for 2011 in the amount of $22,892.35 for a combined total of uncollectible taxes in the amount of $34,009.46.

 

Discussion ensues relative to writing off the tangible/personal property taxes as bad debt. The Town Solicitor notes that there is a 10 year statute of limitations to collect bad debt, and efforts to collect debt less than 10 years old is ongoing.

 

New Business Item 12N concerns the annual tax collection procedures.

 

New Business Item 12O concerns a fund transfer in the amount of $238,900 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund (OPEB). It is noted that the Town is still on track for a surplus of approximately $272,000, and that the OPEB fund transfer amount was specifically budgeted for FY 2021-2022 and is separate from the surplus.

 

New Business Item 12P concerns an award of contract to Southern RI Newspapers d/b/a The Narragansett Times for municipal advertising services. The bids reflected an increase from $2.00 per column inch to $5.00, and Susan Flynn, Town Clerk was able to negotiate the price to $2.50 per column inch.

 

The Town Solicitor reviews New Business Item 12B relating to a proposed amendment to the Town Council Rules of Conduct, and notes the high influx of inquiries to the Town for clarification on the decision making process of placing communication items on the Agenda. The proposed language in the amendment clarifies that if the communication requires Council action then it will be placed on the Agenda. It is noted that the Town Council will still receive the communications, and the importance of putting a policy in place.

 

Town Council interviews Mario Briccetti concerning his interest in being reappointed to the Library Board of Trustees.

 

Convened to Regular Session.

 

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

REGULAR SESSION

 

JUNE 27, 2022

 

At a REGULAR SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 27^th day of June 2022 at 7:30 PM.

 

            PRESENT:     Rory H. McEntee, President

Abel G. Collins, Vice President

Deborah D. Bergner

Deborah J. Kelso

Jessica L. Rose

 

 

 

1.         D.        REGULAR SESSION

 

2.         A.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag is given.

 

B.        LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

 

The Land Acknowledgement Statement is read.

 

3.         ROLL CALL

 

Roll Call is taken and all members are present.

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

A.        Work Session: UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that the minutes of the Work Session held on June 13, 2022 are accepted, approved, and placed on file.       

 

B.        Regular Session: UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that the minutes of the Regular Session held on June 13, 2022 are accepted, approved, and placed on file.

 

5.         CONSENT AGENDA

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to approve the Consent Agenda as indicated by (CA) on same.

 

6.         LICENSES

 

(CA)    6A.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to grant a Victualling License to A & A Sandwich Shops, Inc. d/b/a Subway, 684 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Khalid Amri, President; Renewal. License No. 59619.

 

(CA)    6B.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to grant Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Snug Harbor Marina, Inc. d/b/a Snug Harbor Marina, 410 Gooseberry Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Elisa Cahill, Operating Secretary; Renewal. License No. 65839.

 

(CA)    7B.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that a resolution adopted on June 6, 2022 by the Barrington Town Council recognizing the month of June as Pride Month is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    7C.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that emails dated June 10, 2022 from Chris Hubbard and Meghan Moore relative to the School Department’s elimination of the DLI Program are received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    7D.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that an email dated June 13, 2022 from Ellen Noordzy thanking the Town Council for their consideration during her interview for a vacancy on the Planning Board is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    7E.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that an email dated June 18, 2022 from Lou Chrostowski thanking the Town Council for including the LGBTQ Pride Flag into the Town Flag Policy is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    7F.       UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that an email dated June 18, 2022 from Marjorie Burston relative to the institution of a homestead tax exemption is received, placed on file, and referred to the Town Manager.

 

(CA)    7G.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that a letter dated June 22, 2022 from Mark De Moranville, Chair, Sustainability Committee requesting the designation of a Town staff member as a point person for composting is received, placed on file, and referred to the Town Manager and Director of Public Services.

 

(CA)    7H.      UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that any communication added to the Agenda subsequent to this is hereby added by majority vote, in accordance with RIGL §42-46-6 (b) Notice --…  “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

(CA)    12J.     UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that a claim filed by Douglas Chabot, Esquire on behalf of his client Constance Diorio relative to an incident that occurred on or about May 9, 2022 be referred to the Town Solicitor and the Town’s insurance carrier.

 

(CA)    12Q.    UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that any New Business added to the Agenda subsequent to this is hereby added by majority vote, in accordance with RIGL §42-46-6 (b) Notice --…  “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

7.         COMMUNICATIONS

 

            A.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: that a resolution adopted by the Barrington Town Council in support of legislation restoring funding for state aid to libraries to the full 25% is received and placed on file.

 

8.         COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED CITIZENS

 

Council President McEntee invites residents to come forward with comments.

 

Bob Trager is present and comments on the importance of attending Town Council meetings, democracy, and political issues on the news.

 

Council Vice President Collins comments on celebrating Pride Month, the recent Supreme Court decisions, candidate declarations, and announces that he will not be running for re-election to Town Council.

 

Councilwoman Bergner comments on the January 6^th hearings, and the importance of protecting poll workers.

 

9.         TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

The Town Manager introduces Matthew Moynihan as the new Chief of Police and Emergency Management Director, and reviews his qualifications and experience. Chief Moynihan is also the founder of the HOPE (Heroin – Opioid Prevention Effort) Initiative, a statewide program that partners substance use professionals and members of law enforcement with the mission of reaching out to those who are at risk of overdosing to encourage them to be assessed and treated.

 

Chief Moynihan introduces himself and reviews his core values of community engagement, accountability, and professionalism. Chief Moynihan notes his efforts to meet with all officers, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the Department, and thanks the Town for the opportunity to serve as the SK Police Chief.

 

The Town Manager reviews a Temporary Mass Gathering application by Whalers Brewing Company. Mass gathering applications require a 90 day notice prior to the event due to the volume of administrative review before it can be brought to the Council for approval, and it is noted that this application was received 60 days prior to the event. The extent of the event includes approximately 3,000 people, 1,200 vehicles, alcohol, fireworks, food trucks, and a band. The Police Department, Union Fire District, EMS, and the Building Officials Office are actively involved with the administrative review. The application maybe presented to the Council at the next meeting.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the opportunity for tourism collaboration between local businesses as long as there are no public safety concerns, the purpose of the event, and concerns relative to sufficient notice to the surrounding residents.

 

The Town Manager’s Interim Report dated June 16, 2022, and the Miscellaneous Report dated June 23, 2022 are accepted, approved and placed on file.

 

10.       TOWN SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

A.        The Town Solicitor gives a presentation on the recently passed RI Cannabis Act legalizing recreational cannabis. The Act allows municipalities to authorize a referendum regarding whether cannabis licenses shall be issued by the State through the Cannabis Control Commission for proposed facilities within the municipality. It’s noted that the referendum includes retail sales, cultivation, manufacturing, and lab testing which cannot be divided to approve or reject as separate categories. If a referendum is not held then the State will be able to automatically issue cannabis licenses within the municipality. The Town Solicitor also recommends this be directed to the Planning Board to draft zoning ordinance amendments for regulations on cannabis facilities to have in place should the referendum pass.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the outcomes of authorizing a referendum, the Town’s existing allowance of medicinal cannabis, and that the Act only applies to recreational cannabis. The deadline to certify the referendum question to the Secretary of State for the upcoming election is August 10^th. Discussion ensues relative to concerns with authorizing the referendum before the Planning Board can prepare the zoning amendments. Further discussion ensues relative to the number of allowable retail stores, and the inability to be more restrictive than the State.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to direct the Planning Board, in conjunction with the Town Solicitor, to draft amendments to the Zoning Ordinance addressing recreational cannabis facilities, and to provide recommendation regarding said amendments to the Town Council for consideration and adoption. Such amendments shall set forth the zoning districts in which cannabis-related uses shall be authorized, however if the voters reject these uses at a future referendum, the amendments shall by its terms become null and void. Said recommendation is further described in a memorandum from the Town Solicitor to the Town Council dated June 14, 2022 and entitled “Cannabis Act – Summary of Law as Enacted.”

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to request the Secretary of State to place a local referendum question on the issuance of cannabis licenses within the Town of South Kingstown on the ballot for the General Election to be held on November 8, 2022 as follows: “Shall new cannabis related licenses for businesses involved in the cultivation, manufacture, laboratory testing and for retail sale for adult recreational use cannabis be issued in the Town of South Kingstown?”

 

11.       APPOINTMENTS

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to reappoint Lindsay Madom to the Library Board of Trustees for a term to expire in July 2025.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Jeanine Silversmith to the Sustainability Committee.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to reappoint Mario Briccetti to the Library Board of Trustees for a term to expire in July 2025.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to appoint Mark Phillips to the 300^th Anniversary Steering Committee.

 

 

12.       NEW BUSINESS

 

A.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing to consider proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance that would add a third Alternate Member to the Zoning Board of Review, as follows:

 

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE

Article 9. Administration, Enforcement and Relief

 

Sec. 906. Zoning Board of Review.

*********

B. Membership.  The zoning board shall consist of five (5) members, appointed by the Town Council, each to hold office for the term of five (5) years; provided, however, that the original appointments shall be made for terms of one (1), two (2), three (3), four (4), and five (5) years respectively. The board shall also include two (2) three (3) alternates, to be appointed by the Town Council, to be designated as the first and, second and third alternate members, for terms of five (5) years. These alternate members shall sit and may actively participate in hearings. The first alternate shall vote if a member of the Board is unable to serve at a hearing and the second shall vote if two (2) members of the Board are unable to serve at a hearing and the third shall vote if three (3) members of the Board are unable to serve at a hearing. In the absence of the first alternate member, the second alternate member shall serve in the position of the first alternate. In the absence of the second alternate member, the third alternate shall serve in the position of the second alternate. No member or alternate may vote on any matter before the Board unless they have attended all hearings concerning such matter. No member or alternate may participate in any way whatsoever on any matter for which they would have a conflict of interest as defined by the Rhode Island law and the Rhode Island Ethics Commission.

 

This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage.

 

            B.        The Town Solicitor reviews a proposed amendment to the Town Council Rules of Conduct. The purpose of the amendment is to specify that communication items that require action from the Town Council would go on the Agenda, not including items involving personnel issues, items personal in nature, or items that would only require a Department Head to handle. It’s noted that members of the public have the right to speak at the Council meetings.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the ability to add communication items to the Agenda, revising the automatic email response sent to the public to reflect proposed Rule 18, and adding Rule 18 to the rules section of the Agenda. The communications sent to the Town Council will still be available on the Town Manager Reports with the exception of personnel matters and items personal in nature.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to amend the Town Council Rules of Conduct to add “Rule 18. Placement of Correspondence on Agenda”, as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

AMENDMENTS TO THE

TOWN COUNCIL RULES OF CONDUCT

********

ADD:

 

RULE 18.        PLACEMENT OF CORRESPONDENCE ON AGENDA

 

Correspondence to the Town Council shall be placed on the Council agenda only where action by the Council is requested.  Correspondence relating to personnel issues or personal matters shall not be placed on the agenda.  The Town Clerk shall confer with the Town Manager and/or Town Solicitor where the intent of the correspondence may be unclear.  Correspondence not placed on the agenda may be available for public review pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act.

 

C.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an amendment to an award of bid originally authorized on June 28, 2021, to Republic Services, 1080 Airport Road, Fall River, MA 02720 for Sludge Transportation at the unit cost of $325.00 per round trip to the RIRRC Central Landfill facility and $450.00 per round trip to the SYNAGRO Woonsocket incinerator facility; for the period ending June 30, 2023; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 9, 2022 and entitled “Sludge Hauling Bid Amendment.”

 

D.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an amendment to an award of bid originally granted on May 26, 2015 and amended on June 11, 2018, June 24, 2019, July 27, 2020 and June 14, 2021 to Veolia Water North America – Northeast, LLC, 53 State Street, 14^th Floor, Boston, MA 02109 for On-Call Storm Water and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Cleaning & Video Services at the unit prices bid for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 9, 2022 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – On-Call Storm Water and Sanitary Sewer Infrastructure Cleaning & Video Services Contract Extension.”

 

E.         UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an award of bid for Drainage/ Concrete Curb/ Retaining Wall Materials to the following bidders at the unit prices bid; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 14, 2022 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Drainage/ Concrete Curb/ Retaining Wall Materials.”

 

 

F.         UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an award of bid for miscellaneous road building materials to the following bidders at the unit prices; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 14, 2022 and entitled “Bid Recommendation - Road Building Materials.”

 

 

G.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize a sixth and seventh amendment to a contract with Synagro Northeast, LLC, 435 Williams Court, Suite 100, Baltimore, MD 21220 originally awarded on October 11, 2005 for municipal wastewater sludge transportation, incineration, and disposal; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 16, 2022, and entitled “Synagro Sludge Incineration Contract – Amendments #6 & #7.”

 

H.        The Public Services Director reviews RI Resource Recovery Corporation’s (RIRRC) new transfer policy requiring separation of municipal waste from all other waste which cannot be done at the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station, the Town’s local facility, further requiring that all waste be transported to the RIRRC Central Landfill Facility. The Town’s facility historically used alternate disposal facilities which had lower commercial tipping fees, but with the new requirement, conveyance to the RIRRC results in an additional $35.00/ ton disposal cost for non-municipal solid waste, and a cost increase from $120/ ton to $155/ ton for residential bulky waste disposal.

 

Discussion ensues relative to the Town making up the cost difference if the fee increase isn’t approved and efforts taken to discuss the conflicts with RIRRC’s new policy. Municipal waste such as patio furniture that is bulky and non-recyclable will be at the new disposal fee.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to amend the residential bulky waste disposal fee at the Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station from $0.60 per pound to $0.775 per pound ($5.00 minimum) effective July 1, 2022, and amend the Town’s Schedule of Fees; as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 23, 2022 and entitled “Rose Hill Regional Transfer Station (RHRTS) Residential Bulky Waste Tip Fee Amendment.”

 

I.          UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an award of bid to Ben’s Uniforms, Inc., 20 Main Street, Amesbury, MA 01913 for the purchase of Blauer uniform garments for the Police Department at the unit prices bid for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, with the option to extend one additional year through June 30, 2024, inclusive, if mutually agreeable to both parties; and as further described in a memorandum from the Interim Police Chief to the Town Manager dated June 13, 2022 and entitled "Bid Recommendation – Blauer Uniform Garments – FY 2022-2023 – SK0058PD."

 

K.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Town Manager to execute an extension agreement with Power Options, 129 South Street, 5^th Floor, Boston, MA 02111 and Constellation New Energy, 116 Huntington Avenue, Suite 700, Boston, MA 02116 for the purchase of electricity for municipal facilities under the RI Energy Aggregate Program as participating member of the RI League of Cities and Towns, for the period December 1, 2023 through December 2025, and as further described in a memorandum from the Facilities Superintendent to the Town Manager dated June 21, 2022 and entitled “Authority to sign electricity agreement on behalf of the Town.”

 

L.         UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to continue to July 11, 2022, a resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute individual Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) Agreements for FY 2022-2023 with The South Kingstown Land Trust in accordance with the Town Code, Chapter 17 Taxation, Article IV. Property Tax Exemptions and Payment in Lieu of Tax Agreements for Charitable Organizations, Section 17-45. Authorization; and to affirm the policy guidelines described in a memorandum from the Town Solicitor to the Town Council dated June 21, 2022 and entitled “2022-2023 SK Land Trust PILOT Agreement.”

 

M.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the abatement of uncollectible tangible/personal property taxes for 2011 in the amount of $11,117.11; and uncollectible motor vehicle taxes for 2011 in the amount of $22,892.35 for a combined total of uncollectible taxes in the amount of $34,009.46; as further described in a memorandum from the Interim Finance Director to the Town Manager dated June 22, 2022 and entitled “Abatement of Uncollectible 2011 Motor Vehicle and Tangible Taxes.”

 

N.        UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize tax collection procedures, as follows:

 

TAX RESOLUTIONS

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby orders the assessment and collection of a tax on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property and motor vehicle excise tax in a sum not more than $77,343,553; said tax is for the ordinary expenses and charges, for the payment of interest and indebtedness, in whole or in part of said Town, and for other purposes authorized by law.  The Tax Assessor shall assess and apportion said tax on the inhabitants and ratable property of said Town as of the 31st day of December, A.D. 2021 at Twelve o’clock midnight, according to law (the date of assessment) and shall, on completion of said assessment, date, certify, and sign the same and deliver to and deposit the same in the office of the Town Clerk on or before the 15th day of August, A.D. 2022;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Town taxes and the motor vehicle excise taxes shall be due and payable on and between August 1, 2022 and August 31, 2022, and all taxes remaining unpaid after August 31, 2022 shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum upon such unpaid tax, with the exception of taxes being paid under the quarterly installment law.  For purposes of calculating the appeal period for relief from the tax assessment, said appeal period shall run from August 1, 2022;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that said taxes, if levied in excess of One Hundred dollars ($100.00), may be paid in quarterly installments, the first installment of twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of August 2022 and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of November 2022; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of February 2023; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of May 2023.  Each installment of taxes, if paid on or before the last day of each installment period successively and in order, shall be free from any charge for interest.

 

If the first installment or any succeeding installment of taxes is not paid prior to the first (1st) day of the next calendar month following the last date of the respective installment period or periods as they occur, then the whole tax or remaining unpaid balance of the tax as the case may be, shall immediately become due and payable and shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from August 1, 2022 for real and personal property taxes, and motor vehicle excise tax as allowed by the laws of the State of Rhode Island.  Upon payment of any and all delinquent quarterly installments together with interest accrued on the full unpaid balance of the tax, the right to pay the remaining taxes on the installment basis will be reinstated;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Tax Collector is ordered and directed to make levy or levies on all property or properties and persons.  Taxes assessed December 31, 2020, for 2021 taxes on Real Estate for which remain unpaid on the First Monday in March A.D. 2023, shall cause said Tax Collector to proceed according to law to collect said tax or taxes so delinquent;

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance of this Town be and is hereby instructed and empowered to hire all necessary funds for the use of the Town for the year ensuing, and to renew all notes against the Town outstanding as may be found necessary.

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance be and is hereby authorized to issue from time to time notes of the Town of South Kingstown, subject to the approval of the Town Council, in anticipation of the receipt of taxes assessed as of December 31, 2021.  Said borrowed moneys shall be used and expended for the payment of current liabilities and expenses of said Town of South Kingstown, and shall be issued under the authority of Title 45-12-4 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956 as amended.

 

O.        The Town Manager reviews the $289,900 fund transfer allocation to OPEB, clarifies that the projected surplus amount of $272,856 is in addition to the fund transfer, and that the final surplus for the current fiscal year is still undetermined.

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize a fund transfer in the amount of $238,900 to the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund (OPEB); as further described in a memorandum from the Interim Finance Director to the Town Manager dated June 22, 2022 and entitled “End of Year Reserve Fund Transfers from General Fund.”

 

P.         UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize an award of contract to Southern RI Newspapers d/b/a The Narragansett Times, 187 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 for municipal advertising services commencing July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025, with the option to extend for two (2) additional years, at the unit prices bid and in accordance with all bidding specifications; and as further described in a memorandum from the Town Clerk to the Town Manager dated June 22, 2022 and entitled: “Award of Bid – Municipal Advertising Services.”

 

UNANIMOUSLY VOTED:  to adjourn at 8:45 PM.

 

 

 

Susan M. Flynn, CMC

Town Clerk