STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS COUNTY OF NEWPORT

 

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County and State aforesaid held a Special Council Meeting on Tuesday, the 25th day of February 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Rd.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Council President Hilton, Vice-President deMedeiros, Councilor Clarke, Councilor Edwards, Councilor Perry                  

Councilor Cook and Councilor Driggs were absent            

Town Clerk Mello was also present

 

Council President Hilton called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

 

OPEN SESSION

Overall Discussion, Review, and Potential Preliminary Votes on FY 2020/2021 Budget, Including Individual Line Items, as Previously Submitted by Town Administrator

Included but not limited to:

a.       Police Department

b.      Fire Department

c.       Public Works

d.      Revenue

 

Clerk provided updated spread sheet from prior meeting on Administrator’s recommended expense budget including all AFSCME and Teamster salary adjustments from Council contingency to appropriate departments dated February 25, 2020.

 

Police Department – Chief Jones

Chief began discussion explaining need for Deputy Chief.  Needed for internal review, promote from within.  Currently staff totals 30 plus Chief.  One in academy presently. Chief recommends Deputy and to reduce uniformed by one.

• Deputy would not increase staff; total sworn officers would be reduced by 1 to 29.
• True vacancies currently are 3. Several eligible to retire. 
• Adjusted shifts for CCO.  One dispatcher left to go to police academy but didn’t make it.  Changed probationary CCO to split shifts. Creates savings.
• Out of Rank reduced to $1500
• Sick leave buy-back reduced to 25k due to 2 retirees
• State Mandated Education – Reduced to 45k – Needed for certification in the spring.
• Looking into solar for electricity savings – some expense in electric for tower on Hambly Road

 

      Police Capital

      Discussed need for SUV vehicles, hybrids, police rated, carry

      equipment. Need to maintain 3/2/3 system of updated police vehicles

      Applied for grant for public safety facility - Reduce request by 50k

      Need for new portable radios, current ones are 20 years old – will

      place them in DPW trucks

 

Fire Department – Chief Mollo

• Currently down 1 recruit – started Fire Academy and will bring to full staff.
• O/T at 88,966 – Some contractual – Look back period tracking.
• Not using per diems – not needed – casino details filled
• Education Allowance level
• EMS by contract increased by 20k
• Medical Physicals – Historically not spent but trying to get them on schedule.  Discussion relative to medical insurance covering – Chief will investigate coverage
• Clothing Allowance – Chief trying to apply for grant – Need to establish program to replace turnout gear and track inventory
• Station Building Maintenance – Trying to address fire prevention inspection deficiency reported issues.  Reduced by 9k.
• New Account – Annual Testing used to test fire hoses
• Water rescue for swimmer training to be certified in diving – Removed for this year

 

Fire Capital

Requesting pick up truck for 42k to be used to maintain ramps of snow, tow boats – would be lettered for identification on vehicle

Discussed Lucas Chest Compression equipment.  Trying to establish a legitimate apparatus plan.

 

Public Works – DPW Director Rogers

• Discussed current budget balances and expended expenses to FY end.  Winter has been light on snow removal, waiting to transfer money until close to end of year.  Need bulldozer repairs, etc.
• Overtime reduced by 5k
• Repairs and Tires – Increased due to cost increases
• Guard Rails needed on Progress way
• Paving currently has 674k but will roll over- in spring will use whatever in budget currently
• Mobile Communications can be reduced to 4k
• Gas/Fuel/Oil slight increase
• Onsite Wastewater level funded to 30k
• Parks/Maintenance/Mowing – increase in field rehabilitation needed and cost of port-a-johns – Discussed having leagues pay toward upkeep of fields and do some maintenance to offset costs – Town needs policy.

 

Public Works Capital was previously reviewed.  Director explained mandatory work being done relative to MS4 audit report and RI Trust inspection.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Edwards.  Motion passed unanimously.      

 

The meeting adjourned 10:00 p.m.

           

A True Copy.

 

ATTEST:   _______________________________

                         Nancy L. Mello, Town Clerk