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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT
The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County and State aforesaid held a Regular Council Meeting on
Monday, February 8, 2021 at 7:00 via a Virtual Meeting viewable at Tiverton Videos on YouTube.
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.
3. ROLL CALL
Members present
| Council President deMedeiros | Councilor Perry | Council Edwards |
| Council Vice-President Burk | Councilor Janick | Councilor Cook |
| Councilor Vieira | | |
Town Administrator Cotta, Solicitor Marcello, Clerk Chabot and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.
BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL
President deMedeiros read the items on the Consent Agenda.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
Note 3: All items listed within the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine by Town Council and will
ordinarily be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a
member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests and the Town Council President permits,
in which event the item will be removed for separate consideration later on the agenda.
A. Approval of Town Council Minutes
1. January 25, 2021 – Regular Session
2. January 25, 2021 – Executive Session
3. January 23, 2021 – Special Budget Meeting
4. January 26, 2021 – Joint TWWD Workshop
B. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
1. Town Administrator – Departments’ Monthly Reports – January 2021
2. Town Administrator – Police and Fire Department Overtime Reports – January 2021
3. Jennifer Siciliano, Town Planner and Administrative Officer – Report of Activities of Planning
Department and Planning Board for January 2021
C. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence
1. Town of North Providence – Resolution 21-02 in support of lifting restrictions on small businesses
due to COVID-19
D. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – Total amount $2,186.59
Councilor Cook removed item C-1.
Councilor Perry motioned to approve Consent Agenda items with the exception of C-1. Councilor
Burk seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Cook questioned if other members of the Council were interested in a similar resolution to lift small business restrictions. After brief discussion, no others indicated there would be similar support. It was mentioned that Councilor Cook could submit a resolution for consideration.
Councilor Perry motioned to approve Consent Agenda item C-1. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING A COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM OR OTHER TOWN BUSINESS
The Public May Send Written Comments via email to publiccomment@tiverton.ri.gov or by regular
mail to the Town Clerk at 343 Highland Road, Tiverton, RI 02878 or place in the grey drop box located
outside Town Hall by 12:00 noon on Monday, January 25, 2020
A. Comments received – Stacey Ober/American Kennel Club in appreciation for incorporating AKC’s
recommendations into draft animal ordinance
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ADVERTISED)
A. Ed Mazzaferro, 59 Nanaquaket Road – Request approval of sound variance for wedding on June 26,
2021 from 4 pm to 11 pm – Subject to meeting all legal requirements
Councilor deMedeiros questioned the type of fireworks intended for use. As the Fire Chief was not aware and Petitioner Ed Mazzaferro was not present to comment, it was suggested item be tabled until next meeting.
President deMedeiros opened the Public Hearing. Administrator Cotta then asked multiple times if others from the public wished to speak; there were none.
Councilor Perry motioned to continue the item until the next meeting on 2/22/21. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously.
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Town Solicitor – Request to advertise Technical Amendments to recently passed Tiverton Code of
Ordinances Article I – Section 10-1, 10-2 & 10-3 – Public Nuisance of Animals
Solicitor Marcello advised Council of a few necessary technical amendments he believed fell outside of the authority to make non-substantive granted at the previous meeting, therefore the changes would need an additional public hearing for amendments to be considered.
Councilor Burk motioned to approve the aforementioned request to advertise. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
B. Councilor deMedeiros - Overall Discussion, Review, and Potential Preliminary Votes on FY
2021/2022 Budget, including individual line items and capital expenses as previously submitted by
Town Administrator. Including, not limited to: Public Works Department
DPW Director Rogers presented the Public Works Department FY 2021/2022 Budget request to the Council, beginning with necessary equipment replacement including a used dump truck, tag trailer, plow/attachments, 4-way plows and a forklift. Additional requests included capital improvement items, salary and operating expenses as well as landfill, building maintenance and park maintenance items. No votes were taken.
C. Councilor deMedeiros - Planning for future FY 2021/2022 Budget Reviews
Councilor deMedeiros, noting final budget was due to Town Administrator by March 3, moved to schedule three budget meetings. The determined dates were: Saturday, February 13; Tuesday, February 16 and Saturday, February 20.
8. ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMENTS/DISCUSSIONS
A. Town Administrator – Update on COVID-19 vaccine distribution/state plan
Administrator Cotta explained the State had allocated just 80 vaccines for Tiverton that were distributed on 2/3/21 in Bristol. He added that the information from the state came with insufficient advance notice and a night-before news report suggested contacting Town Hall, resulting in several chaotic days with non-stop calls, causing a phone outage in the Clerk’s office. He furthered that a list was being generated of residents 75 and over from those registering, and selection process was oldest to youngest. The state informed we should expect 110 vaccine doses every week beginning 2/18/21 for four weeks. Fire Chief Reimels had been working on a plan to join with Little Compton and hold future vaccinations at the High School. Those selected in the first four weeks will be given a second shot four weeks later. No further information from the state beyond the next eight weeks. He furthered that an online web portal for resident registration was almost complete. A phone hotline for those without internet was also under consideration.
B. Town Clerk
1. Update on March 2, 2021 Special Referendum
Clerk Chabot noted the next critical date is February 9 at 4pm was the last day for mail ballot applications. Emergency voting period runs from February 10 thru March 1 at Town Hall during normal business hours of 8:30 to 4pm.
2. Ordinance public hearing date change for Tiverton Code of Ordinances Chapter 2 Administration
Section 2-107 Casino Gaming Revenue to March 8, 2021
Clerk Chabot explained the public hearing date change from February 22 to March 8 was due to an advertising date error.
9. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1), the Town Council may go into closed executive session to review
discuss resumes/applications for the Assistant Solicitor – Prosecution and potential vote on selection
of same – Notice given
Councilor Perry motioned to enter executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1), to review and discuss
resumes/applications for the Assistant Solicitor – Prosecution and potential vote on selection of same – notice given. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.
Council entered executive session at approximately 9:15 p.m.
Council returned to open session at approximately 9:50 p.m.
The Town Council reconvened in open session following the conclusion of the executive session.
Councilor Perry motioned to seal the minutes of Executive Session. Councilor Burk seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken to seal the minutes of the executive session with all members voting in the affirmative.
Solicitor Marcello reported that a motion was made by Councilor Cook, seconded by Councilor Janick to appoint Chief Patrick Jones, Town Administrator Cotta and the Town’s Prosecution Officer Lt. Barboza to conduct interviews of any or all of the applicants they deem appropriate and to come back with a recommendation for appointment to the Town Council as soon as possible. Vote was unanimous.
10. ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Perry made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Cook seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously by hand vote. The meeting adjourned at 9:52 p.m.
A True Copy.
ATTEST_________________________
Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk