1. CALL TO ORDER

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order at approximately 9:00 am

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

3. ROLL CALL

Members present: Council President deMedeiros, Council Vice-President Burk, Council Edwards, Councilor Janick, Councilor Cook and Councilor Vieira. Councilor Perry was absent.

Town Administrator Cotta, Town Treasurer Saurette, DPW Director Rogers and Clerk Chabot were present.

4. OPEN SESSION

1. 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:

a. Fund review (capital/restricted accounts)

b. Parks and Recreation

c. Harbormaster

d. Harbor & Coastal Management Comm.

e. Municipal Capital

f. Town Council

g. Legal Services

Town Treasurer Saurette provided a Summary of the Restricted Accounts (Paving $186,993.55, Revaluation $218,505.00, Election $38,900.49 and Capital from Unexpended Budget $514,568.22) as of June 30 2020 with total carryforwards to FY21 of $958,967.26. She also provided General Fund Balance for FY20, identifying Non-spendable $106,351.00, Restricted $0, Committed $958,967.26 and Unassigned $3,921,953.12. General Fund Total for FY20 is $4,987,271.39. Charter Requirement 3% of the FY21 $53,550,840 Operating Budget is $1,606,525.20. Excess above 3% is $2,315,427.92. However, the FY21 Approved Budget under the Revenue Forecast included a General Fund withdrawal of $1.6M. If this is needed for FY21, that would reduce the $2.3M availability.

She also provided a Summary of Other Restricted Accounts (Industrial Park Infrastructure $366,300, Progress Way $90,000, Casino Gaming Revenue $552,420 and Recycling $5,000) as of January 31, 2021 that are funded outside of appropriation.

Police Details were discussed - what money is collected, where the money goes, grant matching. Under Chief Blakey, the vehicle rental charge was placed in the vehicle maintenance account. However, that money now goes into the General Fund and is not available for grant matching on police vehicle purchases. Town Council could look into an ordinance for these Police vehicle rental charges/fees to be restricted for vehicle purchases with Town Council approval.

Town Treasurer Saurette exited the meeting.

Recreation Chairperson Gilfillen joined the meeting.

The Parks and Recreation Capital Improvement items were reviewed. Chairperson Gilfillen stated grant was already matched for Town Farm. Storage building at Town Farm is not in use. Mold is an issue and will need to be addressed. Parking will also be a future focus. Top priority capital improvement item would be the security system. Chairperson Gilfillen answered questions on the operating budget, including the Winter event, timing of an online registration process and associated costs.

Recreation Chairperson Gilfillen exited the meeting.

Harbormaster Loomis joined the meeting.

Capital Improvement items for a boat trailer and for the Stone Bridge dock were reviewed. Winter/Spring hauling costs are approximately @ $1500 annually, plus additional $700 each time hauled in/out if issues. Expense is coming out of Boat Operations and would need additional $3,000 added to Boat Operations to cover hauling costs if no trailer. Harbormaster Loomis reviewed usage of the waterfront dock and what would be required to complete.

Harbor & Coastal Management Commission not at the meeting.

Town Administrator Cotta will contact Commission Chairperson Bruce Cox and get explanation for water quality testing.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Parks and Recreation Beaches Account 8790 Budget Total of $48,300, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Parks and Recreation Summer Recreation Account 8830 Budget Total of $23,000, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Parks and Recreation Events Account XXXX Budget Total of $1,500, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion passed 5-1, Councilor Burk opposed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Harbor Master Account 3360 Budget Total of $30,235, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion unanimously passed.

Harbormaster Loomis exited the meeting.

Municipal Capital discussion began.

Councilor deMedeiros reminded the Council that there was $514K in the Capital Reserve Fund and proposed that $400K be taken from this fund and used for priority items under Municipal Capital and Capital Improvements.

Councilor asked questions, opined support, and began review/motions for each department priority items with the goal being around $400K.

Councilor Cook motioned to use $90,000 out of the Capital Reserve Fund to buy DPW 2 Used, plow & attachments, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve using $100,000 out of the Capital Reserve Fund for a Quint Fire truck to be purchased and paid over a 10-year period at the cost of approximately $100,000 per year provided approved at the Financial Town Referendum, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion passed 5-1, Councilor Vieira opposed.

Town Administrator Cotta reached out to Police Chief Jones and he joined the meeting.

Police vehicles, Grant money available and Police Auto rental charges were discussed.

Discussion continued for other priority items, including TFD Lucas Chest Compression, Harbormaster boat trailer, the waterfront dock, and Town Farm security system.

Councilor Edwards motioned to use $165,000 for Police vehicles, $8,500 for Harbormaster trailer, $10,000 for Waterfront Infrastructure, $16,000 for Town Farm Security system and $15,000 for one Lucas Chest Compression, coming to a total of $214,500 out of the Capital Reserve Fund, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion unanimously passed.

Total amount approved from the Capital Reserve Fund is $404,500, for the following:

$90,000 for DPW 2 Used, plow & attachments

$100,000 first payment for a Quint Fire truck

$165,000 for Police vehicles

$8,500 for Harbormaster trailer

$10,000 for Waterfront Infrastructure

$16,000 for Town Farm Security system

$15,000 for one Lucas Chest Compression

Discussion continued as to which items to include in the Municipal Capital and Capital Improvements budget request.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve $225,000 for the Recycling Center, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve $7,304 for TPD telephone recording system and $20,000 for TPD Server redundancy and RMS, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve $10,000 for DPW Main Building repairs, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve $10,000 for Town Hall – Repairs/Renovations, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Council will continue to review other Capital items at future meetings.

Town Administrator Cotta will update budget and provide to the Budget Committee by their next meeting.

Councilor deMedeiros tabled Town Council and Legal Services for review at future meetings.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Town Councilor Janick motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 12:43pm.

For full discussion of this special meeting, please refer to the video.

A True Copy.

ATTEST_________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk