1. CALL TO ORDER

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.

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, Councilor Perry and Councilor Vieira.

Town Administrator Cotta, DPW Director Rogers and Town 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. Library Services

b. Harbor & Coastal Management Comm.

c. Associated Activities (includes Senior Citizens Service, Economic Development Commission

    & Boards and Commissions)

d. Civic Appropriations

e. Town Council

f. Public Works Department

Library Director Catherine Damiani, Library Trustees Carol Herrmann and Sanford Mantell joined the meeting.

Director Damiani reviewed the impacts on library services and programs from COVID19 and their pivots to include new virtual and creative programs. FY22 goals readjusted from #1 Open on Sunday to #1 Be Open, #2 Build Collection and #3 Building Projects. She updated the Council on completed building maintenance (HVAC, flooring, siding, plumbing, etc.) and future maintenance needs. Catherine presented the Tiverton Library Services FY22 Budget Operating Expenses, Revenues and Capital Request and reviewed current staffing levels, including unfilled positions.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Library Capital Request of $15,000, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Library Services Annual Budget request of $597,500, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Cook opposed.

Library Director Catherine Damiani, Library Trustees Carol Herrmann and Sanford Mantell exited the meeting.

Harbor Commission Chairperson Bruce Cox and Commission Member Charles Lawrence joined the meeting.

Commission Member Charles Lawrence updated the Council on water sampling in the Seapowet marsh and bridge areas. He reviewed what resources are available through URI Watershed Watch program and sampling costs. He opined that request could be reduced to $250 for bacterial testing only and to delay dissolved oxygen tests.

Councilor Cook motioned to approve water quality testing of $250, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Edwards opposed.

Councilor Vieira motioned to approve Harbor and Coastal Management Commission Account 3350 Budget Total of $550, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Chairperson Cox answered question on the Stone Bridge dockage capital request. Dock can be utilized by Harbormaster and TFD vessels, will encourage visiting vessels and will assist Tiverton citizens in accessing their vessels. We have floats available at DPW site. We will have a proper handicap ramp.

Harbor Commission Chairperson Bruce Cox and Commission Member Charles Lawrence exited meeting.

Economic Development Commission request is $500 for supplies. Councilor Cook questioned increase from $300 to $500. Town Administrator stated he reduced to $500 from original request of $797. Per budget backup documentation, there was a $200 request for North Tiverton Garden (Middle Ave gazebo?) and various supplies for cards, pamphlets and postage.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Economic Development Commission Account 6200 Budget Total of $500, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion unanimously passed.

Town Administrator Cotta reviewed the Senior Citizens Service budget request, including $2,000 increase in Bus Service for expected usage post COVID.

Councilor Perry motioned to approve Senior Citizens Services Account 6110 Budget Total of $123,500, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion unanimously passed.

DPW Director Rogers reviewed the Senior Center Renovation $10,000 capital request, included basement work, general maintenance and possible vinyl siding. Vinyl siding estimates from $28K to $30,400 are not in capital request.

Councilor Burk motioned to add Senior Center Renovation capital request of $10,000, not including siding, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to move item 4F up on the agenda, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

DPW Director Rogers clarified that the Rubbish/Recycling Collection total has been changed from $755,000 to $729,200. Paving was then discussed, with questions from Councilors.

Councilor Burk motioned to reduce Paving from $750,000 to $375,000, seconded by Councilor Vieira. The motion passed 5-2, with Councilor Cook and Councilor Perry opposed.

Councilor Vieira temporarily exited meeting.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Public Works Salaries Account 5540 Budget Total of $699,889, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Public Works Operations Account 5540 Budget Total of $806,600, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion passed 5-1, with Councilor Cook opposed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Street Lighting Account 3380 Budget Total of $75,000, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Hydrant Services Account 3420 Budget Total of $1,600, seconded by Councilor Cook. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Rubbish/Recycling Collection Account 5500 Budget Total of $729,200, seconded by Councilor Cook. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Perry motioned to approve Landfill Operations Account 5530 Budget Total of $290,964, seconded by Councilor Edwards. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Perry motioned to approve Building Maintenance Division Account 5130 Budget Total of $120,102, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Perry motioned to approve Parks Maintenance, Mowing Account 8840 Budget Total of $57,930, seconded by Councilor Janick. The motion unanimously passed.

DPW Director Rogers exited meeting.

Boards and Commissions is level funded at $12,200. There was discussion on Budget Committee budget request of $2,000.

Councilor Burk motioned to provide Budget Committee with $800, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve Boards and Commissions Account 6210 Budget Total of $11,000, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

Councilor Vieira rejoins the meeting.

Civic Appropriations is level funded at $13,550. There was discussion on a new Samaritans request for $500.

Councilor Janick motioned to add Samaritans request of $500, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Vieira abstained.

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Civic Appropriations Account 6250 Budget Total of $14,050, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Vieira abstained.

Town Council budget is level funded at $128,700. There was discussion on Contingency Fund account 6890.

Councilor Janick motioned to approve Town Council Account 1020 Budget Total of $128,700, seconded by Councilor Perry. The motion unanimously passed.

2. Planning for future FY 2021/2022 Budget Reviews

The next regular meeting on February 22, 2021 has budget agenda item focusing on Police, Fire and Legal Services.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Burk. The motion passed unanimously by hand vote. The meeting adjourned at 1:12 p.m.

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

A True Copy.

ATTEST_________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk