STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County and State aforesaid held a Special Council Meeting on

Tuesday, October 18, 2021 at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Road.

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.

School Committee Chair Dr. Larkin, having a quorum, opened the School Committee meeting. Members present were Chair Dr. Larkin, Vice Chair Farnsworth and Member Pallasch.

3. ROLL CALL

Present:

Council President deMedeiros	Council Vice President Burk	Councilor Janick
Councilor Vieira	Councilor Cook	Council Edwards
Councilor Perry

 

Town Administrator Cotta, Clerk Chabot and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.

4. OPEN SESSION

                A. Council President deMedeiros – Discussion and possible vote regarding allocation of Casino Gaming

                     Revenue as per Tiverton Code of Ordinance Section 2-107

 

Council President deMedeiros noted that tonight’s meeting is about the Ordinance that sunsets in June 2022, with the $3.1M in Casino Gaming Revenue to be spent this year on capital improvements for school and municipal. Councilor Burk is working on future monies with a committee, and we will be having several workshops concerning what to do with future casino money.

 

Town Administrator Cotta reviewed what moneys are available in Fiscal Year 2022 from Gaming funds of $3.1 Million received for FY2021, CARES funding that must be spent by year end and ARPA funding that is fluid at this point. He presented a spreadsheet that reflects funds available and possible school and municipal needs. Looking at column for Gaming, he proceeded to review the Recycling Center needs and potential funding options ($650,000), the Tax Assessor/Tax Collector System that is unsupportable ($80,000), and the Clerk Recording System that is antiquated ($45,000). Continuing with Police Cars ($100,000) and Police Dog Truck ($15,000), he mentioned if grant money from USDA is used for purchase, money would be reimbursed back into Gaming funds. Many vehicles are unusable and should be scrapped.

Councilor deMedeiros requested an updated vehicle inventory. She noted that were not planning on budgeting for capital needs next year.

For the Animal Shelter ($75,000), Administrator Cotta stated we are currently spending $30,000 to maintain six cages annually and would need study to determine costs to build a shelter, how many animals housed, etc. With the new Quint fire truck, the fire station door needs modification ($15,000). A forestry vehicle ($35,000) is needed as demonstrated with recent fire at THS and Ranger School. Tiverton relied on other towns for equipment. Radio call boxes ($35,000) are antiquated and not supportable. Library needs $15,000. DPW needs a new motor ($35,000) to make the International Sander truck useable.

 

Council President deMedeiros reiterated that this is one time capital only being discussed that indirectly reduces what people are taxed. She turned discussion next to school capital needs.

 

School Committee Chair Dr. Larkin explained the school capital submission list. There have been multiple iterations. This recent list provided to Council has not been voted on by the School Committee. If appropriation made by Council, School Committee would need to vote to accept. He proceeded to review the bathroom refurbishment needed at the High School (THS) and Middle School (TMS). There are eight sets (8 men & 8 women bathrooms – 16 total) – four sets at the THS and four sets at the TMS. The $850,000 is to refurbish two sets at each school (four bathrooms at each school for 8 total) which is half of what is needed. He noted that the schools serve as shelters for the town in an emergency and that maintaining them is important. He continued with siding replacement needed at Ranger School ($7,500), dishwasher (from 1966) replacement at THS ($55,000), Steamer (from 1976) replacement at TMS ($60,000). He noted that there is 25%-40% reimbursement from the State for the bathrooms, dishwasher and steamer under health and safety issues. Any money reimbursement should go back to school capital and will need to work out the process to accomplish that.

 

He continued with the HVAC maintenance contract for the five schools ($12,000). Council questioned this item as ongoing maintenance and not capital expenditure.

 

Dr Larkin gave an update on the light pole replacement at THS for $290,000 ($350,000 less $60,000 expected in insurance money) that reflects a steep discount from National Grid. He continued with the three (3) rider lawnmower (over 25 years old) replacements ($24,000), tennis court repairs (posts, painting and windscreens) ($6,000), intercom system (wiring from 1966) replacement at THS ($25,000). The intercom system may also be reimbursable from the State under health and safety.

 

Dr. Larkin explained the next item to turn the Library into a Media Center for approximately $544,000 to update capacity for digital 21^st century education as was recently learned moving from in person learning to distance learning. This would improve the quality of the education.

 

Councilor Burk asked question on the potential impact on future budgets from operational perspective if the media center was done, for additional labor costs, extra supplies, etc.

 

Dr. Larkin answered that was probably an unanswerable question as technology and devices change so fast. There are IT costs each year. Continuing to the next item, an aquaponics lab/working greenhouse ($126,500) is a hands-on science laboratory that allows for better instruction in science. This is a new program that would have ongoing costs each year. Discussions are ongoing on the School Committee for these items.

 

Councilor deMedeiros stated new programs would likely increase operating costs and feels focus on fixing what we have now and not start new programs.

 

Superintendent Dr. Sanchioni spoke to his vision on the last two items. He explained how the Media Center would be used, with no additional staff required. He explained the new aquaponics lab and working greenhouse would be used in returning the culinary program. Staff would be required for the culinary program.

 

Councilor Janick did not want to diminish new learning, but bathrooms were embarrassing.

 

School Committee Member Pallasch noted that the School Committee would need to meet to do their due diligence and return to the Council.

 

Administrator Cotta noted that everything is required to go out for bid.

 

The School Committee will meet for final approval on their proposed Capital Submission request and get back to the Council for their first meeting in November.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to conditionally approve for an amount not to exceed $2,000,000, pending final approval of the School Committee, for these items below, not to exceed the amount listed, unless return to Council with bids:

Refurbish Bathrooms at TMS/THS (4 at each school)	$850,000
Replace Siding – Ranger	$7,500
Replace (1966) Dishwasher THS	$55,000
Replace (1976) Steamer TMS	$60,000
Replace Light Poles (4) THS	$290,000
Replace Three (3) Rider Lawnmowers (25 years old)	$24,000
Repair Posts, Repaint & Add Windscreens (tennis courts)	$6,000
Replace (1966) Intercom System THS	$25,000

Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed 4-3, Councilors Perry, Cook and Vieira opposed.

 

School Committee Chair Dr. Larkin received motion to adjourn School Committee meeting from Vice Chair Farnworth, seconded by Member Pallasch. Motion passed.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve an amount not to exceed $1,100,000 for the municipal projects identified, excluding the Animal Shelter ($75,000) and adding an additional $35,000 to Police Cars - Admin. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-2, Councilors Cook and Vieira opposed.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to direct the Town Administrator to work with the Solicitor, the Treasurer, and any other necessary parties to find a way for us to take any reimbursements that we receive and put them in a special restricted account/s for the purpose of reusing those reimbursements for capital expenses, with a separate stream for School Committee reimbursements, and inclusive of any remaining funds if bids are lower than expected. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-2, Councilors Cook and Vieira opposed.

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Vieira seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST________________________________

                      Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk