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

Wednesday, August 3, 2022, at 6:00 PM at the Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus Street.

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

Present

Council President deMedeiros, Council Vice President Burk, Councilor Janick, Councilor Perry, Council Edwards and Councilor Vieira

 

Absent

Councilor Cook

 

Solicitor Marcello, Town Administrator Cotta, Treasurer Saurette and Town Clerk Chabot were also present.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Discussion and possible votes on proposed Charter Amendments regarding modification of the town’s

     budget procedure and the Financial Town Referendum process, including various amendments

     related to the powers and duties of the Town Administrator, Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, School

     Committee and other related provisions as affected by the change in the budget/FTR process and

     a proposed amendment that would reduce the elected Budget Committee from eleven (11) to seven

     (7) members; and discussion and approval for adoption of final Ballot Questions to forward to Board

      of Canvassers

 

Council Vice President Burk reviewed the highlighted changes to ballot question 3, including Article title, Section 301(a) definitions for Non-Property Tax Revenue and Unified Budget, Section 301(b) in (4) adding no change to the school committee, town clerk and town treasurer submissions, in (5) adding consultation with Town Treasurer and in (9) adding website or equivalent, and Section 302(a) regarding the alternate budget proposal and non-property tax revenue, Section 602(b)(9) for preparing non-property tax revenue estimate, Section 1101 (a) making consistent with Section 301(b)(3), and specifying effective date if approved by the Electors. Councilors discussed Section 302(d) regarding the difficulty in obtaining the number of signatures needed within 10 business days for the alternate budget proposal petition to proceed. Council Vice President Burk explained the reasoning behind the 500 signatures.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve ballot question 3 as amended, including the highlighted changes presented and changes to 301(a)(4) and 302(a) as discussed. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to amend Section 302(d) the number of signatures from 500 to 250, including the number on Page 1 under Effect of Change. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion failed 3-3, with Councilors deMedeiros, Perry and Vieira in favor, and Councilors Burk, Janick and Edwards opposed.

 

Councilor Janick motioned to amend the number of signatures from 500 to 300 in Section 302(d) and on Page 1. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed 5-1, with Councilor Burk opposed.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve ballot question 3 with all amendments made tonight. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Council Vice President Burk reviewed the highlighted change to ballot question 4 specifying the effective date if approved by the Electors. Councilors discussed having enough members as there has been a lack of interest in the budget committee.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve ballot question 4. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to authorize the solicitor and clerk to make any non-substantive technical changes if needed, to Ballot questions 3 and 4 as amended. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to forward the ballot questions 3 and question 4 recommended changes to the Charter to the Board of Canvassing for certification for placement on the ballot in November. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 6:46 p.m.

 

 

A True Copy.

 

ATTEST________________________________

                      Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk