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

Absent

Councilor Perry

Clerk Chabot was also present.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Discussion and possible vote on the Proposed FY 24 Budget for the following departments:

For the Police Department Salaries budget, Police Chief Jones reviewed the corrected salary numbers for FY 23 & FY 24. No additional changes were made.

Superintendent Dr. Peter Sanchioni and School Finance Director Ms. Amy Roderick presented the FY 24 School Budget proposal to the council. They reviewed their goals, enrollment/absenteeism, energy & technology expenses, personnel & benefits, ESSER funds, executive budget summary, structural deficit, and successes in graduation rates, bridge program & proficiency results. They answered questions regarding the structural deficit and staffing. Council questioned the 10-year appropriation history spreadsheet and requested an updated spreadsheet reflecting both voter-approved budget docket numbers and audited actual numbers.

Recreation Chair Stu Gilfillen reviewed the Beaches, Summer Recreation, and EVENTS proposed budgets and answered council questions regarding the beach online parking system and the fireworks event. Council decreased Beaches - Online & Credit Card processing amount from $4,000 to $2,000. EVENTS Community Special events was decreased from $68,250 to $10,000. Council is expecting $50,000 for fireworks will be paid for by Tiverton Power from their community donation.

For Public Works, Director Richard Rogers reviewed his budget with the Council and answered their questions related to snow removal, Sand/Salt/Gravel, paving, highway signs, trash collection, recycling, bulldozer repair, and recreation area maintenance. For Operating Expenses, Council decreased snow removal from $135,000 to $100,000 and Sand/Salt/Gravel from $193,000 to $150,000. Noted that does not include funding for Paving. Rubbish/Recycling Collection was decreased from $1,610,000 to $1,300,000 based on expected revenues from PAYT restricted revenue account. For Landfill Operations, Landfill Engineering/Testing/Permitting was decreased from $75,250 to $0 based on expected revenues from PAYT restricted revenue account. For Park Maintenance, Mowing, Recreation Area Maintenance and Repairs was increased by $1,000 to $9,000.

No changes were made to Salaries, Street Lighting, Hydrant Services, and Building Maintenance Division.

Council plan to review Paving and Street Lighting expenses, and PAYT revenues once the Town Administrator returns. Council discussed establishing by ordinance a restricted account for Sand/Salt/Gravel like the Paving restricted account.

B. Overall Discussion, Review, and Votes on FY 24 Budget and FY 24 Revenue Estimates

No action was taken on this item.

The Council scheduled additional meetings for May 6 at 9 AM to cover the Budget Committees’ recommendations due April 25, 2023, and any other departments, as needed, and for May 11 at 6 PM for wrapping up the preliminary budget ordinance.

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Edwards V motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 11:55 AM.

A True Copy.

ATTEST________________________________

                    Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk