STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County, and State aforesaid held a JOINT MEETING with the Tiverton School Committee on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton High School – Library 100 N. Brayton 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 called the School Committee to order.

3. ROLL CALL

Present

President Denise M. deMedeiros	Vice President Michael S. Burk	Deborah G. Janick
John G. Edwards V	Jay P. Edwards	Dennis J. Milbourne

 

Absent                
Joseph C. Perry

School Committee Chair Dr. Larkin, Vice-Chair Pavao, Member Farnworth, and Member DeCotis were present.

Administrator Cotta and Superintendent Dr. Sanchioni were also present.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Council President deMedeiros – Discussion and possible vote on allocation of funds regarding Fiscal

     Year 2022-2023 Casino Gaming and ARPA monies

Council President deMedeiros motioned to give from the casino fund $1,300,000 to the schools, $194,317 to the town, and put aside $124,000 for safety for the schools, and up to $814,219 from expected reimbursement monies will go to gym and locker room projects. Councilor Edwards V seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Council President deMedeiros proposed that any 2023 monies should be spent on safety programs for elementary and middle schools. 

 

Councilor Janick questioned if a pending school safety grant would offset the $124,000 safety amounts. Council President deMedeiros confirmed any unused funds would remain in the restricted school capital fund and be used for school safety.

 

Councilor Edwards questioned the cost estimate increase for the gym and locker room project by almost a million dollars. A representative from Brewster Thornton Group Architects explained the overages were due to not only an insufficient original estimate for the amount of work needed, but also a rapid increase in construction, material, and labor costs along with labor shortages. He added that several design decisions were made to reduce further impact. Shower rooms were discussed regarding student and coach usage.

 

Dr. Larkin expressed his thanks to the Council and looks forward to continuing to work collaboratively with all. Member Decotis commented that this collaboration is tremendous, which was why he ran for School Committee and students will be excited about the gym and locker room project.

 

Member Farnworth thanked the taxpayers of Tiverton for their support in making these very desperately needed improvements in our schools

 

B. Discussion and possible vote regarding possible funding/going out to bid for the Approved Stage III

    Submittal to RIDE (Locker Room Project)

 

Council Vice President Burk motioned to authorize the Town Council President to sign the Stage III letter which will include the estimated cost just approved of $1,300,000 of casino funds from FY22 and the reimbursement $814,219 and the pay-as-you-go they would receive of $115,500. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

C. Discussion and possible vote regarding the Stage II Submittal to RIDE, due by September 15

Committee Chair Larkin explained the submittal is work proposed to RIDE that the town can engage in over the next five years. Getting RIDE approval for the projects triggers eligibility for reimbursement from RIDE.

Council President deMedeiros expressed concern about committing to the proposed $6,000,000 in projects over five years, in the event of hypothetical lost casino monies requiring the town to go out for a bond, which would require a town vote. Council Vice President Burk said he viewed this as a five-year Capital plan, understanding that a future council may decide not to use casino money and instead, go out for bond.

 

Chair Larkin added there is a maintenance of effort requirement in the educational mission, and there is also a requirement of maintenance of effort in infrastructure. Dr. Sanchioni noted that by returning the reimbursements to the school account, a reimbursement of about $2.4 million would be generated, bringing down the town's commitment to about $3.6 million over five years.

 

Further discussion continued around the $12 million in proposed projects that the Town would be obligated to complete at least 50 percent over five years. Questions on some items on the list and potential additional items were discussed. Member Farnworth highlighted the school’s needs exceed $12 million. These are the projects that were agreed to by the Building Committee with concurrence with the School Committee and are of the highest priority. She noted that our schools are aging and require maintenance. RIDE requires this methodology and other cities and towns go through the same process.

 

Council Vice President Burk motioned to authorize the Town Council President to approve a final Stage II Submission to RIDE that incorporates the total projects identified by the Superintendent in his memo dated September 5, 2023, for the green shaded columns which total $11,995,600 and that we will commit to making use of casino monies, to the extent available, over the next five years, and any other funds that might be identified for up to half of that amount. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

D. Administrator Cotta – Discussion and possible vote regarding School Memorandum of Understanding

     for School Resource Officer

 

Administrator Cotta commented that the School Superintendent and Police Chief were currently working to reach an agreement on the MOU, but is not yet available to present to the Council. 

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Edwards V motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Burk seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The Council meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

 

School Chair Dr. Larkin requested a brief recess for the School Committee.

 

The School Committee continued with their next agenda item 3C Discuss Stage II Educational Program.

 

Ms. Farnworth motioned for discussion purposes that we approve the Stage II educational program. Chair Dr. Larkin seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.

 

Ms. Farnworth motioned to adjourn the meeting. Ms. Pavao seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The Council meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST________________________________

                         Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk