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AMENDED
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 Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 9:00 AM 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.
3. ROLL CALL
Present
Council President deMedeiros, Council Vice President Burk, Councilor Paull, Council Edwards V, Councilor Edwards, and Councilor Janick
Absent
Councilor Milbourne
Solicitor Marcello, Town Administrator Cotta, and Clerk Chabot were also present.
Library Director Damiani and Treasurer Saurette were also present.
4. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Resident Shannon McNamara asked that the town do what it can to fund the schools but with stipulations that there is oversight, and that closing Fortt Barton is off the table. Parents are frustrated and want the best education for their children.
Resident Sally Black stated she is in support of the whole town, and we all have to share. Schools are essential, but Police, Fire, and DPW are essential too. One dollar more devastates the schools. She went through a brief history of the building of the schools and how Tiverton has supported building and upgrades that were needed. Tiverton citizens voted in 2002 to have three neighborhood elementary schools. If this new thing passes (Fort Barton closure), this will have an impact on all the elementary school children, not just Fort Barton. She appreciates the council's effort as the appropriating authority, it’s a huge job, and have done well for the schools over the last few years with casino money and housing aid back to the schools. We need a bridge budget to carry us through until we figure this out.
5. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Discussion and possible vote on the Proposed FY 25 Budget for the following departments:
1. 6630 Library
5. 2200 Audit
8. 2270 Unemployment Security
9. 2300 Unfunded Liability
10. 6210 Boards and Commissions
11. 6250 Civic Appropriations
Summary of changes to the proposed budget:
1020 Town Council Contingency fund was increased from $550,000 to $750,000.
2140 Treasurer – no changes
2190 Insurance – Group Health Insurance swap of $100,000 from Active to Retirees and Group Dental Insurance – decreased Active from $80,000 to $60,000 and decreased Retiree from $20,000 to $15,000
2200 Audit – decreased from $25,000 to $24,000.
2220 Pension Plans– no changes
2250 Social Security – no changes
2270 Unemployment Security – no changes
2300 Unfunded Liability – no changes
5540 Public Works – Paving/Drainage Account decreased from $300,000 to $0.
6210 Boards and Commissions – Recycling Committee decreased from $150 to $100, Personnel Board increased from $250 to $300, and Historical Preservation Advisory Board increased from $400 to $500.
6250 Civic Appropriations – Newport County Women’s Resources increased from $500 to $750 and Garden Club increased from $500 to $900
Councilor Paull recused from discussion on Fire/Rescue Community Training.
6630 Library Services – no changes
7700 School Department – the School Department was unavailable to attend the meeting.
Budget Committee Chair Janick gave an update on what the Budget Committee recommended. They approved the appropriation for the municipal budget as requested. The school appropriation was more difficult. For the record, the majority of the Budget Committee was in favor of an increase for the schools, they were not comfortable knowing what their actual costs were to be able to put a number to that. For school appropriation, they voted for Maintenance of Effort plus $1.00. Mr. Janick will provide the same FY24 resolutions for FY25 but was aware that the council has made some changes. There was discussion on the resolutions. An ordinance was approved last year for restricted accounts, Industrial Park proceeds, and Real Estate Conveyance Tax funds that have eliminated the need for these respective resolutions.
B. Overall discussion, review, and possible votes on FY 25 Budget and FY25 Revenue Projections,
including resolutions, miscellaneous supporting financial data, and tax worksheet.
Resident Brandon Andrade reviewed the challenges and summarized cuts that the School has made from it’s original budget, more cuts are needed. Closing Fort Barton does not help the town as a whole. He estimates the School needs approximately $1M above the 4%, giving the school committee an extra year to understand and finalize utilization studies that the school department should complete. He reviewed casino revenue, general fund, commitments to RIDE, buildings in need of repair, mental health issues related to 4th graders placed in Middle School, impact on taxes, scare tactics, work together, and help the town, our students, and teachers.
Resident Jordan Riley commented that it is a growing consensus among parents that we don’t have faith in school administration and are in a difficult position to make decisions for our children about the next school year with the looming threat, with none of the information. We want the schools to be funded. We want the world for our children. We need faith in the numbers, but things don’t match. Losing faith, how to regain trust, closure versus losing specialists, not accurate, can’t be accepted at face value, things need to change, in favor of doing as much as we possibly can for the schools but it has to come with a caveat to regain the trust and the faith of parents.
Resident Sally Black shared information on building permits over the last several years, there is development in town, these are facts. The main factor in education student-teacher ratio up to the 4th grade is especially important.
The council discussed various appropriation options as provided by Administrator Cotta under backup item B-3. They discussed funds available in the unreserved general fund. They expect additional information to be provided by the School Department. The council is moving forward with a preliminary budget to be within the deadlines required by the charter.
Councilor Burk motioned to move the preliminary budget based on the backup provided by the Town Administrator and the Budget Committee for FY25 Proposed School Expenses of $33,587,602, which includes projected state aid for education of $5,697,155, and Proposed Municipal Expenses of $24,647,827 plus adjustments made today, and Proposed Capital Expenses of $154,028, for a Total of $58,389,457 plus adjustments made today. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Burk motioned to move the FY25 Revenue of $12,213,895 projected from Non-Property Tax, $85,000 for Abatements, $1,748,175 from Motor Vehicle tax, and $1,500,000 allocated from the General Fund. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Burk motioned to move the FY25 Resolutions, including Resolutions 2 and 8 from FY24 and a new resolution for a new restricted account for Snow Removal. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Burk motioned that the Town Council respectfully advises the School Committee by unanimous consent of the Town Council we do not support the closure of any educational facility in the town of Tiverton. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.
6. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Town Administrator – RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Collective Bargaining – Discussion and possible vote on
IAFF Local 1703 contract negotiations
B. Town Administrator – RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Collective Bargaining – Discussion and possible vote on
Teamsters Local 251 contract negotiations
C. Town Administrator – RIGL 42-46-5(4) any investigation proceeding regarding allegations of
misconduct, either civil or criminal, Fire Department
Councilor Burk motioned to enter Executive Session for agenda items 6A, 6B, and 6C. Councilor Edwards V seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
The council entered into closed executive session at approximately 12:05 p.m.
The council returned to open session at approximately 12:46 p.m.
Councilor Burk motioned to seal the minutes of the Executive Session. Councilor Edwards V seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Council President deMedeiros reported that all items were discussion only, and no votes were taken.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 12:47 p.m.
A True Copy.
ATTEST________________________________
Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk