STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County, and State aforesaid held a Regular Council Meeting on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, 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.

3.       ROLL CALL

Present
President Denise M. deMedeiros      Vice President Michael S. Burk                                  Deborah G. Janick
Jay P. Edwards                                                           David J. Paull                                                                      John G. Edwards V

Dennis J. Milbourne

 

Solicitor Kirsch, Clerk Chabot, and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.

 

BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL

Council President deMedeiros read the items on the Consent Agenda.

 

4.       CONSENT AGENDA

All items listed within the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine by Town Council and will ordinarily be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests and the Town Council President permits, in which event the item will be removed for separate consideration later on the agenda.

 

A. Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
     1. Open Space Commission – (2)

     2. Zoning Board – (4)  

 

B. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports

     1. Town Administrator – Departments’ Monthly Reports – October 2024

     2. Police and Fire Department Overtime Reports – October 2024

     3. Tiverton School Department Quarter Report – 1Q25

 

C. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence
     1. Visiting Nurse Home & Hospice – Letter of thanks for $5,000.00 budget allocation 

 

                D. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – $1,551.43

 

 

Councilor Burk removed items A-1 and B-3.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve the Consent Agenda items except for items A-1 and B-3. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Re: A-1 - Referencing the Open Space Commissions’ minutes from September 16, Councilor Burk said he concurred with the commissioner who stated he would vote no on memorial benches or markers on open space land, as it would place a burden on the town to approve or deny requests as well as require maintenance.

 

Re: B-3– Councilor Burk stated he appreciated the receipt of the School Department’s quarterly report.

  

Councilor Burk motioned to approve Consent Agenda items A-1 and B-3.  Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.

 

5.       PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING A COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM OR OTHER TOWN BUSINESS

 

Representative John G. Edwards brought to the councils’ attention that several Hurst Lane residents had requested striping on the road, due to its lack of street lighting and dark conditions. The item would be added to the next meeting agenda for consideration. 

 

Resident Ann Lawton, a member of North End and Industrial/Business Park Advisory Subcommittee, stated she agreed with the proposal to reconsider the requirement that the Chair be a Town Council member, complimenting Councilor Burk on the good job he has done.

 

6.       APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS– Discussion and possible votes

 

                A. Acknowledgement of resignation:

                     1. Sharon Kurose from North End and Industrial/Business Park Advisory Subcommittee, effective 11/6/2024

 

Councilor Burk motioned to accept the resignation with deep regret and appreciation for her service. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                B. Tax Assessment Board of Review - (3) Member Board (3) Year Terms (1) Vacancy
                   1. Deborah L. Plant, 1006 Crandall Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2027

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to waive policy and re-appoint Deborah L. Plant to the Tax Assessment Board of Review for a term ending 10/15/2027. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                C. Housing Authority - (5) Member Board (5) Year Terms (2) Vacancies
                     Terms ending 10/15/2027 (1) and 10/15/2029 (1)
                   1. Cecile Rose Guimar, 99 Hancock Street - Requests appointment

Cecile Rose Guimar was interviewed by council.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to waive policy and appoint Cecile Rose Guimar to the Housing Authority for a term ending 10/15/2029. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.

 

7.       GENERAL BUSINESS

 

A. DPW Director Rogers – Discussion and possible vote to authorize ratification on RIDOT Municipal Road & Bridge Program (MRBP) FY25 Agreement

 

 

Councilor Burk motioned to authorize ratification of Tiverton’s RIDOT Municipal Road & Bridge Program Agreement and to authorize the Town Administrator, Solicitor and Treasurer to sign as appropriate. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

B. DPW Director Rogers – Discussion and possible vote to authorize funds to advertise for the DPW Custodial Maintenance position if position not filled thru internal posting

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to authorize the Director to expend funds to advertise for the DPW Custodial Maintenance position if not filled thru internal postings. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

C. Discussion and possible vote to authorize funds to advertise for the Tax Assessor/Tax Collection Clerk position if position not filled thru online posting

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to grant the Clerk the ability to advertise, if need be, for the Tax Assessor/Tax Collection Clerk position. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.  

 

D. Discussion and possible vote to ratify the proposed fiscal impact statement to existing contract for Tax Collector Toni Lyn McGowan, retroactive to 7/1/2024, including one time salary adjustment

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve the proposed fiscal impact statement as presented. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously. 

 

E. Fire Chief Bailey - Approval of capital account allocation
     1. $10,000.00 from Capital Account for gear extractor/dryers to Station 2 painting and hand railing

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve the transfers as requested by the fire chief and ask the solicitor to redraft the resolution. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.

 

F. Town Administrator/Town Treasurer – Discussion and possible vote to allocate remaining ARPA funds to pay for items previously obligated by Resolution from Casino Gaming Capital account.

 

Treasurer Saurette explained that ARPA is requiring any remaining unspent funds have to be obligated, contractually, by 12/31/2024. The suggested items were already in the pipeline and could be shifted from casino revenue to ARPA. She noted that ARPA funds could not be leveraged if a federal grant was involved, therefore, the PFAS equipment could not be included. Additionally, she noted the Library item currently had no firm commitment. The DPW Director confirmed he was actively pursuing bids for the street cleaning equipment, but had only one in hand, thus far. Ms. Saurette suggested including items A, B, E and F tonight, and consider the remaining items at the next meeting when further information was available.       

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve the obligation of items A, B, E and F for a total of $1,445,000.00 from the ARPA funds to cover the pumper, the Pocasset and Town Farm basketball courts, the DPW 250 pickup and the DPW garage maintenance equipment. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

G. Council President deMedeiros – Discussion and possible vote to reconsider the Resolution Establishing the North End and Industrial/Business Park Advisory Subcommittee requirement that the Chair be a Town Council member.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to amend the resolution for the North End and Industrial/Business Park Advisory Subcommittee to drop the requirement that the Chair be a Councilor. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to take the following items 7-H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P and Q, together. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

H. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2024 holiday event at Patchet Brook Farm on Saturday and Sunday, Dec 14 and 15, 2024, from 1-4 PM each day

 

I. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2024 Holiday Tree Lighting & Grinnell's Beach Concert for Dec 7, 2024, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM

 

J. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve holding February School Break “Drop In” Camp

 

K. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2025 Tiverton Celebrates Parade May 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

 

L. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve special event and permission to close Main Road on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM for Fireworks display (rain date May 25, 2025)

 

M. Tiverton Police Dept/Recreation Commission – Discussion and possible vote to approve Child Safety and Wellness Day event at Grinnell’s Beach and surrounding areas on Saturday, June 28, 2025, from 10AM – 5PM with a rain date of Saturday, June 29, 2025

 

N. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2025 Summer Concert Series at Bulgarmarsh Recreational area on June 20, 27 /July 11, 18, 25 /Aug 1, 8, 15 from 6:00 to ~8:30 PM (rain dates on Aug 22 and Aug 29) and to approve funds to advertise related sound variance

 

O. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2025 Summer Movie Series Jul 23, 30, & Aug 6, 13 / Rain dates Aug 20 & 27

 

P. Tiverton Police Dept/Recreation Commission – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2025 National Night Out Softball Tournament and Community Event at Bulgarmarsh Recreational area on Saturday, Aug 9, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (rain date Aug 10)

 

Q. Recreation Chair Gilfillen – Discussion and possible vote to approve 2025 Trunk or Treat on either Saturday Oct 18 or Oct 25 with potential rain date Oct 19 or Oct 26

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve items 7-H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P and Q, noting that for item H, Recreation Chair Gilfillen will contact the Little Compton Administrator to inquire if any approvals would be required, and subject to meeting all legal requirements. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

R. Recreation Chair Gilfillen - Discussion and possible vote to approve establishment of Tiverton Kickball League

 

Councilor Burk expressed concerns about potential town liability. The solicitor will check with the Trust.

Councilor Edwards V motioned to continue item 7-R until the next meeting. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.

 

8.       EXECUTIVE SESSION - The Town Council may vote to go into executive session in accordance with  the RI Open Meetings Act to discuss and or act upon the following items: 

 

A. Town Administrator – RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Collective Bargaining – Update on DPW contract

 

B. Town Administrator – RIGL 42-46-5(5) – Discussion related to the acquisition or lease of real property

     for public purposes wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the
     public – related to a conservation easement and related purchase and sale

 

Council President deMedeiros noted that item 8-B would be removed.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to enter into Executive Session for agenda item 8-A. Seconded by Councilor Edwards V, the motion passed unanimously.

 

The council entered a closed executive session at approximately 7:47 p.m.

 

9.       RECONVENE in OPEN SESSION and Sealing of Executive Session Minutes

 

The Council returned to open session at approximately 8:20 p.m.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to seal the minutes of the Executive Session. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

 

Solicitor Marcello reported for item 8-A discussion only, no votes taken.

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST______________________________________

                        Joan B. Chabot, CMC    Town Clerk