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 Thursday, April 10, 2025, 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 Edwards V called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. ROLL CALL

Present

President John G. Edwards V	Vice President David J. Paull	Craig R. Committo
David Perry	Denise M. deMedeiros	Deborah G. Janick
Michael S. Burk

 

Town Administrator Jones, Solicitor Marcello, Clerk Chabot and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

                A. Councilors Janick, deMedeiros, and Committo – Discussion and possible vote to rescind Resolution

                     2025-0006 Requesting General Assembly Legislative Action Related to Tiverton Water Districts and

     Authorities as adopted on February 24, 2025. 

 

Council president Edwards V invited North Tiverton Water District's attorney Ken Trembley to begin discussion.

 

Mr. Tremblay spoke regarding the possibility of merging the North Tiverton and Stone Bridge water districts. He acknowledged that merging the two districts was not necessarily a poor idea, but more work needs to be done that includes a financial and a general impact statement before decisions are made. He decried that the resolution was sent to the general assembly without bringing important facts to the voters. He warned that the proposed measures could negatively affect existing bonds. He also stated that the water districts are utilities, and not governmental functions, adding that he does not believe Tiverton could merge the two districts, even with approval from the General Assembly.

Councilor Janick motioned to rescind Resolution 2025-0006 that requested the General Assembly to merge the two water districts. Councilor deMedeiros seconded the motion.

 

Discussion continued.

 

Councilor Janick noted that the two council liaisons to the water districts, Councilors Committo and deMedeiros has spent a lot of time speaking with workers and members of both of the boards. She was opposed the potential merger and said she heard from many constituents who shared her opinion. She criticized the original vote stating it was premature with no thought, investigation, or research behind it.

 

Councilors DeMediros and Committo, liaisons to both respective water districts, each agreed there was a lot of information that still needs to be gathered, that would include meetings between both districts, prior to a decision.

 

Councilor Burk, noting he was not on the council when the original vote took place, stated he would not have voted in favor. He said these were two separate legal entities that need to independently work out a solution that is best for their constituents.

 

Councilor Paull stated that this was never about the employees, adding that Representative Edwards has assured him that he plans to sit with both districts before he submits anything, and would hold him to this.  

 

Council President Edwards V, had previously recused himself from the original vote due to a potential conflict of interest, said that conflict had since been resolved and that RI Ethics was aware. He continued to defend the possible merger, instead describing the request to rescind the resolution as premature. He maintained it was not viable long-term to maintain two separate water infrastructures for 4,000 customers. He also mentioned that Stone Bridge already sells water to North Tiverton and does so at a loss.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to move the question. Councilor Burk seconded the motion. The motion passed, 4-2-1 with Councilors Edwards V and Perry opposed, and Councilor Paull abstaining.  

 

The original vote was called.  

 

The motion passed, 4-2-1 with Councilors Edwards V and Perry opposed, and Councilor Paull abstaining.  

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Burk seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST______________________________________

                        Joan B. Chabot, CMC    Town Clerk