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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 Monday, June 23, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave, Tiverton, RI, 20878.
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 | David Perry |
| Deborah G. Janick | Michael S. Burk | Denise M. deMedeiros |
Absent
Craig R. Committo
Solicitor Marcello, Clerk Chabot, and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.
President John G. Edwards V began the meeting with a moment of silence in honor of former two-term Town Council President Jay Lambert, who had passed away the previous week. Councilor Perry shared personal anecdotes about Lambert's volunteer service at the Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry, emphasizing that his priorities were always family and community service. He expressed sorrow over his passing, noting that he would not only miss Jay at the food pantry, but as a good friend.
***CONGRATULATIONS AND RECOGNITION OF THE
TIVERTON HIGH SCHOOL STATE CHAMPION GIRLS SOFTBALL TEAM***
Presentation by Representative Edwards and Senator Felag
The Council celebrated the success of the Tiverton girls' softball team after a recently won state championship. State delegates Edwards and Felag presented citations to the team, acknowledging their impressive performance and resilience throughout the season.
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. Approval of Town Council Minutes
1. May 27, 2025 – Regular Meeting (Councilor deMedeiros abstains, absent)
2. May 27, 2025 – Executive Session (Councilor deMedeiros abstains, absent)
B. Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
1. Litter Control Committee (1)
C. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
1. Town Administrator – Departments’ Monthly Reports – May 2025
2. Town Administrator – Police and Fire Department Overtime Reports – May 2025
3. Treasurer Saurette – May 2025 Budget and Revenue Reports
4. School Department YTD Budget v. Actual Report – May 2025
D. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence
1. Town of Exeter - Resolution opposing S-0909 and H-6273 relating to the Access to Public Records
Act
2. Town of Burrillville - Resolution opposing S-0909 and H-6273 relating to the Access to Public
Records Act
3. Town of Smithfield - Resolution opposing H-5436 and S-359 related to protecting an individual’s
right to keep and bear arms
E. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – $457.20
F. DPW Director Rogers – Request approval of budget transfers:
$2,000.00 from 5540-5101 DPW Maint Workers to 5540-6652 Shop Equipment
$5.00 from 5540-5101 DPW Maint Workers to 5130-6240 Maint Uniforms
$6,660.00 from 5540-5101 DPW Maint Workers to 8840-6459 Mowing Services
G. Approval of Bay Street Moratorium Extension to December 31, 2025
Councilor Burk pulled items 4-C-2 and 3
Councilor deMedeiros pulled item 4-C-4
Councilor Paull motioned to approve the Consent Agenda items except items 4-C-2, 3, and 4. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.
Re: Item C-2, Councilor Burk noted a typo on the 2nd page of the spreadsheet; first column should read 5/1/2025
Re: Item C-3, Councilor Burk stated that while he appreciated the update on the school capital and the town
gaming funds, he would like an update on the status of each of the projects that have remaining funds for both
school and town side
Re: Item C-4, Councilor deMedeiros requested that Council President Edwards V invite the School Committee
to an upcoming meeting to discuss the projected school deficit of $850-900k.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve Consent Agenda items 4-C-2, 3, and 4. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING A COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM OR OTHER TOWN BUSINESS
No one presented to speak.
6. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS– Discussion and possible votes
A. Acknowledgement of resignation:
1. Robert Taylor from Semiquincentennial Committee, effective June 5, 2025
2. Debra Bottomley from Semiquincentennial Committee, effective June 1, 2025
Councilor Paull motioned to accept the resignations of Mr. Taylor and Ms. Bottomley, with regret. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
B. Budget Committee - (7) Member Board (1) Vacancy
1. John Hardman, 1886 Main Road - Requests appointment for term ending 11/2/2026
Mr. Hardman was interviewed by the council.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to waive policy and proceed with appointment. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to appoint John Hardman to the Budget Committee for a term ending 11/2/2026. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
7. GENERAL BUSINESS
A. Brian Janes/Open Space Commission - Discussion and possible vote to approve application to the
RIDEM Local Open Space Conservation & Land Acquisition Grant for additional funding to be applied
towards the Hick Farm project
Brian Janes/Open Space Commission explained that part of the application requirement was to provide evidence of the governing board's consent to make application and its commitment.
Councilor Burk motioned to approve the application with Council consent to keep the property open in perpetuity, and to direct the Administrator to sign on behalf of the Town. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.
B. Fire Chief Bailey – Update on Tiverton Storm Ready recertification through June 2028
Fire Chief Bailey announced that Tiverton has received its recertification as a Storm Ready Community. Adding this was first accomplished back in 2016 when Rhode Island became the first state to have every community certified Storm Ready. The new certification would conclude in June of 2028.
C. Fire Chief Bailey – Discussion and possible vote to approve:
1. Repair of fuel pump and system on Rescue 2 not to exceed $25,000.00
2. Purchase of demo Medix Ford F4540 Type 1 ambulance not to exceed $375,000.00
Fire Chief Bailey and Deputy Chief explained each fund request, highlighting that the current ambulance has been experiencing serious mechanical issues. The decision to repair Rescue 2 was framed as a necessary step to maintain service levels, especially given the increasing demand for emergency services in the community.
Council also acknowledged the importance of timely action, as lead times for new ambulances can stretch up to three years. The demo ambulance, which is expected to be available by the end of the year, will replace the older unit. A lengthy discussion revolved around the potential funding strategies and prevention of apparatus crises.
Councilor Paull motioned to authorize the repairs to Rescue 2, not to exceed $25,000 from FY25 Council Contingency. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
Councilor Paull motioned to approve the purchase of demo Medix Ford F4540 Type 1 ambulance, not to exceed $375,000.00 from Capital Fund 640. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
D. Council President Edwards V - Discussion related to implementation and adoption of a Homestead
Exemption for Fiscal Year 2026
President Edwards V mentioned that the opportunity to implement a homestead exemption has passed, given required state legislation; however, he stated he has been assured it will be back in front of the General Assembly, as early as October.
Councilor Edwards V declared his original intent was to target mobile home parks that were the most severely impacted in the last revaluation.
Assessor Robert responded that 37% was the average residential increase, and mobile home increases averaged around 42%. He cautioned against confusing tax classification with the homestead exemption, in that he believed mobile homes could not be separated. He explained with a tax classification, there could be varying tax rates for mobile homes whereas implementation of a homestead exemption would result in a more severe impact on non-qualifying properties. Noting a rough calculation using a 10% homestead exemption on eligible properties, the typical homeowner would save roughly $140, whereas the non-eligible taxes would increase $530. He said as Tiverton lacks a large commercial base, there are not a lot of properties to spread a homestead exemption. He suggested utilizing enabling legislation the town could do on its own at any time or at least after the next revaluation.
Councilor Perry mentioned that he would soon be introducing a 5, 10, and 15% reduction for persons over 65, 70, and 75 years of age. Mr. Robert added that he believed there was a state statute that would allow a senior exemption without the income element.
Councilor Edwards V suggested that Councilor Perry would directly with Assessor Robert to develop exemption specifics as well as a separate senior exemption plan, then revisit the item at a future agenda.
Councilor Burk noted that he would not be in favor of any senior eligibility that did not include an income level requirement. Councilor deMedeiros agreed.
E. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to approve Town Hall flagpole replacement using
funds from Capital Fund 640, not to exceed $7,000.
Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve the purchase of Town Hall flagpole replacement using funds from Capital Fund 640, not to exceed $7,000. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.
F. Administrator Jones – Update on Tiverton Residential Trash Survey
Administrator Jones said he was scheduled to meet with the public relations firm tomorrow to finalize the survey for residents to provide input on potential changes to the trash contract. He expected to provide the final version to Council and release it to the public by the end of the week. He added that arrangements had been made to place ballot boxes at the library, police department, town hall, and senior center as well as on all social media and town websites.
G. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to approve amending Resolution 2023-0018 to
extend the due date for the committee report to December 31, 2026, for the Public Safety Complex
Committee
Councilor Burk motioned to amend Resolution 2023-0018 to extend the due date for the committee report to December 31, 2026, for the Public Safety Complex Committee. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.
8. EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. Administrator Jones - RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2) Collective Bargaining: Update on AFSCME Local 2670A
negotiations
B. Administrator Jones – RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation: Status update on IAFF Local 1703 vs Town of
Tiverton related to firefighter overtime (CA No. NC-2022-0252)
C. Administrator Jones – RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(5) Any discussion related to the sale of public property
wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public; Industrial
Park.
D. Solicitor Marcello – RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation: Potential appeal by L & T, LLC d/b/a Sakonnet
Liquors related to the issuance of Class A liquor License to East Horizon, Inc. d/b/a Hot Shot Liquors
– Notification of Department of Business Regulation Appeal
Councilor Edwards V motioned to enter into Executive Session for agenda items 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, and 8-D. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.
The council entered a closed executive session at approximately 7:51 p.m.
The Council returned to open session at approximately 8:44 p.m.
Councilor Burk motioned to seal the minutes of Executive Session. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed.
Solicitor Marcello reported that items 8-A, 8-B, 8-C, and 8-D were discussion only; no votes were taken.
9. ADJOURNMENT
Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.
A True Copy.
ATTEST______________________________________
Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk