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, March 21, 2026, at 9:00 AM at the Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus Street, Tiverton, Rhode Island 02878.

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	Denise M. deMedeiros	Michael S. Burk

 

Absent

Craig R. Committo

 

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

 

4. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Discussion and possible vote regarding proposed Charter amendments from the Charter Review

     Commission (see attached)

 

Charter Review Commission Chair Janick provided a high-level overview and answered questions regarding the Commission’s Charter amendment recommendations for the following proposals.

 

• Budget Timeline: A proposal to move the budget deadline to May 1st to help the school department with layoff notices was rejected due to concerns about receiving the finalized state aid numbers in June.

 

• Budget Committee: The Council rejected expanding the Budget Committee's role. The council is ultimately responsible for the budget. The council discussed eliminating the current committee and replacing it with a new hybrid Financial Committee.

 

• Town Council Terms: Change terms to four years with a staggered two-year election cycle (4 seats one year, 3 seats two years later) to ensure board continuity. Council consensus to move forward

 

• Town Administrator Qualifications: The Council questioned whether the current "or equivalent experience” was in relation to administrative experience or to the bachelor’s degree requirements. The solicitor will review and get back to the council

 

• Town Treasurer: Transition the position from elected to appointed, ensuring appropriate skills and experience for the position, appointed by the Town Council, and reporting to the Administrator on a day-to-day basis. Council consensus to move forward

 

• Fire and Rescue Department: Remove reference to volunteer firefighters. Council consensus to move forward

 

• Town Planner: Establish the Town Planner as a charter-required department head. Council consensus to move forward

 

• Planning & Zoning Boards: Update board requirements to align with Rhode Island General Laws (as amended), including adding vice-chair and secretary positions. Council consensus to move forward

 

• Personnel Board Role: The Council rejected the proposal, choosing to maintain the current practice under the Council’s governance policy.

 

• School Committee: Change wording to mirror the council language on election of officers. Council consensus to move forward

 

• School Committee: Leave in place the requirement for minutes to be on file with the Town Clerk.

 

Council President Edwards V noted that future discussions are needed on organizational structure for the treasurer and planner.

 

                B. Discussion and possible vote regarding proposed Charter amendments from members of the Town
                   Council

                     1. Councilor Paull – Elimination of the Budget Committee and/or establishment of a Budget Advisory
                        Committee

                     2. Councilor Perry – Planning Board member size reduction from nine (9) to seven (7) members

 

Councilor Paull indicated his proposal to establish a Budget Advisory Committee needed further discussion on what it would look like, composition (Town Administrator, Treasurer, town council, school representatives, and citizens), meeting monthly to provide oversight, and to be established by ordinance or resolution.

 

Council Perry proposed to reduce the number of Planning Board members from nine (9) to seven (7).

Planning Board Chair Valentine would like to see an increase in qualifications for new members, would like to work with the Town Administrator and Planner on those qualifications, and increase our expectations for getting the best candidates. Councilor deMedeiros stressed vetting of candidates before coming before the Council. Administrator Jones proposed the vetting of candidates by the Chair, Administrator, and Planner. Councilor Janick stressed setting expectations that it’s not just once a month and that there is a lot of work involved.

Council was in general consensus on this proposed amendment.

 

Councilor Burk requested an additional workshop meeting to discuss other proposed charter amendments from other members of the council or from other committees (EDC). Council President Edwards V agreed that there would be additional workshops or agenda items for other recommended changes from the council.

 

                C. Discussion and possible vote to instruct Town Solicitor to prepare necessary documents and drafts for
                   the selected charter amendments as discussed in sections 4-A and 4-B

 

Councilor Burk moved to instruct the solicitor to prepare the documents and drafts for the amendments that the council had reached consensus on. Councilor Paull seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed.

 

5. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor deMedeiros seconded the motion. The motion was unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.

 

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST______________________________________

                              Joan B. Chabot, CMC, Town Clerk