TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI  02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org

 

TOWN OF WEST WARWICK

OFFICE OF THE TOWN CLERK

401.822.9201

 

TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021

6:00 p.m.

VIA ZOOM

 

Topic: Public Hearing # 1 for West Warwick Town Budget FY-22

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FY22 PUBLIC HEARING

 

MINUTES

 

A.         The meeting was called to order at 6:01 P.M. by President Gosselin.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Present:  Council President D. Gosselin, Council Vice President M. Williamson, Councilman J. Messier, Councilman J. Licciardi, and Councilman J. D’Amico

 

C.         Quorum on Record declared by the Town Clerk

 

D.        Public Hearing on the proposed FY22 (JULY 1, 2021-JUNE 30, 2022) Municipal Budget

 

M. Knott explains that this is the third evening of the budget process.  Initially there was a projected budget increase of 5.4 million.  This included a 2.1 million increase in municipal expenses, and a 3.3 million dollar increase in school state aid pass-through appropriation.  The levy increase was projected at 2.01 percent or a little more 1.2 million.  The estimated proposed tax rate increase was 2.1 percent dependent on the finalized tangible annual returns.  The funds included in general government for the collective bargaining process and capital expenditures requested is $436,000.  The budget contains 100% payment of the pension arc.  $358,000 was included for the property re-evaluation process this year.  The tax collection rate was increased from 96.8% to 97%.  They propose using $500,000 from fund balance as the balancing mechanism.  The revenue budget portion has been very fluid, foremost by the finalized tangible annual returns and also the American Rescue Plan.  They are still gathering information on how they can spend that money.  They are unsure of how those funds will affect this budget as well as the budget for the following year. 

 

J. Licciardi asked if this equals a 2% tax increase.

 

M. Knott confirms. 

 

K. Benoit explains that they have gained some assessed value in tangibles which has shifted the percentage at this point.  It has put the Town in a better position.  She believes it will be a less than 2.1% tax increase. 

 

M. Williamson asks if the budget documents are available to the public.

 

K. Benoit explains that they are on two places on the Town website.

 

J. Licciardi asks if the tax increase is trending down from the 2.1% increase.

 

K. Benoit confirms.

 

J. Licciardi asks if a 0% increase is a possibility by the next public hearing.

 

K. Benoit answers that 0% is a possibility.  She will have a pretty good estimate next week.

 

M. Williamson states that the goal is always to get as close to 0% as possible.  She notes that the proposed budget includes $500,000 coming out of the fund balance.  They also do not know the numbers for the Rescue America Fund.

 

K. Benoit adds that they do not have any additional information on the amount or timing of payments coming from the Rescue America Fund. 

 

J. Licciardi states that the surplus the last few years has far exceeded the $500,000. 

 

M. Williamson does not want to carry the minimum fund balance.  It can affect the bond rating. 

 

D. Gosselin is not concerned with spending $500,000 of the surplus from last year if it will help the taxpayers. 

 

S. O’Rourke, Director of the West Warwick Housing Authority, requests an increase in the Commissioner’s stipends. They save the taxpayers a lot of money. 

 

J. D’Amico asks how much they are paid per meeting.

 

S. O’Rourke answers that they are paid $25 per meeting.  He requests an increase to $75 per meeting.  There is also one commissioner that does not accept a stipend because he is on another commission. 

 

J. D’Amico states he had asked for an increase for this board in the past.  People deserve to be paid fairly.  They have a hard time getting people to volunteer.

 

S. O’Rourke states that the West Warwick Housing Authority is one of the lowest paid commissions in the state.

 

M. Williamson asks how many meetings they hold per year.

 

S. O’Rourke answers a maximum of 15 meetings per year plus one retreat. 

 

M. Williamson suggests 12 meetings per year maximum with a payment of $75 per meeting.

 

S. O’Rourke reiterates that it is only for 5 of the 6 members.  One does not accept a stipend. 

 

J. Licciardi feels that if they increase the stipend for one board, they need to evaluate all of the boards.  It needs to be equal. 

 

J. D’Amico states the Planning and Zoning Board receive $50 per meeting. 

 

J. Messier notes the time commitment to volunteer for the various boards and commissions. 

 

J. Licciardi suggests an increase to $50 across the board.

 

J. Messier agrees with the $50 per meeting. 

 

M. Williamson agrees with the increase as well. 

 

K. Benoit will add these potential increases to the proposed budget for Council to vote on next week. 

 

T. Williamson suggests adding a “not to exceed” clause on the amount of meetings board members are paid for.  He suggests adding it to the ordinance. 

 

S. O’Rourke agrees with establishing a standard rate for all boards. 

 

K. Benoit will work with S. Rapose to find out how many boards get paid. 

 

M. Williamson reiterates that board members will be paid for a maximum of 15 meetings per year. 

 

S. Saccocio, Jr.  adds that the Tax Assessment Board gets paid. 

 

J. D’Amico states that the juvenile hearing board is not currently being paid. 

 

Derek Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, asks about a line item for the cleanup at Riverpoint Park. 

 

D. Oullette of DPW states that they are committed to 16 trees in the budget that will be paid for out of a capital account.  The only potential future costs would be for a few shrubs along the slope.  He doesn’t see this as a big expense.  He has been working with DEM and they are happy with their progress.  DEM will be coming back in three to four weeks for a final inspection. 

 

D. Read asks about the $100,000 for the PRISM contract for street lighting. 

 

K. Benoit answers that they have an annual budget of $110,000 for the monthly fees and repairs under the PRISM contract. 

 

D. Read asks if any employees inspect or repair streetlights. 

 

D. Gosselin answers that the streetlight repair and maintenance is included in the contract with PRISM.  The Electrical Inspector does inspections in the morning. 

 

D. Read asks if that expense is covered under the PRISM budget.

 

D. Gosselin answers that it is covered under the Electrical Inspector’s budget. 

 

D. Read feels it should be under the PRISM budget.

 

K. Benoit states that they can track to see how much time the Electrical Inspector spends on streetlights.

 

D. Gosselin adds that PRISM does not drive around inspecting lights. 

 

D. Read asks where he can get a copy of the PRISM contract. 

 

D. Gosselin suggests contacting the Town Clerk’s office.

 

D. Read is concerned that the Solicitor has been working for 2-3 years without a contract.  He suggests that the Town go out to bid for another solicitor.  He wants a contract for each solicitor. 

 

D. Gosselin will take that under advisement. 

 

H. Brown, of 9 Miller Drive, has concerns with the tax increase.  He has concerns with the Electrical Inspector being paid to drive around 10 hours a week to check streetlights. 

 

T. Oats, 6 Colonial Way, asked about contracts for the Solicitor. 

 

D. Gosselin answers that the Council does not have to go out to bid for legal counsel. 

 

T. Oats believes that all towns go out to bid for their legal counsel. 

 

M. Carruolo states that Warwick, Jamestown, and Scituate do not go out to bid. 

 

J. Licciardi notes that Mr. Brown is very upset about the Electrical Inspector.  However, it is an internal issue. 

 

D. Gosselin will ask the Town Manager to address this issue. 

 

H. Brown apologizes.  The Town is struggling.  They need to be transparent. 

 

J. D’Amico states that he will be resigning on April 2^nd.  He suggests a raise for the Town Council.  When he was elected in 2016 the Town was just coming out of receivership.  It was not a good time to address pay increases.  The Town is now in a better position.  He personally spends 25-40 hours per month on Council related business.  Currently Council is paid $416 per month.  He proposes increasing the Council’s stipend to $7500 per year for Council members and $8500 per year for the Council President. 

 

D. Gosselin thanks J. D’Amico for his kind words. 

 

J. Licciardi adds that Council works all hours of the day and weekends.  He thinks the time spent by Council justifies an increase.  He suggests an extra $100 per month.  If there is a 2% tax increase this year he doesn’t think they should increase the stipends.  If there is a 0% tax increase, he would be comfortable with the increase. 

 

J. Messier does not feel comfortable asking for an increase.  Being a Council member is a fulltime job that cannot be quantified. 

 

M. Williamson is not comfortable with an increase.  She does not do this for the stipend.  She suggests an inflation clause in the Charter.  She is uncomfortable asking for an increase at this time. 

 

D. Gosselin agrees with J. Licciardi and J. D’Amico.  In 2002, the Town Council used to get a $5,000 annual stipend plus health insurance.  Everyone on the panel has seen a raise in the last five years except for Council.  He thanks J. D’Amico for the suggestion. 

 

T. Williamson states that according to the Charter, even if this Council approved an increase, it would not take effect until the next bi-annual election. 

 

J. Messier would be willing to re-visit the topic for a future Council.

 

M. Williamson thanks J. D’Amico for his service to the Town.

 

J. D’Amico states that it has been a fantastic experience.  He has learned so much from being a member of Council.

 

J. Messier wishes J. D’Amico nothing but the best.

 

J. Licciardi thanks J. D’Amico for serving.

 

D. Gosselin states that J. D’Amico was a great Councilman.  He served with dignity and respect. 

 

J. D’Amico will be available if anyone has any questions. 

 

E.         Adjournment

 

 

 

MOTION made by J. D’Amico, second by J. Messier to adjourn at 7:12 P.M.                   All Ayes

 

 

 

Approved as written on April 20, 2021,

 

_____________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, Town Clerk