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

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE JOINT MEETING

Special Meeting

West Warwick High School Media Center

One Webster Knight Drive

December 14, 2022

6:00 P.M.

 

 

M I N U T E S

 

*Please Note:  Any matter listed on this agenda may be acted upon by the Town Council*

 

A.         Meeting Called to Order at 6:06 P.M.

 

B.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

C.         Roll Call of the Town Council and School Committee

Town Council

Council President David Gosselin - Present

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Absent

Councilman Jason Messier - Absent

Councilman Mark Bourget - Present

 

School Committee

Chairperson Luis Colon - Present

Vice- Chair Rene Coutu - Present

Susan St. Amand - Present

Joseph DiMartino - Present

Angela Coburn - Present

 

D.        Quorum of the Town Council and School Committee is Declared

 

E.         New Business

 

01  Statutory pre-budget consultation between the West Warwick School Committee and West Warwick Town Council pursuant to RIGL 16-2-21 and a review of revenue and expenditure projections

 

Kristen Benoit, Finance Director, presents projected revenues to the body.

 

Joseph Spagna, Director of Finance Operations for the school, explains that they do not have any definitive numbers at this time. 

 

Karen Tarasevich, Superintendent of Schools, explains that they will not know the amount of State Aid they are receiving until the Governor’s budget comes out. 

 

There were no questions asked. 

 

02  Discussion/Action – Consideration of utilizing the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust as Healthcare Administrator for the Town of West Warwick starting July 1, 2023

 

Anne Capezza was in attendance on behalf of Gallagher Benefit Services.  She explains that the Town is currently self-insured.  She shares the Town’s options for insurance coverage, and recommends that the Town utilize the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust. 

 

Brian Lavallee was in attendance on behalf of the Trust.  He explains that utilizing the Trust would be better for budgeting.  The rates would be negotiated annually.  All current benefits would remain the same.  Currently 18 school districts and 24 cities and towns in Rhode Island utilize the Trust.  The only difference for employees is that they would need to carry two medical cards. 

 

J. Spagna explains that this would be a $700,000 savings.  This would give the Town stability and savings. 

 

Discussion ensues relative to the bidding process.

 

No action was taken.

 

03  Update on Greenbush Elementary School Parking/Traffic Study

 

Ken Townsend, Property Services Director, states that they have not received the report from the engineer yet. 

 

F.         Adjournment

 

The meeting was adjourned at 6:54 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S.  Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk