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

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Town Council Budget Public Hearing #2

Town Council Chambers

April 5, 2023

6:00 P.M.

(Or immediately following the previous meeting)

 

 

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YOUTUBE LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGK1k6co83ptCoD6hYWSMxA

 

AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT:  https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri

 

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 by the Town Council President at 6:05 P.M.

 

B.         Prayer led by Council

 

C.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

D.        Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Jason Licciardi- present

Councilman Jason Messier - absent

Councilman Mark Bourget - present

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - present

Council President David Gosselin - present

 

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Public Hearing on the proposed FY2024 (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) Municipal Budget

 

D. Gosselin informs the body that the Public Works Department has offered to reduce three unfilled laborer positions.  This would be a savings of $239,787. 

 

J. Licciardi would like to add $20,000 to $30,000 to the Library budget in addition to what the department is asking for.  He would like to see the salaries increased.  Discussion ensues.  It was determined that they would add $20,000 to the Library salaries.

 

J. Licciardi would like to cut the Capital Budet in it’s entirety.  He would also like to cut the Council contributions, the Sunshine Fund, and the $25,000 Finance position.  He would like to add $5,000 toward the Community Policing budget. 

 

Council would like to reduce the school contribution by $300,000

 

M. Bourget suggests reducing the department head raises by half.  He suggested cutting $1,600 from the Planning Board payroll, he suggests reducing the Sunshine Fund by $1,000, cutting Tax Collector overtime by $2,000, and reducing the streetlight budget by $5,000.

 

J. Licciardi would like to cut the capital budget, and take any capital requests out of ARPA funds. 

 

VOTE to reduce the DPW positions for a savings of $239,787.                   All Ayes

 

VOTE to add $20,000 for Library salaries.               

M. Williamson – yes

J. Licciardi – yes

M. Bourget – abstain

D. Gosselin – yes

 

VOTE to cut the Capital budget by $208,895.                      All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Council Contributions to Non-Profit budget by $2,500.                    All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Sunshine Fund by $1,000.                    All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Finance P/T position from $25,000 to $10,000.                      All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the School contribution by $300,000.                    All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Planning Board Payroll by $1,600.                   Al Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Tax Collector Overtime budget by $2,000.                  All Ayes

 

VOTE to reduce the Street Lighting budget by $5,000.                    All Ayes

 

VOTE to approve a 3.25% increase for Department Head Salaries.

J. Licciardi – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

M. Bourget – No

VOTE PASSES

 

It is determined that the proposed budget would equal a 1.75% tax levy increase.

 

G.        Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn the meeting at 8:31 P.M.

                                    All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk