A.           Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:05 P.M.

B.          Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Jason Licciardi

Councilman Mark Dennison

Councilman Jason Messier – arrived at 6:08 P.M.

Council Vice-President Maribeth Williamson

Council President David Gosselin, Jr.         

C.          Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

D.          Town Manager Overview of the Budget Process

Town Manager Knott reads the following statement:

E.           Budget Workshop – FY25 (July 1, 2024 - June 30, 2025)

The Town Council will hear the following proposed departmental budgets:

·       Public Library

Colin McCullough presents his budget to the Council. 

Discussion ensues about salaries at the Library.  The Director is asking for a salary increase for his staff.  They are among the lowest paid in the State. 

·       Senior Center

J. Messier recuses himself.

M. Knott explains that Director Murray is asking for an additional $10,000 this year. 

No questions were asked.

·       Tax Collector

Rose Silva, Tax Collector, presents her budget.  Most of her budget is contractual.  She decreased her postage budget due to there no longer being car taxes and tangibles bills.

No questions were asked.

·       Fire Department

Chief Varone presents his budget to the Council. 

No questions were asked. 

·       Emergency Management Agency

M. Knott states that he has added funding for a part-time position and stipend for the Director.

·       Police Department

Chief Lavigne presents his budget to the Council.  Discussion ensues relative to staff shortages and overtime.

·       Department of Public Works

J. Caldwell, DPW Director, presents his budget.  Many drainage projects have been completed this year. 

·       Parks & Recreation

No questions were asked.

·       Capital

Chief Varone is looking to get some repairs done at the fire stations. 

J. Licciardi suggests splitting the renovations up over the next few years.

J. Caldwell explains that four of his six-wheel trucks will not pass inspection.  He notes the need for new trucks.  The current trucks are 23 years old.  He is also looking for a zero-turn mower and a leaf vacuum for Parks and Rec. 

M. Knott has added $25,000 in IT capital to replace servers and desktop. 

·       Town Sargant

No changes.

·       Town Clerk

S. Rapose presents her budget to Council.  She has level funded most items.  She is asking for an increase in her higher class budget due to the fact that this budget is exceeded every year due to union contract obligations. 

No questions were asked. 

·       Board of Canvassers

S. Rapose presents the budget to Council.  She has requested an increase due to it being an election year. 

·       Probate

This budget has been level funded. 

·       Town Council

D. Gosselin is in support of an increase for in Council stipends.  He is looking to add approximately $10,000. 

J. Licciardi notes that they are also the Sewer Commission.  He feels that more than 10% of their salary should be funded by the Sewer Department. 

M. Williamson is not in favor of an increase.  She would be in favor of putting it on the ballot.

M. Dennison doesn’t feel comfortable supporting an increase due to him being new to Council. 

·       Legal

M. Knott notes an increase in retainer and litigation rates. 

K. Benoit shares that health and dental projections decreased.  $245,000 savings. 

F.           Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn at 7:48 P.M.    All Ayes

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk

Agenda posted March 1, 2024 at the West Warwick Town Hall, the West Warwick Senior Center, the West Warwick Public Library, on ClerkBase, and electronically filed on the Secretary of State’s website in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

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