THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM.

 

1.     6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Vice Pres. Giorno,

                                            Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                                            T. Sol. Conley

 

Absent:    Co. Clk. Giordano

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

INVOCATION – Councilor Cooke

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on   4/8/20, 4/13/20 & 4/15/20   for this time)

 

a.     Chapter 1984 – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 127 Of The Westerly Code Of Ordinances Entitled “Floodplain Management” (Add §127-1B(3)(a) Disclaimer of liability and §127-1B(3)(b) Abrogation and greater restriction)

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the public hearing be opened.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the public hearing be closed and the aforesaid ordinance be adopted.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Proposed FY2020/2021 Budget – Formal Adoption

 

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

                 Catherine Burke, Tax Collector

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, to open the public hearing.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Participants via Zoom:  Elizabeth Waters, 29 Gounod Rd, SH – suggested delaying adoption of budget to after the April 30^th collection period or leaving tax rate as is pending the outcome of the grand list; Daniel Alvino, 17 Newbury Dr – suggested delaying adoption of budget to June 1st

 

     Discussion was held regarding the suggestion that the budget be considered after the April tax collection period.  Ms. Burke stated that collections are about the same as last year at this time, just slightly behind because of the larger tax roll.  She noted that there is $6 million remaining to be collected, which is in line with last year. She further noted that consideration was being given to extending the tax collection period to June 1^st.

 

     The Council was in full agreement with extending the tax collection period to June 1^st.

 

     Discussion continued regarding the automobile tax phaseout resulting in a decrease in revenues, but an increase in state aid.

 

     Council President Duhamel noted that the Council will be monitoring the budget closely and that the Town Manager has developed a plan identifying accounts from which spending can be deferred, which results in a savings equal to the hotel, meal and vacation rental tax revenues at $1.48 million.

 

     Councilor Aiello stated, for the record, that while he doesn’t fully concur with the revenue projections due to the pandemic, his desire is to support the overall budget in order to have the municipality and the schools funded and functioning; however, his preference would be for a zero tax increase, but that would likely require significant reductions to include a significant reduction in the local appropriation to the School Department; therefore, he is generally supporting the overall budget as is.

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the public hearing be closed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Aiello felt that the budget resolution regarding the $270,000 committed fund balance appropriated to the School Department for improvements and upgrades to the facilities should be removed from this budget document as the re-allocation of the capital funds requires an ordinance.

 

     It was the consensus of the Council that the aforesaid item be removed from the budget document.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello that $25,000 be removed from Restricted Account 502720 (Overlay Roads/Asphalt) to Account 504310 (Sidewalk Repairs/Replacement).  There was no second.

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the FY2020/2021 General Government Budget, as presented by the Finance Board and as further adjusted by the Town Council, along with the budget resolutions as amended, be adopted.  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor McCuin dissented)

 

 

 3.    ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:08 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

     Details of the aforesaid proceedings are available on video on the Town of Westerly website.