1.     6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Giorno

                 Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                 Acting T. Mgr. Lacey, T. Sol. Conley

                 Co. Clk. Giordano, T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

        Absent:    T. Mgr. Rooney

 

INVOCATION – Councilor Aiello

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.     Congratulations – Linda Algiere, Retirement

 

     The aforesaid recognition was postponed to the February 24, 2020 Regular Meeting.

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     Annual Financial Statements For Year Ending June 30, 2019 –

        (Please bring materials previously distributed)

 

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

                 Erica M. Olobri, CPA, Director, Marcum

                 James D. Wilkinson, CPA, Partner, Marcum

 

     Ms. Olobri and Mr. Wilkinson presented the 2019 Financial Statements and addressed the General Fund, School General Fund, School and Town Fund Balance, Results of Operations -- Town and School Departments, Business Activities, Police Pension Plan, Other Post-Employment Benefits, State Municipal Transparency Report, Net Position, Ratios of Outstanding Debt, Employee Statistics, Findings and Recommendations.  Said statements are attached hereto and made a part of the record of these proceedings.  They responded to questions from the Council.

 

b.     Quarterly Update Of FY2019/2020 Budget – Dyann Baker, Finance Director

 

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

                 Kenya Lopez-Caballeros, Assistant Finance Director

 

     Ms. Baker presented an overview of the second quarter FY19/20 budget, which is attached hereto and made a part of the record of these proceedings.  She reported that the tax revenue is at 60% of the budget; that licenses and permits revenues are at 69%; that fines and penalties are less than budgeted; that use of property and money revenues are at $178,000 versus the budgeted $150,000; and that, due to a projected increase in State Aid, there may be a $355,000 difference in that line item.  She addressed other revenue accounts and explained the $171,000 appropriation from fund balance, which might be needed to meet all budgeted requirements.  She noted that there could be a potential increase of $490,000 due to State Aid and growth in interest investments.  She addressed expenses, noting that contributions could be reduced to Pensions and OPEB by $318,000 and further addressed the following ordinance, which would transfer $507,000 from a pooled account and placing it with the individual departments.  She further noted deficits of $197,000 in the Legal Services and Insurance accounts due to some large claims and suggested that $100,000 be placed in these accounts.  She further noted that the Town Manager’s contingency account has been depleted and suggested that $40,000 be added to it.  She reported that the Enterprise Funds, being Water and Sewer, Animal Shelter, and Transfer Station, are tracking very well with revenues and expenses. 

 

Suspend Town Council Rules Of Procedure – Rule 9(8) – Committee Of The Whole Requirement To Discuss And Order Advertised for Public Hearing The Following Proposed Ordinance:

 

Motion by Ms. Giorno. Seconded by Mr. McCuin, to suspend Town Council Rules Of Procedure – Rule 9(8) – Committee Of The Whole Requirement to discuss and order advertised for public hearing the following Proposed Ordinance: (Voted Unanimously)

 

1.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results As Presented To Council On 2/10/2020 In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (A) And 3-1-7 (D) Of The Westerly Town Charter”

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/24/20)

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid Proposed Ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on February 24, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

c.     Stage I 2020 Application Of Necessity Of School Construction– Justin Hopkins, Chair, School Building Committee – Discussion And Possible Action

1.     Resolution Approving Submittal Of Stage I 2020 Application Of Necessity Of School Construction To RIDE – Discussion And Possible Action

 

Present:   Justin Hopkins, Co-Chair, School Building Committee

                 Christine Cooke, Co-Chair, School Building Committee

 

     Discussion was held regarding the aforesaid Stage I application for which approval is being sought from the Council to submit it to RIDE.  Mr. Hopkins explained that the Stage I application is a statement of need with the intent of developing more detailed plans moving forward to submit the Stage II application.  He described the work plan that will enable the committee to get to Stage II and the workshopping that will take place for the development of a Stage II application, leading to a non-binding referendum in May.

    

     Each Councilor expressed his/her opinion regarding the Stage I application and discussed possibly waiting until August to submit the application to RIDE, as well as the need to present alternative plans to the Building Committee.

     Councilor Aiello, on a point of order, called out Councilor Cooke for disparaging him.

    

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid resolution be adopted and the motion failed.  (Voted 3 to 4 by poll vote)

 

                                                YES                                         NO

 

                                            Cooke                                       Cioffi

                                            McCuin                                     Aiello

                                            Duhamel                                   Giorno

                                                                                             Ahern

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, to move to Item 7(b) at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 4.    CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

     Sign-Up Sheets will be available at the Council Meeting for any citizens wishing to be heard.  Citizens who do not sign up to speak will have an opportunity to be heard following the individuals listed on the sign-up sheet.

 

     When addressing the Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body, but heard as requested.  If the matter is scheduled for a public hearing, the comments shall be deferred to that agenda item. 

 

a.    Theresa Cavalier, 15 Canterbury Dr – re: Plastic Straws on Demand Ordinance; questioned when it will move forward

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Council President Duhamel responded to Citizens Comments stating that the ordinance did not receive a Council consensus to move forward to an agenda.

 

 

 5.    CONSENT CALENDAR

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

 

Committee of the Whole – 1/27/20, 2/3/20

Regular – 1/27/20

Executive – 1/27/20 (Sealed); 2/3/20 (Sealed)

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid minutes be accepted and approved as printed and that the Executive Session minutes be sealed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

       

b.     Fiscal Matters

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the following resolutions be adopted:  (Voted Unanimously)

 

1.     19/20-59 Resolution Authorizing Corrections To The Water And Sewer Accounts Department Accounts Receivable (Water Abatement - $87.97)

 

2.     19/20-60 Resolution Authorizing Payment To The Law Office Of Oliverio & Marcaccio LLP (Litigation Matters - $530.00)

 

3.     19/20-61 Resolution Authorizing The Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees For The Ocean Community Chamber Of Commerce 2020 Community Events

 

4.     19/20-62 Resolution Authorizing The Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees For The Greater North End Community Development, Inc. 2020 Earth Day Cleanup

 

5.     19/20-63 Resolution Authorizing The Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees For The Chorus Of Westerly Summer Pops 2020 Cleanup

 

        c.     Appointments and Resignations

 

        None

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Authorizing The Transfer Of Funds To Support Changes Within Town Departments (Engineering Division - $31,025.50)

        (Re-Order Advertised for Public Hearing on 2/24/20)

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Ms. Giorno. that the aforesaid proposed ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on February 24, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     19/20-64 Resolution Establishing A Town Council Liaison To Town Of Westerly Veterans’ Organizations

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolution be adopted.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.     Resolution Authorizing The Extension Of Lease Between The Town Of Westerly And Carelink PACE Organization For 5 Union Street

 

Present:   William Kirkpatrick, PACE, 5 Union St

                 Jennifer Young, PACE, 5 Union St

 

     Town Solicitor Conley explained that he was presented a lease to review as to format and was not involved in discussion as to substantive matters of the lease.  He stated that, subsequent to his review as to format, the Town Manager engaged in discussions that addressed several substantive matters unknown to him.  He further stated that he would like to ensure that those changes being addressed are for the benefit of the Council and that the lease being discussed is the same one that was presented to the Council.

     Mr. Kirkpatrick believed that the new lease will incorporate a five-year extension with options to renew.  He stated that the lease would also validate a condition that PACE will be responsible for snow and ice removal. 

 

     Ms. Young described the renovations that will be made to interior of the building which will re-assign the use of rooms and provide for increased technology. 

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the aforesaid resolution be tabled to the February 24, 2020 Committee of the Whole workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, to revert back to Citizens’ Comments at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

1.     Downtown Business Association – Council will no longer provide a liaison to the Association  (Councilor Giorno)

 

2.     Chamber of Commerce – Congratulated Chamber on recent “Go Red for Women” luncheon  (Councilor Giorno)

 

3.     Westerly Public Library – Board meeting scheduled; Casablanca was a great event  (Councilor Giorno)

 

4.     Westerly Prevention and Wellness Partnership – Received a small grant and will be filming at the Library six one-minute public service announcements beginning in April to be aired on local television  (Councilor Ahern)

 

        b.     Town Council – 2/10/20

 

1.      Item #2 2/10/20 – From Town of Hopkinton – re: Resolution in support of fully funded E-911 Statewide and Municipal Services – Councilor McCuin felt that the Council should support this resolution.

 

2.     Item #1 2/10/20 – Correspondence in opposition to the Boehringer Oyster Farm – Council President Duhamel noted the aforesaid letters of opposition. 

 

     Councilor McCuin explained placement of beds, noting that there will be no wire cages, but that the beds will be located a depth of eight feet on the floor of the pond and will not affect recreational activities.

 

2.      Student Government Day Filming at Town Hall – Councilor Cioffi addressed the filming activity that took place at Town Hall and commended staff for showing great restraint. 

 

     Chief of Police Lacey commented on the situation stating that his department received over 400 phone calls in two hours and that he returned calls and responded to all e-mails.  He reported that, due to a First Amendment rights issue, his officers responded to Town Hall because someone was uncomfortable with the filming and noted persons have every right to call police if they feel uncomfortable.  He commended the employees for responding appropriately.  He explained how the confrontation unfolded with the individuals in the parking lot and commended his officers for responding appropriately and restraining themselves accordingly.  He noted that the individuals will be coming again to protest and that, if it happens again, his department will respond in same manner.

 

      Councilor Cioffi stated that the City of Weatherford, Texas, adopted a resolution warning these videographers who trespass on city property and restraining them from coming into the public building.

 

        c.     Town Manager

 

        None

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

        None

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

        None

 

        f.     Agenda Referrals and Backlog Agenda (Items to be assigned to future agendas)

 

1.      Proposed Ordinance regarding Plastic Straws on Demand – Councilor Aiello requested that the Council discuss this ordinance.

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

1.     List of Town Properties – Councilor Cioffi requested a listing of town-owned properties.

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        8:25 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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