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 Giorno

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     Proposed FY2020/2021 Water & Sewer, Transfer Station and Self-Insurance Fund Budgets - presented by Finance Board per Town Charter

1.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Setting Water Rate Schedule For The 2020-2021 Fiscal Year”

2.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing The Sewer Use Or Service Charge For Fiscal Year 2020-2021”

3.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing The Ad Valorem Tax On Personal And Real Property For The Fiscal Year 2020-2021”

(Order advertised for public hearing 5/18/20)

       

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

                 William Beauregard, Assistant Director of Public Works/Utilities

 

     Town Manager Rooney noted that there is no increase in the water rates or the ad valorem.

 

     Mr. Beauregard provided an overview of the Water and Sewer Budgets.  He stated that the Sewer Department applied for four grants and has received one for $255,000 with a 25% Town match for the existing Canal Street pumping station and that application has been made for a $513,000 grant with a 50% Town match for the new Canal Street pumping station, noting that both projects must be completed by December 31, 2021.  He explained what each project entailed.  He further noted that the Town was awarded a $2 million grant with half or $1 million to be paid by the Town for repair of the vortex separator at the wastewater treatment plant, which must be completed by 2022, and that the next project is $4.2 million for the erection of a berm around the treatment plant requiring a 25% match by the Town.  He explained the purpose of the berm and noted that grants totaled $7.1 million worth of construction with $2.4 million to be contributed by the Town.

 

     It was explained that the $2.4 million match is included in the Enterprise Fund budget as a draw down from fund balance to support all the grants, but it was felt that it would be better to borrow from the RI Infrastructure Bank.  It was noted that the use of fund balance was included in the budget to support all the grants because of their importance with the understanding that other opportunities would be sought along with recommendations from the Council.

 

     Discussion ensued regarding other capital projects in the sewer budget and the use of fund balance.

 

     Mr. Beauregard addressed a program included in the water budget for water main removal and replacement projects scheduled for the coming year.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid Water and Sewer budgets be ordered advertised for public hearing on May 18, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Ms. Baker addressed the Transfer Station budget, stating that there is a $150,000 increase from last year in transfer out funds from the General Fund totaling $488,000 in order to support additional expenditures for the Transfer Station and to balance the budget.  She noted that the Town is experiencing an improvement in revenues.

 

     Ms. Baker addressed the Self-Insurance fund and stated that, going forward, this fund should be part of the General Fund budget.  She noted the slight increase in the premiums to address a potential increase in the market.

 

     It was the consensus of the Council that the Self-Insurance Fund remain as an enterprise fund for this budget, but be moved back into the General Fund for succeeding budgets.

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid Enterprise Fund budgets be ordered advertised for public hearing on May 18, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)  

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance setting the Water Rate Schedule for the 2020-2021 Fiscal Year be ordered advertised for public hearing on May 18, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Ms. Giorno, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance establishing the Sewer Use or Service Charge for Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be ordered advertised for public hearing on May 18, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance establishing the Ad Valorem Tax on Personal and Real Property for the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 be ordered advertised for public hearing on May 18, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Ms. Giorno, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the agenda be amended to add Citizens Comments.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 3.    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. 

 

        None

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilor Giorno stated that she has received numerous calls regarding the approach that will be taken for re-opening the beach and parks, the availability of restrooms, and the enforcement of any restrictions.

 

     Town Manager Rooney stated that the restroom facilities at Watch Hill have been opened to accommodate the public visiting the ice cream shop and sandwich shop.  He further stated that he and Chief of Police Lacey met with the fire district chief requesting that a better plan for cleaning the restrooms be developed to ensure public safety.  He further stated that he will be discussing with the DEM Director specific concerns that he and the Chief have relative to the restrictions on the Misquamicut State Beach parking lot.  He noted that the Town Beach parking lot is open with no fee and that signs have been placed there and at several parks throughout Town in accordance with the Governor’s edict for social distancing and groups no greater than five people.

 

     It was directed that a COVID-19 update be placed on the May 11, 2020 Town Council meeting agenda.

 

 

 4.    NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     Code of Ordinances Chapter 49. Procurements – §49-3. Purchasing Agent – Discussion

 

Present via Zoom:  Mark Bednarski, Purchasing Agent

 

     Council President Duhamel stated that the aforesaid matter has been placed on this agenda for clarification as to the role of the purchasing agent for the Town and the School Department.

 

     The Council was of the opinion that a decision was made on this matter and that no further discussion was necessary.

 

 

 5.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.      Vacant Lots Off Tarrapat Drive (AP 36, Lots 210, 212-217, 222-225) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Solicitor Conley addressed his memorandum regarding the eleven lots of record which the Town has taken title to through a Tax Collector’s Deed.  He stated that the Town can either sell the lots by Collector’s Deed for back taxes or move to close the equity of redemption on all eleven lots due to the passage of time that allows for same under the law.  He was of the opinion that the cost to clear title would be about $10,000.

 

     Discussion ensued regarding the need to review material that was previously provided by a prospective buyer and the need to determine the number of lots that could be developed.

 

     The aforesaid matter was continued to a future meeting.

 

 

 6.    OTHER MATTERS

 

     Council President Duhamel announced that at the May 11, 2020 Town Council meeting a COVID-19 update will be provided and that discussion will be held regarding the use of the Town Beach and the impact of the surrender of the Tower Street School.

 

 

 7.    ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:20 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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