1.      6:15 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

Present:   Pres. Morrone, Vice Pres. Lowther

                 Councilors LaPietra, Scialabba, Cordio, Aiello

                 T. Mgr. Lacey, T. Sol. Conley

                 Co. Clk. LeBlanc, Deputy Town Clerk Wright

        Absent:    Councilor Overton

                        T. Sgt. Falcone

2.      2022-2024 TOWN COUNCIL ORIENTATION

     Town Solicitor Conley explained Municipal Authority with regards to the RI State Constitution and RI General Laws.  He stated that the Town is Home Rule and the Town Charter is the governing document but State Law would control any contradictory provision in the Town Charter.  He stated that the Town is a Council/Manager form of government, and the Town Charter establishes the scope of duties and authority of both the Town Manager and the Town Council.  He explained non-interference and communication with the Town Manager, the Open Meetings Act regarding a rolling quorum, information obtainable through Access to Public Records Act (APRA) requests, and the Council’s direct access to the Town Solicitor.  He addressed the duties and responsibilities of the Council, the Council to judge qualifications of members, a quorum, powers of the Council, rules and procedures to govern the Town Council, possible conflicts of interest, agenda items, motions and amended motions, consensuses, wording of agenda items so that the public is aware of what is to be discussed, points of order, presiding officer/president of the Council, procedures for ordinances, zoning ordinances, and resolutions, and the drafting of agendas. 

     It was requested that Town Solicitor Conley provide the Council with an explanation regarding the distribution of information and that the Council be provided with a draft agenda on the Wednesday prior to the Monday meeting.

     Town Manager Lacey distributed a copy of the Town’s organizational chart, administrative organization structure, and a sample of Department Head monthly reports.  He addressed paperless agendas vs. paper copies relative to costs.

3.      ADJOURNMENT

        8:32 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.