1.   6:11 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

       Present:   Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Scialabba

                       Councilors Niemeyer, Healy, LaPietra, Van Dover, Aiello

                       T. Mgr. Lacey, Co. Clk. LeBlanc

 

        Absent:    T. Sol. Conley

                        T. Sgt. Falcone

 

        Also Present:    M. Davy, Assistant Town Manager

                                 Sara Hassell, Finance Director

 

 

 2.    Proposed FY2026/2027 Budget – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Manager Lacey distributed and addressed a memorandum, dated April 9, 2026, from Finance Director Sara Hassell regarding property tax rate scenarios and budget impact, which is attached hereto and made a part of the record of these proceedings.  He stated that the current mill rate is $7.11 per $1,000; that the Finance Board’s recommended budget reduces the mill rate to $7.03 per $1,000; and that the increase in the budget has been absorbed because of the increase in the grand list.  He addressed proposed scenarios using various tax rates. 

 

     Finance Director Hassell stated that the budgeted collection rate is 97.9 % and the actual collection rate is 100%.

 

     The Council reviewed revenues as follows:

 

     Town Manager Lacey stated that the only change to revenues by the Board of Finance was an additional $100,000 for the Senior Center – Account 01010017-406355.

 

General Property Taxes - $79,672,616

 

Licenses and Permits - $1,79,672,616

 

Fines and Penalties - $281,300

 

Use of Property and Money - $1,592,000

 

State Granit in Aid – General - $10,122,519

 

State Granit in Aid – School - $9,726,916

 

Revenue from Other Sources - $2,105,208

 

Recreation - $677,000

 

     The Council reviewed expenditures as follows:

 

     Finance Director Hassell stated that there are projected increases of 2% in health insurance and 0% in dental.

 

School Appropriations - $60,303,200

 

Town Council - $62,755

 

Finance Board - $1,500

 

Town Clerk - $400,145

 

Board of Canvassers - $164,846

 

Legal Services - $601,400

 

Town Manager - $451,812

 

Finance Department - $703,112

 

Assessment Administration - $383,934

 

Information Technology - $892,325

 

Probate Court - $108,929

 

Municipal Court - $101,499

 

Human Resources - $301,348

 

Tax Collector - $292,768

 

Insurance and Claims - $581,793

 

Pension and OPEB - $3,120,931

 

Public Safety and Protection - $9,059,933

 

Public Safety and Civil Preparedness - $11,520

 

Public Safety/Technology - $306,485

 

Harbor Management - $63,317

 

Animal Shelter - $349,845

 

DPW Building Maintenance - $922,805

 

D.P.W. Administration - $286,287

 

Engineering Department - $492,412

 

D.P.W. Tree Warden - $1,000

 

DPW Highway & Grounds Maintenance - $3,173,239

 

D.P.W. Division of Snow & Ice - $152,825

 

     Town Manager Lacey addressed Account 01011106-501040 – Overtime & Standby (snow and ice removal).  He stated that he recommended $100,000 and that the Finance Board recommended $50,000 but put the remaining $50,000 into Restricted Programs Account 01011801-505487 – Snow & Ice.  He explained that the Finance Board’s recommendation reflects a transfer of $68,825 from D.P.W. Division of Snow & Ice Account 01011106 to Restricted Account 01011801.  He noted that $30,000 was budgeted in FY2026 with $80,000 in a restricted account. 

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the recommendations by the Finance Board to appropriate $50,000 for D.P.W. Division of Snow & Ice Account 01011106-501040 – Overtime & Standby, to appropriate $3,825 for D.P.W. Division of Snow & Ice Account 01011106-502210 – Payroll Taxes; and to increase Restricted Account 01011801-505487 Snow & Ice by $50,000 be accepted.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

DPW-Utilities - $553,050

 

D.P.W. Equipment Maintenance - $572,498

 

Senior Citizens Center - $474,653

 

     Town Manager Lacey explained his proposal for the Town to take over the operation of the Senior Citizens Center, noting that the Town owns the building and maintains the buildings and grounds.  He stated that the cost to assume staffing on the Town’s side would be approximately $96,000.  He explained that the proposed budget of $474,653 would be offset by $100,000 in revenue. 

 

     Councilor Healy suggested that the $94,000 for staffing be increased to $100,000 and to create a restricted line-item account for activities/programs.

 

Motion by Ms. Healy, Seconded by Ms. Scialabba, that a restricted line-item account in the amount of $13,471.50 for the Senior Citizens Center be created.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the operating budget of $474,653 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011304 – Senior Citizens Center be approved.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

SUBSIDIES

 

Subsidies Community Service - $233,000

 

     Finance Director Hassell was directed to change the name of Account 01011305-506511 from Living Supply Closet, Inc. to Health & Hygiene Supply Closet.

 

Motion by Ms. Healy, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the $1,500 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011305-506940 – The Village Common of RI be increased by $500 to $2,000.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Ms. Van Dover, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the $3,000 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011305-506922 – Wildlife Rehabilitators of RI be increased by $2,000 to $5,000.  (So Voted 5 to 2 – Councilor LaPietra and Council President Duhamel dissented)

 

Subsidies Town Extension - $1,111,644

 

     Assistant Town Manager Davy explained the Ambulance Corps’ new grant funded program called Mobile Integrated Health. 

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. LaPietra, that the $200,000 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011306-506400 – Ambulance Corps be increased by $50,000 to $250,000.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Subsidies Public Events - $

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the $5,000 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011307-506612 – Flock Theatre be decreased by $5,000 to $0 and that $5,000 be appropriated for Up Next Music Festival.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the motion failed:  (Voted 2 to 4 – Councilors Niemeyer, Healy, Scialabba and Council President Duhamel dissented; Councilor Van Dover abstained)

 

                                               YES                                         NO

 

                                            Aiello                                       Niemeyer

                                            LaPietra                                   Healy

                                                                                            Scialabba

                                                                                            Duhamel

Van Dover – abstained

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that $5,000 be appropriated for Up Next Music Festival.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Subsidies Economic Development - $101,500

 

Recreation - $1,089,482

 

     Town Manager Lacey addressed Account 01011402-500886 – Recreation Manager, stating that this is a new full-time position that would assume the responsibilities of two part-time positions -- Beach Manager and Ice Rink Manager.  He stated that he reduced funding in Account 01011402-502030 – Seasonal Wages based on his proposal. 

 

     Councilor Healy addressed the Recreation Board’s request of $100,000 for Account 01011402-504594 – Recreation Programming. 

 

Celebration of Public Events - $7,200

 

Conservation Board - $1,200

 

Zoning, Planning and Building - $1,254,289

 

     Town Manager Lacey addressed Account 01011705-500217 – Environmental Coordinator of Town Planning, stating that this is a new full-time position at a salary of $60,000.

 

     Town Manager Lacey stated that the Council may want to consider adding an Assistant Grant Administrator at a salary range of $60,000.  He stated that he will provide the Council with further information.

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, to add an Assistant Grant Administrator with a salary to be determined.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Restricted Programs - $1,298,325

 

Motion by Ms. Healy, Seconded by Ms. Van Dover, that the $25,000 recommended by the Board of Finance for Account 01011801-504795 – CERF Beach Improvements be increased by $25,000 to $50,000.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Town Debt Service - $6,482,641

 

School Debt Service - $6,185,560

 

 

 3.    CITIZENS’ COMMENTS

       

     When addressing the Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion.  Citizens will have up to five (5) minutes and one opportunity to speak.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body but heard as requested.  Comments shall be open to agenda items and any Town Government matter over which the Council has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.  Other matters may be heard by a majority vote of the Council.

 

        None

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE (Councilors may have up to five (5) minutes to respond to Citizens’ Comments, should not engage in discussions between Councilors, shall maintain decorum, and shall refrain from personal attacks and disparaging remarks.  A level of decorum is the expected standard.)

 

     None

 

 

 4.    ADJOURNMENT

 

        8:59 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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