1.  7:36 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

       Present:   Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Scialabba

                        Councilors LaPietra, Niemeyer, Healy, Van Dover, Aiello

                        T. Mgr. Lacey, Co. Clk. LeBlanc

                       T. Sgt. Falcone

 

        Absent:    T. Sol. Conley

 

        Also Present:    M. Davy, Assistant Town Manager

                                 Sara Hassell, Finance Director

 

 

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

 

     The Council reviewed revenues as follows:

 

School Appropriations - $60,303,200

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the Finance Board’s recommendation of $51,713,943 for Account 01010099-502953 – Local Appropriation Expenditure – School and the $894,452 for Account 01011911 – Capital Improvement – School be approved. 

 

     Councilor Mr. LaPietra suggested level funding the School Operating Budget, to fund approximately $2,300,000 for Account 01011911 – Capital Improvements – School, which will be reduced after receipt of the School Project reimbursement, and to maintain the mill rate at $7.11 per thousand dollars.

 

     Councilor Aiello entered the following three documents into the record: (1) Westerly Public Schools October Enrollment (1998-2026) with Trend Line; (2) Westerly Public Schools – MOE Calculation when Determined on an Aggregate Basis; and (3) Westerly School District: Adopted Budget vs. Student Enrollment (2013-2026).

 

     Councilor Niemeyer withdrew his motion, and Ms. Healy withdrew her Second.

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the $51,713,943 recommended by the Finance Board for Account 01010099-502953 – Local Appropriation Expenditure – School be approved. 

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, Seconded by Ms. Van Dover, that the motion be amended that the $51,713,943 recommended by the Finance Board for Account 01010099-502953 – Local Appropriation Expenditure – School be reduced by $400,000 for a total of $51,313,943.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the motion failed:  (Voted 3 to 4 – Councilors Niemeyer, Healy, Scialabba and Council President Duhamel dissented)

 

                                               YES                                         NO

 

                                            Aiello                                       Niemeyer

                                            LaPietra                                   Healy

                                            Van Dover                               Scialabba

                                                                                            Duhamel

 

A poll vote was taken as follows on the main motion and the motion carried:  (So Voted 4 to 3 – Councilors Aiello, LaPietra and Van Dover dissented)

 

                                               YES                                         NO

 

                                            Niemeyer                                Aiello

                                            Healy                                       LaPietra

                                            Scialabba                                Van Dover

                                            Duhamel

 

Capital Improvement – School - $894,452

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that the Finance Board’s recommendations of $400,000 for Account 01011911-505682 – HVAC Upgrades, $350,000 for Account 01011911-507795 – Paving Lot, and $144,452 for Account 01011911-508606 – Vehicle Replacement Plan for a total of $894,452 be approved.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the motion carried:  (So Voted 7 to 0)

 

                                               YES                                         NO

 

                                            Aiello

                                            Niemeyer

                                            Healy

                                            Scialabba

                                            LaPietra

                                            Van Dover

                                            Duhamel

 

Capital Improvement – Town - $1,722,600

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, that the $500,000 recommended by the Town Manager for Account 01011910-508791 – Bradford Recreation Complex be approved.  There was no Second.

 

Motion by Ms. Scialabba, that the $1,722,600 recommended by the Finance Board for Account 01011910 – Capital Improvement – Town be approved.  There was no Second.

 

Motion by Ms. Healy, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the $1,722,600 recommended by the Finance Board for Account 01011910 – Capital Improvement – Town be increased by $400,000 for Account 01011910-508791 – Bradford Recreation Complex for a total budget of $2,122,600 be approved.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the motion carried:  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor Scialabba dissented)

 

                                               YES                                         NO

 

                                          Aiello                                       Scialabba

                                          Niemeyer

                                          Healy

                                          LaPietra

                                          Van Dover

                                          Duhamel

 

8:35 PM.  Councilor LaPietra left the Council Chambers and was absent for the remainder of the meeting.

 

Restricted Programs - $1,298,325

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, to create a new Restricted Programs line-item account – Senior Housing Study with an appropriation of $60,000.  (So Voted 6 to 0 – Councilor LaPietra absent)

 

Revenue from Other Sources - $2,105,208

 

Motion by Ms. Healy, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the $675,000 for Account 01010017-406900 – RTT-Town be increased by $60,000 to $735,000.  (So Voted 6 to 0 – Councilor LaPietra absent)

 

Subsidies Town Extension - $1,111,644

 

     Town Manager Lacey explained the Ambulance Corps’ new program called Mobile Integrated Health, which costs approximately $80,000 annually in personnel as well as a vehicle for the program.  He stated that the program is currently funded through grants and the Ambulance Corps is seeking reimbursement rates through the State. 

 

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

 

Motion by Mr. Niemeyer, Seconded by Ms. Healy, that $65,000 be appropriated for a new position of Assistant Grant Administrator.  (So Voted 4 to 2 – Councilors Scialabba and Van Dover dissented – Councilor LaPietra absent)

 

     Council President Duhamel announced that the Town Council budget workshop scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. is cancelled.

 

 

 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

 

        8:56 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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