PUBLIC HEARING of the Town Council held Wednesday, March 28, 2001 at 7:10 o'clock p.m. in the Council Chamber, Town Building, Harrisville, for and within the Town of Burrillville.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Council President Wallace F. Lees; Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Norman C. Mainville.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
1. Relative to the Proposed Capital Improvement Project Budget:
Municipal Departmental $564,905
Infrastructure 792,763
School 450,000
Miscellaneous 50,000
Major Projects 579,222
TOTAL Capital Improvements Program Requests $2,436,890
Proposed Capital Improvement Project Funding:
Loan Town (& Other Funds) $ 32,000
Major Capital Account 547,222
Grants 180,000
Ocean State Power PILOT 1,447,222
Major Capital Reserves 230,446
Property Taxes (Net Amount Required to Fund all Projects) 0
TOTAL Funding Sources $2,436,890
NOTE: The above was duly advertised in the Local Section of the Woonsocket Call on Monday, March 26, 2001.
Recommendations from Michael C. Wood, Town Manager:
a) Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2002.
b) Capital Improvement Program Five (5) Year Plan.
Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, reviewed the C.I.P. budget, stating that the Town Council would be asked to vote at the first meeting of April. The 5-year component would not be addressed at the current meeting. Changes are anticipated before the vote. He reviewed the program from the Budget Board, pointing out some of the differences between the Manager s recommendation and the Budget Board program. He stated that the present proposal did not have the current information on the infrastructure program. That information would be available prior to the April 11, 2001 meeting.
His suggestion was to shift the funding of the Hauser Field project to the major capital fund. He said that the administration is counting on 50 percent matching funds. If the project is not funded, the money can be shifted to another program, such as the road/infrastructure program.
Michael C. Wood, Town Manager said that it is becoming more difficult to generate the available funds from year to year for this program. He pointed out that it has been policy to take a portion of the money generated at the end of the fiscal year and apply it to the roads program or other major funds. As the State budgets become tighter, and grants and State aid becomes less, it may become more difficult to continue this level. He suggested that it would be wise to be more conservative during the next few years.
Recommendations from the Budget Board:
a) Capital Improvement Program for Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2002.
b) Capital Improvement Program Five (5) Year Plan.
Arthur Hurley, Chairman of the Budget Board, stated that the differences between the Budget Board program differed only in minor ways from the Manager s recommendation. He said the Budget Board feels that some of the roads and other projects could be spread.
Note: At this point, Council President Wallace F. Lees addressed the people who were standing outside the meeting room, inviting them to sit where they would hear the proceedings.
Councilor William A. Andrews commented that he would like to see the road improvement project stretched, if possible. Perhaps, he said, rather than completely rebuilding roads, a binder coat could be put down and left in that state for a couple of years. In time, the finish coat could be applied. The result would be that the dirt roads would be ashphalt roads sooner and it would alleviate the dust and wash-out.
Councilor Norman C. Mainville asked whether the C.I.P. program was primarily to work on the infrastructure of the Town. He stated that the Town has put a lot of money into the school system through this program and through bonds. He said that he would like to see a line item in the C.I.P. budget called insurance, which would cover the cost of two police officers to be located at the schools, and the school department would be responsible for the officers. This plan would protect residents and students.
Proponents: None
Opponents: None
VOTED to close the public hearing.
Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The vote was unanimous. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Norman C. Mainville
VOTED to adjourn at 7:26 p.m.
Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The vote was unanimous. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Louis Bleiweis, Edward F. Bonczek, William E. Gonyea and Norman C. Mainville
Information relating to the public hearing is on file with the record of the minutes. The hearing was taped and the tape is on file with the record of the minutes.
Recorded by
Louise R. Phaneuf, Town Clerk
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