PUBLIC HEARING of the Town Council to be held Wednesday, October 12, 2005 at 7:00 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, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
Relative to amendment to the Ordinances of the Town of Burrillville relative to establishing within the Department of Parks and Recreation a division entitled (Burrillville) Extended Care Division (pursuant to §3.14(G) of the Burrillville Town Charter).
NOTE: The above was duly advertised in the Legal Section of the Woonsocket Call on Monday, October 10, 2005.
1. Comments/Input/Recommendation by Administration.
Michael C. Wood, Town Manager, said that the proposed ordinance had been under discussion for some time and that several alternatives had been discussed. Mr. Wood said that, at the Town Council’s request, the administration had provided several options and that the Town Council had referred the matter to the Ordinance Subcommittee for review of the possibility of incorporating the Extended Care program into the Town government.
Cheri R. Hall, Director of Parks & Recreation, spoke of the self-sufficiency and contribution of the Burrillville Extended Care program. Miss Hall indicated that the program currently supports family medical benefits for three full-time employees. She suggested that offering benefits such as a retirement plan comparable to Town employees would be important to maintaining the quality of the program. Miss Hall spoke of the service that the program provides the community.
2. Comments/Input/Recommendation from the Ordinance Subcommittee.
Councilor William A. Andrews, Chairman of the Ordinance Subcommittee, stated that the proposed ordinance had been considered over a number of years, that the subcommittee had reviewed it many times, and that the entire Town Council had discussed the proposal in workshop session. Councilor Andrews said that the proposal was agreeable and that the Ordinance Subcommittee supported adoption.
3. Proponents:
Eva Poltilla of Mapleville, Jane Stankowski of Burrillville, Amy Lapierre of Mapleville and David Brunetti of Harrisville spoke in support of the ordinance. They addressed the difficulty in finding quality day care, the service the program provides to the community, and the high-quality staffing. They discussed the importance of child care during early morning, late afternoon, holiday and summer hours.
4. Opponents: None
5. Town Council Members Comments/Input:
Councilor William E. Gonyea noted that the Burrillville Extended Care program is a self-supporting program and that adoption of the ordinance would add no burden to the taxpayers. Councilor Gonyea pointed to a condition of the ordinance that provides for discontinuation of the program should it no longer be self-supporting. Councilor Gonyea supported the recommendation of the Ordinance Subcommittee.
6. VOTED to close the public hearing.
Motion by Councilor William A. Andrews. Seconded by Councilor Ronald E. Faford. The motion was unanimous. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.
7. VOTED to adopt amendments to the ordinances of the Town of Burrillville relative to establishing within the Department of Parks and Recreation a division entitled (Burrillville) Extended Care Division, as follows:
The Town Council of the Town of Burrillville hereby ordains as follows:
Pursuant to Section 3.14(G) of the Burrillville Town Charter the Burrillville Town Council hereby establishes within the Department of Parks and Recreation a division entitled:
(Burrillville)“EXTENDED CARE DIVISION”.
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of the Extended Care Division is to provide a secure environment for Burrillville children enrolled in Grades K-8 for periods prior to the commencement of the school day and for a period after classes and during school vacation/summer recess.
Section 2. Establishment of (Burrillville) Extended Care Division
There is hereby established a Division within the Department of Parks and Recreation to be known as “Extended Care Division. The operating of the Extended Care Division shall be under the overall direction and control of the Director of the Department of Parks and Recreation (“Director”).
Section 3. Organization of Division
The further organization of the Extended Care Division shall be as directed by the Town Manager and as approved by the Town Council.
Section 4. Extended Care Board
To assist the Recreation Director in establishing programs, policies and procedures concerning the operation of the Extended Care Division, there is hereby established an Extended Care Board (“Board”). The Extended Care Board shall consist of five (5) members all of whom shall be residents of the Town of Burrillville. At least one (1) member shall be a licensed healthcare professional. The Town Council shall appoint a member of the Council and a member of the School Committee as ex-officio members. The members shall be appointed by the Town Council for three (3) year terms. Initial appointment shall be for terms of one (1), two (2) and three (3) years. Any member of the Extended Care Board who fails to attend three (3) consecutive meetings without being excused shall forfeit his/her
office.
Section 5. Initial Appointment and Bylaws
The present members of the Board of Directors of the Extended Care Program shall constitute the membership of the Extended Care Board established under this ordinance until their terms of office expire. Upon passage of this ordinance but prior to its effective date the Extended Care Board in accordance with Section 6 of this ordinance shall prepare and submit to the Town Council not later than December 1, 2005 a set of By-laws for the Council’s approval. Any subsequent change in the by-laws shall not become effective until approved by the Town Council.
Section 6. Duties of Extended Care Board
The Extended Care Board shall, in conjunction with the Department Director establish by-laws, rules and procedures governing the Extended Care Division. These by-laws, rules and procedures shall address the following:
(a) The scope of services to be provided for enrollees in the program.
(b) Policies, rules, regulations and guidelines for operating the programs and for the personnel associated with the programs .
(c) The process to establish an annual budget for each fiscal year that includes projected revenue(s), income and expenses. The revenue raised must be at least equal to the projected expenses of the program. The program must be self-sustaining.
(d) All rules and procedures shall be published and a copy furnished to the Town Clerk.
(e) In the event that the Extended Care Board and Director cannot agree in areas where they are empowered to work in conjunction with each other, the Director shall be responsible to make the decisions and to follow up as required by this ordinance and/or any other provision of the Town Charter and relevant local legislation.
Section 7. Budget
The Extended Care Board, in conjunction with the Department Director, shall submit an operating and capital budget detailing proposed expenditures and anticipated revenues. A general description and summary of the programs to be funded shall be included in the submission(s). These budget submissions shall follow the normal process set forth in the Town Charter and relevant local legislation.
Section 8. Funding
All Extended Care Division programs shall be self-sustaining. The Division shall not enter into any contracts, make obligations or establish any positions unless the Director of the Department determines that there is adequate funding to support the contract, obligation or position. Such determination may be overruled by the Town Manager.
The Extended Care Board in conjunction with the department director shall establish charges sufficient to cover all costs of the Extended Care Division. All revenue, fees paid or donations received by the Division for services shall become available to support the programs of the Division.
The Extended Care Division with the approval of the Extended Care Board may apply for and receive grants to support its programs.
All funds received from charges, donations or Town appropriations shall be deposited into a special revolving account managed by the Town Treasurer and all expenditures shall be made from that account except as specified herein. Any funds not expended during the fiscal year shall remain in the account and be available to the Division unless otherwise determined by the Town Council.
Indirect costs to be reimbursed to the Town shall be determined by the Finance Director and shall be approved by the Town Manager prior to assessment. The Town will be reimbursed from the Department’s receipts as determined by the Town Manager after consultation with the Director.
The Town Treasurer shall establish, with the advice of the Town’s auditors, procedures governing the receipt and expenditures of funds.
Section 9. Audit
The Extended Care Program shall be subject to audit as determined by the Finance Director or Town Manager.
Section 10. Annual Report
The Extended Care Division shall render an annual report to the Town Council, a copy of the report shall be filed with the Town Clerk. The report will be filed on or before December 1 of each fiscal year for the preceding fiscal year. The annual report shall include audited financial information for the preceding fiscal year.
Section 11. Sunset Provision
In the event that the programs provided for under this ordinance operating under an adopted budget are determined by the Town Manager not to be self supporting, then this Division shall cease operation as of June 30th of that fiscal year, unless determined otherwise by the Town Council. All employees of the Division shall be terminated, programs ended, obligations and contracts terminated.
Section 12. Effective Date
(a) Section 4 of this ordinance entitled, “Extended Care Board” shall take effect upon passage of this Ordinance.
(b) The resolution of the Town Council establishing the Extended Care Program previously adopted (#95-61 April 12, 1995) is hereby repealed effective December 31, 2005. All funds in the control of said program are transferred to the Extended Care Division. The Extended Care Division shall operate under the previously established budget until a new budget is adopted.
(c) All other provisions of this ordinance shall become effective January 1, 2006.
Motion by Councilor Jacqueline Zahn. Seconded by Councilor Margaret L. Dudley. The motion was unanimous. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.
8. VOTED to adjourn at 7:10 p.m.
Motion by Councilor Margaret L. Dudley . Seconded by Councilor William E. Gonyea. The motion was unanimous. Voting in favor of the motion were Council President Wallace F. Lees, Councilors Jacqueline Zahn, William A. Andrews, Nancy F. Binns, Margaret L. Dudley, Ronald E. Faford and William E. Gonyea.
The hearing was taped. The tape is on file with the record of the hearing.
Louise R. Phaneuf, Town Clerk
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