May 29, 1996 - City Council Meeting & Workshop

THE COUNCIL BEGAN ITS REVIEW OF THE WORKSHEET OF THE 1996/1997 BUDGET AND BEGAN WITH QUESTIONS ON THE ANTICIPATED REVENUES AS FOLLOWS:

COUNCILMAN FARRELL QUESTIONED PAGE 1 - #42455 MINIMUM HOUSING FINES WHICH SHOWS -0- ANTICIPATION IN REVENUES. THE COUNCILMAN ASKED THE MAYOR IF THE COURT WOULD ASSESS FINES AND WOULD THEY BE PROSECUTING MORE HOUSING VIOLATIONS.

COUNCILMAN WEBER ALSO QUESTIONED THE MINIMUM HOUSING COURT.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT THE MINIMUM HOUSING DEPARTMENT HAS SENT OUT MORE LETTERS FOR PERSONS WHO HAVE CODE ENFORCEMENT VIOLATIONS IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND THAT PROPERTIES IN THE CITY ARE SHOWING IMPROVEMENT. HOWEVER, THOSE WHO DO NOT COMPLY WILL BE TAKEN TO COURT.

COUNCILMAN WEBER ASKED IF THE PERSONNEL IN THE CODE ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT ARE COVERED AGAINST LIABILITY.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO TAKE ACTION AS THEY, LIKE ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE OR AGENT OF THE CITY ARE COVERED FOR LIABILITY BY THE INTER LOCAL RISK MANAGEMENT COVERAGE.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE MAYOR WHY MINIMUM HOUSING FEES REFLECT A -0- FOR ANTICIPATED REVENUES.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT MOST OF THIS REVENUE WOULD BE REFLECTED IN MUNICIPAL COURT FEES AND FINES AND AS THERE IS NO GIVEN HISTORY AS TO REVENUES IN THIS AREA, IT WOULD NOT BE ADVISABLE TO PLACE A FIGURE THERE AT THIS TIME. HE STATED THAT HE WISHES THE BUDGET REVENUES TO REFLECT A TRUE AND ACCURATE REVENUE BASE.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL QUESTIONED #42160 MUNICIPAL COURT FEES AND # 42453 TRAFFIC FINES AND COMMENTED ON THE SHORTFALL IN ANTICIPATED REVENUES IN THESE ACCOUNTS.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR JOHN KUZMISKI COMMENTED ON THE OVERALL REVENUES AND EXPLAINED THE COMPARISONS. HE RELATED THAT THE MUNICIPAL COURT FEES RELATED TO FINES ASSOCIATED WITH SPEEDING VIOLATIONS, DOG COMPLAINTS, DISORDERLY CONDUCT, NOISE VIOLATIONS AND THE LIKE. HE RELATED THAT HE BASED REVENUES ON A HISTORY MADE OF

COLLECTIONS IN THIS AREA IN THE PAST YEAR. HE STATED THAT THEY DID NOT WANT TO OVER ANTICIPATE REVENUES. ACCOUNTS 44100 THROUGH 44810 ARE STATE REVENUES ANTICIPATED FROM VARIOUS STATE PROGRAMS, ALONG WITH DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES AND THE LIKE. THE FINANCE DIRECTOR STATED THAT THESE REVENUES ARE BASED ON THE BUDGET PRESENTED TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY THE GOVERNOR. HE RELATED THAT THESE REVENUES REPRESENT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF THE CITY'S BUDGET AND HE HAS MADE HIS BEST GUESS AS TO WHAT AMOUNT WILL BE RECEIVED BY THE CITY. HE STATED THAT THERE ARE NO GUARANTEES AS TO WHAT THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY WILL PASS. ACCOUNT #44500 SCHOOL HOUSING AID $963,140.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED THE FINANCE DIRECTOR TO BREAK DOWN THE TOTAL BOND INDEBTEDNESS AND HOW MUCH IS FOR SCHOOL PURPOSES, WHAT THE BALANCE IS AND WHEN EACH WOULD BE PAID OFF.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN ASKED HOW THE ANTICIPATED REVENUE FROM THE DETENTION CENTER WAS DERIVED.

MR. KUZMISKI STATED THAT THE CITY IS PRESENTLY RECEIVING $20,000 PER MONTH FROM THE CENTER AND HE BASED THE REVENUE AT THAT FIGURE TIMES 12 MONTHS.

THE COUNCIL QUESTIONED THE FIRE CHIEF ON THE FLAT FEE FOR TRUCK RUNS TO THE CENTER AND FOR RESCUE RUNS.

THE CHIEF STATED THAT A FLAT FEE IS POSSIBLE IN THE FUTURE AND THAT THEY ARE BILLING FOR QUARTERLY INSPECTIONS, TRUCK RUNS AND RESCUE SERVICES. HE STATED THAT THE FACILITY IS USING A PRIVATE AMBULANCE SERVICE FOR NON-EMERGENCY RELATED TRIPS TO THE HOSPITAL.

MR. KUZMISKI STATED THAT HE HAS TRIED TO KEEP ALL REVENUES ANTICIPATED ON THE CONSERVATIVE SIDE.

COUNCILMAN FERRI ASKED IF THE FACILITY WAS AT CAPACITY. HE STATED THAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT 85%.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT HE DOES NOT EXPECT TO COLLECT MORE REVENUE FROM THE CENTER AND THAT WHAT IS ANTICIPATED IF FOR SERVICES RENDERED. THE SHARED INCOME FROM THE FACILITY IS 60 - 40 AND SO FAR THE CITY HAS RECEIVED ABOUT $4,000 IN INCOME FROM THE FACILITY THIS YEAR.

#46240 SCHOOL REVENUE WAS DISCUSSED AND THE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THAT LAST YEAR $34,000 WAS ANTICIPATED FOR SERVICES RENDERED BY THE CITY TO THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT. THE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THAT NONE OF THAT REVENUE WAS RECEIVED BY THE CITY AND HE DIDN'T FEEL THAT THE CITY SHOULD ANTICIPATE IT IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

THE COUNCIL THEN BEGAN THEIR QUESTIONS ON THE ANTICIPATED EXPENDITURES OF THE CITY FOR NEXT YEAR WHICH BEGAN ON PAGE 3 OF THE WORKSHEET.

MAYOR (40300)

COUNCILMAN WEBER QUESTIONED ACCOUNT 51101 SALARIES IN THE MAYOR'S OFFICE AND THE $5,000.00 WAGE INCREASE FOR THE MAYOR'S SECRETARY. HE STATED THAT THERE WERE NO JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND ASKED WHY THE INCREASE.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT MS. MONOFAR WAS MORE THAN JUST HIS SECRETARY AND PREFERRED THAT SHE BE REFERRED TO AS HIS ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. HE STATED THAT HE CONSIDERED HER TO BE JUST LIKE A DEPARTMENT HEAD. HE SAID THAT THE POSITION OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND RECYCLING WAS NOW BEING HANDLED BY BOTH MS. MONOFAR AND THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR AND EVEN WITH THE $5,000.00 INCREASE TO HER SALARY, THE CITY WOULD STILL REALIZE A $21,000.00 SAVINGS. HE FEEL THAT THIS IS A FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE DECISION AND THAT NOT ONLY DO WE SAVE IN SALARY BUT ALSO IN BLUE CROSS AND VACATION SALARY.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED ABOUT THE $2,000.00 ALLOT FOR DONATIONS. HE ASKED IF THIS WAS GIVEN TO THE LITTLE LEAGUE.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT THE DONATION IS NOT FOR LITTLE LEAGUE, WHICH COMES FROM THE RECREATION BUDGET, BUT RATHER FOR SUCH THINGS AS SUBSCRIPTION FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL YEAR BOOK, AND OTHER SCHOOL RELATED PUBLICATIONS ETC. THE MAYOR RESPONDED THAT THE TOTAL BOTTOM LINE FOR THE MAYOR'S OFFICE ONLY REPRESENTS AN INCREASE OF $2,383.00.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN NOTED THAT THE MAYOR'S EXPENSE ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DROPPED BY $1,000.00 BUT WILL THERE BE RECEIPTS REQUIRED WHEN EXPENDED.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED YES.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED ON THE EXPENSE ACCOUNT.

CITY COUNCIL (40500)

COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTED ON $5,000.00 EXPENSE ACCOUNT AND ASKED IF THIS REPRESENTED THE CAMERA OPERATOR'S

POSITION.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT $5,000.00 WILL BE PLACED IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BUDGET WHERE THE CITY SERGEANT AND OTHERS ARE LISTED.

DISCUSSION CONTINUED ON THE REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE TO THE CAMERA EQUIPMENT. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT $6,000.00 WAS THE AMOUNT FOR THE CAMERA OPERATOR WITH EXPENSES FOR REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE.

COUNCILMAN WEBER NOTED THAT ONLY $362.00 IN EXPENSES WERE MADE BY THE CITY COUNCIL SO FAR THIS YEAR.

CITY CLERK (40700)

COUNCILMAN WEBER QUESTIONED THE INCREASE IN THE CITY CLERK'S ADVERTISING ACCOUNT. THE CITY CLERK AND FINANCE

DIRECTOR GAVE A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE TYPE OF ADVERTISING THAT IS REQUIRED FOR THE OFFICE SUCH AS PROBATE AND LIQUOR ETC. THEY ALSO EXPLAINED THE CITY PROPERTY ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REDUCED IN ADVERTISING.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ALSO QUESTIONED THE INCREASE IN OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES ACCOUNT #54033.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR GAVE THE FOLLOWING BREAKDOWN OF THIS EXPENSE:

$11,200 LAND EVIDENCE, $3,000.00 BOOK PRESERVATION, $2,500 CODE UPDATE, $9,200 CLERK BASE SOFT WARE UPDATING.

HE EXPLAINED THAT THIS LAST ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM MAJOR PURCHASES AND PLACED IN THE PROPER ACCOUNT IN THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE. HE ALSO COMMENTED ON THE $1,000 THAT MIGHT BE NECESSARY FOR CHARTER REVIEW.

PERSONNEL (40800)

MAYOR MATTHEWS EXPLAINED THE CUT IN ACCOUNT # 54033. HE STATED THAT HE WAS INTENT ON IDENTIFYING IN GREATER DETAIL THE AMOUNT OF EACH EXPENDITURE. HE DID NOT WANT TO HIDE ANY FUNDS IN THE BUDGET, HE STATED THAT HE DIDN'T FEEL THAT WAS NECESSARY.

LEGAL (40900)

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN COMMENTED ON EDUCATION AND TRAINING EXPENSE.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THE EXPENSE AND THE NEED TO CONTINUE THE EDUCATION OF THE ATTORNEYS.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN QUESTIONED THE SALARY ACCOUNT.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR STATED THAT THE CHARTER REQUIRES THAT THERE BE A CITY SOLICITOR AND AN ASSISTANT SOLICITOR. HOWEVER, THE DUTIES OF BOTH ATTORNEYS ARE DIVIDED AND THEY AGREED THAT THE TWO SALARIES WOULD BE COMBINED AND DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THEM. THERE IS ALSO PROVISION FOR A PART TIME CLERK IN THE OFFICE.

MAYOR MATTHEWS EXPLAINED THE DUTIES OF BOTH SOLICITORS AND WHY EACH MAY BE IN THE OFFICE OR ELSEWHERE DURING THE COURSE OF THE DAY. HE STATED THAT BOTH ARE WORKING OVER 40 HOURS PER WEEK AND THEY ALSO HAVE PRIVATE PRACTICES. ONE WILL TAKE DISTRICT COURT CASES AND THE OTHER MUNICIPAL COURT, ETC.

JAMES BRIDEN EXPLAINED THAT HE COVERS THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON A REGULAR BASIS AND ALTHOUGH HE MAY NOT BE IN THE BUILDING HE IS ON THE PHONE ON A REGULAR BASIS WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS TO ADVISE WHERE AND WHEN NECESSARY.

MAYOR MATTHEWS SAID THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS RUNNING THE DEPARTMENT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN IN THE PAST WHERE POLICE ISSUES ARE TAKEN CARE OF BY MATTHEW OLIVERIO AND PLANNING ETC. ARE TAKEN CARE OF BY JIM. HE SAID THAT THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE CITY WILL NOT NEED OUTSIDE FIRMS FROM TIME TO TIME TO HANDLE THE EXCESS OF THE

SOLICITORS AND MAY USE THEM BECAUSE OF THE AREA OF EXPERTISE THAT IS NEEDED.

COUNCIL DISCUSSION ENSUED.

COUNCILMAN FERRI ASKED IF THE ORDINANCE COULD BE CHANGED TO REFLECT THE TWO SOLICITORS.

COUNCIL MEMBERS QUESTIONED VARIOUS AREAS IN THE TAX ASSESSOR OFFICE AND WHAT IS MEANT BY OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR RESPONDED.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ASKED VARIOUS QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THE CHANGE IN THE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM TO MUNIS AND THE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR CLERICAL ASSISTANCE AND OVERTIME TO UPDATE TO THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. HE SAID THE OVERALL BOTTOM LINE IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT BUDGET SHOWS A ($4,000) DECREASE IN THE OVERALL EXPENSES FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

THE COUNCIL PRESIDENT QUESTIONED THE CONSULTING SERVICES AND NON CAPITAL EQUIPMENT ACCOUNTS.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED.

ACCOUNT 54033 OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSIST OF $11,400 FOR ADP (PAYROLL) COMPUTER CENTER $4,000. ACCOUNT ASSISTANCE $1,000. ACTUARIAL REPORTS $10,000 AND TITLE SEARCH AND TAX SALES $1,500.

THERE WERE NO QUESTION WITH THE BOARD OF CANVASSERS DEPARTMENT.

COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTED ON CITY PROPERTY FUEL ACCOUNT AND ELECTRIC ACCOUNT AND ASKED THE THIS INCLUDED FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR REPLIED THAT THESE DID INCLUDE FUNDS FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTER'S HEATING AND ELECTRIC BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $42,000.

COUNCIL MEMBERS COMMENTED ON THE GENERAL LIABILITY INSURANCE AND THE RISK MANAGEMENT ALSO BOND INSURANCE AND FIREFIGHTERS AND POLICE OFFICERS LIFE INSURANCE.

COUNCIL MEMBERS ASKED A VARIETY OF QUESTIONS RELATIVE TO CITY BOARDS PRIMARILY THE REDEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THEY ASKED IF THE BOARD IS OBLIGATED BY CHARTER. THEY ALSO ASKED THE MAYOR IF THAT IS WHAT THE $1,000 APPLIED TO THE STIPEND OF THE BOARD.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT IT REPRESENTED $200.00 PER MEMBER PER YEAR HE ALSO REPLIED THAT THIS BOARD WAS CREATED BY LEGISLATION OF THE STATE AND IT WAS SELF SUSTAINING WHEN IT WAS PRODUCING REVENUE, HOWEVER THAT REVENUE IS NO LONGER THERE AND HE IS -0- FUNDING THAT BOARD.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL ASKED IF WE ARE OBLIGATED UNDER STATE LAW TO FUND THE BOARD.

JIM BRIDEN, THE CITY SOLICITOR, RESPONDED.

MEETING WAS RECESSED AT 9:00 P.M. AND RECONVENED AT 9:12 P.M.

THE CITY COUNCIL FINANCE SUB COMMITTEE CONSISTING OF COUNCILMAN WEBER AND COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED AND STATED THERE MAY BE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THEY WISH TO MAKE.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT THERE ARE TIME CONSTRAINTS RELATIVE TO THE BUDGET AND IF THEY HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS THEY SHOULD MAKE THEM NOW.

COUNCILMAN WEBER AND COUNCILMAN FARRELL BOTH AGREED THAT THE MAYOR'S BUDGET IS FISCALLY PRUDENT.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED ABOUT A FULL REVIEW OF THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

MAYOR MATTHEWS COMMENTED ON THE REVIEW COMMISSION AND THE PRIORITY OF SCHOOL BUILDING REPAIRS. HE ALSO COMMENTED ON REPAIRING OF ROBINSON SCHOOL, SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS, WINDOWS AND SEWER PIPE AT BROAD ST. SCHOOL.

THE COUNCIL NEXT FOCUSED ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUDGET.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED ABOUT THE POLICE DISPATCHERS AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANY ALLOCATIONS IN THE BUDGET FOR THEM.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT GRANTS ONE FOR  2 POLICE OFFICERS AT 75% REIMBURSEMENT FOR THREE YEARS COMMENCING LAST SEPTEMBER AND ANOTHER FOR 3 DISPATCHERS FOR 3 YEARS AT 75% REIMBURSEMENT COMMENCING LAST SEPTEMBER. HE SAID THAT HE IS TRYING TO GET THESE EXTENDED TO THIS SEPTEMBER. HE ALSO STATED THAT REIMBURSEMENT OVER THREE YEARS IS 75%-50%-25%.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR COMMENTED THAT THE CITY'S MATCH AT 25% IS $31,250.00

COUNCIL MEMBERS CONTINUED TO QUESTION VARIOUS ITEMS IN THE POLICE BUDGET.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN QUESTIONED OVERTIME IN THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

CHIEF COUTU COMMENTED THAT THIS IS HARD TO CONTROL BECAUSE OF MINIMUM MANNING REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNION CONTRACT.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANVAN QUESTIONED RESCUE SERVICES.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT HE DID NOT ASK THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO BE PRESENT AT THIS MEETING AND WOULD BE HAPPY TO ASK THEM TO ATTEND THE NEXT MEETING. HE ALSO COMMENTED ON POLICE DEPARTMENT PROCEDURES AND BACK UP RELATIVE TO THE DISPATCHERS FOR BOTH POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENTS.

CHIEF COUTU STATED THAT HE, AS WELL AS, CHIEF MOFFATT ARE IN FAVOR OF DISPATCHERS FOR BOTH DEPARTMENTS ESPECIALLY SOME WITH BILINGUAL ABILITIES.

JIM BRIDEN REPORT THAT ACCORDING TO R.I.G.L. 45-31-10 DOESN'T REQUIRE THE CITY TO HAVE A REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND ITS AT THE COUNCIL'S DISCRETION.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN ASKED WHY THE EDUCATION BUDGET IS HIGHER IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAN FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

CHIEF COUTU RESPONDED THAT ALTHOUGH HIS FIREFIGHTERS HAVE DEGREES AND OR ARE ATTENDING DIFFERENT COLLEGES, CONTRACT DIFFERENCES AND STATE LAW REIMBURSES POLICE OFFICERS AND NOT FIREFIGHTERS.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED THAT IT IS A FACT THAT POLICE OFFICERS, BY THE NATURE OF THEIR JOB, CONTINUE TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION BECAUSE OF THE REIMBURSEMENTS.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN FURTHER COMMENTED ON COLLEGE TUITION AND TRAINING.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL COMMENTED ON THE ACADEMY.

COUNCILMAN WEBER ASKED ABOUT PARKING VIOLATION OFFICER AND IF THIS IS A PART TIME POSITION.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED.

COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED ABOUT MUNICIPAL COURT AND PROBATE COURT JUDGE SALARIES.

MAYOR MATTHEWS REPLIED THAT IN THE PAST THEY RECEIVED BLUE CROSS AND SALARY. HE STATED THAT HE NEVER FELT THAT THESE POSITIONS WARRANTED BLUE CROSS AND HE DID AWAY WITH THIS AND PAID THEM AN ADDITION OF $3500.00 EACH AND EVEN WITH THE PROPOSED INCREASE IN THEIR SALARIES THE CITY WOULD REALIZE A NET SAVINGS OF ABOUT $5,000.

THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER AND THE INCREASE IN THE HOURLY RATE WAS DISCUSSED.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT WE NEED THIS SERVICE IN CENTRAL FALLS.

COUNCILMAN WEBER ASKED IF THERE IS A WRITTEN JOB SPEC. FOR THE POSITION AND QUESTIONED THE HOURS WORKED.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL QUESTIONED THE BOARD OF ANIMALS.

COUNCILMAN FERRI STATED THAT THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER DOES A GOOD JOB.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN ASKED IF PART TIMERS RECEIVE BLUE CROSS.

MAYOR MATTHEWS RESPONDED NO, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER DUE TO THE NATURE OF HIS JOB, HOWEVER, HE RECEIVES SINGLE PLAN ONLY.

THE COUNCIL ALSO COMMENTED ON OTHER ITEMS SUCH AS A PERSONAL COMPUTER FOR THE MINIMUM HOUSING DEPARTMENT, PROPERTY PROTECTION SUCH AS BOARDING AND CLEANING OF PROPERTIES AND FOR EMERGENCY DEMOLITION OF PROPERTY.

COUNCILMAN AUNCHMAN QUESTIONED OVERTIME IN THE HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT AND THE TRANSFER OF FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $80,000.00.

THE FINANCE DIRECTOR EXPLAINED THE OVERTIME ISSUES RELATIVE TO THE CITY'S CENTENNIAL AND THE UNUSUAL SNOWY WINTER. HE ALSO STATED THE REASONS TO PLAN FOR NEXT WINTER'S SNOW REMOVAL. DISCUSSION CONTINUED ON CALCIUM CHLORIDE VS. SALT FOR SANDING OPERATIONS AND THE INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC LIGHTS.

MAYOR MATTHEWS COMMENTED ON THE NUMBER OF RED LIGHTS THAT WERE REPLACED.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL ASKED IF THIS WAS PLACE OUT TO BID.

MAYOR MATTHEW ALSO COMMENTED ON THE NEW STREET SWEEPER AND THE OLD SWEEPER AND IF IT IS REASONABLE TO REPAIR IT WILL BE REPAIRED.

THE NEW LIGHT AT BROAD ST NEAR BLACKSTONE FALLS WAS DISCUSSED AND WHAT IT WILL COST TO REPAIR.

COUNCILMAN FARRELL STATED THAT THE CONSENSUS FROM THE PEOPLE AT THE FALLS IS THAT THE PEDESTRIAN LIGHT MUST BE RESTORED.

MAYOR MATTHEWS STATED THAT THERE WILL BE SOME SORT OF LIGHT IN THAT AREA.

DISCUSSION CONTINUED ON WATER SUPPLY BOARD, HYDRANTS AND SELLING OF WATER SYSTEM.

A LETTER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION REGARDING PROCEDURE WAS READ.

THE CITY COUNCIL PRESIDENT CANAVAN ASKED FOR A MOTION TO RECESSED THE MEETING TO MONDAY JUNE 3, 1996 AT 7:00 P.M.

MOTION TO RECESS WAS MADE BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL AND SECONDED BY COUNCILMAN FARRELL. ALL AGREED. SO VOTED.

________________________________________

ELIZABETH A. CROWLEY, CMC

ACTING CITY CLERK

INTERPRETERS FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED AVAILABLE UPON 72 HOURS REQUEST MADE WITH THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE.

CITY OF CENTRAL FALLS

CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY JUNE 3, 1996

CONTINUED FROM MAY 29, 1996

THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED ITS MEETING ON THE ABOVE DATE IN THE CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS AT 7:00 P.M.