CONTINUED BUSINESS (Continued from October 2, 2001)

PUBLIC HEARINGS

2001-2002 City Budget

Finance Director James McDonald answers questions from the Council on various scenarios of tax rates and how they would impact the taxpayers.

Mayor Larisa opens the meeting to public comment. The following persons are present and sworn:

Dr. Isadore S. Ramos, School Committee Member and taxpayer speaks on behalf of the school budget

The following speakers speak on the Talent Development Program and urge the Council not to cut the program:

Scott Lemos, Riverside Middle School

Rachel, Riverside Middle School

Chris Aguiar, 20 Roger Williams Avenue

Meagan McCarty, 380 Roger Williams Avenue

Before the next speaker, a motion to recommend to the School Committee not to cut the Talent Development Program is made by Mr. Rogers, seconded by Mr. Miranda.

Mr. Midgley speaks on the motion. He states that he does not agree that the City Council should suggest to the School Committee how to manage their budget. He says he will not support the motion.

A roll call vote is taken:

Mr. Grant                   Aye

Mr. Midgley               Nay

Mr. Miranda              Aye

Mr. Rogers                Aye

Mayor Larisa             Aye

The motion passes 4-1.

The following speakers speaks on the Talent Development Program.

Cynthia Konkin, 40 Plymouth Road

            Another female student who does not identify herself.

Sean Cook, 1825 Pawtucket Avenue

A parent of a Martin Middle School student, residing at 280 Roger Williams Avenue

Mary Cabral, TDP Teacher

Norma Conley, 2 Brigham Court, East Providence, is sworn in by the City Clerk. Mrs. Conley speaks in support of bus transportation for children attending private schools.

John F. Conley, 115 Smith Street, Riverside, asks questions regarding the sewer plant. Mr. Conley also speaks on the health benefits that are provided to employees and suggests a co-pay for those benefits.

Anthony Bochichio, 96 Pinecrest Drive, Riverside, speaks about a co-pay for health benefits.

Tony Gouveia, Riverside, speaks against any budget cuts for the School Department.

Mary Ann Mathews speaks on cutting the budget and asks questions of the Council.

Henry Caparco, Allerton Avenue, East Providence, speaks in support of the budget.

A resident from Riverside (did not get name) speaks against budget cuts and also mentions the heating problem at Waddington School.

Tom Costa, Miller Avenue, Rumford, speaks in support of the school budget.

John Vincent, Riverside, speaks about the school busing.

The meeting recesses at 9:40 p.m. and reconvenes at 9:50 p.m.

Helio Melo, School Committee Chairman, clarifies that the School Committee has at least (2) budget hearings prior to the Council's public hearing.

Mayor Larisa questions Dr. Herbowy regarding the number of staff for the students with special needs.

Chester Mott, 28 Grant Avenue, Riverside, speaks against the budget increase.

Mayor Larisa asks for the Council to receive the figures as to how much it costs per person for the Health Benefits

Edna Snow, School Committee member, speaks as a taxpayer. She asks that the City take care of the sewage.

Mr. Grant speaks on the sewer use fee. He suggests that the City figure how much it will cost to fix the plant. He goes on to say that turning it over to NBC would be a drastic mistake. But he says that if the City is going to turn it over to NBC, then money should not be spent to fix it up.

Mayor Larisa says that the increase in the sewer use fee will only be used to repair the plant.

Mr. Midgley speaks in support of the sewer use fee increase. He says the plant needs to be repaired and it is essential to have the money to pay for the repairs.

Discussion is held on instituting impact fees. Mr. Conley will provide the Council with a memo for the next meeting.

Mr. Miranda says that he will not support a sewer use increase. He also says he agrees with Mr. Grant and it should be put on a referendum and let the voters decide whether or not to turn the sewer plant over to NBC. He also says he wants to make it very clear that he is against cutting $500,000 from the School Department.

Following further discussion, Mayor Larisa asks to be provided with scenarios depicting what the impact would be of a $200,000 cut and a $300,000 cut on both the School and City side.

He also suggests that another Tuesday night be set aside for the budget, if needed. It is decided that October 23rd will be scheduled if needed, as October 24th is the last day to pass the budget.

The meeting will be held at 7:30 p.m.

Mayor Larisa asks the City Manager to provide the Council with information on how much revenue could be raised if the traffic details are doubled.

The Council unanimously agrees to defer the remaining business until the next meeting.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourns at 11:15 p.m.

Attest:

Valerie A. Perry, CMC

City Clerk