The first meeting of the newly constituted Warren Town Council held Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, in the Town Hall Chamber was a rather involved gathering at which the body took a number of actions, …
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The first meeting of the newly constituted Warren Town Council held Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, in the Town Hall Chamber was a rather involved gathering at which the body took a number of actions, including accepting and allocating significant federal funds.
The council formally took in a $3.1 million grant from the U.S. Commerce Department's Economic Development Administration for electrical and wastewater infrastructure upgrades.
In addition, the council designated the remainder of the town's pandemic relief American Rescue Plan Act monies, just over a quarter of a million, to a trio of expenditures.
Wastewater project
The federal commerce grant will allow for the much-needed and significant improvements to the town's wastewater treatment facility off Water Street, which badly damaged by severe storms in recent years.
A $250,000 matching fund requirement, Town Manager Brian Sullivan, told the body, would come from a Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management grant. As well, the grant includes a $414,000 contingency, providing funds to pay for any unexpected costs associated with the project.
Sullivan reminded the council the grant is of the "dispersal" variety, meaning the town must have start-up money on hand to begin the project. The federal government makes reimbursement payments, which, Sullivan said, typically takes one to two weeks.
Sullivan was asked who would be responsible for any cost. The manager said it would be up to the town to pay in such event.
In addition, questions were raised about how the federal money would be distributed and, again, whether the town would have to come up with monies if a vendor submitted an invoice in an amount larger than what was being provided during a given billing period.
Director of Finance David Burlingame reminded the council the grant mandates the project be completed within 43 months from its start date.
Burlingame said the roughly $3 million on offer divided over the span equals about $75,000 per month, which is likely well within the amount needed to be paid out and if there happened to be an overage the town could "easily afford" the amount.
ARPA allocations
Sullivan presented the council with a seven potential uses for the remainder of the town's APRA monies.
The body decided on the following expenditures: $220,271.55 to purchase new finance department software; $22,276 upgrade to town-wide camera network; and $11,186 to buy three glide scopes intubation kits to be used by the Warren Fire Department's Emergency Medical Technicians.
Any left-over ARPA funds must be expended by the end of this month, December 31, 2024. Of note as well, the deadline for completion of any ARPA projects is December 31, 2026.
The other options for expenditures not selected by the council were: repairs to stairway leading to second floor of town hall/front door at $21,000; three vehicle stabilizers for EMS trucks at $6,513; a battery powered smoke ventilation fan at $5,979; and an emergency spreader and cutter for EMS at $28,852
Finance update
Director Burlingame during his monthly departmental update said the town enjoyed a "good month" on the revenue side in November and its coffers "were in very good shape" heading into December.
Burlingame reminded the council the 2025-26 budget season is already just over the horizon. His office and that of the manager will begin holding meetings with department heads to discuss their preliminary budgets.
The overall budget will likely be broached initially in a public forum at the January 14 council meeting. Directors then must submit their final draft budgets for departments by January 31. The first draft Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget for the town will then presented to the Council in February.
Manager notes
As part of Sullivan's monthly manager's update, he told the council Alison Ring, who served as a key advisor to the town during the recently completed Comprehensive Plan update process, has tentatively agreed to become Warren's interim planning director.
Ring would step into the void left when Herb Durfee last month left the position to take over the same role in Barrington
Sullivan said the town would enter into a contract with Ring to work on its behalf 10 hours a week. She will be paid through the existing planner salary position expenditure.
"I believe she will be able to look at a range of different things for the town," Sullivan said of Ring's duties.
The manager said he will be working with Town Solicitor Anthony DeSisto to create an interview panel for the purpose of finding a permanent replacement.
Also, Sullivan said the project to replace railings on tanks at the wastewater treatment plant is nearly complete. The railings on tanks 2, 3 and 4 are finished. Only tank 1 remains to be done.
Lastly, Sullivan said the recent heating issues at the plant have been addressed. The manager said, the heat was up and running. The problem pertained to pumps, likely created by a computer malfunction.
DPW notes
Director of Public Works Brian Wheeler provided the council with his monthly update, including plans to meet with RIDOT to address any ongoing plans to make improvements to Main Street.
He also told the body the effort to replace the scale at the transfer station continues. Since it became inoperable, it's likely cost the town a few thousand dollars in lost revenue.
The council approved the department's effort to plant a London Plan Tree and two other shade trees at Burr’s Hill Park.
Lastly, the council also agreed to a DPW request to extend seasonal leaf and yard debris collections through the last week of December.
Market Street Pub anniversary
The Davock Family was recognized by the council and the town's General Assembly delegation upon their 30th anniversary as owners/operators of the Market Street Pub.
Out-going council President John Hanley presented the Davocks with a plaque on behalf of the council while State Representatives June Speakman and Jason Knight delivered a proclamation. State Senator Walter Felag previously provided the Davocks with a citation at its celebratory event in early November.
2025 meeting schedule
The council approved the following meeting schedule for the body in 2025: January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, July 8, August 12, September 9, October 14, November 10 and December 9.
Note, the meeting in November takes place on a Monday because Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day.
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