PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

April 21, 2009

 

6:00 p.m. – Town Council Chambers, Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Peter J. McIntyre, Hubert E. Little, Dennis M. Canario,

                                         Karen J. Gleason, Keith E. Hamilton, Jeffrey C. Plumb,

                                         and James A. Seveney

 

Also Present:  School Committee Members:   Chairman E. Richard Carpender, Sylvia J. Wedge,

                        Michael Buddemeyer, Marilyn King, Angela Volpicelli, Marjorie Levesque,                                     Susan F. Lusi, Ph.D., Colleen Jermain and Christine Tague

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

A moment of silence for our men and women around the world in harm’s way.

 

Joint Meeting of the Town Council and the School Committee regarding:

 

TOWN COUNCIL

OLD BUSINESS

 

OB 1 - Request to Revise the School Department Budget for FY 2008-09 (fr. 3/23 & 4/13/09)                                               

Mr. Driscoll stated that of the $505,000.00 lost in State General Revenue Sharing, the Town was given back $250,000.00.  There are also declines in Revenue of both Building Fees and Recording Fees.  We need the “left over” $217,000.00 that showed up in the audit of the School Department’s budget ending 6/30/08.      

 

Mr. Faucher said the Town has lost $254,000.00 in General Revenue Sharing.

 

Mr. Carpender stated that it was premature to take any action and requested putting off the decision until the School Committee knows what the actual dollars are they will be receiving in stimulus money and what it can be used for.  He stated that according to RIGL 16-7-23 the Council doesn’t have the authority to take the School Department’s fund balance. 

 

Mr. Faucher stated that he had consulted with Solicitor D’Andrea and his opinion is that the Council has the authority to appropriate for the School Department and to move the appropriation up or down.

 

Richard Updegrove, Esq., the School Committee’s Solicitor stated that the language of RIGL 16-7-23 is clear and this would also be in violation of Title 16.  The Town Charter Section 207 I also prohibits this.

 

A motion by Mr. Little, seconded by Mr. Seveney, to table this to a later date.  All voted in favor    of the motion.

TC 4/21/09

Page 2

 

Mr. Driscoll stated that May 6th date for a Budget meeting isn’t good with the School Dept.  

 

President McIntyre said the Council will return at 6:00 p.m. on May 4th to continue this matter.  The Civic Support budget will be heard at 7:00 p.m.

 

Andrew Kelly, 33 Pine Street, suggested the Council table the matter until after the State declares its budget.

 

A motion by Mr. Seveney, seconded by Mr. Little, to adjourn.  All voted in favor of the motion.

 

ADJOURN

 

TIME: 7:12 p.m.

 

 

_________________________________

Kathleen Viera Beaudoin

Town Clerk