PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council Monday night approved a $61.86 million budget for fiscal year 2017-2018 that adds about $1.2 million to the current spending plan but also lowers the tax rate by …
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PORTSMOUTH — The Town Council Monday night approved a $61.86 million budget for fiscal year 2017-2018 that adds about $1.2 million to the current spending plan but also lowers the tax rate by 58 cents, mainly due to the recent town-wide property valuation.
Under the new budget starting July 1, the tax rate will drop from the current $16 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $15.42. That reduction will be offset, however, by the fact that property values have increased by an average of 8 percent under the recent town-wide revaluation.
The council approved the spending plan in a 5-2 vote, with members Paul F. Kesson and Elizabeth A. Pedro dissenting. Mr. Kesson said he didn’t believe the budget was transparent enough and that he had too many questions about its numbers.
As an example, Mr. Kesson pointed to the original bottom line for the spending plan, which had omitted about $850,000 in expenses because the finance department was inadvertently left out. (The discrepancy was corrected shortly after it was discovered in April.)
“There’s just so much in this budget … that I’m not comfortable voting for it,” Mr. Kesson said.
Larry Fitzmorris of Portsmouth Concerned Citizens, repeating a concern he had made during a public hearing June 14, requested that the entire school budget — $38.1 million — be listed in the budget ordinance in the interests of transparency. (At one point the school budget’s bottom line had been listed as $36.53 million, a figure that neglected to include tuition paid by Little Compton students who attend the high school, as well as additional sources of revenue.)
Gavin retained as solicitor
In other business Monday, the council voted 4-3 to retain Kevin Gavin as solicitor after an often-contentious discussion during which charges of partisanship were hurled.
Council President Keith E. Hamilton said six attorneys applied for the position after the town advertised the position back in January, and the council interviewed four finalists.
Voting for Mr. Gavin were the three Democrats on the council — Linda L. Ujisua, J. Mark Ryan and Kevin M. Aguiar — along with Mr. Hamilton, a Republican. Republican council members Mr. Kesson and Ms. Pedro, along with David M. Gleason, an independent, voted against the motion.
Mr. Gleason, saying the position of solicitor has historically been chosen on party lines in Portsmouth, said the town should hire a attorney who is non-partisan to any political party.
Former council member Joseph Robicheau, a Republican, said he was often frustrated during his time on the council when trying to get answers from Mr. Gavin.
“I think his legal expertise is suspect,” Mr. Robicheau said.
Ms. Ujifusa, however, said Mr. Gavin had more knowledge of town matters than the other candidates and has an “excellent working relationship with the town administrator” and other officials.
Although no figures were released by the council Monday night, those who supported Mr. Gavin said his bid was the most financially advantageous to the town. Ms. Ujifusa said Mr. Gavin offered a fixed fee that will help keep the town’s spending in check.
After the vote, Ms. Pedro mocked the hiring process and noted the number of local Democrats in the audience.
“We should have done this in January,” she said. “If it’s going to be a political appointment, just do it. This was just a waste of my time.”
Police station update
The council heard a progress report on the construction of a new police station that voters approved through a $10 million bond issue in November 2016.
A new 22,0000-square-foot, two-story police station will be built on land behind the existing building on East Main Road. The current 5,000-square-foot police station, which was built more than 40 years ago, will be demolished after construction on the new building is complete.
According to Marc Zawatsky of ABM Group, the construction manager, construction bids will be solicited beginning next month and a contract awarded at a September council meeting. Construction will begin in September/October 2017 and be completed by October 2018, Mr. Zawatsky said.
“We’re going to deliver the product under budget,” he said.
Saying goodbye
The council extended its thanks and appreciation to Police Lt. Anthony K Cambrola, who is retiring June 30 after nearly three decades on the force.
“I’m actually choked up,” said Lt. Cambrola upon receiving a proclamation from the council. “When I started in 1988, I didn’t know one person in this town. Now I know everybody.”
Movie at polo grounds
Sitting as the Board of License Commissioners, the council unanimously approved an entertainment license to permit newportFILM to screen a documentary movie outdoors at Newport International Polo Grounds at Glen Farm on Thursday, Aug. 24, at 7:45 p.m.
According to the newportFILM website, the film is “Dealt,” about the blind card magician Richard Turner. The event will feature live music at 6:30 p.m, food vendors and a Q&A session after the film, according to the website.
Appointment
The council unanimously re-appointed W. James Wesner, 2020 East Main Road to the Melville Park Committee.