School Building Committee (2020)

School Building Committee (2020) Regular Meeting City Hall Room 335 100 Broadway And Virtually via ZOOM Tuesday September 20, 2022 6:30 PM Committee Members Present: Chairman Mark Bettencourt, President Pro Tem Joe DeLucia (ZOOM), Alderwoman Stacy Gould (ZOOM), William Hull, Gregory Ballassi and Cindy Beauregard. Committee Members Absent: Gregory Carabine, Mark Adams, Peter Gauthier, Christine DiStasio and Mark Kulos. Ex-Officio Members Present: Joshua Pothier and Chris LaRose. Citizens Present: None. I. Call to Order and Quorum: Chairman Mark Bettencourt called the meeting to order at 6:41 PM. II. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meetings: Alderwoman Stacy Gould made a motion to approve the June 28, 2022 special meeting minutes. Gregory Ballassi seconded. The chairman called the roll of members present and all were in favor. Chairman Mark Bettencourt, President Pro Tem Joe DeLucia, Alderwoman Stacy Gould, Gregory Ballassi and Cindy Beauregard voted in favor. William Hull abstained. The motion passed. III. Public Comment: None. IV. Update by DRA Representative Jim Barrett and/or Greg Smolley: Chairman Mark Bennecourt asked if DRA had issued a final written report to which Gregory Smolley responded they had not yet. V. Discussion regarding referendum and action if needed: Chairman Mark Bettencourt noted there was a virtually meeting held that past Thursday regarding the rules for the referendum. Chairman Bettencourt noted there were rules against the use of city funds or resources in support of a position in the referendum. Chairman Bettencourt discussed some of the test cases that were heard during the meeting. Chairman Bettencourt asked Comptroller Josh Pothier if he issued a final copy of the explanatory text. Josh Pothier responded the document was being circulated by the city clerks but he would get a copy to the members. Chairman Bettencourt clarified the members could still support the referendum as individuals, there were just limitations in their support. William Hull noted funds could be expended as long as they were not town related funds. Chairman Bettencourt stated the explanatory text would be a simple explanation, not in favor one way or the other. William Hull stated the Committee’s biggest support would likely come from the Parent Teacher Organizations and suggested creating a central list of talking points to submit to local editors. Chairman Bettencourt asked if the explanatory text would explain what financial amount the city would be responsible for to which Josh Pothier responded it would. President Pro Tem DeLucia stated there were meetings held in the City Manager’s office with various city and state representatives regarding following up with the state to increase the reimbursement rate for the project. VI. Next Regular Meeting: October 18, 2022 VII. Additional Agenda Items: 2023 Meeting Schedule. Chairman Bettencourt noted if the referendum fails in November there would not be a need to continue meeting and that the October meeting could be scheduled depending on communications. William Hull stated he felt it would be good to meet in October as a final push to go over talking points and coordinate regarding the referendum. VIII. Adjournment: Alderwoman Stacy Gould made a motion to adjourn the regular meeting at 7:00 PM. William Hull seconded. The chairman called the roll of members present and all were in favor. The motion passed unanimously. Respectfully Submitted, Katherine Rose