[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6539962,"mediaKeyId","3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634","parentId",3527574,"title","Tiverton council hears update on school forensic audit and debates $312,000 in capital requests","audioSeconds",708,"startMs",3180000,"endMs",3888000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634&start=3180&end=3888","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634/thumbnail_3180000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6539962/Tiverton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Tiverton-council-hears-update-on-school-forensic-audit-and-debates-312000-in-capital-requests","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539962-296ad5461efd9d182f11be49a9f1cf92/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188495&Signature=leVc0Pw0yGJ~P4LhrbazEtTK-6sqNfvMKekjDIV~zaWfy-sgg4JWdn9VHMSCGLiOPWtSPieqCdWM3vX3d0Q78rSXrEKFFpsHO-Xyw3ZykeO~TRZ9CIh3N8bh~RArEXzZ1ktXq~GBIufgkgjEoiuryBNJopzFfnV8e2avmTqU0Ox0nGaMJcXWk2os8w5476z2cYj1tHE9i9ZSZ5sOaEEpzUIghMggTl-Zbr46YlJY960j~k~2OFHGkzRZaSyUj84FEFrGU3R-q4kmGUD77uPThDK~cyJGT1D6SK6hQsmqFcy9kB9WFUJ0ghW8s0DI02F6VtxghQqWe339q6ooGKcAOw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tiverton","date","2025-05-27T22:23:26Z","article","Town Administrator reported that a school department forensic audit, which has already incurred about $50,000 in costs, has not been finalized. The administrator said he has meetings scheduled with the audit firm and requested the council receive and review a final copy before authorizing further spending or action.

Why this matters: the audit work has cost town resources and may prompt additional action by the council depending on its findings. The administrator asked for the final audit report to be made public and for the council to decide on next steps after review.

Councilors then held an extended discussion about a school capital request packet the school committee had submitted for consideration. The packet contains a mix of hardware, software and curricular items with multi‑year costs; the number most often cited in the discussion was $312,000 (the transcript listed a total request of roughly $312,000 plus additional items). Specific line items discussed included Chromebooks for grades 1–5 and grade 9 (total request cited in meeting: $120,750), a multi‑year ZSpace/Project Lead The Way contract ($54,510 for multi‑year purchase), SHI (Google/Microsoft domain agreements, $32,630 for three years), Pearson online services ($13,500) and staff computer replacements ($24,000), among others.

Councilors and the solicitor debated whether particular items are appropriately charged to capital versus operating budgets. The solicitor summarized the usual rule of thumb discussed at the meeting: capital items typically provide useful life beyond one year, but policy choices determine which items are funded from capital (gaming/capital accounts) versus operating budgets. Several councilors urged establishing a clearer policy for capital allocations, noting past practice and the ordinance requiring post‑fiscal‑year capital allocation meetings with the school committee and other departments.

Financing context: the town finance staff reported an available reimbursement account balance in the packet of about $680,000 that could be used to fund capital requests that qualify for reimbursement; councilors noted that some items, if moved to capital, would relieve pressure on the operating budget this fiscal year but would set policy precedents.

Next steps: the administrator asked staff to provide the final forensic audit report to the council once available. Councilors agreed further action on capital allocations and potential use of gaming or reimbursement funds should be handled in the statutory allocation process and at future meetings; the matter will return to a future council agenda for formal action.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tiverton Town Council Meeting - May 27, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The administrator said a forensic audit of the school department has not been finalized and asked the council to review the final report before authorizing further spending; councilors then discussed a roughly $312,000 capital package and the policy question of using gaming/capital funds for operating‑type purchases.","taxTitle","Tiverton, Newport County, Rhode Island","taxId",79581,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539965,"Tiverton council approves special events, beach cleaner purchase and limited legal engagement for landfill solar; several property moves pass",1124,1086000,2210000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634&start=1086&end=2210","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634/thumbnail_1086000.jpg","/articles/6539965/Tiverton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Tiverton-council-approves-special-events-beach-cleaner-purchase-and-limited-legal-engagement-for-landfill-solar-several-property-moves-pass","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539965-6515a55c8079761137b9dc7262624e26/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188495&Signature=gYse~6iVvoEjWhXWlKRzjSDpKVYHvmKYy4NVc6MYPbak5pgcieA8w9li9SOsPmGcNeBT0J2Q-uzZ9PeldGso1pxmBMnF4wk0gIYUmelMly0datnxKWpXv6yu8Hdqdo9fYGxSLW6FK5nrdC05Q0H5PdCfDVh-c9TPLGW3IU1M68h9pnOm1nq9UJpSz3i8ul3niCWavVB3OW7VsuXItb1qAaE9bc1EsKij01dhGrG1Fia2ga~wO5do4fc90ohelMOlX~MalZAdAmdKLj3XXLFa4bu-Q-fC-oz1RFDf~ICU4462GWQoL2FRroaR~EJGezgeSWuYWKsORBrCK00qg6cnRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tiverton Town Council on Monday approved a package of routine and substantive items that included special event licenses, a beach‑cleaning equipment purchase, limited legal engagement related to a proposed solar lease at the former town landfill, and motions to move forward on multiple property closings.

Among the items the council voted to approve:

• Special event licenses: the council approved a special event license for MASK Wagons’ second annual car show on July 20, 2025, at 300 Industrial Way; a wedding reception license for Kevin and Brenda McGovern for August 16, 2025, at 20 Crandall Road; and a victualing (farm‑store) license for Esther Joel Bishop (d/b/a Arly Vines Farm) at 2490 Main Road (applicant originally listed 241 Cornell Road but corrected on the record).

• Abandonment of Transport Drive: after a required public hearing with no public speakers, the council approved a resolution (listed in the packet as Resolution 25‑0022) to abandon Transport Drive as a paper street per the petition submitted. The public hearing record showed proper notice had been published for three successive weeks.

• Child safety and wellness day: the council approved a change of location and date for the previously approved event, moving it from Grinnell’s (the prior location) to Longplex and changing the event to Sunday, June 29, 2025, with event hours and setup/takedown times recorded in the motion. Council and event organizers discussed parking and vendor logistics; police and recreation staff said they would coordinate traffic and parking restrictions for the industrial park.

• Beach‑maintenance equipment: the council approved the purchase of a refurbished Surf Rake 600 HD for $53,800, with funding proposed as $30,000 from a Stonebridge account and $23,800 from the town capital fund. Councilors discussed tractor requirements for towing the unit, possible rental options, grant prospects for DPW vehicles and cross‑use with athletic fields. The council approved the purchase at the meeting.

• Replacement plaque: the council approved up to $1,300 to purchase and permanently affix a replacement plaque at the Book of Marsh Recreation Area (plaque replaces a previously stolen item), to be funded from recreation supplies or via a year‑end budget transfer if necessary.

• Limited legal engagement for landfill solar lease: the council authorized a limited engagement with Partridge, Snow & Hahn, LLP to assist with legal services associated with negotiating a renewable‑energy lease for the former town landfill, not to exceed $20,000 initially. The administrator and solicitor said specialized counsel is recommended to protect the town from sole‑source risks and to ensure developer‑borne costs (such as connection fees) are reflected in any contract.

• Property closings and related resolutions: the council authorized the administrator to take all necessary actions to close on specified parcels in the industrial park with LP Properties (assessor plat and lot numbers listed in the packet) and approved similar closing steps on a second set of parcels; the motions were made and seconded and recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda: approved (unanimous; no roll‑call tally given).
- MASK Wagons car show special event license (7/20/2025, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 300 Industrial Way): approved; mover: Councilor Perry.
- McGovern wedding reception special event license (8/16/2025, 5–11:15 p.m., 20 Crandall Road): approved.
- Arly Vines Farm victualing license (2490 Main Road): approved.
- Resolution to abandon Transport Drive (Resolution 25‑0022): approved after a public hearing with no public speakers.
- Child Safety & Wellness Day location/date change (to Longplex, Sunday June 29, 2025): approved; mover: Councilor Paul.
- Purchase of refurbished Surf Rake 600 HD for $53,800 (funding: $30,000 Stonebridge / $23,800 capital): approved.
- Purchase of replacement plaque for Book of Marsh Recreation Area, not to exceed $1,300: approved.
- Limited legal engagement with Partridge, Snow & Hahn, LLP, initial cap $20,000: approved.
- Authorization for administrator to close on industrial park parcels with LP Properties (specified assessor parcels): approved.

Councilors often recorded motions as “subject to meeting all legal requirements” or “subject to all legal requirements” and noted that applicants who advertise events before formal approval do so at their own risk; the council reiterated that prior advertising does not change the legal requirement for council approval.","The council approved licenses for multiple special events, abandoned a paper street, authorized a $53,800 refurbished beach‑cleaning machine purchase, authorized a limited legal engagement for a proposed landfill solar lease, and approved sale/closing steps on industrial park parcels; motions were approved subject to standard legal requirements.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6539971,"Tiverton auditors give town clean 2024 report; net position up about $6.7 million",854,190000,1044000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634&start=190&end=1044","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3527574-e30af71d781addf843dd89937550c634/thumbnail_190000.jpg","/articles/6539971/Tiverton/Newport-County/Rhode-Island/Tiverton-auditors-give-town-clean-2024-report-net-position-up-about-67-million","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6539971-f32128ef0204e1839ff20e97d0567dec/orig.mp4?Expires=1771188495&Signature=Aat4K17O5PvLW6jQAuQJ1MMPRg7mn9hO04euB8lLRvDXynXxWtQTGPug0DD-13CHmefG9EzsCQFLLmGCR3gT3IUI9zmglYEkoLXjWizL2-k81TryH-4wga6WIFrXqYe9eN3n-N0QMO4Z890YwB2pCA00Bn01-PelmhMfrGCzVXXCPoG9ogyq-JCFf5uV1JAbI4pkbf6MlBkgENWLMEBDeuSBBJaOT3Lm7p9fSn-B8zoiwDt1EwBfLA9iBY5H6osY8sVgPRCuqH17F~Yz0chOxuNWj0XAly0TTJdLaYYseIMmq98fLj0VXIP1W7VCbzCBwR6N4wxbSK5A~ApVNNb1qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Megan Hyland, a certified public accountant, told the Tiverton Town Council on Monday that the town received unmodified (clean) opinions on its 2024 financial statements, the federally required single audit and an agreed‑upon‑procedures engagement required by RIDE.

The auditors’ presentation summarized government‑wide and fund financial statements and showed a reported total net position of approximately $23,000,000 at the end of 2024 — an increase of about $6,700,000 from the prior year. Hyland said that increase was primarily driven by capital investment, strong revenue performance and reductions in long‑term liabilities.

Why this matters: an unmodified opinion is the highest level of assurance an external auditor issues, and no internal control deficiencies or compliance findings were reported in the work presented to the council. The single audit tested the town’s major federal program for the year (the presentation identified special education, “SPED,” as the major program tested) and found no issues.

Hyland summarized how the town reports its finances: government‑wide statements show the town’s overall financial position; fund statements report on major governmental funds (the presentation named general fund, landfill, gaming revenue and ARPA among the major funds) plus enterprise and fiduciary funds. She noted the school unrestricted fund is treated as a major fund for Tiverton.

The auditors also flagged a small number of upcoming accounting standard and presentation changes. For 2025, that included modest changes to the calculation of compensated absences; for 2026 the auditors said there may be reclassifications of operating and nonoperating items in proprietary funds to improve user clarity. Hyland said auditors and town finance staff will work together to implement those changes.

Councilors asked technical questions about pension‑related deferred outflows and inflows and the five‑year outlook embedded in actuarial assumptions; Hyland said those figures are driven by actuarial assumptions and investment returns and can fluctuate year to year. The council thanked the auditors and finance staff for their work.

The council did not vote on the report at the meeting; the auditor delivered the 2024 financial statements and related reports for the council’s review.","Independent auditors presented Tiverton’s 2024 financial statements and issued unmodified opinions on the basic financials, single audit and agreed‑upon procedures review, reporting no findings or compliance exceptions.","actionData","errors"]

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Tiverton council hears update on school forensic audit and debates $312,000 in capital requests

Tiverton council approves special events, beach cleaner purchase and limited legal engagement for landfill solar; several property moves pass

Tiverton auditors give town clean 2024 report; net position up about $6.7 million