Glocester council approves appointments, contract extensions and sets 2025 budget referendum date

The Glocester Town Council on Feb. 6 approved a package of routine appointments, contract authorizations and grant extensions, and set the fiscal 2025–26 financial referendum date.

The council voted to set the town financial referendum for May 20, 2025, and scheduled the public hearing on the proposed 2025–26 budget for Monday, April 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. The council also authorized the council president to sign the town’s 2024 Phase 2 stormwater annual report required by the Rhode Island Pollution Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES).

Councilors authorized a grant-extension agreement with the Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank that extends an $85,000 municipal infrastructure grant — originally awarded in September 2022 for a public-water feasibility study in Chepachet Village — through June 30, 2025, to allow project completion and reimbursement requests.

On personnel and contracts, the council approved a temporary building maintenance contract with Simply Clean effective Feb. 10–March 28, 2025, at a daily rate of $250 plus $25 per day for cleaning a new police dispatch area and half bath, with total payments not to exceed $5,000. The council appointed Ashley Poole as secretary/recording clerk to the Board of Assessment Review at $150 per meeting, pending a DCI check.

The council also approved the appointment of Justin S. Gordon to the position of DPW building and facility supervisor, effective Feb. 10, 2025; the motion named an hourly rate of $38.67 under the NAGE unit contract. The council discussed whether the post required the department-head hiring process before confirming the appointment; members concluded it is not a department-head role and proceeded with the motion.

Multiple board and commission appointments were tabled to the Feb. 20 meeting when recommendations were not yet available.

Additionally, the council voted to convene an executive session to discuss collective bargaining pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws governing executive sessions on collective bargaining and litigation.

Votes at a glance - Approval of town council minutes (Jan. 16, 2025): passed by voice vote. - Table appointments to Parade Committee (Alternate positions 2 and 3): tabled to Feb. 20, 2025. - Table appointment to Planning Board, position 3 (unexpired 5-year term): tabled. - Appointment: Justin S. Gordon, DPW building and facility supervisor, $38.67/hr, effective 02/10/2025: approved. - Temporary cleaning services contract with Simply Clean (02/10/2025–03/28/2025), $250/day + $25/day for dispatch area, total not to exceed $5,000: approved. - Authorization for council president to sign RIPDES Phase 2 stormwater annual report (2024): approved. - Authorization for council president to sign grant extension with Rhode Island Infrastructure Bank (municipal infrastructure grant for Chepachet Village water feasibility study), extended to 06/30/2025: approved. - Appointment: Ashley Poole, Board of Assessment Review secretary, $150 per meeting, effective 02/07/2025 (pending DCI check): approved. - Set 2025 financial referendum date: May 20, 2025; public hearing set for April 21, 2025, 7 p.m.: approved. - Motion to convene executive session for negotiations/collective bargaining: approved.

The meeting record shows most of these items were routine and approved by voice vote; the minutes and motions indicate unanimous consent in each case.