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Foster council approves one-year audit contract, historical-site signs and recognizes Juneteenth; executive session held
Summary
At its meeting the Foster Town Council approved a one-year extension for its annual audit contract with Bacon and Company for $40,000, approved placement of two historic-site signs subject to a town‑property condition, recognized Juneteenth as a town holiday for noncontractual employees and entered an executive session that produced no votes.
The Foster Town Council approved several routine and policy items at its meeting, including a one-year extension of the annual audit contract, permission for historic‑site signage in town, and recognition of Juneteenth as a town holiday for noncontractual employees. The council also entered an executive session under Rhode Island—ommunity open‑meetings law and later reconvened, saying that no votes were taken in closed session.
Audit contract: The council approved a one‑year extension of the contract with Bacon and Company for the annual audit at a cost of $40,000. A council member moved to approve “the finance director's request to extend the contract for Bacon and Company for the annual audit, for 1 year at a cost of $40,000 with the approval of the auditor general and authorize counsel president to sign the contract,” and the motion was seconded. The presiding official announced the motion carried.
Historic‑site signs: After public comment from a resident representing Foster Preservation about proposed markers, the council approved a request to place signs at the Shippee Schoolhouse site and at the Ponagansett school site, with the condition that the Ponagansett sign be placed only if the location is on town property. The resident said the preservation society had secured a vendor and that Rhode Island Department of Transportation (DOT) limitations meant planters cannot be used with the signs; the council incorporated the town‑property condition into the motion.
Juneteenth recognition: The council voted to recognize Juneteenth as a town holiday for noncontractual employees. The presiding official noted that any contractual changes would require revisiting terms with affected contracts.
Executive session: The council moved into executive session citing Rhode Island General Laws (R.I. Gen. Laws) chapter 42‑46 (open meetings) provisions for discussions of collective bargaining, contract negotiations or litigation. On reconvening to open session the presiding official stated that there were no votes or motions taken in the executive session.
Consent agenda and adjournment: The consent agenda was accepted as presented at the start of the meeting, and the council later moved to adjourn and did so after reconvening from executive session.
