Westerly council amends 2026 meeting calendar, schedules budget hearings and approves small fiscal resolutions

The Westerly Town Council amended and adopted its 2026 meeting calendar on Nov. 17, moving the Aug. 10 meeting to Aug. 17 in observance of Victory Day and revising April budget‑season dates to accommodate public hearings and staff availability.

Calendar and budget schedule: After debate about conflicts and preferred timing, the council approved a revised April schedule that includes regular and budget workshop dates on April 6 and 8, a public hearing/workshop on April 16, an additional workshop on April 21 and a final budget public hearing on April 22. Councilors discussed staff capacity and the practical demands of consecutive budget days.

Fiscal votes: The council approved a set of routine fiscal resolutions, including small additions ($5.69) and deletions ($9,775.14) to the tax rolls, a resolution waiving late‑payment penalties totaling $46,510, and establishing a sewer debt‑service rate (councilors cautioned that sewer bills will likely rise and discussed a 50/50 split with the general fund and enterprise fund). The council also authorized a $1,135.50 payment to a law office for litigation matters.

Votes and abstentions: The minutes and several consent items were approved by majority voice votes. The council approved sealed executive minutes in a poll vote with stated abstentions on that item.

Why it matters: The calendar changes set the dates for the next year’s governance and for key budget hearings that will determine tax and spending decisions. The sewer debt‑service discussion signaled potential rate pressures for utility customers.

Next steps: Staff will publish the adopted calendar, proceed with scheduling public budget hearings in April and implement the fiscal resolutions. The council will address larger budget and capital requests in upcoming workshops and public hearings.