Glocester Council keeps commercial tax rate at $17.11, approves contracts and personnel moves; excludes GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs from employee plan

The Glocester Town Council on April 16 voted to keep the commercial property tax rate at $17.11 per $1,000 and approved a slate of contracts and personnel actions, while also voting to exclude FDA‑approved GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs from the town employee pharmacy benefit effective July 1 to reduce projected FY27 costs.

Council members moved unanimously to set the commercial rate at $17.11 per $1,000 “until we get some better numbers” for commercial valuations, citing uncertainty in current assessments. The motion passed following a formal voice vote.

On procurement and capital projects, the council authorized the Town Council president to sign a contract with Secochia & Associates for architectural and engineering services for the Gloucester Emergency Operations Center under RFQ 2026‑01. The finance memo supporting the RFQ said four of 32 invited firms submitted qualifications and Secochia scored highest in the town review. Council also authorized renewal of the OpenGov e‑permitting statement of work for the period 7/1/2026–6/30/2027 at a gross cost of $23,199.24, with $15,328.97 to be reimbursed by the State under relevant R.I. law.

Personnel and appointments approved included the Planning Board appointment of Brad Kittles to Position No. 1 (term to 2/28/2031) and the appointment of Lincoln Dark as a part‑time Geographic Information Systems technician in the Planning Department at $41.42 per hour (8 hours/week), effective May 5, 2026. The council also accepted an extension of Chief of Police Joseph Delprete’s retirement date to May 16, 2026.

On housing and rehabilitation programs, the council approved allowing a Rhode Island Housing septic‑loan application for a property held in trust (338 Lake Washington Drive) to proceed contingent on four stipulations: the settlor must personally guarantee the loan; the loan will become due on sale of the property; the loan will become due on the death of the settlor; and the loan will become due on termination of the trust. Council members said those conditions mirror how loans are handled for sole owners and protect the town’s repayment remedies.

The council also voted to exclude GLP‑1 drugs FDA‑approved for weight loss — primarily Wegovy and Zepbound — from the town’s pharmacy coverage effective July 1, 2026. The finance director said that exclusion is projected to save roughly $22,000 in FY27 premium costs and that GLP‑1 drugs prescribed for diabetes would not be affected by the change.

Several items were tabled or set for further review. The Economic Development Department’s request to establish and administer a Facebook page was forwarded to the town’s IT director for policy and technical review and returned to the May 7 agenda. The council set a public hearing for May 7, 2026 on first reading amendments to the zoning code section 350‑55 (special flood hazard areas).

The meeting concluded with a roll‑call vote to enter executive session for personnel, collective bargaining and potential litigation matters.

Votes at a glance: the commercial rate motion passed (voice vote); appointment of Brad Kittles passed (voice vote); Secochia & Associates contract authorised (voice vote); OpenGov SOW renewal authorised (voice vote); septic loan application for trust property approved with conditions (voice vote); GLP‑1 exclusion passed (voice vote); Lincoln Dark appointment passed (voice vote); Chief Delprete retirement date amendment passed (voice vote); council voted to convene executive session by roll call (all aye).