TC violates Town Charter and State Law, to Increase Tax Levy
The actions of the Town Council last night violated Town Charter and State law. The Attorney General ruled the Council had violated the #OMA law by an illegal vote on July 17, 2017 and stated in his ruling:
"While injunctive relief would be appropriate, we prefer that the Town Council remedy the violation on its own. The Town Council should, therefore, reconsider and re-vote on the matter discussed at its July 17, 2017 meeting at a properly posted future meeting. We express no opinion at this time whether other town or state laws may impact the Town Council's ability to reconsider and re-vote on this budget matter at a future meeting".
To hear the arguments for yourselves as well as the eventual outcome watch the videos below. This is the first time in the history of the town that a #Council has amended a tax levy after the charter mandated date of June 30th, with the exception of the court ordered 1999-2000 supplemental tax due to a lawsuit filed by the School Department against the Town. Our current Town #Administrator was a member of the School #Committee at the time. Apparently those who believe the law is the law, and the #Charter must be followed, are narrow minded people.
Part I https://youtu.be/-RmLMvTxCZw
Part II https://youtu.be/WD7-jBkAcJ8
Part III https://youtu.be/gWKEWyAo5MU
Part IV https://youtu.be/5645AkkzVAk
NORTH SMITHFIELD TOWN COUNCIL 1-16-18 002
Comments