The Tiverton Town Council paused its formal agenda early in the meeting for a promotion and swearing-in ceremony for multiple Tiverton Police Department members. Deputy Chief Michael Miguel (promoted from captain), Lieut. Steven Perillo, Capt. Brian Palagi, Detective Sergeant Jason Kovalcki, Sergeant Nicholas Jamrog, Sergeant Nelson Marrera, Corporal Michael DePazio, Corporal Jordan D'Silva and Corporal Louis Walton were recognized and administered the oath of office.
Police Chief Costa thanked family members and colleagues for their support and noted the department now has mandatory supervisors on every shift. During the meeting the chief also updated the council on the department’s food-drive program. He said the department will “be funding a thousand dollars at Thanksgiving to the Tiverton Food Pantry and $1,500 again at Christmas time,” and that he will meet with the pantry coordinator as the Thanksgiving delivery approaches. Chief Costa also said SNAP benefits had been restored but that the duration of the restoration was uncertain, prompting council questions about pantry capacity and more efficient purchasing via the Rhode Island Food Bank.
Councilor Barry, who runs a separate pantry, said his operation served 83 Tiverton families and suggested the town reimburse pantry purchases from the state food bank by receipt. Chief Costa agreed to work with councilors and the pantry to provide more accurate counts and logistics for future support.
No council action was required for the ceremonial promotions; the food-drive update led to a brief discussion about recurring town support and coordination between town staff and community pantries.