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| E. Craig Dwyer, District 2 | |
| Council President Pro-Tem | |
| Stephanie M. Gemski, District 1 | Robert G. Shaw, Jr., District 5 |
| Council Member | Council Member |
| Lisa A. Beaulieu, District 3 | Michael L. Kinch, At-Large |
| Council Member | Council Member |
| Scott R. Schmitt, District 4 | Peter J. Bradley, At-Large |
| Council Member | Council Member |
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18, 2020 AT 7:30 P.M.
CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND
OPEN SESSION
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:40p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
President Dwyer, Councilors Gemski, Kinch, Shaw, Bradley, Beaulieu and Schmitt
Also present— Mayor Jeffrey Mutter; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Parks and Recreation Director Michael Crawley
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Dwyer announced that to protect the health and well-being of the citizens this meeting is being watched live at www.clerkbase.com/RI_Cumberland_Live_TownCouncil.html. During the COVID 19 emergency, the public can make comments while following social distancing guidelines by calling 401-388-4992 to join a conference call. Once you enter a call you’ll be placed on mute until public comments are open to the public. A moderator will manage the order of the calls, unmuting the calls one by one. You’ll be asked to state your name and address for the record and will be disconnected from the call once you’ve made your comment but can continue to watch the live stream of the meeting. You can also email comments to publiccomments@cumberlandri.org.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Special Meeting of November 26, 2019, and the Special and Regular Meetings of March 4, 2020
B. COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-20-08 – A resolution from the Town of Hopkinton urging the General Assembly to pass legislation Changing the date of the Primary
2. C-20-09 – A resolution from the Town of Warren urging the General Assembly to pass legislation relating to criminal offenses trespass and vandalism
3. C-20-10 – A resolution from the Town of Warren urging the General Assembly to pass legislation relating to primary election dates
4. C-20-11 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown urging the General Assembly to pass legislation relating to primary election dates
5. C-20-12 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown urging the General Assembly to pass legislation to establishing an Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SCHMITT AND BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
LICENSES
A. HOLIDAY LICENSE:
1. An application for a Holiday License from Shivanand Inc. d/b/a Cumberland Hill Liquors located at 3450 Mendon Road (tabled from March 4, 2020)
Applicant Vishal Modi of 5 Shadowbrook Crossing, East Greenwich was present.
Councilor Schmitt asked when they expect to be open with the new configuration.
Mr. Modi stated that they’ll open once they’ve obtained the all the required approvals and the closing has occurred. Shortly after they’ll close for a week in order to complete the renovations. They’re hoping to open by the mid-April, depending on the development of COVID 19.
Public hearing opened at 7:45p.m.
Public hearing closed at 7:45p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
B. VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE:
1. An application for a first-class victualling house license from DJP Marques Churrasqueira located at 100 Mill Street (tabled from March 4, 2020)
Public hearing opened at 7:46p.m.
Public hearing closed at 7:46p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR GEMSKI, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO TIPS CERTIFICATION, INSURANCE CERTIFICATE, PERMIT TO MAKE SALES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND BUILDING OFFICIAL APPROVAL. VOTE 7/0.
C. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE:
1. An entertainment license from DJP Marques Churrasqueira located at 100 Mill Street (tabled from March 4, 2020)
Public hearing opened at 7:47p.m.
Public hearing closed at 7:48p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS CONTAINED IN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED BY THE MAYOR. VOTE 7/0.
Councilor Schmitt wondered if they should hold off voting on this license considering the current restriction on Entertainment Licenses as a result of the Mayor’s State of Emergency related to COVID 19.
Solicitor Salvatore doesn’t have a problem with them taking action as long as it is subject to the executive order which is all entertainment licenses are revoked.
2. A special event entertainment license from Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Crawley for Food Truck/Concert Nights to be held at Diamond Hill Park on the following dates; May 28th, June 25th, July 23rd, August 27th, October 24th and tentatively November 28th or 29th.
Public hearing opened at 7:51p.m.
Mr. Crawley was present to speak to this application. He noted that some dates may be in jeopardy due to COVID 19.
Discussion ensued regarding field closures.
Public hearing closed at 7:55p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS KINCH & SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO THE MAYOR’S EXECUTIVE ORDER DATED MARCH 16, 2020. VOTE 7/0.
3. A special event entertainment license from Blackstone Valley Garden Club for their annual plant sale to be held the Monastery Gazebo area on May 16, 2020
Public hearing opened at 7:58p.m.
Public hearing closed at 8:00p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO ANY FURTHER EXECUTIVE ORDER. VOTE 7/0.
4. A special event entertainment license from Ellen Beauvais for the Carr Family Reunion to be held at the Monastery on July 18, 2020
Public hearing opened at 7:51p.m.
Public hearing closed at 7:55p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR KINCH, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO ANY FURTHER EXECUTIVE ORDER. VOTE 7/0.
B. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT:
Councilor Schmitt confirmed that the Town licenses expired at the same time as the State licenses.
President Dwyer addressed all three licenses at the same time.
1. An application for a Municipal Mobile Food Establishment permit from Little B’s BBQ LLC
2. An application for a Municipal Mobile Food Establishment permit from DJP Marques Food Truck
3. An application for a Municipal Mobile Food Establishment permit from Oceanside Enterprises II LLC d/b/a Shuck Truck
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending February 29, 2020.
Budget to Actual
B. Check registers for February 29, 2020.
C. A request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve February 2020 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2018 MOTOR VEHICLE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $64.92.
VOTE 7/0.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE TOTAL 2019 REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,270.58. VOTE 7/0.
D. Corona Virus Update
Mayor Mutter clarified how to find information on the town website.
OLD BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
1. #20-05 – An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance relative to landscaping requirements (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)
Councilor Schmitt stated that the Ordinance Sub Committee had heard this in their March 12, 2020 meeting. This issue will not be resolved in the short term. He asked to table until at least the second meeting in April, 2020. Any changes to this ordinance is prospective, and will not change anything already approved.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SHAW AND BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO APRIL 15, 2020. VOTE 7/0.
NEW BUSINES
A. CLAIMS:
Referred to the Solicitor’s Office
B. RESOLUTIONS:
1. R-20-31 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with Woodard & Curran Inc. for the purchase, configuration and implementation of two Dell T5820 Computers and required software for the Sneech Pond Water Treatment Plant for the Town of Cumberland Water Department in an amount not to exceed $27,428.00.
Public hearing opened at 8:13p.m.
President Dwyer explained this was a backup to a current system.
Discussion ensued regarding details in the quote received.
Public hearing closed at 8:17p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS KINCH & SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
2. R-20-32 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey Mutter to enter into a contract with Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc. d/b/a C.H.C.A in an amount not to exceed $22,850.00
Chief of Staff Linda Teel explained this was the first Senior Center project from the CDBG grant, to replace the two oil fired burners. The Building Committee had unanimously voted in favor of the replacement.
Public hearing opened at 8:18p.m.
Discussion ensued regarding the existing oil tanks.
Rep McLaughlin confirmed that R.I.S.E. was involved and offering a $1,500.00 rebate on the cost.
Public hearing closed at 8:22 p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
3. R-20-33 – A resolution authorizing the Finance Director to appropriate the taxes collected from July 1 through August 31, as well as the amount collected in excess of the Collection Rate for the 4th Quarter of the previous tax year to a Revenue Stabilization Fund under the Assigned Fund Balance (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)
Public hearing opened at 8:22p.m.
Mayor Mutter gave the Council an overview of the resolution.
Public hearing closed at 8:27 p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
C. ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE:
1. #20-06 – An ordinance amending the Salaries of the Executive Staff and Other Positions (Presented by The Council President on behalf of the Administration)
Also referred to the Finance Sub Committee.
2. #20-07 – An Ordinance amending the Annual Tax Levy Resolution and Worksheet, Sect. 36-143 of the Code of Ordinances (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)
Also referred to the Finance Sub Committee. Solicitor Morris-Salvatore will provide red-lined copy.
3. #20-08 – An ordinance amending the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland’s General Fund for Fiscal Year 2019-2020 (Presented by the Council President on Behalf of the Administration)
Also referred to the Finance Sub Committee. The public hearing dates for this ordinance will be as follows:
· First hearing: April 6, 2020 @ 6:00p.m., Town Council Chambers
· Finance Sub-Committee meeting: April 13, 2020 @ 6:00p.m., Town Council Chambers
· Second hearing and vote: April 15, 2020 @ 7:30p.m. at the regularly scheduled Council meeting, Town Council Chambers
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Rep McLaughlin thanked everyone for their cooperation with the emergency with the Corona virus. He gave an update regarding supplies for first responders and urged everyone to stay safe.
Councilor Kinch recommended specific web sites for various services residents could take advantage of.
Councilor Bradley noted that some members of the public were not able to scroll down on the Council meeting agenda online.
Councilor Shaw offered support to residents who will be home schooling their children during this time.
President Dwyer directed people to the Lieutenant Governor’s web site for a listing of links for assistance.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY GEMSKI, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:39 P.M. VOTE 7/0
____________________________________
Sandra M. Giovanelli, Town Clerk
FOR A FULL ACCOUNT OF THIS MEETING PLEASE REFER TO THE VIDEO RECORDING ACCESSIBLE ON THE TOWN’S WEBSITE, www.cumberlandri.org.
ADDITIONALLY, THE DVD OF THE ENTIRE MEETING IS AVAILABLE AT THE EDWARD J. HAYDEN LIBRARY.