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| Michael L. Kinch, At-Large | |
| Council President | |
| James K. Metivier, District 1 | Scott R. Schmitt, District 4 |
| Council Member | Council President, Pro Tem |
| Timothy C. Magill Jr., District 2 | Robert G. Shaw, Jr., District 5 |
| Council Member | Council Member |
| Lisa A. Beaulieu, District 3 | Peter J. Bradley, At-Large |
| Council Member | Council Member |
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2021 AT 7:30P.M.
CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND
VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30 pm with a roll call of members
MEMBERS PRESENT:
President Kinch, Councilors Bradley, Magill, Metivier, Beaulieu and Schmitt.
Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Public Works Director Robert Anderson; Planning Director Jonathan Stevens; EMS Chief John Pliakas
MEMBERS ABSENT:
Councilor Shaw
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
President Kinch announced future meetings to discuss the American Rescue Plan Act with Council members acting as the committee to oversee the funds. He asked the Council to check their availability in order to hold two public meetings in January and February so the public could participate.
Mayor Mutter announced that the Town Hall Tree Lighting is taking place Friday, December 3rd at 5pm, and the Memorial Tree Lighting Ceremony is being held at the Monastery Sunday, December 5th at 5pm.
President Kinch announced that the Conservation Commission has 6 active members but is still in need of one more member. The Commission will be taking a more active role in projects in the future.
Councilor Beaulieu asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Councilor Shaw’s mémé.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of November 17, 2021
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Kinch paused for public comments. There were none.
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Mayor’s citations for Fall Ball champions Major B’s baseball team.
Mayor Mutter praised the team. The Mayor and team coaches handed out the citations and trophies to the players.
B. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary. There were none.
C. Albion Town Landfill Site Investigation Report - GZA Geo Environmental, Inc.
Planning Director Jonathan Stevens gave a brief historical synopsis of the project plan and reported that GZA had just completed their site investigation report, a result of test pits and wells and have provided documentation of the contamination.
Public Works Director Robert Anderson outlined the parameters of the location under investigation. The phase 1 site investigation is now done. Phase 2 will be to send the plan to DEM for approval of services.
GZA project manager Nichole Murawski and Todd Greene, P.E. provided maps delineating wetlands in the site area and gave a detailed report of the methods and testing used to identify wetlands and the evaluation of the results.
Seven wetlands were identified, and it was found the original acreage was less than anticipated. Recommendations for institutional controls and (groundwater) environmental land restrictions and post closure monitoring plan of groundwater and soil gas were discussed. Mr. Greene commented that the overall impact is very good, less than anticipated.
The next phase is to submit findings to DEM and negotiate closure options.
Discussion ensued with the Council regarding methods and costs of remediation.
LICENSES
A. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
1. An application for a special event entertainment license from Rob McCoy for Fit Challenge to be held at Diamond Hill Park on April 9, 2022.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO INSURANCE CERTICATE AND SIGNED LEASE AGREEMENT. VOTE 6/0.
2. An application for a special event entertainment license from Chris Nichols for Esc Enduro Bicycle Race to be held at Diamond Hill Park on April 24th and April 25th, 2022.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO INSURANCE CERTICATE AND SIGNED LEASE AGREEMENT. VOTE 6/0.
OLD BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTIONS:
1. R-21-64 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with Active Network, LLC for collections services relating to programming for the Mayor’s Office of Children Youth and Learning (tabled from November 17, 2021)
Solicitor Morris Salvatore noted that at the last meeting it was discussed that a sticking point for this contract was that the credit card company had an automatic renewal for a 3-year contract built into its agreement, which the town does not allow. The Company has since agreed to remove that auto renew clause unless the parties agree to it when it renews.
Mayor Mutter stated that the service had been being used successfully since 2015 and outlined the services provided.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.
2. R-21-69 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter and the Town Council President Michael L. Kinch to execute a collective bargaining agreement with IAFF, AFLO-CIO, Local 2725 (tabled from November 17, 2021)
Mayor Mutter commended all the EMS workers and outlined the details of the contract being presented.
Discussion of those details ensued with the Council.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.
B. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. #21-28 – An ordinance in amendment of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Cumberland, Rhode Island, as amended, amending the Ordinances and map thereof with reference to Cumberland Assessor’s plat 62, Lot 17 (tabled from November 17, 2021)
Public hearing opened at 8:49pm
Councilor Schmitt explained that the proponent and their attorney had a scheduling conflict and had asked to table the matter to December 15th.
Public hearing closed at 8:49pm
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS BEAULIEU AND METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO DECEMBER 15, 2021. VOTE 6/0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTIONS
1. R-21-74 – A resolution in support of the Blackstone River Watershed needs assessment report
President Kinch requested a motion to amend line 51 to read, “The Blackstone River Watershed Council and Blackstone Watershed Collaborative will be hosting a clean-up effort on August 27, 2022”
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS BEAULIEU AND MAGILL, TO AMEND LINE 51 BY ADDING “THE BLACKSTONE RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL AND BLACKSTONE WATERSHED COLLABORATIVE WILL BE HOSTING A CLEAN-UP EFFORT ON AUGUST 27, 2022”. VOTE 6/0.
Resident John Marsland, 6 Valley Stream Drive, President of the Blackstone River Watershed Council and initiator of Friends of the Blackstone, spoke to this resolution for a 20-point, 5-year action plan and asked for the support of the Council.
Stefanie Covino, manager of the Blackstone Watershed Collaborative, gave a presentation on the Watershed and the needs assessment plan.
Councilor Beaulieu verified that they were looking for acknowledgement of the resolution and Council support. Who drives the plans next?
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. VOTE 6/0.
2. R-21-75 – A resolution in support of the Cumberland School Committee resolution SC-R-2021-05 to change RIGL 16-7-40 regarding School Housing Aid bonuses
President Kinch stated he had submitted this resolution on behalf of the School Committee. They would like the general assembly to change RIGL 16-7-40 to allow one more year for projects to start, due to Covid setbacks.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AS AMENDED. VOTE 6/0.
B. APPOINTMENTS
1. ACCOUNTANT
Mayor Mutter asked for Council support.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.
2. OFFICE OF CHILDREN, YOUTH & LEARNING PROGRAMS ASSISTANT
Mayor Mutter stated that Ms. Lemire from OCYL had been hoping to find such a qualified candidate for some time.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.
3. HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
1. Dan Pedro, reappointment, term to expire December 31, 2024
2. Katie McKenzie, reappointment, term to expire December 31, 2024
3. Gary Pelissier, appointment, term to expire December 31, 2024
Per ordinance/charter, no vote was necessary as appointments are made by the Council President.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilor Beaulieu spoke to employment issues for all industries since Covid. People are rethinking their perspectives, and organizations are scrambling to keep employees.
Town Clerk Sandra Giovanelli read an online request from Ted Vecchio asking if there is an update on the Town Council workshops covering how the Covid funds will be allocated. President Kinch commented that he and the Mayor had agreed the Council might be the best committee to oversee that, and they were going to hold two public workshops, hopefully one in January, the second no later than February.
On behalf of the Council, President Kinch also wished all residents who celebrate Hannukah a Happy Hannukah.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 9:19PM, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 6/0
___________________________________
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.