MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M.

VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:49pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

President Kinch, Councilors Bradley, Metivier, Shaw, Magill, Beaulieu and Schmitt.

 

Also present— Mayor Jeffrey Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Parks & Recreation Director Mike Crawley.

 

President Kinch stated that in accordance with Governor’s Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-25 (relaxing the Open Meetings Act requirements) this meeting will be available to the public by video or telephone conference.  All members of the Town Council will be participating remotely. Members of the public can listen and/or participate by clicking on the link posted on the agenda, or by calling any of the numbers listed on the agenda. This meeting will also be livestreamed on Clerk base by clicking on the link on the town website.

 

Comments can be emailed to publiccomments@cumberlandri.org including your name, address, and statement. Only comments including all required information will be read into the record.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

UNANIMOUS CONSENT ITEMS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 3, 2021, and the special joint meeting with the School Committee of February 8, 2021.

 

B.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-21-03 – A resolution from the town of North Providence requesting the Governor and the General Assembly to lift restrictions on small business due to COVID-19

 

2.  C-21-04 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown requesting support of 2021 -H5113, An Act relating miniature Alcoholic Beverage Container Deposit Recycling

 

3.  C-21-05 – Notice of Intent and Siting Report relative to The Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a National Grid J16S 115 kV Transmission Line Thermal Upgrade Project, Cumberland, Rhode Island.

 

4.  C-21-06 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown requesting support of 2021 -H5280 and S 0106, Acts Relating to Health and Safety – Beverage Container Deposit and Recycling Act of 2021

 

C.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT PERMIT:  

      1.   An application for a Municipal Mobile Food Establishment permit from Supa Dupa Food Truck

 

      2.   An application for a Municipal Mobile Food Establishment permit from La Guaguita Del Saber

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT TO MOVE ITEM B3, C-21-05 FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA, FOR QUESTIONS.

 

Councilor Schmitt clarified with solicitor Morris-Salvatore that this notification is typical when National Grid upgrades a line. The solicitor stated that the company would be happy to come and speak to the Council if desired. Councilor Schmitt said he was satisfied to have DPW Director Bob Anderson handle any questions.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Kinch paused for public comments. There were none.

 

LICENSES

A.  HOLIDAY LICENSE 

1.   An application for a Holiday License from RPC Inc d/b/a Rumford Pet Express located at 2000 Mendon Road, Suite 5

 

Everything was in order for this license.

 

Michael Baker, Rumford Pet Express, was present to thank the Council for hearing the license.

 

Councilor Beaulieu welcomed them to the town.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

A.  Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary

 

There were none to report.

 

B.  Franklin Farm Association’s Annual Update

 

Julie Guerin, secretary of Franklin Farm, addressed the Council and described the challenges and successes at the farm this past year. Their committee had formed a fundraiser, “Squash Hunger” to raise money in the community; and were able to turn over $20,000.00 in donations to the RI Food Bank. 

 

Member Chip Thurlow spoke to working with URI to distribute Burpee seeds through approved protocols for seed distribution in conjunction with the Department of  Health. Over 3,300 seed packets were distributed to over 125 families in Northern RI. The Community garden distributed over 40,000 lbs. of vegetables both to the RI Community Food bank and to local food banks. Mr. Thurlow stated that their garden is the largest volunteer-based community garden in the state.

 

Denise Mudge, in charge of education programs, said that with the assistance of teachers and using safety protocols they were able to extend their normal six week half day programs to fourteen weeks of half day programs for children during COVID.

 

President Pam Thurlow spoke about the concern over the stability of the barn. Steve Tyson, architectural preservationist, was able to brace the bulging wall. The Association has hired an historic architect in town who will complete a full-fledged master plan for the barn. The Association has also recently submitted a grant to the Champlin foundation to replace 16 additional windows to complete the exterior renovation of the house. A future second phase will include electrical, plumbing and heating renovations.

 

In response to Councilor Beaulieu asking if the programs might expand going forward, Mr. Thurlow stated they hoped to expand the growing space, and also hoped to retain all their volunteers. Ms. Mudge explained how they are expanding their school programs, introducing plein air art classes, and getting guest speakers for adult programs.

 

C.  Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending January 31, 2021.

          

       Budget to Actual

 

D.  Check registers for December 1 through January 31, 2021.

                          

Mayor Mutter spoke to points on the finance report and the draft audit for 2020.

 

E.  A request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve December 2020 abatements and supplemental bills

 

President Kinch read the individual totals:

 

TOTAL 2020 REAL ESTATE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $34,151.77. 

 

TOTAL 2020 MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLEMENTALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $96.89.

 

Councilor Schmitt discussed the abatement for National Grid with Assessor Albert Wylie. Schmitt asked if the Tax Board of Review meeting minutes could be reviewed before voting on this particular item.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLEMENTALS AND THE REAL ESTATE ABATEMENTS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE $30,521.65 TO NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC, SUBJECT TO REVIEWING THE TAX BOARD OF REVIEW MINUTES, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.   

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING:

1.  #20-26 – An ordinance in amendment of the Comprehensive Community Plan for property located at Ann & Hope Way, Plat 11, Lots 66, 67, 68, 159, 181, 182, and 187, and Plat 12, Lot 17

 

President Kinch stated that the petitioner will be submitting a revised proposal. No motion will be necessary, and a new public hearing will be advertised.

 

2.  #20-27 – An ordinance to amend the Town of Cumberland Code of Ordinances, “Zoning” and the Zoning Map with reference to Assessor’s Plat’s 11, Lots 66, 67, 68, 159, 181, 182, and 187, and Plat 12: Lot 17 (Ann & Hope Way) from Indutrial-1 (I-1) to Commercial-1 (C-1)

 

The petitioner will submit a revised proposal for this topic as well and advertise a new public hearing. No motion required.

 

3.  #21-04 – An ordinance amending the employee handbook relating to severance (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Councilor Schmitt stated that this was scheduled to be heard in the Ordinance Sub Committee on February 23, 2021.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO THE MARCH 3, 2021 MEETING, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0. 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  RESOLUTIONS

1.  R-21-09 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase one (1) 2020 Chevrolet Tahoe SUV from Liberty Chevrolet, Inc. in an amount not to exceed Forty-One Thousand, Six Hundred Six and 24/100 Dollars ($41,606.24)

 

Mayor Mutter discussed the funding sources for this vehicle intended for Emergency Medical Services.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 7/0. 

 

2.  R-21-10 – A resolution establishing designated areas on Town-Owned property for Mobile Food Establishment locations

 

Solicitor Morris Salvatore spoke to the history of the Mobile Food Establishment license; this is a follow up to that license requirement to designate parking spots and get bids from food and ice cream trucks to park on town property.

 

Mike Crawley said he had spoken to the Parks and Recreation Commission to make them aware of this resolution. This resolution is consistent with the original ordinance that passed.

 

Discussion ensued about as to occasions that might merit having multiple vendors present and how that might conflict with this resolution and the existing ordinance.

 

The matter was referred to the Ordinance Sub Committee meeting on February 23, 2021 at 6:00 pm.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MARCH 3, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 7/0. 

   

B.  ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION & PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1.  #21-05 – An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map related to Assessor’s Plat 52, Lot 343, located at 48 West Wrentham Road Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee

 

2.  #21-06 – An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances relative to Streets and Sidewalks Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee

 

3.  #21-07 – An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances relative to holding pond development standards Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Councilor Schmitt thanked all the town employees for their outstanding extra effort with COVID vaccines.

 

Mayor Mutter said it has been a tremendous team effort. He directed folks to links on the town home page. As to questions on R-19-94, utilities for animal control were the town’s responsibility.

 

Councilor Beaulieu asked if there was anything Councilors could to help facilitate the vaccination process.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 9:18P.M.  BY A ROLL CALL. 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.