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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, 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, JUNE 16, 2021 AT 7:30 P.M.
VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:41pm 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
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Metivier announced the date of the annual feast at the Lusitana Club as June 25th and 26th, 2021.
President Kinch, on behalf of the Cumberland Land Trust, thanked the Highway Department for helping them at the parking lot at Mercy Woods and moving the boulders there, and asked the Mayor to pass that on to acting Highway Director Mr. Vadenais.
UNANIMOUS CONSENT ITEMS
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of June 2, 2021 and the Special Meeting of June 7, 2021
B. COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-21-42 – A resolution from the Town of Exeter in opposition to Senate Bills 2021- S0543 and S-0804
2. C-21-43 – A notice from the RI Department of Environmental Management regarding a request for Water Quality Certification from Blackstone Hydro Associates to update, and continue operations, of a hydropower electric generation facility at the Valley Falls Dam in Central Falls, RI.
C. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Kinch paused for public comments. There were none.
LICENSES
A. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
1. An application for a special event entertainment license from David Newton, Cumberland Land Trust, and RI Natural History Survey for the Rhode Island BioBlitz 2021 being held at Mercy Woods from October 1, 2021 thru October 2, 2021.
Mr. Newton outlined this 24-hour event period comprised of data gathering of flora and fauna by scientists. Data from the event will be shared with the state as part of the Rhode Island Natural History Survey. The town’s management plan for the Monastery property requested that the Land Trust act as a protector of the land through a conservation easement and gather as much information as practical on this land; a similar event was held at the Monastery in 2006. BioBlitz provides a joint manner of going forward. Normally held in the spring, Covid caused the event to be pushed back to fall. Generators will be utilized to create power for microscopes, computers, lighting at night.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS MAGILL & METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE PENDING RECEIPT OF INSURANCE, BY A ROLL CALL.
VOTE 7/0.
2. An application for a special event entertainment license from Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Crawley for the Fourth of July Fireworks being held at Tucker Field on July 3, 2021; rain date July 5th.
Everything was in order for this license.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
3. An application for a special event entertainment license from Maia V. Mata for a Sweet 15th Birthday Party on being held at Diamond Hill Park
Tabled to the July 21, 2021 Council meeting.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JULY 21, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
4. An application for a special event entertainment license from Nellie’s Lounge LLC d/b/a Nellie’s Lounge, located at 433 Broad Street
This was tabled to the July 21, 2021 Council meeting.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
B. JUNK AND SECONDHAND GOODS DEALER
1. An application for a junk and secondhand goods dealer from Dead Jeep located at 120 Ralco Way
The Building Official determined the use is prohibited under the zoning ordinance. The applicant has requested a continuance to allow time to consult with an attorney.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JULY 21, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
C. VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE
1. An application for a fourth-class victualling house license from Broad Street Food and Fuel Inc dba Mendon Express located at 290 Broad St. Cont.
Applicant Umar Ali was present to answer any questions.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE PENDING DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVAL, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
2. An application for a first-class victualling house license from Nellie’s Lounge LLC d/b/a Nellie’s Lounge, located at 433 Broad Street
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JULY 21, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
D. HOLIDAY LICENSE
1. An application for a holiday license from Broad Street Food and Fuel Inc dba Mendon Express located at 290 Broad St
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE PENDING DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH APPROVAL, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary. There were none.
B. An update on the Council Chambers upgrades
Mayor Mutter reported that the chambers floor had been resurfaced. New molding is being applied.
Videographer Art Mello spoke to his quote for adding audio/video components to the chamber to have hybrid meetings, both in person and online. Mr. Mello spoke to equipment upgrades, cost differences between wired microphones vs. wireless, the mobility a secondary camera will afford.
The Mayor spoke to the long-term need for better presentation and sound equipment, with the idea of maintaining the ceremonial and historical aspects of the room and also having greater flexibility outside of formal meetings. He expects to have pricing information available soon on the costs of furniture, and sound/video equipment. A portion of the costs may be covered under Covid funding; he anticipates having a full funding report soon.
Solicitor Kelley Morris-Salvatore advised that the General Assembly may continue to require alternative means of public access to meetings. The stationery camera could also be utilized for some of the Boards and Commissions meetings without requiring the videographer’s attendance.
C. A request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve May 2021 abatements and supplemental bills
President Kinch read the individual totals:
TOTAL 2020/2021 MOTOR VEHICLE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,768.02.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0
TOTAL 2021 MOTOR VEHICLE SUPPLEMENTALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $6.89.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0
TOTAL 2021 REAL ESTATE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,867.88.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0
TOTAL 2021 REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTALS IN THE AMOUNT OF $10,011.21.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0
TOTAL 2021 TANGIBLE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $14,641.14.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0
D. Department Reports
3. Library
7. School Department
Councilor Schmitt thanked Building Official Brad Ward for elaborating on his department report.
No vote was required.
OLD BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING:
1. #21-14 – An ordinance codifying the placement of stop signs at various intersections throughout the Town of Cumberland
Public hearing opened at 8:19pm.
The Ordinance Sub-Committee had not yet held a meeting to hear this; Councilor Schmitt asked to table to July 21, 2021.
Public hearing closed at 8:21pm.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JULY 21, 2021, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. CLAIMS
1. Donna Laird
Referred to the Finance Sub-Committee
Referred to the Finance Sub Committee
B. RESOLUTIONS
1. R-21-41 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey Mutter to enter into an agreement with Marcum Accountants & Advisors to perform the Annual Audit for the Town of Cumberland for Fiscal years ending June 30, 2021, June 30, 2022, and June 30, 2023 for an amount not to exceed $213,000 (two hundred and thirteen thousand dollars)
Mayor Mutter gave an overview of this resolution and his reasons for recommending the Council award the bid to Marcum.
Councilor Schmitt asked the Mayor if the additional hours specified in Marcum’s quote would get the job finished earlier.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 6/1.
Nay: Councilor Bradley
C. ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION & PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE
1. #21-15 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of “No Thru Trucking” Signs on Second and Vivian Avenues (Presented by Councilor Shaw)
Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Councilor Shaw confirmed with the Mayor that it was his understanding that the Manville Hill Bridge will be opening by the end of the month.
There were no comments from the public.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:30P.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.