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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, APRIL 20, 2022 AT 7:30P.M.
CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND
OPEN SESSION
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:30pm
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Via Zoom: President Kinch, Councilors Metivier, Beaulieu, Bradley and Schmitt.
Absent: Councilors Shaw & Magill
Also present — Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Outreach Coordinator Sarah King
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular and Special meetings of April 6, 2022
B. COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-22-19 – A notice from the Department of Environmental Management’s Freshwater Wetlands Program regarding an application of Joseph Lepore of Pascoag requesting permission to alter freshwater wetlands in the Town of Cumberland; application No. 21-0094
2. C-22-20 - A notice from the Department of Environmental Management’s Freshwater Wetlands Program regarding an application of Joseph Lepore of Pascoag requesting permission to alter freshwater wetlands in the Town of Cumberland; application No. 21-0095
3. C-22-21 - Resolution from the Town of Coventry supporting Senate Bill S-2341 and House Bill H-7834
4. C-22-22 – Resolution from the Town of Coventry requesting the General Assembly approve Senate Bill 2295, An Act relating to Waters and Navigation – Inspection of Dams and Reservoirs
5. C-22-23 – Resolution from the Town of Coventry condemning the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
6. C-22-24 – Correspondence from the Town of Hopkinton relating to their objection to HB 6676 relating to Taxation-Levy and Assessment of local taxes
7. C-22-25 – Resolution from the Town of Charlestown in support of House Bill 2022 - H8055, and Act relating to waters and navigation coastal resources management council
C. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT
2. The Ish
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Mayor announced that there is a special meeting on Monday, April 25, 2022 at 6:00pm for the tax levy.
President Kinch asked the Council members to move up R-22-30 from New Business if there was no objection.
4. R-22-30 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to place seven (7) speed bumps along Reservoir Road
Responding to a petition signed by 66 local residents, Officer Bannister and Sarah King gave a Powerpoint presentation showing the results of a traffic calming study for the problem area. The Traffic Management Group had voted to send a favorable recommendation to the Council; all 3 public safety chiefs had indicated that these speed bumps would not have adverse impact on their response times to any emergency.
Several residents spoke; most were in opposition to the seven speed bumps, but all were in favor of some means of significantly improving the situation. Many complained of poor communication with the town and the inability to attend daytime meetings of the Traffic Management Group.
Ryan Kelly, 10 Wysteria Lane
Andrew Hayes, 1 Hayes Drive
Randy Tuomisto, 411 Reservoir Road
Mark Palange, 96 Burnt Swamp Road
John Skawinski, 21 Wisteria Lane
George Gettinger, 5 Evans Street
Chelsea Chmura, 11 Wysteria Lane
Russell Klowan, 15 Reservoir Road,
Donna Palange, 96 Burnt Swamp Road
Tom Concilio, 40 Jasons Grant Drive
Randy Tuomisto, 411 Reservoir Road
Brianna Kelly, 10 Wisteria Lane
Ed Kostka, 66 Torrey Road
Mike Milano, 4 Evans Street
Ted Vecchio, 584 Bound Road, Woonsocket speaking for his parents on 42 Rhodes Street.
Of particular concern was how seven speed bumps might impact emergency response times, police presence, illegal parking, ticketing.
Discussion ensued with the Council. It was determined that they would table for two weeks to further research the areas of concern.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS VOTED TO TABLE TO MAY 4, 2022. VOTE 4/1.
Nay: Councilor Bradley
The Council took a five-minute recess.
LICENSES
A. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
1. An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Brian Andrade for a Boys and Girls Club Northern Rhode Island Flag Football Tournament to be held at Diamond Hill Park on July 23, 2022 and July 24, 2022 (tabled from March 16, 2022)
The applicant was unable to be present this evening.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MAY 4, 2022. VOTE 5/0.
2. Revised application for a Special Event Entertainment License from Rob McCoy Jr. of McCoy Fit Challenge for an Ultra-Trail Race on October 22, 2022 at the Monastery instead of October 21, 2022 as approved on April 6, 2022
Pending insurance certificate, lease agreement, state promoter’s permit, building if applicable, EMS, fire and police.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
3. An application for a Special Event Entertainment License from Dennis Wilson of the New England Mountain Bike Association, Rhode Island Chapter for the RINEMBA Fun Ride at Diamond Hill on May 15, 2022
Pending police approval.
Applicant Dennis Wilson, 160 Bradford Road, Westerly was present to answer any questions the Council might have.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary
There were none
B. A request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve March 2022 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE TOTAL 2005-2021 REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,089.17. VOTE 5/0.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2021 TANGIBLE ABATEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $58.90. VOTE 5/0.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2021 MOTOR VEHICLE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $38.89. VOTE 5/0.
C. Update from the School Committee
Dennis Collins, 5 Wedgewood Drive reported on the following items:
· Construction at Cumberland Hill School is on schedule; members of the Council are welcome to take a tour.
· Cumberland High School Class of 2022 – Valedictorian and salutatorian will be Kaitlyln Vitkin and Paul Barlow, respectively. Graduation will be held on June 10, 2022.
· Free and reduced school lunch program will be ending on June 30, 2022. There are matching funds from the state, there is a strong encouragement to families to apply. Applications are confidential.
· April is Sexual Assault Awareness month – student alumnae Sarah Leduc raised money last year for Day One Rape Crisis Center. She is again raising funds, and anyone who is interested can go to her GoFundMe page.
· Re: Overcrowding in the district, particularly at CMS and Community Schools. The School Committee is looking at redistricting to relieve the overcrowding at these two schools.
D. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending March 31, 2022.
Budget to Actual
E. Check registers for March 31, 2022
F. Department Reports
3. Library
Quarterly Department Reports
3. Public Works
5. Office of Children, Youth, and Learning
OLD BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING
1. #22-08 – An ordinance relating to the appointment of liaisons to Boards, Committees and Community Groups (presented by Council President Kinch)
Public hearing opened at 9:26pm.
Councilor Schmitt stated that the Ordinance Sub-Committee had reviewed this earlier this evening, felt it was self-explanatory and was recommending passage to the Council on a vote of 3-0.
Public hearing closed at 9:27pm.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 5/0.
2. #22-09A – An Ordinance relating to the appointment of ex officio members of the Parks & Recreation Commission (presented by Council President Kinch)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #22-09A IN PLACE OF #22-09. VOTE 5/0.
Public hearing opened at 9:28pm.
Councilor Schmitt stated that the Ordinance Sub-Committee had voted 3-0 to recommend passage to the Council.
President Kinch referenced an email in opposition from Deborah Vine Smith to be put in the record.
Public hearing closed at 9:29pm.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE #22-0-9A AS AMENDED, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 5/0.
3. #22-10 – An Ordinance amending the General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2021-2022 (presented by the
Council President on behalf of the Administration)
President Kinch advised the budget amendments need to be tabled to a special Council meeting on April 25, 2022 at
6:00 pm
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO APRIL 25, 2022 AT 6:00 PM IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS, BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 5/0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. RESOLUTIONS
1. R-22-27 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase a trailer for Cumberland EMS from Wright trailers in an amount not to exceed twenty-one thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars ($21,225)
Mayor Mutter stated that this trailer is to be utilized as a vaccination and mobile treatment unit for community outreach and special events. It will be funded from the EMS donations fund which has a current balance of $33,083.30.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
2. R-22-28 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with Turfscape LLC in an amount not to exceed six thousand four hundred dollars ($6,400.00)
Mayor Mutter advised that this is the final piece of the senior center renovation project, funded from the capital projects fund. There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony in the near future.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SCHMITT & METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
3. R-22-29 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with East Coast construction for tree planting at Heritage Park in an amount not to exceed twenty-three thousand four-hundred and fifty dollars ($23,450)
Mayor Mutter reminded the Council of their previous approved for tree removal at Heritage Park. Part of that project, in coordination with DEM, was to replant 24 native specimen trees by the end of May to replace the invasive trees that were removed.
Planning Director Jonathan Stevens spoke to the conservation management plan created for Heritage Park; the Council Planting Project for Heritage Park, and the planting 19 new trees. Five red maples will be utilized from the Tree Council grant.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
4. R-22-30 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to place seven (7) speed bumps
along Reservoir Road (heard earlier)
5. R-22-31 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase sensory play equipment for Epheta Park from M.E. O’Brien and Sons in an amount not to exceed twenty-six thousand eight-hundred and twenty-two dollars and seventy-five cents ($26,822.75)
Mr. Stevens referenced the conservation plan for Epheta Park approved by the Council in 2017. Funds from the original grant from DEM had not been sufficient to include this play equipment. With assistance from Outreach Coordinator Sarah King they were able to find this equipment through this vendor who is a state approved member of the purchasing cooperative group.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
President Kinch asked Town Clerk Giovanelli to enter a letter objecting to speed bumps from Mr. & Mrs. Phoenix into the record.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 9:45PM. VOTE 5/0.
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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.