MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5, 2022 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 7:31 pm with a roll call of members

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris
                        Salvatore

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Councilor Magill advised that a new well water testing program is now available for residents. The town water department will provide the bottles and instructions. Residents may return their water samples to the Water Department on the last Tuesday of every month between the hours of 7:00am and 3:00pm or the last Wednesday morning of every month between the hours of 7:00am and 11:00 am., with the completed form and sample bottle. The testing facility will email the results to the residents.

 

UNANIMOUS CONSENT ITEMS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 15, 2021

 

B.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-22-01 – A resolution from the Smithfield School Department supporting the extension of §16-7-40, increased school housing ratio.

 

2.  C-22-02 – A resolution from the North Smithfield School Committee supporting the extension of §16-7-40, increased school housing ratio.

 

3.  C-22-03 – A resolution from the Lincoln Town Council requesting the Governor and General Assembly to increase the frequency of basic police training academy classes

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

President Kinch paused for public comments. There were none.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary.  There were none.

 

B.  Discussion pertaining to the American Rescue Plan Act

 

Robert Zarnetske from the state’s Pandemic Recovery Office gave a detailed overview of the parameters and guidelines of the ARPA grant program and answered several questions from Council members.

 

Resident Deborah Vine Smith commented that she hoped that non-profit religious organizations could be counted in the expenditure of funds as they have provided hope to individuals during the pandemic.

 

7.  OLD BUSINESS

     A.  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 December 15, 2021)

 

Councilor Schmitt noted that the proponent had asked to table this again. The Ordinance Sub-Committee needs to hold another meeting on this topic.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JANUARY 19, 2022, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.  #21-30 – An ordinance relating to Parks & Recreation (Presented by Council President on behalf of the   Administration; tabled from December 15, 2021)

 

Councilor Schmitt asked to table this ordinance to the next Council meeting as well.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JANUARY 19, 2022, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 7/0.

 

8.  NEW BUSINESS 

     A.  RESOLUTIONS

1.  R-22-01 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with the RI Department of Transportation to assume the maintenance of the Diamond Hill Road Roundabouts

 

President Kinch informed the Council that the language of this title had changed since the agenda had been posted and a motion to approve the new language prior to discussing and voting on the resolution.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AMEND THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE “AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT KINCH” AFTER MAYOR JEFFREY J. MUTTER.  VOTE 7/0.

 

Mayor Mutter explained the reasoning behind the resolution. The Town would like to enhance the maintenance of the roundabouts in the best interests of the town.

 

Discussion ensued with the Council. It was determined the administration would speak with the DOT and provide further clarification in the resolution.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO JANUARY 19, 2022.  VOTE 7/0.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1. 22-01 – An ordinance relating to the Department of Emergency Medical Services

 

Councilor Schmitt asked the town clerk to confirm an agenda and meeting at the library for the Ordinance Sub-Committee on Tuesday, January 18, 2022.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ted Vecchio, 584 Bound Road, Woonsocket, inquired about the workshops for the ARPA funds. President Kinch responded that they were not yet set, but he intended to hold one the end of January and one the end of February.

 

Deborah Vine Smith spoke to her concerns about the roundabouts and outlined the details of a handout of recommendations she had provided via email.

 

Ms. Smith also spoke about the well water testing.

 

Mayor Mutter spoke to the deadline for tree ornament removal from the trees at Diamond Hill and stated that any families who want to retrieve their ornaments could do so.

 

   

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:50PM, 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.