MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2022 AT 7:30P.M.

CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND OPEN SESSION

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:33pm with a roll call of members   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

 

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Solicitor; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Chief of Police Matthew Benson

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of September 21, 2022.  

 

B.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-22-42 – Notice of appeal of a zoning board decision pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 45-24-69 & 45-24-69.1
                          

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Northern RI Food Pantry Board Members Richard Telesmanick and Pat Papa addressed the Council, stating that as Covid money has dried up more people need help getting food. The Pantry has increased from one to two distributions a month and is looking for new sources of funding. This year Bank of America will fund 600 turkeys and provide 20 volunteers to help with distribution; Washington Trust is also contributing. The Pantry will be asking the Council for $120,000.00 in funds to get through 2024 at the current rate of expansion, hoping that things get better by 2024 and the needs will lessen.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

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

 

     B.  Annual report of the financial and administrative updates as per Section 306(H) of the Charter

           Administrative updates

           Financial Updates

Mayor Mutter gave a basic overview of the report.

 

     C.  Presentation and Discussion of Cumberland Pandemic Recovery (ARPA) Plan

 

Mayor Mutter prefaced the report by saying that the Council does not have to sanction any of the numbers entered on this draft; they are placeholders to see where they may fit in the plan and if they are justifiable. Robert Zarnetske joined the meeting via Zoom and spoke to the requirements of the American Rescue Plan Act. Discussion ensued with the Council.

 

     D.  Municipal Court Annual Report as per Article III-Section 11-29 of the Code of Ordinances

No discussion or vote was required.

 

LICENSES

A.  VICTUALLING LICENSE

1.   An application for a second-class victualling license from Athena Pizzeria d/b/a Athena Pizzeria located at 371 Bound Road

 

Applicant was Chris Pianka, 14 Grants Mill Road, was present.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, PENDING POLICE AND FIRE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING    

1.  #22-05A – An ordinance in amendment of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of Cumberland, Rhode Island, as amended amending the Ordinance and map thereof with reference to Cumberland Assessor’s Plat 016, Lot 0893 (last tabled from August 17, 2022)

 

Petitioner has asked for a continuance. Councilor Schmitt noted that the Ordinance Sub-Committee was still awaiting the Planning Board’s decision.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO DECEMBER 7, 2022.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.  #22-25 – An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map relating to Assessor’s Plat 24, Lots 14 and 409, and Assessor’s Play 25, Lot 22 (Administration)

 

Petitioner asked to table. Councilor Schmitt noted this was also awaiting Planning Board approval.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO NOVEMBER 2, 2022. VOTE 7/0

          

NEW BUSINESS 

A.  RESOLUTIONS

1.  R-22-80 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into three-year contract with Police Detail Tracking System in a total amount not exceeding Sixteen Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($16,200)

 

Police Captain Benson spoke to the benefits of this system.

 

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

 

2.  R-22-81 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase a 2023 Chevrolet Tahoe SSV 4WD for the Cumberland Police Department in an amount not to exceed Fifty-One Thousand Fifty-Eight Dollars and Ninety Cents ($51,058.90)

 

Captain Benson gave his reasons for wanting to add this vehicle to the fleet.

 

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

  

3.  R-22-82 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter and the Cumberland Police Department to collaborate with nonadjacent Rhode Island municipalities and police departments through a statewide mutual aid agreement

 

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

 

4.  R-22-83 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Retrofit Technologies to make security upgrades to the Town’s IT Infrastructure in an amount not to exceed twenty-four thousand nine hundred and thirty dollars ($24,930)

 

Alex McCormick and Joshua Andrews from Retrofit were present via Zoom from Retrofit to explain the updates.

 

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

 

5.  R-22-84 – A resolution authorizing the Transfer of Town-acquired Tax Sale Property to Noso Realty Development LLC with reference to Assessors Plat 053, Lot 1002

 

Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore had drafted this resolution to also act as a template for future transactions of this nature.

Councilor Schmitt asked to add a street name in the future.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 6/1.

Nay: Councilor Bradley

 

10.  ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1.  #22-28 – An ordinance relating to Parking Violations and Associated Fines (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

 

REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

2.  #22-29 – An ordinance relating to Animal Control pecuniary penalties (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

11.  PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

 

12.  ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:34PM. 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.