MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2022 AT 7:30P.M.

CUMBERLAND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, 1379 DIAMOND HILL ROAD, CUMBERLAND
VIRTUAL - OPEN SESSION

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting was called to order at 7:54pm 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 Salvatore; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Water Superintendent Romeo Mendes; EMS Director John Pliakas

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of October 5, 2022

 

B.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-22-43 – Abutters notice – City of Pawtucket to City of Attleboro Conservation Commission

C.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE    

      1.  Matilda

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

There were none.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS   

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

 

B.  Update from the School Committee

Denis Collins reported that the assistant superintendent Mr. DiManna had announced that they were starting to implement the standard based grading system changes, a 2-3 year roll out. They are also studying the impact of the multi-language learner population surge, up over 40% over the last few years. RICAS scores releasing in mid-November will show the post pandemic influence.

Regarding facilities: three new energy efficient boilers are in at Cumberland High School; Cumberland Hill’s cafeteria will be ready in early November; busing is overall on time coming and going to school.

 

C.  Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending September 30, 2022

 

D.  Check registers for September 30, 2022

 

E.  Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve September 2022 abatements and supplemental bills

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS MAGILL & BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE TOTAL 2022 REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTAL BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,573.43. VOTE 7/0.

 

F.  Discussion regarding the creation of a building committee for the Amaral Building, 16 Mills Street

Mayor Mutter reminded the council they had received a CBDG grant to repair the building. The DPW Director will be a voting member on the committee, there will be a member from the Mayor’s office; two members appointed by the Mayor’s office, and two from the Council. The Administration will advertise for people to submit their names and a letter of interest to fill the two Council appointments.

 

G.  Department Reports

      1.  Animal Control

      2.  Building Official

      3.  Library

      4.  Parks & Recreation

      5.  Planning Board

      6.  Police Department

      7.  Senior Services

      8.  Town Clerk’s Office

 

H.   Quarterly Reports

1.  Solicitor’s Office
2.  Public Works
3.  Water Department
4.  Office of Children, Youth and Learning

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING    

1.  #22-13A – 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 7, Lot 0237 (last tabled from September 21, 2022)

 

Petitioner requested the matter be tabled to November 2, 2022

 

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

 

2.   #22-21 – An ordinance establishing and implementing a program of tax stabilization for the redevelopment of the Ann & Hope Mill, located at 100 Ann & Hope Way, and improvements thereupon, and the operation and maintenance of residential, commercial, retail or office users thereupon. (last tabled from September 21, 2022)

 

Mayor Mutter asked to table for a couple of months.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO DECEMBER 21, 2022.  VOTE 7/0.

 

 

3.  #22-26 – An ordinance relating to Yard Sales (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration) (tabled from September 7, 2022)

 

Councilor Schmitt asked to refer this back to the Ordinance Sub Committee and the Council meeting on November 16, 2022.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILORS SHAW & MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO NOVEMBER 16, 2022.  VOTE 7/0.

 

4.  #22-28 – An ordinance relating to Parking Violations and Associated Fines (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

 

Public hearing opened at 8:08pm.

 

Councilor Schmitt reported that the Ordinance Sub Committee voted 2-0 for favorable recommendation to the Council.

 

Solicitor Morris-Salvatore spoke to revisions made to clarify the language.

 

Public hearing closed at 8:11pm.

 

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

 

5.  22-29 – An ordinance relating to Animal Control pecuniary penalties (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Public hearing opened at 8:12pm.

 

Councilor Schmitt reported that the Animal Control officer had brought this to their attention. This brings the Cumberland fines in compliance with state law.  The OSC voted 2-0 for favorable recommendation to the Council.

 

Public hearing closed at 8:13pm.

 

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

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  CLAIMS

     1.  Gregory Degnan

Referred to the Solicitor’s office.

 

B.  RESOLUTIONS

      1.  R-22-85 – A resolution recognizing October 2022 as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in the Town of Cumberland

 

Sarah King stated that it was important to keep this conversation going; domestic violence is on the rise.

Incidences in Cumberland are increasing since the pandemic and she wants the public to know that the police and mayor’s office are working on this year-round.

 

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

 

2.  R-22-86 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Blackstone Valley Advocacy Center for a Domestic and Sexual Violence Law Enforcement Advocate in an amount not to exceed Sixty-Five Thousand Dollars ($65,000) for one year

 

Ms. King stated that prior to the Covid 19 pandemic, Pawtucket had their own law enforcement advocate; Lincoln, Cumberland and Central Falls shared one. The initiative was funded through the Victims of violent crimes act of the federal government.

 

One advocate was cut through post pandemic budget cuts, and the four municipalities now share one advocate. The Cumberland Police department stressed the importance of this position bridging a gap and had asked if we could use ARPRA money to fund this position.

 

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

 

3.  R-22-87 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Narragansett Improvement Company in an amount not to exceed Twenty-Four thousand nine hundred dollars ($24,900) for the two-inch Mill and Overlay on Mendon Road

 

Water Superintendent Romeo Mendes was present to explain the resolution.

 

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

 

4.  R-22-88 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with Dome Construction in an amount not to exceed Seventeen Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($17,500.00) for a shingle roof replacement at the Water Department Administrative Offices.

 

Requested to table for two weeks.

 

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

 

5.  R-22-89 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Tower Construction for Diamond Hill Park Pond Improvements in an amount not to exceed two hundred and forty-four thousand ($244,000) dollars

 

Brian Mahoney, project engineer from Pare Corporation, 8 Blackstone Valley Place, Lincoln was present via Zoom and explained this final phase of the project.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, SUBJECT TO PARE’S APPROVAL OF THE SIGNED DOCUMENTS AS NECESSARY.  VOTE 7/0.

 

6.  R-22-90 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey Mutter to enter into a contract with Cyber Communications Inc in an amount not to exceed two hundred fifty-three thousand four and 10/100 dollars ($253,004.10)

 

Todd Postler, project manager from Cyber Communications was present to explain the project. Chief Pliakas spoke as well, saying this would address coverage issues in dead spots for both mobile and portable radios.

 

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

 

7.  R-22-91 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey Mutter to enter into a contract with Motorola Solutions in an amount not to exceed one hundred eighty-seven thousand three hundred and twenty-eight dollars ($187,328.00)

Mr. Possler stated that essentially this is the same system as in the previous resolution; some of the product goes through Motorola and they require a purchase order.

 

This project is coming out of ARPRA money, as is the previous resolution.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS  

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:53PM. 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.