MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL JOINT MEETING OF THE

CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL AND CUMBERLAND PLANNING BOARD

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2023, at 6:30 P.M.

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

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

 

CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting was called to order at 6:40pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

Also present — Planning Director Jonathan Stevens; Town Planner Glenn Modica; Ken Livingston from FHI Studios from Hartford, CT, Todd Poole from 4WARD Consulting

   

Also present from the Planning Board: Chairman David Coutu, members Harry MacDonald, Maria Vracic, Christopher Butler, Steven D’Ambrosia

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

PUBLIC PRESENTATION

Draft Valley Falls and Lonsdale Economic Revitalization & Social Equity Plan by 4WARD Consulting and FHI Studio

 

Planning Director Jonathan Stevens opened the meeting outlining the various projects currently in progress in town. He noted having received the $100,000.00 grant from RI Commerce Corporation to fund this project wherein the parties making the presentation could develop this plan and presentation.

 

Todd Poole from 4WARD Planning based in Philadelphia and Ken Livingston from FHI Studio in Hartford passed out a printout to accompany the video presentation and gave a running commentary to the presentation. The presentation addressed the properties in question, potential uses, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and branding for individual communities; strategic investments projects; opportunities for adaptive reuse of factory buildings.

 

Members of the Council and the Planning Board made comments on the plan and discussed parking issues, flood plain areas, what other communities have done, market mindset and political will.

 

Mayor Mutter stated that he appreciated the work done by the Planning Board, and the presentation put on by Todd and Ken, and spoke positively to the future.

 

No action was taken at this meeting.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Jim McLaughlin, 15 Garden Street, spoke in general favor of the plans expressed a concern about a lack of consideration for the people who have lived on the side streets all their life, and the risk of losing the historical context of the earlier villages. We don’t want to lose our identity. Other areas in town should be explored.

 

William Kitsilis, 25 Channing Avenue, Providence, owner of Angelo’s Palace Pizza at 133 Mendon Road in Cumberland stated he was excited about how to better improve Valley Falls – two cautionary examples, though – when Ann & Hope rented out their space for their Polar Express, his business was inundated. How do we capture business like that?

We also get business from visitors to Blackstone River Theater. How do we do this without putting a burden on our schools? Suggested going for new residential units before new businesses. What’s going to help us the next three to five years?

 

In response to Mr. McLaughlin’s concerns, Mayor Mutter stated that no one is forgetting about the people who live here or the historical value of the Valley. We want to be a destination.

 

Councilor Bradley added that he understands Rep McLaughlin’s concern. We don’t want to lose our identity as a town – we are not a city.

 

The Planning Board adjourned their meeting.

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:10PM. 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.