MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2023, at 7:30 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 7:35pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

 

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

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Kinch asked for a moment of silence for Sara Laboissonniere, victim of a tragic and senseless accident.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of February 1, 2023

B.  COMMUNICATIONS     

 

1.  C-23-04 – A communication from Robinson + Cole regarding Transmission Line Asset Condition Refurbishment Project 

2.  C-23-05 – A resolution from the Town of Foster Council urging rejection of changes to the RI Enabling Act as proposed by the RI House of Representatives Land Use Commission dated November 10, 2022

 

3.  C-23-06 – A resolution from the Town of Tiverton seeking General Assembly Authority to License Short-Term rental (STR) by Municipalities Resolution 2023-0001

     

C.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT

         1.  Blount Fine Foods  

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, 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 to report.

 

B.     Update from the School Committee

 

Town Clerk Sandra Giovanelli informed the Council that School Committee member Denis Collins had asked her to relay that he had nothing to report at this meeting but will be present with an update at the next meeting on March 1, 2023.

 

     C.  Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending January 31, 2023

 

     D.  Check registers for January 31, 2023

 

     E.  Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve January 2023 abatements and supplemental bills

      There were no abatements or supplementals for the month of January 2023

 

     F.  Department Reports

           1.  Animal Control

           2.  Building Committees

           3.  Building Official

           4.  Library

           5.  Parks & Recreation

           6.  Planning Board

           7.  Police Department

           8.  Senior Services

           9.  Town Clerk’s Office

 

LICENSES

A.  HOLIDAY LICENSE

      1.  ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.   An application for a special event entertainment license from Cumberland Parks & Recreation for 2023 Food Truck and Music in the Park events at Diamond Hill Park on April 27, May 25, June 22 with a rain date of June 29, July 27, August 24 with rain date of August 31, and tentative dates of September 23, 28 & 30 and October 13 & 14

 

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

 

B.  PRIVATE DETECTIVE

          1.  An application for a Private Detective License from Kevin Porter  

Mr. Porter was present via Zoom to answer any questions the Council might have.

 

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

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING   

1.  #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 (tabled from January 18, 2023)

 

This ordinance was withdrawn.

 

2.  #22-32 – An ordinance naming the driveway between Town Hall and 16 Mill Street (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration) (tabled from December 21, 2022)

 

Public hearing opened at 7:43pm

 

Mayor Mutter named five town sergeants who had worked for the Town in the last 82 years. Current town sergeant Ray Lane has held the position for 22 years. The council chambers were named for the previous town sergeant, Moe Bonner, who had also held the position for over 20 years. The Mayor wanted to recognize Mr. Lane’s ongoing service. He joked about Mr. Lane occasionally taking the Mayor’s parking spot in the lane behind Town Hall, and is asking the Council to approve the naming of that lane to “Ray Lane” and the providing of signage.

 

Thanking the Mayor and Council, Mr. Lane stated that he has enjoyed every minute of his 22 years in service.

 

Councilor Schmitt reported that the Ordinance Sub Committee had recommended full passage to the Council.

 

Public hearing closed at 7:51pm.

 

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

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.  RESOLUTIONS

1.  R-23-13 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffry J. Mutter to purchase a 2021 Ford F-150 XL 4WD Crew Cab 145” from Colonial Municipal Group for Cumberland Animal Control in an amount not to exceed thirty-seven thousand seven hundred and eight dollars and ninety cents ($37,708.90)

 

Mayor Mutter gave an overview of the resolution. Discussion ensued regarding repurposing Animal Control’s existing Ford Escape, outfitting the truck and the potential for repurposing it within the town in the future.

 

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

Nay: Councilor Bradley

 

      2.  R-23-14 – A resolution establishing a Charter Review Commission

 

The Council discussed the timing involved in reviewing the charter, the potential of holding a special election as opposed to waiting for the 2024 election, and the formation of a Charter Review committee.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MARCH 15, 2023. VOTE 7/0.

 

3.  R-23-15 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to execute a lease agreement with Club Juventude Lusitana, Inc. for a period of three (3) years.

 

The Mayor reported this was a continuation of an agreement with the Club for the rental of the entire parking lot across the street from Town Hall.  Signage, lot maintenance and repair was discussed.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/0.

Recused: Councilor Metivier

 

B.  APPOINTMENTS

     BUILDING OFFICIAL

     John Hoyle, Building Official

 

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

 

     ALTERNATE BUILDING OFFICIAL

     Lawrence Enright, Alternate Building Official

 

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

 

     PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION  

1.      Kristina Mayer, replacing Cheryl Gray; term to expire December 31, 2024

 

2.      Michael Hutchison, replacing Daniel Stevenson; term to expire December 31, 2024

 

Both applicants introduced themselves on Zoom.

 

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

 

     SMALL BUSINESS GRANT REVIEW
     1. To be announced.

Mayor Mutter stated that the February 6, 2023 had been the application deadline for business grant applications. The consultants charged with verifying compliance of the applications are almost finished with their evaluation. The next step is to establish a three-member committee with one appointment each made by the Town Council, Planning Department and Mayor’s office.

 

After some discussion, President Kinch nominated Councilor Schmitt to represent the Town Council.

 

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

 

Mayor Mutter appointed Marie Sorman from the Economic Development Committee as the Mayoral appointment, and Kevin Perry from the Economic Development Committee as the Planning Department’s appointment.

 

C.  ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION & PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1.  #23-05 – 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 54, Lot 7 and 8.

 

Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee.

 

2.  #23-06 – An ordinance Authorizing the Placement of Stop Signs on Eddy Street in both directions at the intersection of Davis Street (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

 

Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ted Vecchio, Bound Road, Woonsocket, made a point about the resolution for the truck purchase for animal control – he thought it should be policy to make sure a purchased pickup truck is a 250 or 2500 or higher so that it can be repurposed for plowing, towing, etc.

He thanked the Council for pushing through the appointments for the small business grant review and looked forward to seeing the results.

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

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