MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024, 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 7:33pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

Absent: Councilor Shaw

 

Also present—Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Outreach Coordinator Sarah F. King; Town Solicitor Kelley
                        Morris Salvatore; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Police Chief Matthew Benson; Water
                        Superintendent Romeo Mendes

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

There were none.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 20, 2024

B.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE       
      1.  Palagi’s 2000 Inc. d/b/a Palagi’s Ice Cream  

 2.  Wally’s Hot Dog Cart.

 3.  Binge Barbecue

 4.  La Quaguita Del Sabor

 5.  Mac ‘n Cheese Please

 

C.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-24-17 – A Resolutions from the Town of Charlestown supporting House Bill 2024-H7462 & H7688 and the companion senate bills

 

2.  C-24-18 – A resolution from the Town of Hopkinton in opposition to any revival of the Old Saybrook to Kenyon Bypass

 

3.  C-24-19 – Resolution from the Town of Hopkinton:

·        Opposing H 7683, S 2361 and S 2372, Legislation relating to taxation – real estate conveyance tax

·        Opposing HB 7681, legislation relating to towns and cities – tax valuation freeze on affordable housing

 

4.  C-24-20 – Resolution from the North Smithfield Public Schools:

·         requesting the General Assembly to pass Healthy School Meals for All legislation and provide free breakfast and lunch to all students; and to

·         Lower the High-Cost Special Education categorical fund to 3% and provide full funding in the future.

 

5.  C-24-21 – Resolution from the Town of Richmond proclaiming April 28 through May 4, 2024 as National Small Business Week

 

6.  C-24-22 – Resolution from the Town of Burrillville in opposition to House Bill 2024 – H 7763 and Senate Bill 2024 – S-2679 Relating to Public Records – Access to Public Records Act

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

There were none.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

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

 

LICENSES

A.  VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE

1.  An application for a Fourth-Class Victualling House License from Shop n Fuel d/b/a Miles Mart located at 1152 Mendon Road

 

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

 

HOLIDAY LICENSE

1.  An application for a Holiday License from Shop n Fuel d/b/a Miles Mart located at 1152 Mendon Road

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.  ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING    

1.   #24-03 – An ordinance relating to the department of Planning and Community Development (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Councilor Schmitt reported that the Ordinance Sub Committee was recommending favorable approval with a vote of 3-0.

 

Mayor Mutter explained the clarification this ordinance provided.

 

Public hearing opened at 7:38pm

 

President Kinch asked if anyone wished to speak in favor or against.

Public hearing closed at 7:40pm

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 5/1.
Nay: Councilor Bradley

 

2.   #24-04 – An ordinance authorizing a “No Parking” Zone on Broad Street in front of B.F. Norton Elementary School from 7:30a.m. to 3:30p.m. on weekdays (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Councilor Schmitt reported that the Ordinance Sub Committee were recommending passage with a vote of 3-0 subject to a clause which indicates that this will be enforced only when school is in session. Parking would be allowed when school is out of session, such as spring break, summer break, whatever times the school may be closed.

 

Public hearing opened at 7:41pm

 

Police Chief Matthew Benson was present and stated that he believed that the signage will help with some of the traffic congestion in that area during school time; there are currently some signs over there as this is a state road, and the state has deemed it worthy to continue the signage.

 

The Council discussed the wording of the signs and a sign size that could accommodate additional language to clarify instruction to drivers.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO AMEND LINE 16 TO ADD “WHILE SCHOOL IS IN SESSION”, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 6/0.

 

President Kinch asked if there were any questions from anyone in the chamber or on Zoom. There were none.

Public hearing closed at 7:46pm

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE AS AMENDED, BY A ROLL CALL.  VOTE 6/0.

 

3.  #24-05 – An ordinance relating to the Department of Recreation (Presented by Councilor Shaw)

Councilor Schmitt stated that Councilor Shaw was not present to speak to this and asked to table until May 1, 2024.  President Kinch asked for a motion to table.

 

Councilor Metivier asked the solicitor – this is one of the suggestions in the upcoming charter change recommendations – why is it on this agenda?

 

The solicitor responded that she would not recommend it be made as a charter change – she believes it should be an ordinance.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS MAGILL & METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MAY 1, 2024.  VOTE 6/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

 

APPOINTMENTS

1.   ADA COORDINATOR

      Rachel Young

Mayor Mutter spoke about this position; funding for the ADA coordinator was previously approved by the Council. Currently it would be a part time position.

 

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

 

2.  SENIOR SERVICES ASSISTANT

     Skyla Vaillant

Ms. Vaillant is filling a vacant position.

 

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

3.   BF NORTON/PUBLIC SCHOOLS RENOVATION BUILDING COMMITTEE     

Discussion and vote to keep existing members of the Public Schools Renovation Building Committee to manage the BF Norton renovations or appoint new members. 

 

A.    Vote to continue with current Public Schools Renovation Building Committee members, or create a new Building Committee.

 

Current PSRBC members:

Council Appointments: Paul Gusmini (completing term for the original scope of appointment.  He doesn’t wish to continue if tasked with BF Norton Project) and Mark Lindgren

Mayoral appointments:   Rick Beaulieu and Amy Penco

                                                  

                School Department appointment:   Mark Fiorillo

 

Mayor Mutter confirmed that all the members other than Mr. Gusmini would like to stay on the Committee.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO CONTINUE WITH THE CURRENT PSRBC MEMBERS, TO ALSO ENCOMPASS BF NORTON.  VOTE 6/0.

B.     Council vote to appoint a replacement to current board to fill Paul Gusmini’s position.

            Interested candidate: Elizabeth Keough

 

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

 

RESOLUTIONS

President Kinch asked to move R-24-32 up first.

4.      R-24-32 – A resolution requesting that the Rhode Island State Traffic Commission complete a traffic study on the feasibility of a crosswalk on Angell Road in the vicinity of Pole #69

Resident Darlene Wood had initiated this resolution and was present to some history on the dangerous crossing area by the church to the Council.

 

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

 

1.  R-24-29 – A resolution accepting the extension of Mohawk Street for maintenance.

 

Solicitor Morris-Salvatore gave an overview of this resolution and responded to questions from the Council.

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

 

2.  R-24-30 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a renewal agreement with OpenGov for software services in an amount not to exceed twenty thousand and forty dollars ($20,040)

 

Mayor Mutter and the Town Clerk gave a brief explanation on how the various departments currently use this software.

 

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

3.   R-24-31 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a per unit agreement with JH Lynch & Sons for the street paving program in an amount not to exceed two-million sixty-four thousand five hundred and fifty-five dollars ($2,064,555)

 

Mayor Mutter reviewed the history behind this resolution. President Kinch asked if there is an updated list of pending streets.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 5/0.

Recused: Councilor Metivier

4.   R-24-32 – A resolution requesting that the Rhode Island State Traffic Commission complete a traffic study on the feasibility of a crosswalk on Angell Road in the vicinity of Pole #69

                       Heard earlier

 

5.  R-24-33 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Weston and Sampson, CMR, Inc. for the replacement of the booster pump motor at the Girard Pump Station for an amount not to exceed Twelve Thousand Two Hundred and Ninety-Five Dollars and Zero Cents ($12,295.00)

 

Mayor Mutter recommended tabling as the water director not present.   

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

 

Water Superintendent Romeo Mendes arrived at the meeting and spoke to the replacement of this vintage 1970 motor. Weston & Sampson is currently working in town at the Manville well field and it would be cost effective to have them replace this pump while they are in town; the pump is critical to keeping the station running. This pump is in the Notre Dame/Heroux Boulevard area; it takes the Manville Well water and boosts it into the system. If the pump fails the town would need to get water from Woonsocket. Plans are also in place to replace the discharge piping, and improve the shell of the building, roof, and driveway of the station in the future.

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

 

6.  R-24-34 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase one DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Drone from Cloud City Drones for the Cumberland Police Department in an amount not to exceed six thousand thirty-three dollars and eighty-six cents ($6,033.86)

 

Police Chief Benson stated that they targeted this model because it’s the same drone manufacturer used by EMS and Fire.

This unit is a newer version with thermal capabilities. The drone pilots can work in tandem and the departments can supplement one another. Two officers have gone to preparatory training, another two will train.

 

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

 

7.   R-24-35 – A resolution adopting the unsynchronized Tax Levy for portions of Fiscal Year 2024 and Fiscal Year 2025

 

Referred to the Finance Sub-Committee.

 

8.   R-24-36 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into an agreement with Retrofit Technologies for Cloud Migration in an amount not to exceed forty-five thousand four hundred and twenty-nine dollars and four cents ($45,429.04) with an ongoing monthly cost of one thousand five hundred and ninety-seven dollars and sixty-five cents ($1,597.65)

 

Retrofit representatives Alex McCormick and Joshua Andrews were present via Zoom to explain the process of updating the servers and the migration to the Cloud.

 

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

 

Water Superintendent Rome Mendes arrived to speak about R-24-33. See previous agenda item for R-24-33.

 

ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1.   #24-06 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of Stop Signs on Ruth Street at the intersection of Branch Street (Presented by Councilor Shaw)

Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee

 

2.  #24-07 – An ordinance amending the zoning ordinance relating to commercial uses (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee

 

3.  #24-08 – An ordinance amending the General Fund Budget for fiscal year 2023-2024 (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Referred to the Finance Sub-Committee

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:21PM. 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.