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| Michael L. Kinch, At-Large | |
| Council President | |
| James K. Metivier, District 1 | Jodi C. Sweet, District 4 |
| Council Member | Council Member |
| Timothy C. Magill, District 2 | Robert G. Shaw, Jr., District 5 |
| Council President, Pro Tem | Council Member |
| Lisa A. Beaulieu, District 3 | Peter J. Bradley, At-Large |
| Council Member | Council Member |
MINUTES THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 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 7:37 o’clock pm.
Council President Michael L. Kinch, Councilors Peter J. Bradley, James K. Metivier, Robert G. Shaw Jr., Timothy C. Magill, Jodi C. Sweet and Councilor Lisa A. Beaulieu – 7.
Also, present were Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Kelley Morris Salvatore, Town Solicitor; Sandra M. Giovanelli, Town Clerk; Melinda Brouillard, Finance Director; Joseph Duarte, Director, Department of Public Works and Amy Vogel, Chairwoman, Cumberland School Committee.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONSENT AGENDA
Acceptance of Minutes of the Special Meetings on December 2 and December 4, 2024, and Regular Meeting of December 4, 2024.
MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENS
2. Newport Chowder Company LLC
3. McGrath Provisions LLC d/b/a A & K’s Food Truck
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA. VOTE 7/0.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-24-26 – DEM Notice regarding Albion Hydro LLC, Assessor’s Plat 33, Lot 431
Councilor Beaulieu questioned the Administration if there was information regarding the non-conformance of that site and asked about modifications.
Solicitor Salvatore will request information from the Planning Director.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE THE FOREGOING COMMUNICATION 24-26 UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2025. VOTE 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Hearing None
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary
No executive Vote(s) reported
B. Update from the School Committee
Amy Vogel, Chairwoman, Cumberland School Committee shared updates to the Council, including the total number of students in the district currently at 5,067. Chairwoman Vogel also shared special announcements from the School Department, sharing that there is a new Director of Volunteers, Cynthia Thorson, and congratulated Senior Accountant of the School Department, Kathleen Scanlon on her Retirement. Chairwoman Vogel also updated the Council that current construction projects are on schedule and mentioned upcoming projects. Chairwoman Vogel shared the RICAST test results, and the Cumberland School Department is meeting and exceeding curriculum requirements. Lastly, Chairwoman Vogel stated the schedule of School Committee meetings for 2025 will be held on the first and third Thursday of the month, with exceptions to July, November and December.
Council President Kinch thanked the Chairwoman of the School Committee.
C. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending November 30, 2024
D. Check registers for November 30, 2024
E. Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve November 2024 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2024 REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $9,328.00. VOTE 7/0.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
4. EMS
5. Library
7. Planning & Community Development
LICENSES
VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE
A transfer application for a First-Class Victualling House License for Restaurante Serra da Estrela, 168 Broad Street.
Council President Kinch noted that the application is in order.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE FOREGOING VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE. VOTE 7/0.
ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
A new application for an entertainment license from Restaurante Serra da Estrela, 168 Broad Street.
Council President Kinch noted that the application is in order.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE FOREGOING ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE.
VOTE 7/0
HOLIDAY SALES LICENSE
Application for a holiday license for JJT Inc. d/b/a Mendon Wine and More, 2170 Mendon Road.
(APPROVAL IS PENDING MASS BCI, RETAIL SALES PERMIT, INSURANCE CERTFICATE AND LETTER OF GOOD STANDING)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE FOREGOING HOLIDAY SALES LICENSE PENDING THE PROPER SUBMISSION OF DOCUMENTS. VOTE 7/0
OLD BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-24-111 – A resolution amending the Town of Cumberland’s Community Recovery Fund Spending Plan. (Tabled from December 4, 2024, Council Meeting)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-111. VOTE 7/0
R-24-112 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to transfer the tax title for 18 Menard Street to Wayne and Dawn Newman. (Tabled from December 4, 2024, Council Meeting)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-112. VOTE 7/0
ORDINANCES for PUBLIC HEARING
#24-29 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of a Stop Sign on Hiller Road at the intersection of Ronald Avenue.
(REFERRED TO ORDINANCE-SUB COMMITTEE)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE ORDINANCE 24-29 UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2025.
VOTE 7/0
#24-30 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of a Stop Sign on Hamilton Street at the intersection of Lonsdale Farm Road.
(REFERRED TO ORDINANCE-SUB COMMITTEE)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE ORDINANCE 24-30 UNTIL JANUARY 15, 2025.
VOTE 7/0
#24-31 – An ordinance amending the Town of Cumberland Sewer Use Maintenance and Operation Fee.
PUBLIC HEARING OPENED AT 8:11 O’CLOCK PM
Chairman of the Finance Committee Shaw stated that Ordinance 24-31 was heard before the Finance Committee and forward this to the Council without recommendation.
Public Works Director Duarte spoke and presented to the Council the Resolution, Study Conducted of the Sewer rate, and Capital Budget. Director Duarte explained the two-year rate increase of sewer use, explaining the operational costs for households. Director Duarte also spoke about replacement of pipes and equipment.
Councilor Beaulieu asked about the structure of rate.
Director Duarte stated there is no debit, all bonds have been repaid.
Mayor Mutter explained the last sewer bond was voted in 1996. Mayor Mutter also explained prerequisites for bonds require a study to be provided. Mayor Mutter also spoke about rate increase without the bond.
Director Duarte also shared and explained a spreadsheet of debt and methodology over the next six to seven years, including the replacement of pipes, pumps and generators. Director Duarte also spoke about rate structures, bond requirements and fund balances according to Bond Advisors.
Councilman Shaw asked if making the sewer an enterprise fund would give the ability to be sourced out and the advantages.
Director Duarte explained the Council can vote for them and they are Revenue Bonds.
Councilman Shaw also spoke about communication of an explanation to residents regarding rate increases.
Council President Kinch asked when the last rate increase had been implemented.
Mayor Mutter explained that a few years ago there was a sewer rate decrease, and explained about debit service expenditure bonds, general obligation bonds and revenue enterprise bonds.
Councilman Shaw asked about the required study needed and the timeline of the enterprise bond.
Mayor Mutter explained this will be soon.
Council President Kinch asked if anyone in the audience or virtually would like to speak on this matter, and seeing none, asked for a motion from the Council.
PUBLIC HEARING CLOSED AT 8:24 O’CLOCK PM
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 24-31 ON A ROLL CALL VOTE - 7/0
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTIONS
R-24-113 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter an agreement with Pare Corporation for Phase II Industrial Road Stormwater Improvements in an amount not to exceed One Hundred and Six Thousand Seven Hundred and Five Dollars ($106,705).
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-113. VOTE 7/0
R-24-114 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to engage R.T. Nunes and Sons Inc. for Industrial Road Stormwater Improvements in an amount not to exceed One Million Two Hundred and Fifty-Five Thousand Three Hundred and Twenty Dollars ($1,255,320).
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-114. VOTE 7/0
R-24 -115 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to authorize payment to ADS Construction in an amount not to exceed Four Hundred and Eighteen Thousand Two Hundred and Forty Dollars ($418,240) for Cumberland Hill Fire Station repairs.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-115. (Councilor Bradley is recorded as Recusing Vote) VOTE 6/0
R-24-116 – A resolution authorizing a change order to the contract with E. W. Burman for repairs at 1512 Mendon Road in a total amount not to exceed Five Thousand Eight Hundred Sixty Dollars ($5,860).
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-116. VOTE 7/0
R-24-117 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter a memorandum of understanding with the RI Department of Public Safety (DPS) to participate in the Statewide Computer Aided Dispatch and Records Management System on behalf of three Townwide Public Safety Entities
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-117. VOTE 7/0
R-24-118 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter an agreement with Blackstone Valley Community Action Program for Community Outreach Programming in an amount not to exceed one hundred and twenty -five thousand dollars ($125,000) over two years.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SHAW AND MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-118. VOTE 7/0
R-24-119 – A resolution establishing a list of authorized contractors to provide On-Call services for Townwide sidewalk improvements.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24-119. VOTE 7/0
ORDINANCES for presentation and permission to advertise
# 24-32 – An ordinance relating to the Department of Recreation (Presented by Councilor Shaw on behalf of the Administration).
(REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE)
#24-33 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of a stop sign on Abbott Street at the intersection of High Street. (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration).
(REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE)
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Council President Kinch wished everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Holiday Season and Happy Hanukkah!
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:58 O’CLOCK PM. VOTE 7/0
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