MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

MONDAY, JUNE 10, 2024, at 6:00 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 6:06pm with a roll call of members.   

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:

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

Absent: Councilors Metivier & Beaulieu

 

Also present—Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.  MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

      1.  Twisted Churros

 

B.  COMMUNICATIONS

1.  C-24-36 – DEM Notice of Freshwater Wetlands Program application from Kevin Joyce, dba K2 LLC for Assessor’s Plat 63, Lot 115

 

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

 

C.  COMMUNICATIONS
     1.  Discussion relating to low-speed vehicles

 

President Kinch spoke to this upcoming legislation regarding special small vehicles having a maximum speed of 25 mph being allowed to drive on both town and state roadways as of July 1, 2024; which would virtually change some sections of our main roads (Nate Whipple Hgihway, Mendon Road, etc.) to 25mph highways. He asked the town solicitor to weigh in on the matter.

 

Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore stated she had not been aware of the pending legislation that had passed the house and was being heard for Senate approval on June 11, 2024.  What this will do is: instead of excepting the allowance of operation on state highways, they would now include the allowance on those roads with a posted speed limit of 35mph or less. Any low-speed vehicle with the capacity to drive greater than 35mph cannot operate on state roads. She doesn’t see any provision that would allow towns/municipalities to prohibit these vehicles from the state roads. At this point it seems that any road with a posted speed limit of 35mph or less will allow these vehicles to operate. Councilor Schmitt spoke about those roads with 40mph sections.

 

Required equipment specifications of these vehicles were discussed.

 

President Kinch asked the solicitor to draft an ordinance and asked the town clerk to invite the Police, EMS and Fire chiefs to be present at the next Council meeting to give their opinions.

 

LICENSES

A.  VICTUALLING LICENSE

1.  An application for a First-Class Victualling House license from JC Sleepy Hollow LLC dba The Dugout located at 7 Cray Street

 

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

 

B. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.  An application for a Special Event Entertainment License from Cumberland Parks and Recreation for the 4th of July Fireworks to be held at Tucker Field on July 3, 2024 (rain date of July 7, 2024).

 

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

 

HAWKER’S LICENSE

1.  An application for a Hawker’s License from New England Novelty dba New England Novelty to be located at Tucker Field, 2600 Mendon Road on July 3, 2024, with a rain date of July 7, 2024.

 

The Town Clerk confirmed that the location was approved by the Parks & Recreation Director and was pending Police and EMS approval.

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS  

There were none.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 6:31PM. VOTE 5/0

 

 

 

_____________________________
             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.