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| Michael L. Kinch, At-Large | |
| Council President | |
| James K. Metivier, District 1 | Scott R. Schmitt, District 4 |
| Council Member | Council President, Pro Tem |
| Timothy C. Magill Jr., District 2 | Robert G. Shaw, Jr., District 5 |
| Council Member | Council Member |
| Lisa A. Beaulieu, District 3 | Peter J. Bradley, At-Large |
| Council Member | Council Member |
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2024, at 7:30 P.M.
CUMBERLAND PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING, COMMUNITY ROOM
1379 DIAMOND HILL ROAD, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND
CALL TO ORDER 
The regular meeting was called to order at 7:31pm with a roll call of members.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Members person: President Kinch, Councilors Shaw, Magill, Metivier, Beaulieu, and Schmitt.
Arrived late: Councilor Bradley arrived at 7:34pm
Also present: Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter; Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah F. King; Town Solicitor Kelley Morris Salvatore; Town Clerk Sandra M. Giovanelli; Acting Finance Director Melinda Brouillard; DPW Director Joseph Duarte
Via Zoom: Tax Assessor Albert Wylie
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Shaw thanked the Mayor for coordinating a meeting at Cumberland Hill Elementary School this week with the superintendent and school principal. The reviewed changes to the process for early dismissal and looked at potential areas for improvements.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and the Regular Meetings of March 6, 2024.
B. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE
1. Anna’s Vesuviano
2. W’s Mobile Wood Fired Pizza
3. Berrysweets
4. Twisted T’s
C. COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-24-13 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown in support of Amendments to RIGL 45-24-38
2. C-24-14 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown in opposition to any revival of the Old Saybrook to Kenyon bypass
3. C-24-15 – A resolution from the Town of Warren in opposition to H 7983
4. C-24-16 – A resolution from the Town of Tiverton in support of fully funding State Aid to libraries to the full twenty-five (25%) percent level
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, 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
B. Update from the School Committee
Denis Collins reported:
· Enrollment continues to rise – the number is now 5,107 - up 17 students since the last report.
· Budget season has begun. The first school committee budget meeting is being held is tomorrow, March 21, 2024.
· The school committee passed Redistricting Plan #1 by a vote of 5-2; students currently in Lippett Estates will now be attending Garvin School beginning next year. As a result of that vote, kindergarten registration was on hold until that vote was taken but has since been opened as of Friday morning.
· School Construction – the Ashton School project is ongoing and on schedule.
· A professional development day for teachers will be held on April 2, 2024; there will be no school that day for students.
C. State of the Farm Address by the Friends of Franklin Farm
Farm president Rob Mudge and Board members Rick Beaulieu and Bob Tamburro were present to give the presentation.
Bob Tamburro spoke about the continuing mission of the Farm. They have received grants for working on the long barn.
Rick Beaulieu spoke to current work on the second phase of restoration of the farmhouse. Garden season with the farm’s community garden kicks off on April 20, 2024 with the cleanup day. The garden is the center of activity at the farm.
Will Enesvedt stated that the vision of the association is to preserve the farmhouse, the barn complex and the entire resource for future generations. Planning for the annual harvest festival and tractor show is already underway, which will be held this year on September 28, 2024. The 2024 educational season for children is shaping up well. The Farm will continue working with all northern Rhode Island food pantries.
D. Presentation by the Charter Review Commission
Commission chair Rick Beaulieu stated that the intent of the Charter Review Commission was to suggest Charter changes that were in the best interests of the town residents. He outlined their process and gave a brief overview of their suggestions.
Mr. Beaulieu and Solicitor Morris-Salvatore responded to questions from the Council.
The Council plans to hold a joint meeting/workshop with the Charter Review Commission on Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 6:00pm.
E. Discussion regarding a periodic review of all ordinances
Councilor Schmitt stated that the code requires a review of ordinances every ten years, which has not happened. He would like to send the applicable code to the Council and refer the matter to the Ordinance Sub-Committee to determine how best to proceed. President Kinch referred the item to the Ordinance Sub-Committee.
F. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending February 29, 2024
There were no questions from the Council.
G. Check registers for February 29, 2024
There were no questions from the Council.
H. Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve February 2024 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SHAW & MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2023 TANGIBLE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF
$386.16. VOTE 7/0.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE 2023 TANGIBLE SUPPLEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $8,556.05. VOTE 7/0.
H. Department Reports
4. EMS
5. Library
7. Planning & Community Development
LICENSES
HOLIDAY LICENSE:
1. 3 B Thrift Shop LLC, 130 Broad Street
2. Body Mechanics Inc., d/b/a Providence Pilates Center, 2364 Diamond Hill Road
3. Diana Velez Beauty Salon Inc., 6-8-10 Chamber Street
4. Iqbal & Sons Inc. d/b/a Cumberland Sunoco, 2093 Diamond Hill Road
5. Shubhlakshmi Corporation, d/b/a Paul’s Fine Wine & Spirits, 132 Mendon Road
6. SROA 95 Industrial RI LLC d/b/a Storage Rentals of America, 95 Industrial Road
7. Walgreens Eastern Co. d/b/a Walgreens #19263, 2136 Mendon Road
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
JUNK AND SECONDHAND GOODS DEALER
1. Centennial Leasing & Operating LLC, d/b/a Anthony Desmarais, 187 Dexter Street
2. Moulton Enterprises Inc., d/b/a Dead Jeep, 120 Ralco Way
3. 3 B Thrift Shop LLC, 130 Broad Street
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SHAW & METIVIER, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
KENNEL LICENSE
1. Lisa & Ed Ritchie, d/b/a Pinebrook Farms, 21 Deerbrook Way
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
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 had not heard this; but will hear it at their next meeting on April 3, 2024 at 6:30pm
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SCHMITT, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO APRIL 3, 2024. VOTE 7/0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. APPOINTMENTS
1. Paul Cox, replacing George Gettinger’s term to expire January 31, 2027
Correcting original appointment approved on March 6, 2024 listing the incorrect expiration date of 2026 instead of 2027
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
B. CLAIMS
Referred to the solicitor’s officer.
2. Fabian Duran
Referred to the Finance Sub Committee
Referred to the Finance Sub Committee
C. RESOLUTIONS
1. R-24-26 – A resolution authorizing change order #2 to Northern Landscape in an amount not to exceed four thousand six hundred dollars ($4,600) for additional services related to the Onsite Wastewater Treatment System at the Cumberland Highway Garage.
DPW Director Joe Duarte related that this is for the Pascale Property – this change order is for the 2 feet of unsuitable soils found at the bottom of the septic system by the DEM. The require the soil be removed.
Councilor Bradley discussed details with Mr. Duarte.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/1.
Nay: Councilor Bradley
2. R-24-27 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase one 2024 Ford F-450 Chassis 4x4 SD regular cab and three (3) 2024 Ford F-550 Chassis 4x4 SD regular cabs from Minuteman Trucks for the Cumberland Highway Department in the amount not to exceed four hundred and fifty-six thousand nine hundred and forty-two dollars and seventy-five cents ($456,942.75)
DPW Director Joe Duarte gave an overview of these vehicles and responded to questions from the Council.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 6/1.
Nay: Councilor Bradley
3. R-24-28 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to sell and/or assign tax title for the property located at 6 Cross Road, also identified as Assessor’s Plat 64, Lot 91 to Craig Emerson.
Solicitor Morris Salvatore explained that the town is authorized to sell property they have an interest in through tax sale. She referred this to the tax assessor.
Tax Assessor Al Wylie was available via Zoom and clarified the details of the property and the potential transaction.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
D. ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE
1. #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)
Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee
2. #24-05 – An ordinance relating to the Department of Recreation (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)
Referred to the Ordinance Sub-Committee
PUBLIC COMMENTS
There were none.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:58PM. 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.