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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 OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2025 at 7:30 P.M.
CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND
CALL TO ORDER 
Council President Kinch called the Regular Meeting of the Cumberland Town Council to order at 7:47 PM. Council members Beaulieu and Sweet were absent.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Council President led the Pledge of Allegiance.
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
Councilor Kinch raised concerns about "Get the Lead Out" signs placed throughout town, asking if they were approved.
Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King explained these were part of a Pawtucket Water Supply Board program. She confirmed the program was legitimate and mentioned that the outreach person from the Pawtucket Water Supply Board had been communicating with her about when they would be in town. She noted the signs were authorized.
Councilor Kinch requested that they pick up any signs that were not properly placed on private property.
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of July 16, 2025.
B. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE
1. Baby Duck LLC d/b/a Tacofied
3. Dels Lemonade of Cumberland
4. La Carreta
6. Wiener Wagon
7. Antojitos & Delicias Kamila’s
9. Neuro Brews
C. COMMUNICATIONS
1. C-25-72 – A resolution from the Town of Portsmouth in support of increased funding for the RI Public Transit Authority.
2. C-25-73 – A resolution from the Town of Warren in support of increased funding for the RI Public Transit Authority.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY
VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Patrick Ford, a resident of Esek Hopkins Lane in Cumberland for nearly thirty years, addressed the Council regarding the Lodge at Diamond Hill. He expressed concerns about what he described as a multi-million dollar "fiasco" where the town invested in a private business in competition with private taxpayers. He stated he had submitted two APRA (Access to Public Records Act) requests for information but had received minimal information from the first request and no response to his second request submitted on July 21st.
Mr. Ford supported Councilor Bradley's proposed ordinance requiring monthly operating reports for the Lodge at Diamond Hill to provide financial transparency. He concluded by challenging council members to either support the legislation for financial transparency or "get out of the way."
The Town Solicitor responded that the town had sent a response to Mr. Ford's APRA request on July 31st, suggesting it may have gone to his spam folder. She noted that she will forward the email to the Council President.
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary
Council President Kinch reported there were no executive session votes to report.
B. Update from the School Committee
School Committee Chairwoman Amy Vogel reported that the new school year would begin on September 2nd for grades 1-9, with remaining students returning on September 3rd. She noted that construction for Community School was underway with hopes of receiving a Certificate of Occupancy by the end of the week. She mentioned that BF Norton would be the next big project. Enrollment as of August 13, 2025, was 5,083 students, an increase of 74 students from the previous year's enrollment of 5,009.
C. Presentation of the Police Department’s Annual Report
Chief Benson presented highlights from the Police Department's annual report. He noted several accomplishments including progress on goals such as the drone program, vehicle expansion, and recruiting efforts. The K-9 program with Clipper had been well-received by the community.
Regarding professional standards, the Chief reported only one directed investigation with a sustained charge initiated by his staff, with zero citizen complaints, zero grievances filed, and zero complaints for impartial policing. The department conducted extensive training, with officers and dispatch personnel attending 60 external trainings comprising nearly 1,400 classroom hours. The department is preparing for re-accreditation in December with hopes of receiving the award in spring 2026.
Recruitment efforts included two drives that attracted 40 total applicants (35 males, 5 females), resulting in 5 hires who went to the police academy and 2 lateral transfers. The uniform division answered 25,000 calls for service (a 24% decrease from the previous year), made 399 arrests, and responded to 696 motor vehicle accidents (a 3% decrease). There were 34 DUI arrests, of which 25 (74%) involved refusals. For traffic calming, the department received 143 traffic-related complaints, conducted 42 traffic studies, and installed additional speed signs and stop signs throughout town. Officers conducted over 5,000 traffic stops, resulting in 3,000 citations and 2,600 warnings. Unfortunately, there were two fatal car accidents.
Regarding the use of force, there were only 21 incidents out of 25,000 calls for service (0.083%), with 13 of those incidents related to arrests. All force incidents were reviewed and found to conform to policy.
The Chief highlighted community engagement activities, including patch fundraisers that donated over $2,000 to local charities, officers reading at elementary schools, Special Olympics involvement, and a bicycle donation program for local children.
Councilor Kinch asked the Chief's 10-year staffing plan. Chief Benson explained that if given five additional officers, he would likely assign one to each shift, one to traffic, and one to detectives. He noted that according to FBI data, a community of Cumberland's size would typically have 86 officers, though he acknowledged this was not necessarily appropriate for the Northeast.
Councilor Kinch also asked about internal affairs complaints, specifically whether body cameras had reduced complaints. Chief Benson confirmed that body cameras had "unequivocally" helped, noting many people withdraw complaints when offered the opportunity to view body camera footage that contradicts their allegations.
The Chief confirmed the department currently has 48 sworn officers in the building, with one in the academy and another local officer slated to join in October, approaching the budgeted staffing level of 50.
D. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending July 2025
There were no questions regarding the financial report.
E. Check registers for July 2025
There were no questions regarding the check registers.
F. Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve July 2025 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE REAL ESTATE SUPPLEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,249.16. VOTE 5/0.
G. Department Reports
3. Building Official
4. EMS
5. Library
7. Planning & Community Development
There were no questions on the department reports.
LICENSES
A. VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE
1. An application for a First-Class Victualling House License from Vindu Foods LLC d/b/a Vindu
located at 356 Mendon Road.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, PENDING THE RECEIPT OF THE CORRECT CERTIFICATE OF INSURANCE. VOTE 5/0.
2. An application for a Second-Class Victualling House License from Thatluang S Corporation d/b/a Golden Champa located at 371 Bound Road.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, PENDING THE COMPLETION OF THE FIRE INSPECTION. VOTE 5/0.
B. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
1. An application for a one-day special event entertainment license from Cumberland Professional Firefighters
Foundation for their annual Touch A Truck event at Diamond Hill Park on August 24, 2025, and a rain date
of September 7, 2025.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
C. PRIVATE DETECTIVE
1. A renewal application for a private Detective license from Noah Brodbar.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
OLD BUSINESS:
A. ORDINANCES for PUBLIC HEARING
1. #25-17 – An ordinance naming 16 Mill Street (AP 2, Lot 96) the Amaral Building (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration).
Public Hearing opened at 8:16 pm.
Public Hearing closed at 8:17 pm.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO SEPTEMBER 3, 2025. VOTE 5/0.
NEW BUSINESS
A. APPOINTMENTS
BOARD OF CANVASSERS – ALTERNATES – 6-YEAR APPOINTMENT
Correcting the term expiration to MARCH 1, 2031
1. George Gregory Sisca II – alternate
2. Jason King – alternate
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
B. ASSISTANT WATER SUPERINTENDENT
1. Alex Paille
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 4/1.
Councilor Bradley voted nay, explaining he opposes the position, not the person.
C. CLAIMS
1. Karen Kane
Referred to Finance Sub-Committee
2. Barbara Ray
Referred to the Solicitors' Office
D. RESOLUTIONS
1. R-25-48 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter a lease purchasing agreement with Retrofit Technologies and HP for pc workstations throughout the town of Cumberland in a total amount not to exceed sixty thousand seven hundred and seventy-three dollars and eighty-one cents ($60,773.81) per year for a three-year period.
Josh Andrews from Retrofit Technologies explained that Windows 10 would be reaching end-of-life from Microsoft in October, so they were upgrading all machines in the organization to Windows 11 to ensure the latest operating system with security patches. He estimated the project would take approximately two months to complete in order to limit downtime for users.
Councilor Shaw asked for clarification on whether this was solely software or does it include hardware. Mr. Andrews confirmed that there would be hardware replacement for desktops, though some computers would receive in-place upgrades to save costs.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
2. R-25-49 – A Resolution Authorizing and Empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to approve Retrofit Technologies’ Scope of work for Switch Upgrades for the Town of Cumberland in an amount not to exceed thirty-nine thousand six hundred and one dollar and sixty-nine cents ($39,601.69)
Josh Andrews explained that the switching project would be part of a network infrastructure upgrade to improve speeds and ensure the latest networking equipment is under support and receiving security patches.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
3. R-25-50 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to engage D’Ambra Construction for sidewalk and curbing repair in a total amount not to exceed seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($750,000).
The Public Works Director Romeo Mendes explained that the sidewalk repairs would focus on town roads, with a strategic decision to hold off on some state roads in hopes that the Department of Transportation might address those sidewalks during their own resurfacing projects. He noted that the work would primarily address sidewalk surface repairs and would not specifically target ADA compliance issues, which would be addressed separately.
Councilor Shaw asked whether any of the work would address ADA issues.
The Director clarified that this project was primarily for repairing sidewalk surfaces, with ADA compliance being a separate effort.
Councilor Bradley asked if all the sidewalks were on town roads or state roads.
The Director explained that while the list includes some state roads that will be repaired, he strategically focused on town roads, noting that when DOT resurfaces state roads, they often address the sidewalks as well.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 4/1.
Councilor Bradley voted nay.
4. R-25-51 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to lease-purchase police radio equipment from Motorola Solutions in a total amount not to exceed one hundred and fifty-six thousand seven hundred and fifty-three dollars and forty-five cents ($156,753.45)
Chief Benson explained that the town had received a $1.1 million grant to overhaul the town's entire radio communication system, including portable radios, vehicle radios, and consoles in the building. Due to price increases between the initial quote and the time of ordering, there was a shortfall. This resolution would cover the difference through a three-year lease-to-own arrangement.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
5. R-25-52 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a contract with Powerschool Group LLC for upgrades to the current financial software in an amount not to exceed eight thousand one hundred sixty dollars ($8,160.00)
The Finance Director explained that PowerSchool provides the town's financial software, which has been in use since 2021. The current version is sunsetting by the end of the year, necessitating an upgrade to the current version.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 5/0.
6. R-25-53 – A resolution adopting Liquor License Regulations.
Councilor Shaw requested that the item be tabled until September 3rd, explaining that the version presented was not the correct version. He noted they had been working on this since the beginning of the year and had already reduced it by 10-12 pages by removing items already covered by state law. He requested that the Town Clerk send out the current regulations so council members could compare the two versions.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO SEPTEMBER 3, 2025. VOTE 5/0.
E. ORDINANCES for Presentation & Permission to advertise
1. #25-19 – An ordinance establishing a tax stabilization agreement with Hartford Holdings, LLC, owner of the Historic Ann & Hope Mill located at 100 Ann & Hope Way (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)
The ordinance was referred to the ordinance sub-committee.
2. #25-20 – An Ordinance Requiring Monthly Operating Reports for The Lodge at Diamond Hill (Presented by Councilor Bradley)
The ordinance was referred to the ordinance sub-committee.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Mr. Patrick Ford spoke again, first addressing the APRA request issue, stating he shouldn't have to follow up on requests. He then expressed his intention to file an APRA request for information on potential conflicts of interest involving the Town Solicitor, suggesting that the solicitor has relationships with developers that should be disclosed.
Mayor Mutter responded to Mr. Ford's comments, stating there was no cover-up regarding information about the Lodge at Diamond Hill and that Mr. Ford could simply email him directly rather than filing an APRA request. The Mayor also defended Town Solicitor Salvatore, objecting to Mr. Ford referring to her as the "assistant mayor" and to implications about her integrity. Mayor Mutter highlighted that under Solicitor Salvatore's tenure, the town has not lost any legal cases, representing good value for the town's legal budget.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:44P.M. VOTE 5/0.