MINUTES FOR THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.

 CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL, EVERETT “MOE” BONNER, JR. COUNCIL CHAMBERS

45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND

 

Call to Order

The meeting was called to order at 7:36 PM by Council President Kinch.  All council members were present.

Pledge of Allegiance

The Council President led the Pledge of Allegiance.

General Announcements

No general announcements were made.

Consent Agenda

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Special meeting of May 14, 2025, Regular meeting of May 21, 2025, and Special meeting of May 27, 2025

 

B.     MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

1.      Championship Melt

2.      Dr. Doughboy

3.      BBQymas

4.      Friskie Fries

5.      Bem Bom LLC

 

C.    COMMUNICATIONS

1.      C-25-59 – A resolution from the Burrillville School Department regarding school transportation.

2.      C-25-60 – A DEM Freshwater Wetlands Permit regarding 30 Wrentham Road, Assessor’s Plat 49, Lot 82

3.      C-25-61 – A resolution from the Town of Hopkinton in support of Senate bill S-57 and House bill H-5393 regarding maintenance of sidewalks.

4.      C-25-62 – A resolution from the Town of Hopkinton in honor of Hope Valley Elementary School.

5.      C-25-63 – A resolution from the Town of Charlestown opposing RI 2025 Gun Control Legislation.

6.      C-25-64 - A resolution from the Town of Lincoln in support of Senate bill S-57 and House Bill H-5393 regarding the maintenance of sidewalks

7.      C-25-65 – A resolution from the Town of Lincoln opposing specific land use legislation.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.  VOTE 7/0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Pat Ford, Esek Hopkins Lane, addressed the council regarding the status of repairs to Rawson Pond.  Mr. Ford expressed frustration with the lack of visible progress and the impact on the community's quality of life and property values.  He questioned why there seemed to be more urgency for other projects, such as the wedding hall, compared to the pond repairs.

 

Mayor Mutter responded stating that the council had approved professional services from Pare Engineering.  He explained that a draft report was nearly complete and anticipated it would be available in June.  The Mayor emphasized that the Town was following all regulations and requirements set by the Department of Environmental Management (DEM).

 

Mr. Ford requested to see the communications regarding this issue, to which Mayor Mutter agreed.  The Mayor also suggested that Mr. Ford speak with Terry Gray, the head of DEM, about any perceived lack of urgency on the State's side.

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

No reports or communications from Executive Session were presented.

LICENSES

A.    ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.      An application for a special entertainment license from Lusitania Club Juventude for the annual feast on Friday, June 20, Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, 2025.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER TO APPROVE PENDING FINAL TENT INSPECTION AND PROMOTORS PERMIT.  VOTE 7/0.

 

B.     VICTUALLING FOURTH CLASS LICENSE

1.      An application for a Fourth-Class Victualling license from ANNK, Inc. d/b/a Best Way, 302 Broad Street.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO APPROVE PENDING PERMIT TO MAKE SALES AT RETAIL.  VOTE 7/0.

 

C.    HOLIDAY LICENSE

1.      An application for a Holiday license from ANNK, Inc. d/b/a Best Way, 302 Broad Street.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO APPROVE PENDING PERMIT TO MAKE SALES AT RETAIL.  VOTE 7/0.

OLD BUSINESS

A.    ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

1.      #25-06 – An Ordinance amending the General Fund Budget for Fiscal year 2024-2025 (2nd hearing and vote).

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO TABLE ORDINANCE #25-06 TO JUNE 18, 2025.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.      #25-07 – An ordinance in amendment of the Code of Ordinances amending the Zoning Ordinance and Map thereof with reference to Cumberland Assessor's Plat 053, Lot 1781, and hydroelectric generation facilities. (Presented by Councilor Shaw).

 

Councilor Beaulieu explained that this ordinance was heard at the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting the previous night.  The intent was to change the zoning designation for a certain plot from general industrial to open space.  The ordinance has been sent back to the Administration to amend and include solar in addition to hydroelectric.  It will then follow the process to be heard by the Planning Board again.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO TABLE ORDINANCE #25-07 TO JULY 16, 2025.  VOTE 7/0.

 

3.      #25-08 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of two additional stop signs at the intersection of Pollett and Meadowcrest streets to create a four-way stop. (Presented by the Councilor Metivier).

 

Councilor Beaulieu explained that this ordinance was heard at the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting the previous night favorable passage with a 3-0 vote.  The police have attached a letter of support.

 

Public Hearing Opened at 7:48 p.m.

Public Hearing Closed at 7:48 p.m.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-08 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

4.      #25-09 – An ordinance in amendment of the Code of Ordinances, amending Chapter 2, Article VI, Disposition of Public Property to include Habitat for Humanity. (Presented by the Council President on behalf of the Administration)

 

Councilor Beaulieu explained that this ordinance was heard at the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting and received favorable passage with a 3-0 vote.  The ordinance extends the process for disposition of public property to include Habitat for Humanity.  It was noted that any disposition of public property to Habitat for Humanity would still require majority approval by the council.

 

Public Hearing Opened at 7:50 p.m.

Public Hearing Closed at 7:50 p.m.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-09 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

 

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

5.      #25-10A – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Final Vote)

 

The Council President noted that Ordinance #25-10A did not pass previously.  The vote was on the amended version, now referred to as #25-10B, which included amendments made by Councilor Beaulieu.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-10B BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 4/3.

 

Nay:  Councilors Bradley, Metivier, And Magill

 

6.      #25-11A – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Water Department for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Final Vote)

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-11A BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

7.      #25-12 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Sewer Department for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Final Vote)

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-12 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

8.      #25-13 – An ordinance establishing the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland's Recreation Fund for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Final Vote)

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-13 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

9.      #25-14 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of a stop sign on Alaska Street at the intersection of New York Avenue. (Presented by Councilor Beaulieu)

 

Councilor Beaulieu explained that this ordinance was heard at the Ordinance Subcommittee meeting the previous night favorable passage with a 3-0 vote.  The police have attached a letter of support.

 

Public Hearing Opened at 7:55 p.m.

Public Hearing Closed at 7:55 p.m.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-14 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1

 

Nay:  Councilor Bradley

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    CLAIMS

1.      Nicolino C. Ferretti

 

Referred to the Finance Subcommittee.

 

2.      Tammy Lacoste

 

Referred to the Finance Subcommittee.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No additional public comments were made.

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO ADJOURN AT 7:56 P.M. VOTE 7/0.