THE REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 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 Michael Kinch called the meeting to order at 7:36 PM, noting that all council members were present.

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

Councilor Bob Shaw acknowledged Teacher Appreciation Week and expressed gratitude to the teachers present at the meeting.

 

Council President Kinch requested a moment of silence for Dana Jones from the Cumberland Fire District Board and former Chief Kenneth Swiech from the Cumberland Hill Fire Department.

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular meetings of April 16, 2025.

 

B.     MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

1.      Incredabowl

2.      Pam’s Grill

3.      Angkor Boba Tea House

4.      Jerry’s Food Concessions

 

C.    COMMUNICATION

1.      C-25-40 – DEM Permit to alter Freshwater Wetlands relating to Assessor’s Plat 49, Lot 149.

2.      C-25-41 – A resolution from the Town of Barrington regarding the restoration of General Revenue sharing.

3.      C-25-42 – A resolution from the Town of Barrington regarding 2025 Legislative Priorities.

4.      C-25-43 – A resolution from the Town of Barrington regarding Barrington as a sanctuary Town for transgender people, and all members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community and their allies.

5.      C-25-44 - A resolution from the Scituate School Department regarding funding for private school transportation.

6.      C-25-45 – A resolution from the North Smithfield Public Schools regarding school transportation.

7.      C-25-46 – A resolution from the Cumberland School Department supporting a tax increase exceeding 3%.

 

Council President Kinch noted that communication C-25-46 from the school committee regarding support for increasing the cap was received.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.  VOTE 7/0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments were made during this section.

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

A.    Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary

 

No executive session votes to report.

 

B.     Presentation by Bowman on Cumberland, RI Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan

 

This presentation was tabled for the next meeting at the request of the planning department.

LICENSES

      A.  KENNEL LICENSE

1.   An application for a kennel license from Les Bebes Frenchies, LLC, 195 Wrentham Road.

 

Councilor Shaw sought clarification from the solicitor about the difference between a kennel license for a business operation and a special exception for residents to have more than three dogs.

 

The solicitor confirmed that this application was for a kennel business allowing up to 10 dogs.

 

Councilor Sweet noted a discrepancy in the number of dogs mentioned in the application, which the Town Clerk clarified was that one of the dogs had recently passed. 

 

MOTION TO BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE KENNEL LICENSE SUBJECT TO ANIMAL CONTROL INSPECTION.  VOTE 7/0.

 

B.   PEDDLER/HAWKER LICENSE

1.   An application for a peddler/hawker one-day license from New England Novelty, 36 School Street, South Easton, MA, for the 4^th of July Town Firework event at Tucker Field on July 3, 2025, with a rain date of July 7, 2025.

 

MOTION TO BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE HAWKER’S LICENSE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

C.    ENTERTAINMENT LICENSES

1.    An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from AdaptX, 417 Bolton Road, Lancaster, MA, for the 2025 Unified 5K Cumberland Road race on May 10, 2025, located at Cumberland High School, 2600 Mendon Road.

 

MOTION TO BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE HAWKER’S LICENSE SUBJECT TO THE PROMOTER’S PERMIT.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.   An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Cumberland Youth Soccer Association (CYSA), 45 Industrial Rd, Suite #100, Cumberland, RI, for the 2025 CYSA Fall Rec Soccer Opening Day Celebration on August 22, 2025, located at Diamond Hill Park, 4125 Diamond Hill Road.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE SPECIAL EVENT ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE SUBJECT TO THE SIGNED LEASE AGREEMENT, INSURANCE CERTIFICATE, PROMOTER'S PERMIT, AND APPROVED DETAILS FROM POLICE, FIRE, AND EMS.  VOTE 7/0.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.    ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

      1.   #25-05A – An ordinance amending the tax rate ordinance (tabled from April 16, 2025)

 

The public hearing was opened at 7:48 p.m.

 

Mayor Jeff Mutter presented the ordinance, explaining its origin in 2004 and the need for flexibility in the budget submission due to upcoming debt service increases and school funding requests. He suggested the possibility of sunsetting the ordinance for one year.

 

Councilor Beaulieu supported the ordinance, citing the progress made in the school system over the years and the importance of maintaining that progress.

 

Councilor Metivier supported school funding, but not increasing the cap.

 

Council President Kinch proposed amending the ordinance to include a sunset clause.

 

Kerri Smith, School Committee Vice Chair, presented the school committee's support for lifting the cap and provided details on the school budget request.

 

Dillon Ang, a school psychologist, emphasized the importance of investing in education for the town's future.

 

Lisa Goldstein, District 4 School Committee representative, detailed potential cuts if level funding were to occur and urged support for the ordinance.

 

Leslie Moran, a teacher, spoke about the dedication of teachers and the need for appropriate funding.

 

Jillian Belanger, multilingual learner coordinator, highlighted the success of staffing improvements and urged continued support.

 

Kerri Carlson, a public education veteran, warned about the consequences of underfunding schools.

 

Julie Vanderheide, a parent, requested more detailed budget information before agreeing to increases.

 

Janine Boisel, an English teacher, described the challenges faced by teachers and the importance of maintaining programs like teaming.

 

Pat Ford, a resident, commented on the town's spending priorities and suggested selling the Diamond Hill Ski Lodge.

 

Catherine Constantino and Nicholas Hamilton, teachers, emphasized the importance of school funding for maintaining quality education and retaining teachers

 

The public hearing was opened at 8:39 p.m.

 

President Kinch supports raising this cap, but with a sunset. 

 

MOTION BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT KINCH, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE TO AMEND LINE 35 BY REMOVING THE PERIOD AFTER THE WORD EFFECT AND INCLUDING, “SHALL SUNSET ON MAY 1, 2026.”.  VOTE 7/0.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE THE ORDINANCE AS AMENDED BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 5/2.

 

BRADLEY AND METIVIER VOTED NAY.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    CLAIM

1.      Jonathan Sexton

 

REFERRED TO THE FINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE

 

B.     APPOINTMENTS

1.   Robert Ray, Water Superintendent

 

Mayor Mutter introduced Robert Ray for the position of Water Superintendent, noting his experience in the acting capacity.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.   Romeo Mendes, Director of Public Works

 

Mayor Mutter introduced Romeo Mendes for the position of Director of Public Works, praising his performance in the acting capacity.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 6/1.

 

COUNCILOR BRADLEY VOTED NAY.

 

C.    RESOLUTIONS

1.      R-25-28 – A resolution adopting the Cumberland, RI Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL AND SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MAY 21, 2025.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.      R-25-29 – A resolution authorizing a change order to A.N.J Electric Eye, LLC’s contract for the installation, programming, and testing of a new fire alarm system at the 1512 Mendon Road EMS Station in a total amount not to exceed Twenty-Four Thousand Nine Hundred Fifty-Six Dollars and Seventy-Six Cents ($24,956.76)

 

EMS Chief Dessert explained that this change relates to the new fire alarm system for our station at 1512 Mendon Road.  Since the installation of this new system in March, there have been at least four areas brought to his attention requiring changes.  During the fire marshal's initial inspection, it was found that we needed 6 additional CO detectors added to the plan.  Additionally, though, they also noted that a radio master box was not included in the original plan set, which is required for a municipal building.  Others were due to the need for additional heat detectors, and the other was previously unnoticed; attic spaces also require protection.

 

Councilor Beaulieu asked why we didn't discover that before the renovation activity.

 

Chief Dessert replied that he wasn’t certain where the disconnect was.  The fire alarm company measured the building before providing the plans. It appears some things weren't known, like the drop ceiling was too low, requiring additional heat protectors, and the other spaces that weren't seen on the initial plans were drawn.  He is not clear on the reasoning for the radio master box and the CO detectors. It's just that they must have been missed on the initial.

 

Councilors Beaulieu and Shaw requested that those who provided the initial plans provide a response as to why they missed so many items.

 

Councilor Bradley asked if this went before a building committee, to which the Chief replied that it didn’t. 

 

Councilor Bradley questioned if he is correct that the Fire Marshal didn't get involved until after. 

 

Chief Dessert stated that it is correct.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW AND SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO MAY 21, 2025.  VOTE 7/0.

 

3.      R-25-30 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter a contract amendment with Pare Corporation for professional engineering services for intersection improvements in an amount not to exceed sixty-eight thousand seven hundred forty-five dollars ($68,745)

 

This resolution was withdrawn at the request of the department head.

 

D.    ORDINANCES FOR PRESENTATION AND PERMISSION TO ADVERTISE

1.      #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)

 

It was noted that the agenda should be amended to reflect that Councilor Shaw sponsored this ordinance.

 

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

2.      #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 Councilor Metivier)

 

It was noted that the agenda should be amended to reflect that Councilor Metivier sponsored this ordinance.

 

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

3.      #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.

 

REFERRED TO THE ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Pat Ford addressed the council regarding homelessness in Cumberland and neighboring Woonsocket. He relayed concerns from Woonsocket City Councilman James Cournoyer about Cumberland's efforts to address homelessness.

 

Council President Kinch suggested referring the matter to the Mayor's office for a more detailed response.

 

Mr. Ford also reiterated his suggestion to sell or privatize the management of the Diamond Hill Ski Lodge.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 9:09 P.M.  VOTE 7/0.