MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 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 scheduled meeting of the Cumberland Town Council to order at 7:33 PM.

 

Members Present: Councilors Kinch, Beaulieu, Bradley, Magill, Metivier, Shaw, and Sweet

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

Councilor Magill extended Happy Birthday wishes to Town Sergeant Ray Lane.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular meetings of October 15, 2025

 

B.     MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

1.   East Landing dba East Landing RI

 

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

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

Stacey Snow, 3333 Diamond Hill Road, and Will Nakshian, 2 Jason’s Grant, spoke in support of the Good Energy program.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

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

 

B.     Presentation from Good Energy on the overview and consideration of community electricity

Council President Kinch provided background, explaining he was approached by a community member about this opportunity. He and the Mayor had listened to a presentation from Good Energy and thought it worth bringing to the council. He noted this stemmed from concerns about high electric rates and delivery rates from Rhode Island Energy.

Dawn from Good Energy introduced herself and her colleagues, Philip and Alison McNeil.

Philip explained that Good Energy is an independent energy consultant representing about 200 cities and towns, mostly in the Northeast. He runs the New England region and noted they currently buy power for the Rhode Island buying group consisting of seven communities: Providence, South Kingstown, Barrington, Narragansett, and soon North Kingstown.

Philip explained that community choice aggregation is the ability, through a contract with local government, to buy power on behalf of all of your residential and business accounts that have not already selected a third-party supplier.  He emphasized that this brings order to chaos in deregulated markets, protecting residents who lack the expertise to navigate individual supplier offers, many of which are not reputable.  The program has consistently saved money over the past two years while including 5% additional local renewable energy. He noted participation has remained stable at about 100,000 accounts over two years, indicating a very healthy program.

Alison McNeil, the program operations lead, explained that they offer a suite of products to accommodate different priorities. The default product provides both cost savings and additional renewable energy. She reported that the group of seven communities has cumulatively saved $2.8 million for residents and businesses, including the cost of additional renewable energy. The environmental impact equates to 26 million pounds of coal or 24,000 acres of forest in a year.

Philip discussed their unique supplier, NextEra, selected through an RFP process. NextEra only serves large aggregation programs and uses a sophisticated approach that tracks utility purchases to provide competitive rates.

Dawn outlined the implementation process: council resolution, plan development with town staff, public review and community meetings, PUC submission and approval (now taking about 3 months), and launch with NextEra. She emphasized Good Energy handles all implementation tasks as the town's consultant.

During extensive council questioning:

Councilor Shaw asked about solar panel owners' credits.

Dawn confirmed all existing programs, credits, and billing arrangements would continue unchanged through the same Rhode Island Energy bill.

Council President Kinch asked how customers would know about rate differences.

Dawn explained they announce new rates each billing cycle through press releases and infographics, working with towns' communications teams.

Councilor Sweet asked how Good Energy makes money.

Philip explained their fee is $1 per megawatt hour, paid through the rates, not by the town. The company is privately owned and independent of any energy supplier.

Councilor Beaulieu asked about opt-out rates.

Philip reported that between 8-15% typically opt out, with reasons varying from distrust of government to misunderstanding, though many who call with concerns stay after clarification.

Councilor Metivier asked about average savings.

Philip estimated about $100 per year per household, emphasizing they've consistently beaten utility rates while providing additional renewable energy.

Council President Kinch inquired about the administrative burden.

Dawn assured it would require minimal staff time - reviewing draft communications and plans, with most work during launch and then every six months for rate changes.  Regarding renewable energy concerns and market uncertainty, Dawn expressed confidence due to significant financial investment in the energy transition affecting all suppliers equally.

Philip added insights about current energy market volatility between fossil fuel plant closures and renewable uncertainties.

Councilor Shaw asked about Providence's participation timeline.

Philip confirmed Providence was among the first communities starting work in 2019-2020.

Council President Kinch thanked Good Energy for their presentation, noting no resolution was on the agenda as the council wanted time to digest the information before considering next steps.

LICENSES

A.    2025-2026 LICENSE RENEWALS

FIRST CLASS VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE

1.       AMAYA PRIMOS INC. dba La Familia Restaurant, 1666 Diamond Hill Rd (LL-42)

2.      ANDREW’S BISTRO DESTINO LLC dba Andrew’s Bistro, 3755 Mendon Rd (LL-20)

3.      ANGELO’S PIZZA INC. dba Angelo’s Palace Pizza, 133 Mendon Rd (LL-38)

4.      AMERICAN LEGION dba Cumberland Post #14, 695 Broad St (LL-44)

5.      APP EXPRESS INC dba Angelo’s Palace Pizza Express, 2339 Diamond Hill Rd (LL-113)

6.      BLACKSTONE HERBS AND COFFEE SHOP dba Apothica Inc, 3 Dexter St (LL-68)

7.      CLOVER ACRES LLC dba Everybody’s Favorite Family Restaurant, 1368 Mendon Rd (LL-118)

8.      CLUB JUVENTUDE LUSITANA INC dba Club Juventude Lusitana, 10 Chase St (LL-34)

9.      CUMBERLAND A.C. dba Cumberland Athletic Club, 30 Hamilton St (LL-55)

10.  CUMBERLAND HOUSE OF PIZZA dba Cumberland House of Pizza, 2360 Mendon Rd (LL-39)

11.  DAVENPORT’S FAMILY RESTAURANT INC dba Davenport’s Family Rest, 1070 Mendon Rd (LL-36)

12.  DJP MARQUES CHURRASQUEIRA dba Marques Churrasqueira, 100 Mill St (LL-25)

13.  EL RODEO FAMILY MEXICAN RESTAURANT LLC dba El Rodeo, 405 Mendon Rd (LL-116)

14.  FATIMA HOLY NAME SOCIETY dba Fatima Holy Name Society, 1 Fatima Dr (LL-47)

15.  FILIBUSTER CLUB dba Filibuster Club, 23 High St (LL-56)

16.  frank’s incorpOrated dba Bandidos Mexican Restaurant, 88 Broad St (LL-49)

17.  FRIENDLY GREENE LLC dba The Tap, 1227 Mendon Rd (LL-90)

18.  FRIENDLY SONS OF ST. PATRICK dba Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, 127 Broad St (LL-32)

19.  FURNA RESTAURANT INC dba Furna Restaurant, 422 High St (LL-112)

20.  HOII LLC dba Azalea Asian Cuisine & Sushi Bar, 1764 Mendon Rd, Suite 1 (LL-31)

21.  JC SLEEPY HOLLOW LLC dba The Dugout, 7 Cray St (LL-93)

22.  JK AND SON LLC dba The End Zone Sports Pub, 958 Mendon Rd (LL-35)

23.  JOSE ALMEIDA dba Valley Park Pub, Ltd., 17 Mill Street (LL-54)

24.  CARLTON CATERING & SERVICES LLC dba MCT’s Tavern, 940 Mendon Rd (LL-128)

25.  OCEAN STATE BREWING CO dba Phantom Farms Brewing, 30 Martin St (LL-114)

26.  PERIQUITO HOLDINGS LLC dba Modern Bistro, 4077 Mendon Rd (LL-53)

27.  RESTAURANTE SERRA DA ESTRELA INC dba Serra Da Estrela Restaurant, 168 Broad St (LL-107)

28.  RLS RESTAURANT dba Pats Italian Restaurant, 2000 Mendon Rd (LL-89)

29.  SEVEN CRAY STREET REALTY CORP dba Seven Cray Street, 7 Cray St (LL-28)

30.  SONOMEX CORP dba Juncal Mexican Grill & Bar, 2352 Mendon Rd (LL-111)

31.  SPG GROUP LLC dba Koury’s Tavern, 80 Manville Hill Rd (LL-57)  

32.  SPSR INC dba Bollywood Grill, 1764 Mendon Road, Suite 8 (LL-51)

33.   XIN INC dba Fortune House, 1800 Mendon Rd, Suite F (LL-18)

34.  VALLEY FALLS ENTERTAINMENT LLC dba Mickeys Valley View Pub, 46 Carpenter St (LL-104)

35.  VINDU FOODS LLC dba Vindu, 356 Mendon Rd (LL-124)

 

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

 

SECOND CLASS VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSES

1.       BLACKSTONE RIVER THEATRE dba Blackstone River Theatre, 549 Broad St (21-32)

2.       BLP INC dba Subway, 2130 Mendon Rd Suite 2 (21-20)

3.       CAFÉ COLOMBIA INC dba Café Colombia, 235 Broad ST (21-68)

4.       CAGNEY FOOD SERVICE dba Sher Le Mon Swim Club Inc., 2701 Mendon Rd (21-54)

5.       COFFEE CONNECTION INC dba The Coffee Connection, 2364 Mendon Rd (21-16)

6.       COMPASS GROUP dba Eurest Dining, 2100 Highland Corp Drive (21-81)

7.       COMPASS ONE dba Eurest Dining, 200 Highland Corp Drive (21-80)

8.       EGGS UP FAMILY RESTAURANT INC dba Eggs Up, 2378 Mendon Rd (21-55)

9.       GB DONUTS OF RHODE ISLAND INC #2084 dba Honey Dew Donuts, 2084 Diamond Hill Rd (21-70)

10.   HOT SPOT LLC dba Dunkin Donuts Inc., 3781 Mendon Rd (21-42)

11.   JSC MENDON RD LLC dba Burger King, 1715 Mendon Rd (21-31)

12.   GREAT TASTE CHINESE RESTAURANT dba Great Taste Chinese Rest, 3450 Mendon Rd, UF (21-45)

13.   OLLIE’S DINER LLC dba Ollie’s Diner LLC, 802 High St (21-64)

14.   POPPY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT INC dba Poppy’s Family Restaurant, 3344 Mendon Rd (21-48)

15.   PROVIDENCE ZEN CENTER dba Providence Zen Center, 99 Pound Rd (21-47)

16.   RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC # 20 dba Dunkin Donuts, 20 Ann & Hope Way (21-43)

17.   RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC #2069 dba Dunkin Donuts, 2069 Diamond Hill Rd (21-40)

18.   ST JOSEPH’S CHURCH ASHTON dba Parish Hall, 1303 Mendon Rd (24-160)

19.   SUPREME PIZZA LLC dba Supreme Pizza, 3450 Mendo RD (21-71)

20.   THE KEEP INC dba The Keep, 2360 Mendon Rd (21-63)

21.   TRINITY MANAGEMENT CO dba McDonald’s of Cumberland, 1754 Mendon Rd (21-9)

22.   TRINITY MANAGEMENT CO dba McDonald’s of Cumberland, 100 Mendon Rd (21-8)

23.   WISE GUYS DELI CUMBERLAND LLC 1700 Mendon Road (21-77)

24.   YOVANIS PIZZERIA LLC dba Yovani’s Pizzeria, 40 Macondray St (24-156)

25.   THATLUANG S. CORPORATION dba Golden Champa, 371 Bound Rd (25-89)

 

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

 

 

THIRD CLASS VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSES

1.      ROSES ITALIAN BAKERY dba Juliana’s Italian Bakery, 1181 High St (24-158)

2.      DIENE GROUP LLC dba Domino’s Pizza, 3383 Mendon Rd, Unit 205 (21-30)

3.      GOLDEN PALACE CHINESE RESTAURANT, 1165 High St (21-53)

4.      JOSIE’S ICE CREAM, 797 High St (21-60)

5.      M R BAKING INC dba Colonial Bakery, 185 Broad St (21-52)

6.      MICHAEL’S MEAT INC dba Michael’s Meat Inc., 2130 Mendon Rd (21-49)

7.      NOURIA ENERGY RETAIL INC dba Cumberland Shell, 4120 Mendon Rd (21-11)

8.      PIZZA MAN OF CUMBERLAND, 87 Broad St (21-21)

9.      RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC #1700 dba Dunkin Donuts, 1700 Mendon Rd (21-41)

10.  SEABRA FOODS III INC dba Seabra Supermarkets, 2000 Mendon Rd (21-28)

11.  THE NEW SPOT LLC dba The New Spot, 3460 Mendon Rd Unit 6 (21-57)

12.  THE STOP & SHOP SUPERMARKET COMPANY LLC dba Stop & Shop, 70 Mendon Rd (21-15)

13.  TBD PIZZA dba Domino’s Pizza, 250 Mendon Rd (21-92)  

14.  UNDER THE WILLOW BAKERY INC dba Under the Willow Bakery, 3383 Mendon Rd (21-19)

 

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

 

 

FOURTH CLASS VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSES

1.      732 HIGH STREET MARKET INC dba High Street Market, 732 High St (21-36)

2.      AVANCE LLC dba Colombia Meat Market, 239 Broad St (24-149)

3.      ANNK INC dba Best Way, 302 Broad St (25-61) 

4.      BROAD STREET FOOD & FUEL INC dba Mendon Express, 290 Broad St (21-79)

5.      COLBEA ENTERPRISES LLC dba Seasons Corner Market, 2095 Diamond Hill Rd (21-13)

6.      CUMBERLAND FARMS INC #1275 dba Cumberland Farms Inc. #1275, 3440 Mendon Rd (21-23)

7.      CVS PHARMACY INC dba CVS, 2125 Diamond Hill Rd (21-67)

8.      CVS PHARMACY INC dba CVS, 1998 Mendon Rd (21-65)

9.      CVS PHARMACY INC dba CVS, 315 Broad St (21-66)   

10.  DAVE’S FRUITLAND INC dba Dave’s Marketplace, 2077 Diamond Hill Rd (21-14)

11.  DOLLAR TREE STORES INC Dollar Tree #5459, 3751 Mendon Rd (22-230)

12.  DOLLAR TREE STORES INC dba Dollar Tree #3700, 8 Mendon Rd (22-231)

13.  F & Z LLC dba Gulf Express, 3 Pine Swamp Rd (21-10)

14.  IQBAL & SONS INC dba Cumberland Sunoco, 2093 Diamond Hill Rd (21-59)

15.  JLM REFRESHMENTS INC dba Del’s Lemonade of Cumberland, 184 Mendon Rd (21-72)

16.  KD DONUTS INC dba Dunkin Donuts, 4120 Mendon Rd (21-44)

17.  KIM & GARY’S ICE CREAM MACHINE INC dba The Ice Cream Machine, 4288 Diamond Hill Rd (21-50)

18.  MARYLOU’S NEWS INC dba Marylou’s Coffee, 2095 Diamond Hill Rd (21-34)

19.  MENDON ROAD GULF INC dba Mendon Road Gulf, 1754 Mendon Rd (21-38)

20.  ONE ENERGY INC dba Zoom Mart, 3492 Mendon Rd (21-76)

21.  S N K INC dba Cumberland Convenience, 427 High St (21-73)

22.  SHOP N FUEL dba Miles Mart, 1152 Mendon Rd (24-39)

23.  VIKAR HAHORA INC dba Bestway Gulf, 1178 High St (22-221)

24.  WALGREEN EASTERN CO dba Walgreens, 2136 Mendon Rd (21-6)

25.  DON QUINTIN ASADOS LLC dba Don Quintin Asados, 1800 Mendon Rd #K13 (25-99)

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

 

FIFTH CLASS VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSES     

1.      ADAM’S FARM LLC dba Adam’s Farm, 140 Sumner Brown Rd (21-56)

2.      PHANTOM FARMS II LLC dba Phantom Farms, 2920 Diamond Hill Rd (22-194)

 

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

 

 

EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE (Between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.) 

1.   COLBEA ENTERPRISES LLC dba Seasons Corner Market 2095 Diamond Hill Rd (5:00 a.m.)  (21-13)

2.   CUMBERLAND FARMS INC dba Cumberland Farms Store, 3440 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.)  (21-23)

3.   GB DONUTS OF RHODE ISLAND INC dba Honey Dew Donuts, 2084 Diamond Hill Road (4:00 am) (21-70)

4.   HOT SPOT LLC dba Dunkin Donuts Inc., 3781 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.) (21-42)

5.   IQBAL & SONS INC dba Cumberland Sunoco, 2093 Diamond Hill Rd (5:00 a.m.)  (21-59)

6.   RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC #20 dba Dunkin Donuts, 20 Ann & Hope Way (5:00 a.m.)  (21-43)

7.   RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC #1700 dba Dunkin Donuts, 1700 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.) (21-41)

8.   RHODE ISLAND DONUTS LLC #2069 dba Dunkin Donuts, 2069 Diamond Hill Road (5:00 am) (21-40)

9.   KD DONUTS INC dba Dunkin Donuts, 4120 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.)  (21-44)

10. MARYLOU’S NEWS INC dba Marylou’s Coffee, 2095 Diamond Hill Rd (5:00 a.m.) (21-34)  

11. MENDON ROAD GULF INC dba Mendon Road Gulf, 1754 Mendon Road (24 hours) (21-38)

12. NOURIA ENERGY RETAIL INC dba Cumberland Shell, 4120 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.) (21-11)

13. STOP & SHOP SUPERMARKET COMPANY LLC dba Stop & Shop, 70 Mendon Road (24 hours) (21-15)

14. TRINITY MANAGEMENT CO dba McDonald’s, 100 Mendon Road (5:00 am) (21-9)

15. TRINITY MANAGEMENT CO dba McDonald’s, 1754 Mendon Road (5:00 a.m.) (21-8)        

 

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

 

B.  PRIVATE DETECTIVE RENEWAL

1.  Peter Sword

 

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

 

C.  VICTUALLING HOUSE LICENSE

1.  An application for a second-class victualling house license from Golden Food Corp dba Crown Fried Chicken and Pizza, 1182 High Street.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE PENDING RETAIL SALES PERMIT, MENU, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, FIRE APPROVAL, AND BUILDING APPROVAL.  VOTE 7/0.

 

D.  EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE

1.   An application for an extended hours license from Broad Street Food & Fuel Inc. dba Mendon Express, 290 Broad Street, to extend the opening time from 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. (Presentation & Permission to Advertise)

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.    ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING

1.   #25-23 – An ordinance establishing a no parking zone on Old Whipple Street (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

 

Public Hearing opened at 8:27 p.m.

 

Councilor Beaulieu reported the ordinance subcommittee had heard this at their meeting, and it received favorable passage with a 3-0 vote.

 

Councilor Metivier explained this was "basically just a cleanup", as signs had been there for an unknown period, but Officer Parenteau noticed it wasn't officially on the books.

 

No public comments were received.

 

Public Hearing closed at 8:28 p.m.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #25-23 BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    CLAIMS

1.   Susan Duguay

 

REFERRED TO THE SOLICITOR’S OFFICE

 

2.   Miamen T. Cargoe

 

REFERRED TO THE SOLICITOR’S OFFICE

 

B.     RESOLUTIONS

1.      R-25-64 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to purchase stormwater drainage pipe for the Cumberland Highway Department from Putnam Pipe in a total amount not to exceed seventy-four thousand two hundred dollars ($74,200).

 

DPW Director Romeo Mendes appeared before the council to explain the need for drainage pipe replacement. He described Cumberland's geology as a hunk of bedrock creating drainage challenges. He identified five areas with significant complaints requiring attention: Sunny Drive, England Street, and the Bryant Street area.

The director explained that existing corrugated metal pipes installed 25-30 years ago have rusted out from aggressive soils, losing carrying capacity as dirt fills the compromised pipes. The resolution would allow purchasing pipe to address these issues using in-house highway department labor, with possible assistance from water department personnel with backhoe licenses.

 

Councilor Bradley questioned the plan for Bryant Street where water currently flows overland.

 

Director Mendes explained they would install new piping to convey water to an existing pond/wetland area. The specific area involves new construction at 74 and 76 Hope Street where no collection system exists.

 

Councilor Bradley expressed concerns about a property owner who had spent thousands on attorney fees related to retention pond requirements.

 

Director Mendes clarified that this resolution addresses additional stormwater beyond what the retention pond handles.

He also noted that they would address England Street first, specifically at 371 England Street, at the lowest point where a resident has significant complaints. He agreed to email Councilor Bradley with details about affected properties.

 

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

 

2.         R-25-65 – A resolution authorizing a change order for Pare Corporation relating to engineering services for the crosswalk at Diamond Hill Park in an amount not to exceed eight thousand three hundred and fifty dollars ($8,350)

 

Director Mendes explained the crosswalk originally designed for one location was determined to be better placed closer to the Ice Cream Machine to facilitate safe crossing from The Lodge. Moving it requires plan revisions and additional DOT coordination and permitting.

 

Councilor Magill questioned whether $8,350 seemed expensive for the work.

 

Mr. Mendes acknowledged it seemed pricey, but included not just physical layout but sidewalk modifications on both sides per DOT requirements. He clarified that this covers only planning, engineering, and DOT approval, not actual construction.

 

Councilor Shaw asked about the move from the northern to the southern side of the driveway, questioning why a traffic study 30 feet away would need redoing.

 

Mr. Mendes explained that DOT requires new documentation when plans don't match the requested physical alteration.

 

Councilor Sweet asked why the crosswalk was originally placed there and why the town should spend thousands to move it 30 feet.

 

Ted Vecchio from the building committee joined via Zoom to provide background. He explained a resident had requested a crosswalk years ago when DOT simply painted one without the current requirements. The location made sense then, with north and south park entrances.  He detailed that current plans included a path from The Lodge to the crosswalk intended to reach the other side of the park. However, DOT now requires ADA-compliant sidewalks at crosswalk endpoints and won't allow crosswalks in non-side-walked areas. Installing required sidewalks would necessitate taking land from residents and extensive construction at an extremely high cost.

 

Mayor Mutter confirmed building committee chair Len Bradley had made several calls to DOT attempting alternative solutions, but they had exhausted all options. The only compromise was moving the crosswalk to avoid these requirements.

 

Discussion continued about whether the town would need to build additional sidewalks at the new location.

 

Councilor Shaw noted the monetary savings from not building extensive sidewalks would offset the $8,350 cost.

 

Councilor Sweet acknowledged the crosswalk area can be dangerous during busy times, with cars not paying attention and a bend in the road.

 

Mayor Mutter suggested tabling to determine if additional sidewalk construction would be required at the new location and the total cost implications.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS BEAULIEU AND SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO NOVEMBER 19, 2025.  VOTE 7/0.

 

3.         R-25-66 – A resolution authorizing the acceptance of a credit, reducing Tower Construction’s contract by eight hundred and eleven dollars and four cents ($811.04)

 

Director Mendes explained that this straightforward matter involved unused funds in Task 3 for internal signage, resulting in a credit to the town.

 

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

 

4.   R-25-67 –A resolution authorizing the Town of Cumberland to engage Stoss for the design development of Phase I of the Valley Falls Heritage Park project in a total amount not to exceed one hundred and fifty-three thousand five hundred dollars ($153,500)

 

Community Outreach Coordinator Sarah King presented the resolution, noting they were at an exciting point with the building nearing completion. She reminded the council of previous resolutions for final design and geotechnical work, all now completed.  Phase 1 encompasses just under 7,000 square feet in the area closest to Mill Street, funded through a Rhode Island Commerce streetscape improvement grant and funding for capital projects. The phase focuses on creating clearer, aesthetically pleasing park access, including a crosswalk, street plantings, a new entryway, improved bike path access, ADA-compliant walkways, and an entry overlook serving as amphitheater and outdoor classroom space.

Ms. King displayed community engagement materials from a dinner with over 50 residents, showing desires for better walking paths, outdoor classroom space, improved entryway, natural landscapes, and spaces for live music and celebrations. She emphasized that Phase 1 directly addresses these community-identified goals.

 

Councilor Metivier asked about connectivity to the rest of the park.

 

Ms. King confirmed that pathways would connect but wouldn't be fully realized until future phases.  She noted this phase is 100 percent funded by those grants.

 

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

 

5.   R-25-68 –A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to apply for two Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Recreational Grants requiring 25% matching funds

 

Mayor Mutter explained that this resolution was required for DEM recreational grant applications with a November 18th deadline. After discussions with Recreation Director Crawley and the grant writer, they identified two submissions an add-on to the Diamond Hill Park pump track, and worked toward the next phase of Valley Falls Heritage Park. The Mayor noted these projects meet the criteria viewed favorably for grants. The pump track had previously received grant funding. The 25% match requirement was detailed in the resolution and fiscal note. A public meeting would also be required.

 

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

 

 

C.    ORDINANCES for presentation and permission to advertise

1.  #25-24 – An ordinance authorizing the placement of a stop sign on River Street at the intersection of Forest Avenue. (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

 

REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

2.  #25-25 – An ordinance amending sections 38-34 and 38-36 of the code of ordinances entitled “One Way Streets” and “Stop Intersections” (Presented by Councilor Magill)

 

REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

3.  #25-26 – An ordinance amending Chapter 38, Article III (entitled parking, stopping, and standing) of the Town of Cumberland’s Code of Ordinances (Presented by Councilor Magill)

 

REFERRED TO ORDINANCE SUB-COMMITTEE

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 9:12 P.M.  VOTE 7/0.