MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 1, 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 7:30 PM.

 

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

 

Member absent: Councilor Beaulieu

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular meetings of September 17, 2025.

 

B.     MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

1.      Atomic Blonde Ice Cream

 

C.    COMMUNICATIONS

1.   C-25-76 – A resolution from the Town of Westerly preserving the name, significance, and observance of the Victory Day holiday.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

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

 

B.  Annual Report of the financial and administrative updates as per Section 306(H) of the Charter Administrative updates/Financial updates    

 

Mayor Mutter apologized that the council had just received the report that afternoon, explaining they had been hopeful to receive the OPEB and pension reports, which had not yet arrived. He suggested the council move this to another agenda or put it on the finance committee agenda to allow them time to review it.

Despite the late delivery, Mayor Mutter provided some high-level updates. He expressed his ongoing concern about the unsynchronized tax levy, although he noted that it came in very close to projections - slightly ahead. He reported that the general fund ended up with a very slight surplus, while with the use of budgeted fund balance, there was a slight deficit. The water fund remained a work in progress, with the Mayor explaining they had anticipated getting bills out with the new rate sooner, which contributed to the shortfall there. He noted they were making improvements but were not yet where they wanted to be.  Regarding the credit rating opinion for the bond anticipation note for BF Norton, Mayor Mutter was pleased to report that they received the highest short-term borrowing rating possible. On healthcare projections, he noted that while they never had a fund balance on the town side previously, and there was a smaller one on the school side, both were in much better shape as of June 30th. He cautioned that all numbers in the report were unaudited and could change, though he didn't expect significant changes.  Mayor Mutter also referenced a general report from last year that showed Cumberland as one of the few communities with all positive, favorable trends. He expressed appreciation for the council's support and that of all members, including residents and taxpayers. He offered to answer any questions despite the late delivery of the report, and suggested scheduling it for the next agenda or finance committee meeting.

 

Council President Kinch asked if the report could be placed on the next agenda, noting that it was 199 pages long. The council agreed to give it a couple of weeks to digest the information.

 

LICENSES

A.    ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.      An application for a special event entertainment license from the PTO of Cumberland Hill Elementary for their annual Truck or Treat event at JJ McLaughlin Cumberland Hill School, 205 Manville Hill Road, on October 25, 2025.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE, PENDING THE RECEIPT OF THE REQUIRED APPROVALS.  VOTE 6/0.

 

B.  EXTENDED HOURS LICENSE

1.   An application for an extended hours license from T.B.D. Pizza, Inc. dba Domino’s, 250 Mendon Road, to extended closing time from 1:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. (Public Hearing)

 

Public Hearing opened at 7:36 pm.

 

Public Hearing closed at 7:37 pm.

 

During the council discussion, questions arose about how many food establishments had licenses past 1:00 AM and why Domino's needed the extra hour.

 

Council members expressed concern that, without a representative present to explain the need for extended hours, they were uncomfortable proceeding. There was consensus that someone from Domino's should come before the council to explain their rationale.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO OCTOBER 15, 2025.  VOTE 6/0.

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.    RESOLUTIONS

1.      R-25-54 – A resolution abandoning a portion of Kilburn Street (Public Hearing)

 

Public Hearing opened at 7:39 pm.

 

Public Hearing closed at 7:40 pm.

 

Mayor Mutter explained that the abandonment was necessary for the new BF Norton Elementary School construction. He noted that the street in question, a paper road, was located within the construction zone. He referenced detailed paperwork and a memo from the planning department addressing the issue, emphasizing this was a necessary prerequisite to continue construction.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE WITH AN EASEMENT FOR RHODE ISLAND ENERGY TO ACCESS EXISTING UNDERGROUND GAS EQUIPMENT.  VOTE 6/0.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    APPOINTMENTS

1.      CONFIDENTIAL ASSISTANT TO THE CHIEF OF POLICE

Kerri Austin

 

Chief of Police Benson addressed the council, reporting that they had concluded their search for the assistant position with some outstanding candidates. He was happy to report that Kerri Austin came out number one in their selection process. He highlighted her tremendous resume, noting she most recently worked for a federal court of appeals justice. The Chief stated she comes with a wealth of law enforcement and criminal justice background in the assistance space and believed she would be an outstanding fit for their team.

 

Mayor Mutter commented that her resume looked like it would be a good fit. Council members welcomed and thanked Ms. Austin for her interest in the position.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

2.   HOUSING AUTHORITY

            Kathleen Vaslet, Resident Commissioner, term to expire June 30, 2030

 

Ms. Vaslet was present but indicated her application spoke for itself and she had nothing to add. It was noted from her application that she had been living at 1 Mendon Road for a while.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE.  VOTE 6/0.

 

B.  CLAIM

1. John Kane

 

The claim from John Kane was referred to the solicitor's office.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

No public comments

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 7:45 P.M.  VOTE 6/0.