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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, JULY 15, 2026 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 called the Regular Meeting of the Cumberland Town Council to order at 7:37 PM on Wednesday,
July 15, 2026, at 45 Broad Street, Cumberland, RI. All council members were present.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONSENT AGENDA
A. Acceptance of Minutes of the Regular Meetings of June 17, 2026.
B. MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE
2. Neuro Brews
3. Cassava LLC
4. Boba Wave
6. Antojitos & Delicias Kamila’s
11. Cousins' Lobster
12. California Tacos
C. COMMUNICATIONS
1. 26-47 – DEM Notice of public hearing relating to emission cap
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS
A. Report of Executive Session vote(s), as may be necessary
The Council had no votes to report from Executive Session.
B. Update from the School Committee
Council President noted that School Committee representative Amy Vogel was unable to attend and would provide her update at the next meeting.
C. Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending June 2026
No questions were raised on the monthly and quarterly financial reports.
D. Check registers for June 2026
No questions or comments were raised on the check registers.
E. Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve June 2026 abatements and supplemental bills
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE ABATEMENTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $3,082.04. VOTE 7/0.
F. A discussion relating to Retrofit
Chris Costic, Account Manager, and Bobby Mello, on-site IT resource from Retrofit, appeared before the Council to address questions regarding data accessibility and a recent server incident. Bobby explained that during the migration of on-premises servers to the cloud, one legacy server running PowerSchool software from approximately 2014 to 2020 could not be migrated due to compatibility issues with modern systems. The server had been kept offline and off the managed services plan, which prevented Retrofit from monitoring it for hardware failures.
When the Finance department needed access to historical data on that server, it was reconnected to the network and found to have two hard drive failures. Bobby and his colleagues were able to restore the server over two days using existing backups, and Finance staff were subsequently shown how to access the needed data. The server has since been returned to managed services so that any future hardware issues will trigger immediate alerts.
Chris Costic noted that the seven-year financial retention requirement is the reason the legacy server must remain accessible, and that the town is now in its sixth year of that requirement. Once the seventh year is complete, all data will reside in the cloud, and the legacy server will no longer be needed. Council members expressed satisfaction that the data was now securely accessible and that proactive monitoring was in place.
G. Department Reports
4. EMS
5. Library
7. Planning & Community Development
No questions or comments were raised on any of the department reports.
H. Quarterly Reports
2. OCYL
3. Public Works
No questions or comments were raised on any of the quarterly reports.
LICENSES
A. ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE
1. An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Fatima Holy Name Society for the Old Lady of Fatima Feast located at 1 Fatima Drive on September 4 and 5, 2026 from 5 pm – Midnight, and September 6, 2026 from 4 pm – 11 pm.
Council President noted that approval would be contingent upon a final tent inspection and promoter’s permit. No questions were raised by the Council.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR METIVIER, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE LICENSE PENDING FINAL TENT INSPECTION AND PROMOTE’S PERMIT. VOTE 7/0.
2. An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Cumberland Hill PTO for the Cumberland Hill PTO Color Dash located at Cumberland Hill School, 205 Manville Hill Road, on September 25, 2026 from 6pm–8 pm.
Ashley Lemieu, a Cumberland Hill PTO member and teacher at the school, appeared before the Council to present the application. She described the Color Dash as one of the PTO's top fundraisers and a popular community event for families and staff. She noted the event is typically held rain or shine, with the possibility of rescheduling only in the event of a complete washout.
Councilor Shaw noted that the Cumberland Hill PTO has been proactive in applying early to avoid scheduling conflicts with fall sports programs that use the school fields. He asked whether the Parks & Recreation Department had responded to outreach related to coordinating field usage.
Ms. Lemieu confirmed she was not aware of a response but noted another PTO member had been in contact with that department.
Councilor Magill noted that no rain date had been listed in the application, which Ms. Lemieu confirmed was consistent with the event's rain-or-shine format.
Council President noted that approval would be contingent upon receipt of an insurance certificate, a promoter's permit, and final police and EMS inspection details.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE LICENSE PENDING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION AND INSPECTIONS. VOTE 7/0.
OLD BUSINESS
A. ORDINANCES for PUBLIC HEARING
1. #26-06A – An ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding the disposition of public property (Presented by Councilor Sweet-tabled from June 17, 2026 meeting)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, TO ACCEPT ORDINANCE #26-06A IN PLACE #26-06. VOTE 7/0.
The public hearing was opened at 7:54 p.m.
Councilor Beaulieu reported that the Ordinance Subcommittee heard the ordinance and that Councilor Sweet had done substantial work with the administration on it. However, a few unresolved issues remained regarding the management of sales and pricing for the disposition of vehicles and equipment. The subcommittee recommended tabling the matter to the August 19 meeting.
The public hearing was closed at 7:55 p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET AND COUNCILOR SHAW TO TABLE ORDINANCE #26-06A TO AUGUST 19, 2026. VOTE 7/0.
2. #26-07A – An ordinance amending the code of ordinances regarding special event entertainment licenses (Presented by Councilor Sweet-tabled from June 17, 2026 meeting)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT #26-07A IN PLACE OF #26-07. VOTE 7/0.
The public hearing was opened at 7:56 p.m.
Chairwoman Beaulieu reported that the ordinance received favorable passage from the Ordinance Subcommittee on a 2-to-1 vote, with Councilor Metivier opposing.
Councilor Sweet summarized the ordinance's key provisions. The proposal arose from recurring concerns about special event applications being submitted too close to event dates, leaving insufficient time for review by public safety departments. The ordinance would establish a standard six-week advance application requirement, based on feedback from Police Chief Benson, who repeatedly requested more lead time. Councilor Sweet noted that event planners typically begin organizing months in advance, making the six-week threshold practical. The ordinance also provides a built-in allowance for organizations to miss the six-week deadline up to twice per calendar year and still receive approval, and charitable or fundraising events may always come before the Council regardless of the number of prior applications each year.
Town Solicitor Kelley noted a technical correction: the green-highlighted language on lines 16 through 23 of the ordinance should be underlined for proper codification purposes, and the clerk could address this administratively without a formal amendment motion.
The public hearing was closed at 8:01p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT WAS VOTEED APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE. VOTE 5/2.
Nay votes - Councilors Metivier and Bradley.
3. #26-09 – An ordinance repealing chapter 4, Article I § 4-6 relating to household pets in buildings over a certain height (Presented by Councilor Sweet-tabled from June 17, 2026 meeting)
Councilor Beaulieu reported that the Ordinance Subcommittee would be holding this ordinance, as a significant amount of additional work is needed between Councilor Sweet and the Animal Control department to align the ordinance with current state regulations. Given the scope of revisions required, Councilor Sweet and the Town Solicitor indicated the ordinance should be formally withdrawn, as a new ordinance number would be more appropriate when the revised version comes before the Council.
The ordinance was withdrawn.
4. #26-10 - An Ordinance amending Chapter 34 of the Code of Ordinances relating to Claims (Presented by Councilor Shaw-tabled from June 17, 2026 meeting)
The public hearing was opened at 8:03p.m.
Councilor Shaw, reporting on behalf of the Finance Subcommittee, explained that this ordinance grew out of a meeting involving himself, the Town Clerk, the Solicitor's Office, and the Highway Department, during which it was recognized that the existing ordinance contained no clear requirements for what must be submitted when filing a claim against the town. The ordinance adds specific language establishing what information is required when submitting a claim, what may additionally be required, and introduces a six-month sunset deadline for claimants to submit all required materials before the Finance Sub-committee will hear the matter. He stated the intent is to make the claims process more efficient by ensuring that all submitted claims are fully prepared before they come before the body.
The public hearing was closed at 8:04p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE. VOTE 7/0.
5. #26-11A – An ordinance amending the Operating Budget for the Town of Cumberland’s General Fund for Fiscal Year 2025/2026 (Second Hearing & Vote)
Mayor Mutter thanked the Council for their patience with this ordinance over the preceding months. She explained that Ordinance #26-11A reconciles the School Department's budget amendment from February 2026, updates revenue figures based on actual state aid and recent legislative votes and cleans up year-to-date expenditure figures. He noted that the most significant expenditure amendment on the highway side had been revised downward from approximately $500,000 to approximately $110,000 after it was clarified that certain mass release proceeds had initially been recorded as an expense without a corresponding revenue entry. The Mayor also noted that the budget as presented assumes a disaster declaration that was declined on July 2 may yet be reinstated; however, he acknowledged that no adjustments could be made for that at this juncture. He emphasized that proceeding with the hearing was necessary to maintain compliance with the Town Charter.
Final figures presented were:
● Total Revenue: Adopted at $125,214,692; amended to $127,340,377
● Total Expenditures: Adopted at $125,218,192; amended to $127,622,635
The public hearing was opened at 8:06p.m.
The public hearing was closed at 8:09p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL. VOTE 7/0.
6. #26-16A – An ordinance amending code of ordinances relative to truck routes (Presented by Councilor Sweet, tabled from June 17, 2026 meeting)
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL TO ACCEPT #26-16A IN PLACE OF #26-12. VOTE 7/0.
The public hearing was opened at 8:10p.m.
Chairwoman Beaulieu reported that the ordinance received favorable passage by a 3-to-0 vote from the Ordinance Subcommittee at its second hearing.
Councilor Sweet summarized the ordinance, explaining that North Attleboro Road has experienced a dramatic increase in heavy commercial truck traffic vehicles up to 80,000 pounds — attributable to new large-scale industrial warehouse development near Plainville, Massachusetts, just across the state line. The road ranges from 18 to 24 feet in width, abuts the reservoir and residential neighborhoods, lacks sidewalks, and has multiple sections with low-hanging utility wires. A truck had recently struck overhead wires, causing a power outage affecting approximately 850 residents. She reported that the Town Engineer and Director of Public Works visited the site and confirmed the road is too narrow and not constructed to safely accommodate the volume and size of truck traffic it has been receiving. She clarified that the ordinance would restrict through-trucking — it would not prohibit trucks with a legitimate reason to be on the road, such as local deliveries or construction.
Several residents of the North Attleboro Road neighborhood addressed the Council.
Mike Bear, 3 Arnold Drive, who has lived on the road since 1999, described the dramatic increase in truck traffic beginning as early as 6:00 a.m., including large tractor-trailer dump trucks, box trucks, and moving trucks. He recounted a conversation with one driver who said he uses the road regularly and was unaware of any restrictions. He also described a period during which dozens of trucks per day were using the road in connection with capping a nearby Superfund site, a matter that was eventually partially addressed after his intervention.
Ryan Rylander, Arnold Drive, reported that a field camera had captured up to 50 trucks per day on the road, most in the 20–30 ton range. He noted that a traffic study commissioned by the Town of Plainville projected nearly 1,000 truck trips per day in and out of the new warehouse facility, and that even a small fraction of those routing through North Attleboro Road would be significant. He also noted that the town's Public Works department had already repaired a section of road that collapsed under the weight of heavy traffic.
Matthew Corriveau, 36 Larchwood Drive, described moving to the area three years ago and not anticipating the level of truck traffic, recounting that a tractor-trailer had run over his recycling bin and expressing concern for the safety of his young daughter.
Director of Public Works Romeo Mendes added that at the terminus of North Attleboro Road at Nate Whipple Highway, the width between curbing is only 22 feet, making left turns for large vehicles extremely difficult and dangerous.
Councilor Bradley raised questions about whether the increase in truck traffic was yet tied to the new warehouse facility, noting he had observed no activity there.
Councilor Sweet acknowledged the warehouse may not be fully operational but noted that multiple nearby facilities are already generating significant traffic and that the ordinance is also intended to get ahead of anticipated future increases.
Councilor Bradley also raised the practical question of enforcement, noting that the road straddles the Massachusetts line and questioning where signage would be posted.
Director Mendes explained that signs would be placed on Nate Whipple Highway and at the Cumberland entry point, and that coordination with neighboring municipalities — including North Attleboro and Plainville — would be pursued to post advance warning signs.
Councilor Sweet added that once signage is in place, the town can contact navigation app companies such as Waze and Google Maps to have the route flagged as a no-through-trucking road, which is not possible without the underlying ordinance.
Councilor Shaw expressed strong support for the ordinance, citing both safety and infrastructure protection. He noted that North Attleboro Road was never designed to carry heavy truck loads and that the cost of maintaining a road subjected to such traffic would ultimately fall on Cumberland taxpayers. He acknowledged that some trucks — such as those used by Pawtucket for reservoir maintenance — would legitimately need access and emphasized that the ordinance does not eliminate all truck use, only through-trucking.
Prior to the vote, the Council approved three technical amendments to the ordinance text:
● Line 16: Delete the phrase "in which case such vehicles may be operated on such street or highway," as it was a redundant repetition.
● Line 20: Delete the article "a" before "free."
● Line 21/22: Amend the sentence to read: "The director of public works through his office shall see that freestanding signs are posted as may be necessary on these streets so designating the restriction."
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, TO AMEND ORDINANCE #26-16A WITH CHANGES TO LINES 16, 20, AND 21 WAS MADE. VOTE 7/0.
The public hearing was closed at 8:30p.m.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, TO APPROVE ORDINANCE #26-16A AS AMENDED BY ROLL CALL VOTE. VOTE 6/1.
Nay Vote – Councilor Bradley
7. # 26-17 – An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance of the Town of Cumberland, Rhode Island (Presented by Council President on behalf of the Administration)
At the request of the Mayor, the Council tabled this ordinance to the August 19, 2026 meeting.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO TABLE TO AUGUST 19, 2026. VOTE 7/0.
NEW BUSINESS
1. R-26-33 – A resolution authorizing payment to Weston and Sampson to replace the well motor for Manville satellite #1 in an amount not to exceed eighteen thousand four hundred and three dollars and fifty cents ($18,403.50).
Water Department Director Robert Ray noted that in early March the well motor at Manville Satellite #1 failed. Weston & Sampson was engaged to perform emergency repairs and, at the department's request, also conducted a failure analysis on the motor. The department delayed bringing the payment request forward until the full analysis report was received in early June. The analysis identified two contributing factors to motor failure. First, the motor had been in continuous operation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for 17 years, a use pattern that nearly no manufacturer will warranty. He explained that well production in the northern part of town does not keep pace with demand, leaving little opportunity for planned downtime or rest of equipment. Second, the consultant recommended installing variable frequency drive (VFD) output filters specifically output chokes or reactors — on the well motors to regulate voltage spikes transmitted through the long cables connecting the surface-mounted VFDs to the submerged motors. The Director noted that all modern systems are now designed with such filters in place, and that procuring and installing compatible filters is the department's next step.
He also discussed broader systemic challenges, including the possibility of reactivating the Schofield well site, which received a DEM restriction several years ago. Reactivating Schofield could provide an additional northern-end source, allowing the Manville and Franklin wells to cycle down periodically and reducing strain on the aquifers. He noted the town is currently drawing between 2.5 and 3 million gallons per day from Pawtucket, which is near the operational maximum that Pawtucket has indicated it can provide.
Chairwoman Beaulieu asked whether voltage issues from the VFD configuration could have contributed to the earlier Franklin Farm pump failure.
Director Ray said it was possible, noting that the Franklin Farm VFDs are housed even farther from the wells than at Manville, and that the configuration at Franklin may require the more expensive sine-wave filter option. He indicated this is the next area he plans to investigate.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SWEET, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
2. R-26-34 – A resolution to approve payment to Toscan Family Corp for the emergency work required for the town hall parking lot in a total amount not to exceed forty-four thousand nine hundred dollars ($44,900).
Director of Public Works Romeo Mendes explained that sinkholes were developed in the visitor parking area of the Town Hall parking lot. When the highway department arrived to perform a routine repair, the Director recommended first conducting a test pit investigation. The excavation approximately 10 by 10 by 10 feet deep — revealed a fieldstone foundation filled with decomposing wood, brick, and metal, causing the surrounding area to subside by approximately four to six inches. Rather than continuing to perform piecemeal sinkhole repairs, the Director consulted with the Mayor and decided to excavate the entire affected area. The excavated material has been stockpiled at the Pascal Highway facility and will be screened for reuse around town; the fieldstone may also find additional uses. Clean, compactable fill material has since been brought in to replace the excavated area. The Director expected compaction work to be complete by the following day, after which final grading, a binder course, and a surface course would restore the parking lot to full use. The resolution before the Council covers Toscan Family Corp's costs for that paving work.
MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE. VOTE 7/0.
PUBLIC COMMENTS
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT IS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ADJOURN AT 8:59 P.M. VOTE 7/0.