MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE CUMBERLAND TOWN COUNCIL

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 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 Kinch called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.  All council members were present.

 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

 

GENERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

CONSENT AGENDA

A.    Acceptance of Minutes of the Special and Regular Meetings of September 2, 2026

 

B.     MUNICIPAL MOBILE FOOD ESTABLISHMENT LICENSE

1.   Nanu Burmese Fusion RI

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

A middle school student, Virginia Zuck of 40 Thomas Leighton Boulevard, spoke on behalf of her soccer team regarding the condition of Back Tucker field. She described the field as having numerous bumps and patches that make play difficult for all teams and noted that the field was frequently referenced negatively when compared to away venues. She requested that the town fill in the holes and improve field maintenance so that players could be proud of their home field.

 

Council President acknowledged her comments and indicated that the matter would be relayed to the relevant department.

 

Natalia Rosemell of Paradise Avenue, Woonsocket, speaking as a community member and representative of Rhode Islanders for Personal Privacy, addressed Ordinance 26-22 relating to data centers. She urged the Council to pass the ordinance, citing health risks, threats to electricity and water affordability, harm to natural resource areas and wildlife habitats, and documented reductions in quality of life in other communities that have hosted data centers.

 

REPORTS/COMMUNICATIONS

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

 

B.     Update from the School Committee

                   

School Committee Chairwoman Amy Vogel of 10 Wampum Trail addressed the council. She reported that the committee's recent meetings had been focused primarily on two major topics: redistricting and changes to school start and end times for the upcoming 2027–28 school year.

 

On redistricting, Chairwoman Vogel explained that when BF Norton Elementary School comes online as a new facility, it will become a four-track school—meaning four sections of each grade level, kindergarten through the highest elementary grade. Cumberland Hill School will become a four-track school. Ashton, Cumberland Hill, and Garvin Schools will be three-track schools. She stated that redistricting is necessary to avoid overcrowding at some schools and to fill enrollment capacity at BF Norton, which has not historically operated as a four-track school.

 

Regarding the process, Chairwoman Vogel explained that the committee had begun the process in approximately August of the prior year, voting to engage Transpar, a third-party vendor with national experience in redistricting and school start time analysis. She noted that Transpar is based in South Carolina and works with districts throughout the country. Throughout the 2025–26 school year, the committee received intermittent updates from Transpar. At the end of August 2026, the committee received its first set of redistricting maps. She indicated that redistricting would appear on the school committee agenda at least once per month through February or March of 2027, at which time the committee anticipates voting on a final plan. She noted that the committee has received substantial public feedback via email, which has been forwarded to Transpar, and that a FAQ page has been published on the Cumberland School District website.

 

Councilor Shaw asked about the new block schedule at the high school, noting that as a parent of a senior he found it unusual that students could finish school early in the morning. Chairwoman Vogel explained that the block schedule is designed to give students flexibility—whether to pursue internships, take additional classes, or gain real-world experience. She said she could only speak anecdotally from her own daughter's experience, noting that she and a friend were enjoying it. She added that the achievement subcommittee would hold a meeting on the block schedule in either October or November to review any pros, cons, or lessons learned after a month or two of implementation. Councilor Shaw acknowledged the schedule's purpose but expressed curiosity about whether there had been any abuse of the early release provision and said he looked forward to hearing data from the committee in the coming months.

 

Councilor Beaulieu asked about the anticipated timeline around the redistricting decision.

 

Chairwoman Vogel reiterated that a vote on a final plan is anticipated in February or March of 2027. She noted that a special school committee meeting dedicated entirely to redistricting is scheduled for October 1st. She said she expects that meeting may surface additional options or tweaks to the current proposal based on public feedback, though she did not yet know what those modifications might look like.

 

Councilor Beaulieu followed up, asking whether Transpar would be presenting in person at the October 1st meeting. Chairwoman Vogel explained that the matter had been tabled by a committee member due to the additional cost associated with having Transpar travel to Cumberland, as the contract had already included a limited number of in-person visits—she believed two—and those had been used. She noted that she personally had hoped for an in-person presentation, acknowledging that in-person dialogue often allows more to be resolved in real time than asynchronous email exchanges. However, as of the meeting, Transpar would not attend the October 1st meeting unless a subsequent committee decision changed that, and she noted the logistical difficulty of arranging last-minute travel for a national firm.

 

The Council President added that he had been attending those meetings and echoed the concern about the value of having Transpar present in person, noting that "questions can lead to other questions," and that he had seen frustration from parents who were unable to get answers quickly through email submissions alone.

Chairwoman Vogel thanked the council for their engagement and indicated the committee would continue to keep the public informed.

 

C.    Monthly/Quarterly Financial Report ending August 2026

No questions or discussion.

 

D.    Check registers for August 2026

No questions or discussion.

E.     Request from the Tax Assessor to review and approve August 2026 abatements and supplemental bills

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

F.     Department Reports

1.   Animal Control

2.   Building Committees  

3.   Building Official

4.   EMS

5.   Library

6.   Parks & Recreation

7.   Planning & Community Development

8.   Police Department

9.   Senior Services

10. Town Clerk’s Office

 

LICENSES

A.    ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE

1.      An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Phantom Farms II LLC for Paw Patrol event on November 8, 2026 from 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. located at 2920 Diamond Hill Road.

 

Jodi Davies of 11 Mayberry Street in Cumberland, representing Phantom Farms II LLC, appeared before the council to describe the event. She explained that it would be a very small event with approximately 40 tickets available, open to children. When a council member asked whether the event was animal-related, Ms. Davies clarified that Paw Patrol is a cartoon character—not a live animal—who would be appearing at the event. She emphasized the limited ticket count, noting that once sold out, the event would be considered at capacity, and no additional tickets would be sold. The council noted that approval is conditioned upon the applicant obtaining a promoter's permit.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTER TO APPROVE THE LICENSE PENDING A PROMOTER'S PERMIT.  VOTE 7/0.

 

2.    An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Phantom Farms II LLC for Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair event on November 14, 2026, with a rain date of November 15, 2026 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. located at 2920 Diamond Hill Road.

 

Ms. Davies described the Holiday Craft & Vendor Fair as a smaller-scale version of a previous summer vendor fair. She indicated that the same traffic management preparations used for the prior event—including open parking in the rear—would be employed, noting that those preparations proved more than sufficient.

 

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

 

3.    An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Phantom Farms II LLC for the Phantom’s Haunted Hayride event on October 29 and 30, 2026, with a rain date of November 1, 2026 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. located at 2920 Diamond Hill Road.

 

Ms. Davies described a new event featuring a haunted hayride across two evenings. The hayride will accommodate approximately 20 riders per trip, with six scheduled runs per evening and all tickets pre-sold to manage crowd size. She emphasized the family-friendly nature of the event, describing it as "spooky" rather than horror-themed, with an atmosphere focused on lighting effects. No generators or loud amplified sound were planned.

 

Councilor Shaw inquired about amplified sound and whether any noise might carry into neighboring properties.

 

Ms. Davies confirmed that no loud music or generators were planned, and that sound would be minimal and contained to the hayride itself.

 

A nearby resident, Linda Perillo of 1 Thompson Hill Drive, raised a concern about lighting and whether it might spill into adjacent residential properties given the lack of fencing on the Thompson Hill side of the farm.

 

Ms. Davies addressed this directly, explaining that four designated scene locations would be positioned to face inward toward the farm — toward the orchard and the cider mill — and that all lighting would be oriented away from neighboring homes. No generator-powered elevated lighting was planned.

 

COUNCIL BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE THE LICENSE CONDITIONED ON RECEIPT OF A PROMOTER'S PERMIT.  VOTE 7/0.

 

4.     An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Ocean State Brewing Co dba Phantom Farms Brewing for the Parking Lot Takeover event on October 11, 2026 from 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. located at 30 Martin Street.

 

Jordan Dalpe, 24 Berardi Road, Johnston, representing Ocean State Brewing Co., described the event as consistent with previously approved parking lot takeover events. The event features a Morgan Wallen theme and is expected to draw a significant number of attendees, weather dependent. Security, EMS, and fire personnel have already been coordinated through the proper portal.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSY VOTED TO APPROVE THE LICENSE.  VOTE 7/0.

 

5.  An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from Cumberland Police for Truck or Treat event on October 4, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. located at 1364 Diamond Hill Road.

 

No representative from the Cumberland Police was present. The Council noted familiarity with the recurring event. Approval was conditioned on receipt of a promoter's permit.

 

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

 

6.  An application for a Special Event Entertainment license from New England Humane Society dba The Hotel for Homeless Dogs for a Howl-O-Ween Dog Walk event on October 31, 2026 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. located at 1464 Diamond Hill Road.

 

No representative from the New England Humane Society was present. Approval was conditioned on receipt of insurance certification and a promoter's permit.

 

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

 

OLD BUSINESS

A.       ORDINANCES for PUBLIC HEARING  

1.      #26-22 – An ordinance amending the Zoning Ordinance relating to Data Centers (Presented by Councilor Sweet)

 

The public hearing was opened 8:00 pm

 

Councilor Beaulieu noted that the ordinance had been heard at the ordinance subcommittee meeting on September 2nd, where it received favorable passage on a 2–1 vote, with Councilor Metivier dissenting.

 

Councilor Sweet then offered an extensive presentation on the ordinance's purpose and background. She began by crediting the Planning Department—particularly the new planning director and her team, as well as Bobby from water and Romeo Mendes—for their collaborative work in preparing a memorandum with supporting statistics that was attached to the ordinance.  She explained that the ordinance originated from her observation of the difficulties Smithfield encountered when a data center attempted to locate in that town. Because Smithfield had no pre-existing zoning rules governing data centers, the facility came close to being approved by default. She said she reviewed what the state legislature had done in response and found that most relevant legislation from the most recent session had sat in committee. 

 

She then provided detailed context on why the ordinance was necessary, noting that while data centers have existed for many years, around 2023 they became significantly larger and more burdensome for communities.  She cited several specific impacts: On energy consumption, she noted that a large-scale data center can now routinely use more energy than an entire small city every single day, and that electricity prices in Virginia—one of the largest data center markets in the country—had risen 267 percent over five years. She emphasized that Rhode Island already has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation.

 

On water consumption, she stated that a large-scale data center can use as much water in a day as 16,000 households, adding that Cumberland has approximately 17,500 households and a population of around 37,000 - meaning a large center could theoretically consume nearly as much water as the entire town in a single day. She underscored this concern in the context of ongoing drought conditions: from June of 2025 to May of 2026, Rhode Island has only received 80 percent of normal rainfall.  She described visible signs of drought stress on the town's natural resources, noting that many streams and ponds are almost bone dry already and that the Blackstone River, in places, has become shallow enough to walk across.

 

On the proximity risk to neighborhoods, she cited the example of a data center in Lowell, Massachusetts, built in a former spaghetti factory directly adjacent to a residential neighborhood. That facility currently spans 352,000 square feet, operates 27 industrial backup generators and 16 cooling towers, and is as close as 100 feet to some front doors. She noted that the facility is attempting to expand to 81 generators but is currently being sued by the surrounding neighborhood. If you look down the street and instead of just more neighborhood, she said, there's just a black wall that looks like something out of a dystopian sci-fi movie.

 

On economic benefits, Councilor Sweet challenged the notion that data centers are a meaningful economic driver, stating that almost all of the jobs created by data centers are temporary construction jobs with very few permanent positions created.

 

She concluded by stating that the ordinance is not necessarily permanent: no law or ordinance is forever. We have the ability to flex and change as needed, but right now, we need to protect Cumberland.

 

Cheryl Joneshead of 1269 Cumberland Road expressed strong support for the ordinance. She said she had seen photographs of data center facilities and described them as horrific, referencing both the visual impact and the noise pollution. She echoed the point that these facilities are manned by 1 person, offer minimal employment, and receive massive tax breaks with no meaningful upside for the community. She asked how she might get involved in advocacy efforts.

 

Brendan Downey of Providence, a member of Rhode Islanders for Personal Privacy, offered remarks drawing a literary parallel, quoting poet William Blake's description of "dark satanic mills polluting the once verdant countryside" and applying the image to modern data centers. He argued that both the factories of the industrial age and today's data centers represent an immense strain on municipal resources and catastrophic environmental damage.  He challenged the framing of data center development as progress, arguing that tech companies do not have our best interest in mind, citing the sale of personal data and the use of that data to train AI systems without user consent. He posed the rhetorical question —repeated three times — of "why add willingly to the problem?" with respect to climate, environmental drain, and affordability. He urged the council to ban the construction of these new data centers and to help keep Rhode Island safe from these dark satanic mills.

 

John Downey of Providence, representing both Rhode Islanders for Personal Privacy and Climate Action Rhode Island, spoke in favor of the ordinance. He described data centers as a net negative for the communities in which they are built and elaborated on multiple dimensions of harm. He cited the emission of methane and other toxins via gas-powered turbines, referencing Memphis as a case study. He discussed energy consumption, noting that a single AI data center can use energy equivalent to 10,000 to 200,000 homes - a figure he described as conservative as they continue to grow - and stated that the resulting energy costs are delivered not to the companies behind the centers, but to the average joe.  He cited documented health effects including respiratory illness caused by airborne pollution, and described the noise produced by data centers as reaching up to 100 decibels and capable of persisting for miles, sometimes for days on end without any ceasing.  On water, he stated that data center water consumption could reach 32 billion gallons annually by 2028. He noted that data centers are despised across the nation, referencing a recent ban in Smithfield, Rhode Island, and a push at the congressional level for a nationwide moratorium. He expressed his hope that Cumberland would be setting a great example, not just for Rhode Island, but for the entire nation.

 

The public hearing was closed at 8:12 pm.

 

Councilor Shaw offered his thanks to Councilor Sweet for her work on the ordinance.

 

Councilor Beaulieu offered historical context, drawing a parallel to the expansion of utility-scale solar in Rhode Island years earlier, when woodlands were being clear-cut to accommodate solar farms before communities and regulations caught up with the trend. She noted that it took significant community advocacy to bring that issue under control and said this ordinance represents good proactive timing. She also referenced a situation in central New Hampshire, where a decommissioned coal power plant alongside a river had attracted a data center application—drawing a direct parallel to Cumberland’s own situation along the Blackstone River. Councilor Beaulieu stated that reading the ordinance in light of that example made her realize that Cumberland was vulnerable, and that putting some conditions in place to limit this is a great thing for our town.

 

The council president asked if there were any other comments from the council. Hearing none, he called for a motion to approve.

 

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE BY A ROLL CALL VOTE.  VOTE 6/1.

Councilor Bradley voted in the negative.

 

2.   # 26-25 – An ordinance establishing resident only parking on Brailey Street (Presented by Councilor Metivier)

          

Councilor Beaulieu moved to table the ordinance to the next regular Council meeting on October 7, 2026, noting that the item had not yet been fully prepared for deliberation.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR BEAULIEU, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS VOTED TO TABLE TO OCTOBER 7, 2026.  VOTE 6/1. 

Councilor Shaw voted in the negative.

 

NEW BUSINESS

A.    RESOLUTIONS

1.       R-26-38 – A resolution authorizing Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to enter into a five-year contract renewal with PowerSchool Group LLC for the current financial software in an amount not to exceed fifty-two thousand one hundred seventeen dollars and seventy-seven cents ($52,117.77).

The Finance Director Melinda Brouillard presented the request for a five-year renewal of the town's financial software contract with PowerSchool Group LLC, noting that the current contract expires at the end of October. She explained that the department is satisfied with the system's performance and that the five-year option offers the greatest cost savings compared to one- or three-year renewal terms. She also indicated that periodic software upgrades are typically included within such contracts.

Councilor Beaulieu asked whether upgrades were anticipated during the contract period.

The Director confirmed that upgrades typically occur every one to two years.

Councilor Bradley inquired whether the contract was being sole-sourced.

The Director confirmed that the software was last competitively bid in fiscal year 2021, when it was newly implemented, and that switching financial systems is an infrequent and resource-intensive undertaking.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW, AND IT WAS VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R-26-38.  VOTE 6/1.

Councilor Bradley voted in the negative.

 

2.       R-26-39 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to execute an easement to the

                        Narragansett Electric Company for the replacement and maintenance of a distribution system on  

                        Assessor’s Map 20, Lot 1

                             

                              Director of Public Works Romeo Mendes presented the request. He explained that approximately 200 feet of electrical line on the Monastery property runs within 15 to 20 feet of the OCYL facility building. Planned repointing work on the building cannot safely proceed with the electrical lines in their current location, and de-energizing that line would affect the entire complex, including the library, the senior center, and the maintenance garage. Rhode Island Energy, following an on-site meeting, recommended relocating the section of electrical line further from the building by moving one pole and extending another. As a condition of performing this work, Rhode Island Energy requires a formal easement over the property. Director Mendes characterized the request as consistent with similar easements previously granted by the town.

A brief discussion ensued regarding the implications of the conservation easement on the monastery property. Councilor Beaulieu clarified that this relocation would constitute maintenance of an existing utility — not an addition — and was therefore consistent with the terms of the easement, a position the town solicitor affirmed.  

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R-26-39.  VOTE 7/0.

3.       R-26-40 – A resolution authorizing and empowering Mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to engage Horsley Witten Group for

                        updates to the Town’s Comprehensive Plan in an amount not to exceed ninety-nine thousand six 

                        hundred and sixty dollars ($99,660)

Planning Director Amelia Morton explained that under Rhode Island General Law 45-22.2, municipalities must update their comprehensive plan every ten years or risk losing the state's deference to local land use decisions. Cumberland's current plan reaches its tenth anniversary on April 17, 2027, and the town has until the twelfth anniversary before the plan cannot be used locally at all. Director Morton acknowledged that completing the update before the April deadline is not feasible given the current state of the project, but that a target completion date of the end of 2027 remains within the allowable window.

The town issued a Request for Qualifications in June, received three responses by the July deadline, and advanced the top two firms to interviews. Horsley Witten Group was selected as the strongest fit, particularly for their approach to community engagement and ability to tailor plans to local needs. To contain costs, town staff — Director Morton and Principal Planner Alex Langille — will prepare several chapters internally, including natural resources, recreation and open space, natural hazards and climate change, and the implementation plan. The housing chapter is separately funded through Rhode Island Housing's Municipal Technical Assistance Program, also with Horsley Witten.

Councilor Shaw asked whether Horsley Witten had previously worked with Cumberland. Director Morton confirmed this would be their first engagement with the town, though they have completed many comprehensive plans across Rhode Island.

Councilor Shaw also noted that there had been some discrepancies related to the prior plan that surfaced during the town's experience with the hydropower application.

Director Morton welcomed the opportunity to discuss those concerns so they could be addressed in the updated plan. She also indicated that the consultant would present findings to the Council throughout the process.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOULSY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R-26-40.  VOTE 7/0.

4.     R-26-41 – A resolution authorizing and empowering mayor Jeffrey J. Mutter to engage E.W. Burman Inc. for the

                         construction work associated with the rehabilitation of the Franklin Farm long barn for five hundred

                         and sixty-seven thousand nine hundred dollars ($567,900) with a fifteen percent (15%) town-held

                         contingency for a total amount not to exceed six hundred and fifty-three thousand eighty-five dollars

                         ($653,085)

 

The Council first accepted an amended version of the resolution, designated R-26-41A.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SHAW, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO ACCEPT RESOLUTION R-26-41A IN PLACE OF R-26-41.  VOTE 7/0.

Planning Director Amelia Morton presented the resolution, explaining that Franklin Farm’s Long Barn was constructed in three phases between 1810 and 1895. She noted that the barn remains a vital component of the farm’s operations, serving as a hub for equipment storage and educational programming while supporting the production of approximately 30,000 pounds of fresh produce each year for distribution to local food banks and pantries. Morton also emphasized that the structure is one of the few surviving examples in New England that illustrates the evolution of 19th-century barn construction over time.

In 2022, the town secured $550,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding for structural repairs. Architectural firm Hanes DeBoer was retained to prepare rehabilitation plans, and structural engineers Jodi and Tidwell conducted an assessment identifying three critical deficiencies: lateral displacement of the roof, insufficient rafter ties, and racking and shifting of the south timber bent frame in the original 1810 structure. Additional repairs to other parts of the barn were also recommended. An RFP was issued on June 24th, structured as a base bid for wall work and the main structure with an add-alternate for the roof. Bids closed July 22nd, and E.W. Burman Inc. submitted the lowest combined bid at $567,900. With a 15% contingency, the total project cost is $653,085.

Director Morton noted a funding gap of approximately $153,085, as the grant budget has $500,000 remaining after $50,000 was used for architectural and engineering work. She read a message received the same day from the structural engineer, Corey DeBoard, who stated that the barn's structural condition is poor and the deficiencies severe, that conditions have worsened since the 2022 assessment, and that he recommends the work be completed as soon as possible and, in my opinion, this year, warning that each hurricane season and winter with heavy snow loads poses a risk of complete loss of the structure.

Mayor Mutter acknowledged the funding shortfall and explained that an earlier plan to transfer CDBG funds from the Amaral Building project to cover the gap had received initial favorable signals from the state but was ultimately rejected by another state entity. The gap would therefore be covered from the Town Capital Fund. He noted that if fiscal year 2026 closed without drawing down anticipated fund balance reserves, as much as $1,000,000 in additional funds could be available, though that outcome could not yet be confirmed. The Mayor framed the Council's choice either proceeding now or waiting, re-bidding, and risking further structural deterioration and higher costs.

Director Morton added that E.W. Burman could mobilize within three to four weeks, with a goal of completing work before the first significant snowfall.

Councilor Sweet emphasized the broader community importance of the barn, noting that Franklin Farm's produce distribution supports food-insecure families across Northern Rhode Island. She referenced a Brown University study from earlier in the year finding that 44% of Rhode Island respondents had experienced food insecurity in the prior 12 months and cautioned against viewing the expenditure as merely preserving a historic structure.

Councilor Beaulieu echoed this sentiment and noted the difficulty facing organizations like Franklin Farm given that the federal government has recently ceased tracking food insecurity data, making grant support more difficult to secure.

MOTION BY COUNCILOR SWEET, SECONDED BY COUNCILORS SHAW AND MAGILL, AND IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY VOTED TO APPROVE RESOLUTION R-26-41A.  VOTE 7/0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION BY COUNCILOR MAGILL, SECONDED BY COUNCILOR SHAW TO ADJOURN AT 8:46 PM.  VOTE 7/0.