MINUTES OF THE CUMBERLAND ZONING BOARD MEETING
HELD AT
THE CUMBERLAND TOWN HALL AND
ALSO VIRTUAL CAPABILITY ON THE ZOOM PLATFORM,
45 BROAD STREET, CUMBERLAND, RHODE ISLAND
ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2025 AT 7:00 P.M.
ZONING BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT WERE THE FOLLOWING:
John McCoy, Chaiman
Robert Chaput, Vice‑Chairman
Mike McGrath
Joseph Craveiro
Chris Alger, 2nd Alt.
ZONING BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT:
Rachael Guadagni
Diane Emerson, 1st Alt.
ALSO PRESENT
Peter Skwirz, Esquire,
Counsel to the Zoning Board
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Mr. McCoy called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., and the Members of the Board listed above were present.
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Mr. McCoy stated that the Board has the minutes from the last meeting held on July 9. Mr. McGrath then made a motion to approve the minutes. Mr. Chaput seconded the motion. Mr. McCoy then took a vote on the motion, and the MOTION WAS APPROVED 5‑0.
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Mr. McCoy stated that the Board has had circulated the meeting schedule for next year, and the only one that was changed was November 17th instead of November 11 because the second Wednesday next year is Veterans Day.
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24‑1. Kevin M. Joyce, of 200 Cato Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895, has requested a (1) year extension for the Dimensional Variance granted on September 13, 2023. Article 18‑6.
Mr. McCoy stated that the first matter on the agenda is 24‑1, Kevin Joyce. Mr. McCoy stated that, as he did before when this was originally approved, he was going to step out and recuse himself. He stated Mr. Chaput would step up and be the Chair on this matter, and Mr. Alger is a voting member, so the Board would have a quorum. Mr. McCoy then left the Council chamber, and Mr. Chaput took over as Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Chaput stated that this is the second request for extension, and he asked Mr. Joyce what has happened. Mr. Joyce stated that he has had some health issues, and he spent over a month in the hospital. He stated that he missed about 60 days working here, but he is back at it now. Mr. Joyce stated that, in the meantime, he had to get all his permits from DEM for the wetlands and for the septic system, and these things took some time. He stated that he did not get them until June of this year. Mr. Chaput asked if the permits were good until June of next year, and Mr. Joyce answered yes. Mr. Chaput asked Mr. Joyce if he was in good standing with DEM, and Mr. Joyce answered yes. Mr. Chaput asked Mr. Joyce if he had done anything else in the past year other than just keeping up with DEM and keeping the certificates up‑to‑date. Mr. Joyce answered yes, just getting the approvals of the septic system, and he has gotten everything ready just to go in with a permit.
After further discussion, Mr. Chaput asked if there was anyone else that wanted to be heard on this matter and if there was anybody in the queue. No one came forward, and Mr. Skwirz stated that there is one person on‑line, but they have not indicated that they would like to speak.
After brief hearing, Mr. McGrath made a motion to grant the extension for one year, since he meets all the qualifications. Mr. Alger seconded the motion. Mr. Chaput then took a vote on the motion. Mr. McGrath, Mr. Alger, Mr. Craveiro and Mr. Chaput all voted in favor of the motion. THE MOTION WAS APPROVED 4‑0. Mr. Chaput stated to Mr. Joyce that he was all set for one year.
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25‑4. Michael and Monique Charpentier, of 57 Pound Road, Cumberland, RI 02864, have petitioned this board for a Dimensional Variance for relief of minimum front yard setback. Article 18‑2, Section (a). Described as Assessor's Plat 038, Lot(s) 0021, and Designated Zone A‑2. It is located at 57 Pound Road, Cumberland, RI 02864.
For this matter Mr. McCoy came back to the Council chamber and resumed as Chairman of the Zoning Board.
Mr. Michael Charpentier, of 57 Pound Road, Cumberland, came forward and was sworn to present his request for Dimensional Variance to the Board.
Mr. McCoy stated to Mr. Charpentier that it had been a while since he had been here and asked Mr. Charpentier to tell the Board what he was looking to do now and the changes from several years ago when the Board approved this. Mr. Charpentier stated that his wife and he were looking to get a variance to put on a small garage attached to their existing garage, and they made it a little bit smaller. He stated other than that, there haven't been any changes at all. Mr. Charpentier stated that under 10 feet is all they need.
Mr. McCoy asked Mr. Charpentier how long the foundation had been in the ground. Mr. Charpentier stated it had been in there for a little while now. He stated he did not think it was ever going to be a problem, and he did not know that he had to come back. He stated they were given a variance a while ago, and they never took out a permit, and that was his own fault.
Mr. McCoy stated to Mr. Charpentier that the reason he was coming back is the variance had expired, and that was really the only reason. Mr. McCoy stated that if they did not do anything with it within a certain period of time, and this had been seven or eight years, then it expires. Mr. McCoy stated that what they were actually doing is seeking less relief than what they sought all those years ago.
After further discussion, no one else came forward to speak either in favor or against this request.
After hearing, Mr. Chaput made a motion to approve the variance for approximately 10 square feet front yard variance for the property at Assessor's Plat 38, Lot 21, to allow the applicants to build the complete building of the garage on that property on the foundation that is already in place. Mr. Chaput stated this application was approved in the past, and this garage is actually somewhat smaller. He stated the variance is the same because the foundation is the same, and the footing is the same.
Mr. Chaput stated the findings, as follows:
The restriction he needs relief from is really just due to the physical nature of the property. It is exactly the same as it was years ago when he came in for his variance.
It is not the result of any economic disability or any actions of the applicant.
The granting will not alter the characteristics of the surrounding area.
The Planning Board gave this Board a positive unanimous recommendation to approve it.
As far as the applicant, it is not the result of any prior action, and it will be more than a mere inconvenience if this Board does not grant this variance. Mr. Chaput stated he thought the Board ought to give it to him.
Mr. McGrath then seconded the motion.
Mr. McCoy then took a vote on the motion.
Mr. McGrath, Mr. Alger, Mr. Craveiro, Mr. Chaput and Mr. McCoy all voted in favor of the motion.
THE MOTION WAS APPROVED 5‑0.
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Mr. McCoy then asked for a motion to adjourn. Mr. McGrath then made a motion to adjourn. The motion was seconded by Mr. Alger. Mr. McCoy then took a vote on the motion, AND THE MOTION TO ADJOURN PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
(THE MEETING ADJOURNED AT 7:19 P.M.)
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Respectfully submitted,
Andrew J. D'Angelo
ANDREW J. D'ANGELO,
Court Reporter
(Signed Electronically)
I hereby certify the foregoing minutes to be a true and accurate interpretation, to the best of my ability, of my stenographic notes taken at the Cumberland Zoning Board Meeting on November 12, 2025.
Andrew J. D'Angelo
ANDREW J. D'ANGELO,
Court Reporter
(Signed Electronically)