No.    1:      PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

 Town Council Member Ms. DeFrancesco led the Council and  the Public in the Pledge Allegiance.

No.    2:            CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL:

The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office, in Council Chambers, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island  

Roll Call:                        Daniel Patterson                       Present

                                  Michael Lefebvre                       Present

                                    Calvin Ellis                            Present

                                    Olivia DeFrancesco                       Present

                                   Manuel Andrews                       Present

Also President:            James P. Marusak, Esq., Town Solicitor

                                 Kenneth G. Findlay, Council Assistant

                                   Patricia L. Whitford, Deputy Town Clerk

No.    3:        PUBLIC COMMENT:

Asa Davis, 146 Beechwood Hill Trail:  Mr. Davis congratulated DPW for plowing and maintaining the end of Stony Lane; however, that end of Stony Lane is listed as uncertified road in the Town ordinance and unmaintained on the Official Road Map of the Town.  Trash on Route 102, Highland Court, had a trash problem which was not from people on the way to the dump.  The “pooperator” was caught and arrested.  There is a trash problem on Estate Drive. This trash is being dumped by neighbors.  The IRS has a guide on fringe benefits for municipal employees.  Mr. Davis has seen Mr. Shappy with the Town truck at his wife’s food stand.

No.     5:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the agenda order as presented; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative

No.     6:    APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: 

 A.       REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST:  There were no Vouchers this month.

 B.       REPORTS:

                                    1.     TOWN CLERK

                                    2.     TREASURER

                                    3.     TAX ASSESSOR

                                    4.     TAX COLLECTOR

                                    5.     TOWN PLANNER

                                    6.     ANIMAL CONTROL

                                    7.     TRANSFER STATION

                                    8.     EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY

                                    9.     INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

                                    10.   DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS

                                    11.   DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES                                                     

                                    12.   EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT/PUBLIC SAFETY

                                    13.   RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE

                                    14.   EXETER JOB CORPS ACADEMY

                                    15.   EXETER-WEST GREENWICH SCHOOL DISTRICT

16.   EXETER-WEST GREENWICH REGIONAL SCHOOL BUILDING COMMITTEE

Mr. Ellis pulled No. 10, Department of Public Works.

C. COMMUNICATIONS:  Mr. Lefebvre pulled Nos. 6 and12.  Mr. Ellis pulled Nos. 9,12, and 18.

D. SCHEDULE OF JUNE MEETINGS AND EVENTS  The schedule was not pulled.

E.            BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

1.      BILL SHEET:  Mr. Patterson recused himself from voting/signing the Bill Sheet. 

His business is listed for reimbursement for Memorial day flower boxes at the Town Clerk’s Office.

      2.   TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS:  None.

      3.   TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES AND ABATEMENTS:  Tax Collector Remittances, $580.24, Abatements, $15.36.

No.    7:                 VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS:

1.    PERSONNEL BOARD (5 MEMBERS NEEDED):  Continue to post.

2.    CONSERVATION COMMISSION (7 MEMBERS NEEDED):  Continue to post.

            B.  RESIGNATIONS:

1.       JANELLE BONN, EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE MEMBER:  Janelle has submitted her resignation from the Land Trust.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to accept Ms. Bonn’s resignation with regret, send her a letter of thanks, and post the position; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

            C.  APPOINTMENTS:

No.    8:         PUBLIC HEARINGS:

         A.     PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE APPLICATION: M. EARL ADAMS III, APPLICANT, 55 GLEN ROCK ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND, WHO WILL HOST THE RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD’S LEAP FEST, 56^TH TROOP COMMAND, AIRBORN SOLDIER COMPETITION, ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 6, 2022, 7:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M. (RAIN DATE: SUNDAY, AUGUST 7, 2022, SAME HOURS):

Motion made by Ms. DeFrancesco to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Mr. Adams was present, showed a design of his property, and explained how the Leap Fest with the Army Nation Guard would work.  There will no traffic on Glen Rock Road.  Traffic and parking will be contained to his property, Mr. Adams has met with Fire Chief Gavitt.  They went over the particulars of fire and safety prevention.  The military will have their own rescue staff on scene. Mr. Andrews questioned police.  Mr. Adams stated he and the military have talked about state police.  The military is checking with the State Police.  Police detail will probably

be turned over to Scote Miller, Interim Town Sergeant. The Military will be present on July 14 for review with the Fire Department.  George Kudlak, of Hog House Hill Road, is a neighbor of Wicked Tulips and is in favor of the Leap Fest.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Patterson; and  voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to grant Mr. Adams Public Entertainment License  for the Army National Guard Leap Fest to be held on August 6, 2022, subject to fees in the amount of $74.66 being paid to the Town; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.    9:         NEW BUSINESS:

A.  EXTENSION AND RENEWAL OF DECLARATION OF MUNICIPAL STATE OF EMERGENCY:  With the recommendation from our EMA Director, the Declaration should be in place for another month.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to extend the Declaration of Emergency for another month; seconded by Mr. Patterson; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

 B.   PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:  AWARDING OF BID: ASPHALT  PAVING:  Council received recommendation from Public Works Director, Stephen P.

 Mattscheck, for Cardi Corporation.

 MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to award the bid for Asphalt Paving to Cardi Corporation,  400 Lincoln Avenue, Warwick, Rhode Island, in the amount of $88.00, Finish, and $88.00, Binder, per ton; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.                               

 C.   PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT:  AWARDING OF BID: RUBBER CHIP SEAL:  Council received recommendation from Public Works Director, Stephen P.   

 Mattscheck, for All States Asphalt, Inc.,

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to award the bid for Rubber Chip Seal to All States Asphalt Inc., PO Box 91, Sunderland, Massachusetts 01375, in the amount of $5.75 per square yard; Seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

D.     PROPOSED CHARTER AMENDMENTS:  TOWN ADMINISTRATOR; TERM OF OFFICE, TOWN CLERK  AND TOWN TREASURER:  Town Administrator is off the table at this point.  Discussion on Treasurer and Town Clerk.  Mr. Findlay is writing the proposed amendments for hearing.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to have a Public Hearing at the July meeting for the Charter Amendments for Treasurer and Town Clerk for four-year terms; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.   

E.     INTRODUCTION, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FULL FUNDING OF CATEGORICAL TRANSPORTATION AID AS OUTLINED IN RIGL 16-7.2-6:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt the Resolution in Support of Full Funding of Categorical Transportation Aid as outlined in RIGL 16-7.2-6; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

F.      INTRODUCTION, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION:

RESOLUTION SETTING FEES-IN-LIEU FOR INCLUSIONARY ZONING:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt the Resolution Setting Fees-in-lieu for Inclusionary Zoning; seconded by Mr. Andrews; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

G.    TAX ASSESSOR’S DEPARTMENT:  REQUEST TO PROCEED TO BID

FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS:  STATISTICAL REAPPRAISAL AND REVALUATION:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis for the Tax Assessor to proceed to bid for Statistical Reappraisal and Revaluation; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

H.     NATIONAL GRID POLE PETITION :  TEN ROD ROAD; INSTALLATION OF NEW POLE 205-2 AND ANCHOR:  Director of Public Works, Stephen P. Mattscheck, has approved the pole placement.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Pole Petition of Ten Rod Road, New Pole 

205-2; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in  the affirmative. 

I.      DISCUSSION, CONSIDERATION, AND POSSIBLE ACTION: HOUSE BILL H 7593 AND SENATE BILL S 2430: AN ACT RELATING TO FOOD AND DRUGS – THE RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS ACT:  Cannabis sales are now legal in Rhode Island. The law states that during the 2022 General Election in Rhode Island, cities or towns could put on the ballot: “Shall cannabis licenses for retail sale for recreational use cannabis be issued in the city or Town.”  If the Town votes no, the Town would lose the three percent tax of any active places the city of Town may already have in the works.  If the Council does nothing, the Town will retain the three percent tax. The Town of Exeter is in Zone Five which allows for four sites in this zone and is split with six other towns. Council feels it should do nothing at this point.

We have one that will become active, with six other Towns involved.  We will probably not see another.   

 J.     JUNE COMMUNICATION NO. 19: REQUEST OF DEPARTMENT  OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT FOR TWO DESIGNEES  TO RECEIVE

NOTICE OF FRESHWATER WETLAND APPLICATIONS FOR PROJECTS IN TOWN:  Council appointed two designees, Town Planner William DePasquale and Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco, if interested.  This will be continued under unfinished business

next month.

K.     PROCEED TO BID: REPLACEMENT OF HVAC SYSTEM AT THE LIBRARY WITH GRANT RECEIVED FROM CHAMPLIN FOUNDATION:  The Champlin Foundation has donated $150,000.00 for a HAVC system to the Library.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to go to bid for HAVC System for the Library and send a letter of appreciation to the Champlin Foundation for the donation; seconded by

Ms. DeFrancesco, and voted unanimously in the affirmative.  

No. 10: UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

No.  11:      REPORTS OF OFFICERS, BOARDS, AND COMMITTEES:

A.    TOWN COUNCIL ASSISTANT’S REPORT:  Town Council Assistant, Kenneth G. Findlay:  Mr. Findlay is preparing for Financial Town Meeting.

B.      SOLICITOR’S REPORT :  James P. Marusak, Esq.:  Solicitor Marusak had nothing to report and nothing for Executive Session and told Council to please call him if needed.

 C.     REPORTS REMOVED FROM CONSENT AGENDA:  Mr. Ellis had removed No. 10, the Public Works Report.  He reported on the process at the Library:  the stone wall cleaned and the ground is seeded.  The brush cutter has been repaired and back on the road.   

No.  12:                 OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES: 

Council has received a letter from the Town’s Inspectors stating that when they are in session on Wednesday nights once a week, they have no business.  People are doing their business during the day on the computer. The  Inspectors were wondering if they could drop back to one Wednesday night a month.  This will be placed on the July agenda. Council questioned:   How are things going with Zoning decisions. Solicitor Marusak stated he has spoken with Peter Ruggiero, Zoning Board Solicitor, who said he would cooperate in writing the decisions.  Regarding a copy of a letter written by Ronald DeFrancesco sending a violation to a property owner, Mr. Ellis asked Solicitor Marusak if Ron communicates with him on issues.  Protocol for the Solicitor:  An officer of the Town may seek approval from the Town Council to call the Solicitor.

No.  13:                    COMMUNICATIONS:

Mr. Lefebvre pulled Communication No. 6:   This letter is in reference to the Trash on RTE. 102. Mr. Lefebvre suggested calling the State to clean the trash along the roadway.

Mr. Ellis pulled Communication No. 9:  This was a letter of resignation from Janelle Bann addressed early this evening.

Mr. Lefebvre and Mr. Ellis pulled Communication No. 12:  This letter is in reference to the road construction on Rte. 3 and Rte. 165, work has begun.

Mr. Ellis pulled Communication No. 18:  Letter from Thomas McMillan requesting reappointment to Zoning Board.  Discussed early  this evening.  Continue to July meeting.

No. 15: ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Tuesday July 5, 2022.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia L. Whitford

Deputy Town Clerk

Approved:  July 5, 2022