MINUTES
EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
JANUARY 9, 2023
Town Council Member Diane Bampton Allen led Council and the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Special Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, January 9, 2023, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Present
Michael A. Lefebvre Arrived at 6:42 p.m.
Diane Bampton Allen Present
Olivia DeFrancesco Present
Calvin A. Ellis Present
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to address Agenda Item No. 4 first;
seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 4.
Jeff Diehl, Executive Director of RI Infrastructure Bank, sponsor of Commercial Property Assessment Clean Energy Program, a quasi-state agency that invests in infrastructure: C-PACE is a specialized financing vehicle that assesses commercial and non-profit properties and provides long-time, fixed-rate financing for energy upgrades and renewable energy projects for new construction and upgrades to existing. It is funded by private sector capital and lenders, banks, and financing companies. The Town has two obligations to record the lien and report if the property goes up for tax sale. If there is a tax sale, the Town will get the taxes owed from the proceeds. C-PACE manages the billing, collecting, and paying the lender. Twenty-one of the thirty-nine Rhode Island cities and towns have opted into the program.
Discussion ensued: Mr. Ellis noted that an in-depth review of this program was done by the staff in February of 2022. Mr. Lefebvre noted that Mr. Diehl is presenting tonight the same program presented last year. Ms. DeFrancesco queried: The paperwork indicates that part of opting into the program is that the Town has to solicit businesses into the program. Mr. Diehl answered in the negative, that it is not a requirement. Mr. Patterson noted that the program would benefit all businesses in Town who are interested. There will be an agreement to be executed that will outline the responsibilities of the Town and Infrastructure Bank.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to opt into the C-PACE Program pursuant to the paperwork and agreement being reviewed by Town Solicitor James Marusak; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis No
Motion passes.
Brenda Jacobs,
President of the South County Rod and Gun Club: Part of their property is in Exeter with the majority in West Greenwich. They have been talking with the National Guard regarding improvements to the property and fire roads and with the DEM and NRCS to update their forestry plan. The National Guard has in the past helped with access to the ponds, ranges, and boy scout camp. They will do the engineering, surveying, and work. The scope of the project will be land clearing for forest fire prevention and wildlife habitat. It will be practice for the national guard. The Gun Club will be helped with management of the forest, prevention of forest fires, and access roads for forest fire prevention. The project involves Old Voluntown Road. They are not sure about ownership of the road and recognize that a resident lives on a corner lot. The National Guard will not do the work if there is any future development planned. She submitted a sample letter: West Greenwich gave its permission for the National Guard to perform access roads and land clearing on the Gun Club’s property. The Gun Club is environmentally conscious and proud of its conservation efforts. It protects wetlands, endangered plants, and habitats. In order to start the process, the Gun Club needs a letter
from the Town acknowledging that the Gun Club has come to the Town and explained the project.
Mr. Pacheco, resident, corner lot, Old Voluntown Road: Mr. Pacheco had to improve the road
to his driveway to the Town’s minimum standard. He believes that any improvements to the road should mimic the improvements he was required to make. If they do that, he has no problem with the project and is in favor of better fire access. He would rather have the Town maintain the road than the Gun Club. He would like to be involved in the discussions. He does not want his property damaged. He plans to subdivide and build a smaller home. To that, Ms. Jacobs responded: The project is contingent upon not doing any work for any one person or development. If he is going to develop, this project cannot start. Mr. Pacheco does not know when he will subdivide.
Discussion ensued: The Gun Club has over 500 acres. The work would be done on the unused, unmaintained portion of Old Voluntown Road. The DEM is in agreement with the work to be done. The improvements will increase traffic. As they have had problems with the public, the Gun Club would like to put up signage and a gate at their property line.
The Town Solicitor has drafted a Letter of Understanding. Mr. Patterson read it in part: “Access to such uncertified roadways accordingly hereby granted to the Rhode Island National Guard and its engineers for the purpose of further study and in order to provide the Town with plans indicating the project details.” The letter will start the process, but does not give permission to start until the Town gets the details. They would have to follow the Town’s standards.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve Letter of Understanding to South County Rod and Gun Club for engineering purposes only and to come back with plans; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. Patterson will stay in touch with Ms. Jacobs.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Ms. Jacobs requested a second letter showing that if the Gun Club abandons the Old Voluntown Road project because of the corner lot issue, they have come to the Town regarding improvements by the National Guard on their property on the Exeter side.
This request will be considered at Council’s February 6 meeting.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 3 and proceeded with the order of the agenda as presented.
Council has been weighing an addition to the existing Town Hall (the Exeter Clerk’s Office Building) versus building a new Town Hall on property adjacent to the Exeter Public Library using American Recovery Funds. Such a project falls under the guidelines, as Town Government was hindered and inaccessible to the Town’s residents during the Pandemic.
An architect has submitted a rendering that would cost more than the $850,000.00 of American Recovery Funds set aside for this project. Many ideas and possibilities were presented and discussed. There are many needs and issues in the existing building. Treasurer Maria Lawler presented loan numbers and the tax costs should a new Town Hall be built. If an addition and renovations are done to the existing building, the American Recovery Funds and Town Hall Renovation Fund could almost cover the costs. Mr. Patterson and Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco will meet with the architect to get cost of the addition versus a new town hall.
Ms. DeFrancesco left the meeting at 7:50 p.m.
A Special Meeting will be scheduled for Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 6:30 p.m.
The Department of Public Works went out to bid in 2021 to replace a 2007 Ford pickup. Flood Ford was awarded the bid for a 2022 F Series – F350 4x4, Diesel Motor, $62,819.00. The truck has not been and is still not available. Interim Director of Public Works will research other options, possibly gas versus diesel. If the quote comes in under $62,819.00, he can purchase the vehicle. If the quotes come in higher, he will go out to bid again.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Patterson;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Special Meeting was adjourned at 7:59 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: February 6, 2023