EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JULY 1, 2024
Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 7:00 p.m., on Monday, July 1,2024, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road , Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Present
Michael A. Lefebvre Present
Diane Bampton Allen Present
Olivia DeFrancesco Present
Calvin A. Ellis Present
Also Present: Patricia L. Whitford, Deputy Clerk
James P. Marusak, Esq., Town Solicitor
Kenneth G. Findlay, Council Assistant
None this evening
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to approve the agenda order; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefevre to approve the consent agenda as presented; seconded by Ms. Allen: and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: None this month
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed #5,12,14,15,16
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: June 1, 2024 – June 30, 2024
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:
Multiple Accounts Totaling $3,784.86
1. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, MAY 6, 2024
2. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION,
MAY 6, 2024
3. SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING, JUNE 17, 2024
A. VACANCIES:
1. PERSONNEL BOARD (5 MEMBERS NEEDED): No applications this month
2. CONSERVATION COMMISSION (7 MEMBERS NEEDED): One applicant
David DeFrancesco, MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint David DeFrancesco to the Conservation Commission; Seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; Ms. DeFrancesco recused herself, and filed the proper form. Discussion this will make 6 members at this time, 7 are needed for the Commission, Mr. Ellis spoke about David’s resume; Vote Taken:
Mr. Patterson yes
Mr. Lefebvre yes
Ms. Allen yes
Ms. DeFrancesco recused
Mr. Ellis yes
Motion passes
B. RESIGNATIONS:
1. JENSON TAVARES, ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to accept Mr. Tavares resignation; Seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (TWO NEEDED) (TO SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERM
BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT):
No letters of interest have been received, continue to post.
2. JUVENILE HEARING BOARD ALTERNATE MEMBER
(TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING NOVEMBER 6, 2026):
No letters of interest have been received, continue to post.
3. TAX BOARD OF REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER
(TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING AUGUST 2, 2024):
No letters of interest received, continue to post
4. PUBLIC WORKS WORKER:
Two letters of interest Mr. Shappy will be conducting interviews
5. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER:
No letters of interest received, continue to post
6. PLANNING BOARD MEMBER:
Three letters of interest have been submitted, MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Robert Corriea to the Planning Board; Seconded by Mr. Lefevre, Discussion, Mr. Ellis
Speaks to the motion he would like to interview the 3 applicants. He does know Mr. Corriea and he did attend the CPAC meetings. Mr. Lefevre spoke in regards to who would work best with the Town Planner. Call for vote: Mr. Patterson voted yes, Mr. Lefevre voted yes, Ms. Allen voted yes, Ms. DeFrancesco voted no, Mr. Ellis voted no. Motion carries 3 to 2.
7. PLANNING BOARD ALTERNATE MEMBER: MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to reappoint Michael Viveiros as Alternate Planning Board Member; Seconded by Mr. Ellis, Voted unanimously in the Affirmative.
8 ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW MEMBER: Loren Andrews term is up and he wishes to continue. MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Mr. Andrews as Zoning Board of Review member; Seconded by Ms. Allen; voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: No Expiring terms at this time.
No Public Hearings tonight.
Asa Davis, 146 Beechwood Hill Trail, spoke in regards to the abandonment of Stony Lane. Mr. Davis states Mr. Millar gained land from the closure of the road. Mr. Millar is trying to sell his development rights. Mr. Davis claims by the gain of the land, his sale will be higher and Mr. Millar is in conflict.
Scott Millar, 247 Stony Lane, Mr. Millar spoke in regards to the abandonment of Stony Lane. Mr. Millar stated he did not gain any land from the road closure. The closure has nothing to do with his sale of development rights.
A. TOWN TREASURER: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION REGARDING
COMPENSATION TO BOARD OF CANVASSERS MEMBERS FOR TRAININGS:
Discussion ensued on the Board of Canvassers getting paid for trainings after discussion. Council decided to have Council Assistant and Treasurer check into what other towns do
for compensation.
B. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: REQUEST TO GO OUT TO BID:
TRADE IN TWO 2012 F550 DUMP TRUCKS WITH SANDERS FOR NEW UNITS: MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to go to bid with trade in, the two 2012 F550 Dump Trucks with sanders, for New Units, as per the resolution at Financial Town Meeting; Seconded by Mr. Lefevre; voted unanimously in the affirmative
C. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: REQUEST TO GO OUT TO BID: TRADE
IN 2022 ROADSIDE MOWER FOR MINI EXCAVATOR WITH FLAIL HEAD
MOWER AND MULTI-USE OPTIONS
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco for Public Works to go to bid for mini-excavator with flail head mower and multi-use options with trade-in of roadside mower (2002); seconded by Mr. Ellis. Discussion the mini excavator with the mower can be used all year. Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXETER HISTORICAL ASSOCIATION: 250TH ANNIVERSARY COMMITTEE:
REQUEST FOR FUNDING:
The Historical Association is requesting seed money to help them get started preparing for the 250th Anniversary. They would like to start by sending out a mailing. A tentative list of ideas was passed out to the Council. MOTION made by Mr. Ellis allocate $3,000.00 out of the Discretionary Fund for the Historical Association for seed money to promote a mailing for the 250Th Anniversary; Seconded by Mr. Patterson; Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES: REPORT: CURRENT PROGRAMS
Social Services Director Ms. DeMartino presented an overview of Social Services. The Food Bank is open by appointments, at the Exeter Chapel. There is no refrigeration. Growers give back program, including farm fresh vegetables, generous donation of eggs, handyman services. Now working on creating an Exeter Village concept. This consists of Volunteers working together helping the aging community stay in their homes, getting to and from appointments. This is going in the right direction.
F. CHARLIE’S OLD TYME TRASH: STATUS OF LICENSE
Mr. Ellis stated he had received a phone call of someone complaining because when the trash and recyclables are picked up they are mixed in the same bin. Mr. Ellis did speak to one of the workers of Charlie’s when they picked up his trash. The worker said the other truck was broken down.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to send a letter to Charlie’s Old Tyme Trash and request their presence at the Town Council Meeting in August; Seconded by Mr. Patterson; Voted unanimously in the Affirmative.
G. JUVENILE HEARING BOARD: DEDICATED EMAIL ACCOUNT
Juvenile Hearing Board would like to have a dedicated email account that would not be on the Town’s server due to the private matters they may discuss.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to have our IT, Mr. Angi, look into the request; Seconded by Mr. Ellis; Voted unanimously in the Affirmative.
A. STATUS: UPDATE TO TOWN OF EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:
CHAPTER 14, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE IV,
IMPACT FEES No action taken.
B. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: REQUEST FOR GUIDANCE:
INCIDENT AT 5 WEST SHORE DRIVE:
Mr. Shappy will be working with the owners. They need personnel items to be removed. Then, the Town will continue to repair the area.
C. PROPOSED/POTENTIAL CHARTER AMENDMENTS NOVEMBER 2024 ELECTION:
There are four proposed charter questions. The Town needs to have a public hearing before these can be sent to the Secretary of State. The deadline to submit to the Board of Canvassers is August 7, for placement on the Ballot for November 5, 2024.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to hold a Public Hearing on July 29, 2024, for the adoption
of the Charter questions by the Town Council; Seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION:
The 250th Commission gave their presentation during D, New Business.
E. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: TOWN PROPERTY DAMAGE:
MAIL ROAD:
Mr. Patterson stated Mr. Shappy is waiting on statements from the State Police.
Town Sergeant will look into the matter.
F. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN:
This is still ongoing.
G. DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: REQUEST
TO UTILIZE BIDNET.COM FOR POSTING OF REQUESTS FOR
PROPOSALS AND INVITATIONS TO BID
Mr. Patterson explained you don’t need to join bidnet.com. They pick the bid up once it is posted by the Town Clerk.
H. STATUS: BUILDING USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD- We have received bids for roof repair which will be awarded next month. There were no bids on the Basement
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD-Waiting on the previous owner to get his things out of the building.
Mr. Ellis pulled #5- Letter from Sean Kennedy. Question why Slater has vehicles parked on Town property. Mr. Patterson spoke to Mr. Slater. The vehicles are parked on State property.
Mr. Ellis pulled #12-Letter from Asa Davis stating a potential Conflict of Interest. Mr. Millar made a stated earlier tonight. Mr. Ellis read a letter into the record from the Tax Assessor.
Attachment A
Mr. Ellis pulled #14-Forward this letter to Public Works ask Rob to investigate.
Mr. Ellis pulled #15-Nothing done at this time.
Mr. Ellis pulled #16- Titled Barn Brewery. MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to endorse Mr. Richardson’s plan to add food to the Brewery and send Mr. Richardson on to Planning; Seconded by Mr. Lefevre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council had a 5 minute recess, 8:30 pm
Meeting came back to order, 8:35 pm
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to enter into Executive Session to discuss agenda items; RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1): EMPLOYEE JOB PERFORMANCE: COMPENSATION DURING STAFF MEMBER’S BEREAVEMENT PERIOD RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2); LITIGATION: SOLICITOR’S REPORT CONCERNING ALL PENDING LAWSUITS BROUGHT BY ASA DAVIS, III; Seconded by Ms. Allen; and Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive session at 8:40 p.m., adjourned Executive Session at 9:20 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to seal the minutes of the Executive Session; seconded by
Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to affirm all votes taken in Executive Session; Seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to adjourn at 9:30 p.m., Seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Next regular meeting of the Town Council is scheduled for Monday August 5, 2024.
Respectfully Submitted,
Patricia L. Whitford
Deputy Clerk
Approved: August 5, 2024