EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
OCTOBER 7, 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, October 7, 2024, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Also Present: James P. Marusak, Esq., Town Solicitor
Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Associate Town Solicitor
Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk
Kenneth G. Findlay, Council Assistant
A. RHODE ISLAND GENERAL ELECTION, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 2024;
VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE USUAL POLLING PLACES, FROM
7:00 A.M. TO 8:00 P.M.; THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER TO VOTE IS OCTOBER 6, 2024; THE DEADLINE TO APPLY FOR MAIL BALLOTS IS OCTOBER 15; EARLY VOTING WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE EXETER CLERK’S OFFICE, 675 TEN ROD ROAD, FROM 9:00 A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., FROM OCTOBER 16 TO NOVEMBER 4:
The Public was urged to vote.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to approve the Agenda Order as presented;
seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
Ryan’s Lawn Care & Landscaping, $300.00
The invoice was not removed.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 4, 12, and 14.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: September 1, 2024 – September 30, 2024
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:
Parcel 72-2-11:1-0 : 2015, $46.11/ 2016, $47.82
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:
Overpayments, $806.31 and $1,616.09
The Bill Sheet was removed. Ms. Allen will abstain from voting, as the company
she works for is on the Bill Sheet. Treasurer Maria Lawler requests the Bill Sheet
be amended to include payment to Acting Zoning Officials Ellsworth and Chase.
1. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
2. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION,
SEPTEMBER 3, 2024
3. TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING, SEPTEMBER 23, 2024
The minutes were not removed.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to accept the Consent Agenda as amended;
seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve Bill Sheet as amended, adding payment
to Acting Zoning Officials Ellsworth and Chase; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted
as follows:
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Abstain
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
A. VACANCIES:
1. PERSONNEL BOARD (5 MEMBERS NEEDED): Letters of Interest are being accepted. Those received are being held. Once five are received, this Board will be
activated. These vacancies will continue to post.
2. CONSERVATION COMMISSION (1 MEMBER NEEDED): This Commission
must have seven members in order to be activated. Six Letters of Interest have been received and are being held. One more person interested in serving is needed. Letters of interest are being accepted. This vacancy will continue to post.
B. RESIGNATIONS: None
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. This vacancy will
continue to post.
2. JUVENILE HEARING BOARD ALTERNATE MEMBER (TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING NOVEMBER 6, 2026): Council has one letter
of interest.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Oscar Beltran; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. Beltran currently works as a Juvenile Probation Officer. He is well suited
for the position.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
3. TAX BOARD OF REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER (TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING AUGUST 2, 2024): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will continue to post.
4. ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: Jensen Elleman was working for the animal shelter, left to pursue another path, and has decided to return to her “passion.” Director of the Animal
Shelter, Rob Shappy, recommends highly that she be appointed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to hire Jensen Elleman as Animal Control Officer; seconded
by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: None
A. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES: CHAPTER 14, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE V, DEVELOPMENT IMPACT FEES – PUBLIC WORKS FACILITIES, VEHICLES, EQUIPMENT, STREETS AND ROADWAYS; SECTION 14-248, ADMINISTRATION OF IMPACT FEE; SECTION 14-248(c), CALCULATION OF FEES; SECTION 14-248(c)(1), IMPACT FEES; SECTION 14-248(c)(2), CREDITS; SECTION 14-248(c)(3), PROPERTIES DEEMED MIXED-USE/COMBINATION (NEW):
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
When Council approved the Impact Fee Study some time ago, this ordinance was created. Industrial parks, warehouses, and mixed use/combos were not taken into consideration when
the study was done. These are being proposed as amendments and the associated fees to be included the ordinance. This was brought to Council’s attention when two projects of these types were recently finished. Under the current ordinance, a 10,000 square foot commercial building was charged $46,000.00 in impact fees. Council put a moratorium on paying impact fees on commercial properties into place. With the amendments, for the same square footage, impact fees would be $3,710.00.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to close the Public Hearing; seconded by
Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adopt amendments to Exeter Code of Ordinances, Chapter 14, Buildings and Building Regulations, Article V, Development Impact Fees
– Public Works Facilities, Vehicles, Equipment, Streets and Roadways; Section 14-248, Administration of Impact Fee; Section 14-248(C), Calculation of Fees; Section 14-248(C)(1), Impact Fees; Section 14-248(C)(2), Credits; Section 14-248(C)(3), Properties Deemed Mixed-Use/Combination (New); seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to place lifting of the moratorium on commercial impact
fees on agenda; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Asa Davis: 1) Character assassination is saying false things about a person. If it is true, it is
not character assassination; 2) He filed IRS and Ethics filings, not to get rulings, but in order
to stop illegal activities, which he believes has happened; 3) He has filed an APRA request
for the Solicitor’s invoices to determine what is charged for APRA requests. Savings there
could help to pay for an APRA Officer.
A. COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT: MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES
FROM PANDEMIC RECOVERY OFFICE:
Paul Dion, Director, Pandemic Recovery Office, was present. His office is in charge of the State’s American Rescue Plan Act Funds, this grant, and others. With him is Sagree Sharma, Capital Projects Fund Administrator.
Mr. Dion: His understanding is that the Town purchased 742 Ten Rod Road with American Recovery Funds with the intention of making it a new town hall. Now, Council wishes to use this grant ($800,000.00) to buy the building and reimburse the Town’s American Rescue funds. This is allowable, provided that the grant funds are used to buy the building and provided that
the building is utilized as a Community Learning Center (“CLC”) and not a Town Hall for
the next five years. This has to be clearly stated in a resolution or other document to assure
the U.S. Treasury that the funds are being properly used and that the building is being properly
used as a CLC. Purchase of the building with the grant funds does not convey ownership of the building to the State. The grant funds have to be spent by December 31, 2026. The Community Learning Center must offer health monitoring, education, and work programs, approved by the U.S. Treasury. The programs have to be directly and jointly enabled in the facility.
Attorney Marusak: Per the Town’s ordinances, property to be purchased by the Town must be posed to the voters at Financial Town Meeting for approval. The voters, in 2023, approved Resolution No. 37 to purchase of 742 Ten Rod Road as a new town hall using American Recovery Funds. The property was thereafter purchased with American Recovery funds with
the intent of it being a new town hall. Regarding the State’s request to revise Resolution No. 37, it needs to be revised to show that the intent of purchasing the property was that it be used solely for use as a CLC? Mr. Dion: It is a gray area, but absolutely, primarily. If the Town defaults, if the building is not primarily used as a CLC, and is used more as a town hall, the Town would be potentially in default and would potentially have to reimburse the State the entire $800,000.00? That is correct. The Town would be non-compliant with U.S. Treasury requirements and guidelines. The Town has to demonstrate that the funding provided is being used consistently and in compliance with the CLC program, which requires that whatever money is spent on a capital asset, that that capital asset be used to directly and jointly enable work, education, and health monitoring. For example, if 90% of the building is being used as a CLC and 10% for another purpose, “that would probably be okay.” But if the opposite, probably not. The Town would be non-compliant. The State has the right to audit randomly. It is an all or nothing grant. Either the Town satisfies the compliance requirements or it does not. If it does not at any time, all the money has to be paid back to the U.S. Treasury.
Regarding the State’s request for the Town Solicitor’s Opinion relative to the Town’s purchase of the property, that it followed all laws, Mr. Dion commented: The Town has to demonstrate that the building was procured competitively, based on its ordinances, and that the sale/purchase was an “arm’s length” transaction. The Town has to show that it did not overpay or enter into a conflict-of-interest transaction.
Attorney Marusak will provide his opinion regarding Resolution 37 and the purchase to Council. The State’s attorneys and U.S. Treasury will review Attorney Marusak’s opinions. The Town will want to review their opinions. The funds will not be transferred until this requirement has been satisfied.
Discussion ensued between Council and Mr. Dion: Can the building be 50% CLC and 50% town hall? No. If the Town wanted to make the building 50/50, the Town would be eligible
for only half the grant, $400,000.00. The calculation is based on square footage. How much
of the square footage will be dedicated to the CLC versus another use would dictate whether the building/space will be compliant. At least four offices need more space. It is intended that they will move to the new building. They will take more than 10% of the building. Can the grant be used for programming, additional staff? No, the grant can only be used for the acquisition and/or development of the capital asset. The Town is working towards encumbering its ARPA money for a new town hall or it is going to lose the ARPA money. An architect has proposed building
a community room on the existing building. That would only be about 20% of the building, which would drop the grant amount considerably. Mr. Patterson read the first and thirty-seventh resolutions approved at the 2023 Financial Town Meeting into the record (incorporated herein and attached hereto as Attachment 1). Resolution No. 37 specifically approved purchasing 742 Ten Rod Road using ARPA funds as a new town hall. Ms. DeFrancesco argued that there is no deadline for when the building becomes a town hall. Mr. Patterson argued that the building will never become a town hall if it is a community center for five years. Resolution 1 states that resolutions approved that night “shall not be subject to reconsideration at another session should another session be necessary.” Mr. Patterson argued that the resolution cannot be changed.
Ms. DeFrancesco and Mr. Ellis argued that “another session” meant for that fiscal year, otherwise none of the other resolutions could ever change, including staff raises and benefits. Can the funds be used to renovate the current town hall? No. The application/subaward agreement was to purchase of 742 Ten Rod Road with the grant and cannot be changed at
this late date. The Town cannot reapply. There will be no re-negotiations or extensions.
Asa Davis, Resident, suggested: Push off construction and renovation of the new building for now. Turn it into a community center now. Move Social Services and Planning now. Planning will take less than 10% of the space. Use the big room at 742 Ten Rod Road for town meetings. Put cubicles in Council Chambers at 675 Ten Rod Road to give the other staff room to expand. Set it up so that in five years and a day, construction and renovation of 742 starts. From a taxpayer’s point of view, it makes sense not to give up $800,000.00.
Marybeth Conouyer, Resident: If there is leeway that a percentage of the new building can be used for other town purposes, then the focus should shift from quantity to quality and meeting the needs and demands of the Town. Is the Town able to demonstrate progress? Is it able to meet measurable goals? How many people will benefit from this? Defining a building space should not be the definition of what is going to meet the needs of the Town. Need to get clarity on what is the Town’s need and how the Town can best be served.
B. COMMUNITY FACILITIES GRANT: REQUESTS BY OFFICE OF PANDEMIC
RECOVERY: 1) SOLICITOR’S OPINION REGARDING PURCHASE OF 742 TEN ROD ROAD AND 2) REVISION TO JUNE 13, 2023, FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING, RESOLUTION NO. 37, NEW TOWN HALL FACILITY: This agenda item was
addressed earlier this evening. See Agenda Item No. 9B.
C. MOTION TO RESCIND AND TO RETALLY VOTE TAKEN ON JUNE 17, 2024,
AT A SPECIAL MEETING OF THE TOWN COUNCIL ACCEPTING MULTI- PURPOSE COMMUNITY FACILITIES MATCHING GRANT, SUBAWARD AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND ACTING
BY AND THROUGH ITS PANDEMIC RECOVERY OFFICE (“STATE AGENCY”)
AND THE TOWN OF EXETER: Mr. Patterson read the vote taken on June 17, 2024,
into the record (incorporated herein and attached hereto as Attachment 2).
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to rescind vote taken on June 17, 2024, accepting
Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Matching Grant; seconded by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: The Town purchased 742 Ten Rod Road with American Recovery funds. The Town has applied for the grant to purchase the building. The American Recovery funds would
be reimbursed. Mr. Lefebvre would like to explore Mr. Davis’ comment. Ms. Allen does not
want to lose American Recovery funds. The number one goal is a new town hall. The departments have to move together because they work together. Ms. DeFrancesco inquired of Town Treasurer Maria Lawler: You are comfortable with doing the switch and dispersing the American Recovery funds to other projects? Ms. Lawler: It is tricky. The Town has two months to spend the American Recovery funds and does not want to lose it. Mr. Lefebvre inquired: Do we have to have another Financial Town Meeting? Ms. DeFrancesco: No.
Mr. Patterson: Yes. Where is the vote that the voters purchased the building as a community center? It is a slap in the face to the voters. Ms. DeFrancesco: Comprehensive Plan 2024 calls for a community center. Mr. Patterson: We need a town hall more than a community center. Ms. DeFrancesco: Absolutely. We need more space. Mr. Patterson: This grant is not free.
“It has tentacles.” Mr. Lefebvre is not ready to vote. He would like more time to see if this
can work.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to postpone the vote on the motion on the floor to rescind the vote taken on June 17, 2024, accepting Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Matching Grant, for one month; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson No
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen No
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
Back to Original Motion as Amended:
Daniel W. Patterson No
Michael A. Lefebvre Yes
Diane Bampton Allen No
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
D. RESOLUTION OF THE EXETER TOWN COUNCIL CHANGING THE
LOCATION OF ITS NOVEMBER 4, 2024, REGULAR MEETING:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt Resolution of the Exeter Town Council Changing
the Location of its November 4, 2024, Regular Meeting; seconded by Mr. Patterson;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY: REQUEST TO USE AMERICAN RECOVERY
PANDEMIC ACT FUNDS: 1) CHELSEA PARK REFRESH: PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT AND LANDSCAPING IMPROVEMENTS, $100,000.00; 2) TOWN PAVILION: PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A 20' X 20' PAVILION FOR PUBLIC USE IN THE FIELD
NEXT TO CHELSEA PARK PLAYGROUND ON THE LIBRARY PROPERTY, $75,000.00: This request is contingent upon the APRA funds not being encumbered
by December 31, 2024.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve Request of Exeter Public Library to Use
American Recovery Pandemic Act Funds, Chelsea Park Refresh and Town Pavilion,
providing funding is available; seconded by Mr. Patterson; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
F. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: REQUEST TO GO OUT TO BID:
PENETRATING SURFACE TREATMENTS OF ASPHALT PAVEMENTS
UTILIZING MALTENES REPLACEMENT TECHNOLOGIES: This is a
rejuvenator, a penetrating oil. It reactivates asphalt, has been used by Public Works
successfully, is useful for pavement preservation, and is a requirement under the
Pavement Management Program.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to go out to bid for Penetrating Surface Treatments
of Asphalt Pavements Utilizing Maltenes Replacement Technologies; seconded
by Mr. Patterson.
Discussion: Mail Road and New Road have been done with Maltenes Replacement
Technology (“MRT”), to preserve them, keep them like new, and thereby save on
repaving.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
G. TOWN OF EXETER PAVEMENT MANAGEMENT PROGRAM DRAFT
REPORT: Mr. Ellis read from the report: “The Town of Exeter retained Beta to provide pavement management services to better maintain the Town’s roadway network and to inspect the roadways…Based on the inspections completed [last Spring] the overall road surface rating
for Exeter’s town roadway network is 79.95%,” one of the best in the State and the best in the area. This is the result of work that has been done over a period of time. The cost of keeping
the Town’s roads good or rebuilding them from the beginning, major rehabilitation, is $48.00
per square yard. Routine maintenance, like using MRT, is $1.00 to $9.50 per square yard. MRT gets beneath the surface, fills cracks so water cannot get in and freeze, and keeps the cost of road maintenance low. The last time the Town used MRT, it was $1.50 per square yard. Pavement preservation processes are durable, proven, nationwide, and a smart way to spend Town money.
H. DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: REQUEST TO DISTRIBUTE RIDOH MEDICAL POINT OF DISTRIBUTION FUNDS TO BOTH EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT LINE ITEM AND GENERAL FUND:
Traditionally, 100% of the RIDOH POD funds received were deposited into the Emergency Liability Fund, the intent of which was to establish funds to utilize in the event of an emergency. Director of Emergency Management is requesting that 50% be deposited into her operating account for training and such and 50% into the Emergency Liability Fund.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to approve Request of Emergency Management
Director to distribute RIDOH Medical Point of Distribution Funds half to her
operating account and half to the Emergency Liability Fund; seconded by
Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
I. LOCAL BALLOT QUESTIONS: FOUR CHARTER AMENDMENTS:
As previous Councils have done, Mr. Ellis thought Council should send a mailer to
inform the voters of the local questions that will be on the November General
Election ballot.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to create and mail townwide information regarding
the four Charter Amendments; seconded by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: In 2012, a booklet was sent. Mr. Ellis suggested a two-sided card, such as the ones mailed regarding dog license renewals. Council agreed to mailing a card. The language and rationale for each question will be summarized. A statement will be included that the Council voted unanimously on the amendments. The questions have been advertised, put on the Town website, and posted at the Library, Post Office, and Clerk’s Office and on the Secretary of State’s website. Early voting starts next week. The card needs to be mailed as soon as possible.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
J. RI GROWS/SCHARTNER GREENHOUSE PROJECT: PLANNING BOARD DECISION, SEPTEMBER 18, 2024: Mr. Ellis read from the unanimous decision dated
August 27, 2024: “The Planning Board granted preliminary approval…of this DPR with conditions and stipulations, conditional final approval, and final approval with conditions
from the administrative officer. The Conditional Final Approval is contingent upon the
official recording of the merger…Once the administrative merge is completed, the
administrative officer will proceed with the final approval with conditions.” There are
thirty-eight conditions and stipulations that have to be met before final approval.
K. POSSSIBLE POSTING FOR TEMPORARY ACCESS TO PUBLIC RECORDS
ACT (“APRA”) OFFICER: The many APRA requests recently filed have been keeping
the Clerk from her regular duties. Council is not sure how having someone else answer
the APRA requests will work out or who will apply for a temporary position.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to post for a Temporary APRA Officer and see
what happens; seconded by Mr. Lefebvre; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
L. IMPACT FEE STUDY AMENDMENT: Based on acceptance of the amendments
to the Impact Fee Ordinance (See Public Hearing tonight, Agenda Item No. 7A), the following motion entered:
MOTION made Mr. Ellis to amend Impact Fee Study to include industrial park and warehouses; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
M. REENACTMENT: EMERGENCY ACTING ZONING INSPECTOR ORDINANCE:
It does not appear that the emergency will change any time soon. The initial Emergency Acting Zoning Inspector Ordinance passed last month will expire before the November Regular Meeting. The reenactment would continue without a lapse between the original and this one.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt Reenactment Emergency Acting Zoning Inspector Ordinance; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Emergency ordinances can only be sixty days. The initial one was for sixty days. The reenactment would add sixty days at the end of the initial one, for a total of 120 days
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. TOWN OF EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES: PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:
ARTICLE 14, BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE II, BUILDINGS; DIVISION 2, PERMIT FEES; SECTION 14-51, SCHEDULE OF FEES:
Mr. Findlay is working with Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco for his recommendation.
This matter will be discussed during budget discussions next year.
B. SHARON MACLEAN: WOOD RIVER WILD AND SCENIC RIVERS STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL: DUTEMPLE BROOK TRAIL PROJECT:
Ms. MacLean has not met with the Town Planner. She attended a recent meeting of the
Library Board of Trustees. Following discussion with the Board, she will not be moving
forward with this project. This agenda item will be removed.
C. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN: Because
the style and color have changed, Mr. Findlay has to resubmit the application.
D. DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: DAMAGE TO TOWN PROPERTY:
MAIL ROAD: The company that caused the damage has committed to fixing it.
E. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: The Committee is moving forward.
F. STATUS: TOWN BUILDING USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: ROOF REPLACEMENT: The Clerk reported:
The roof replacement is completed. The company that did the work, RTP Roofing, was amazing. They did a great job and had great workmanship. The new roof looks beautiful.
The roof definitely needed it. The old shingles were disintegrating. No more leaks. The
vents are breathing. Many sheets of plywood had to be applied before the shingles.
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: The Request for Proposals will be posted soon.
The public well certification and testing are in place. On October 18, Mr. Findlay will
be at the new building for electrical work, replacement of the oil tank, and fire alarm
inspection.
No. 4 09/05/2024 Tim and Carol Brown, 62 West Shore Drive: Notification of a dead tree on town property across the street, a potential hazard, it is the responsibility of the Town to remove it: Public Works has confirmed that the tree is on Town property and will remove it soon. The Clerk will let Mr. and Mrs. Brown know.
No. 12 09/23/2024 Letter of appreciation from Art Tuveson and the neighborhood,
to Exeter Town Council, Bill Brown, and his hard-working crew for the great job done
on Tupelo Drive, Preservation Drive, and Top Hill Drive: Council recognized and appreciated Public Works’ good work. A copy of this communication will be forwarded
to Public Works.
No. 14 09/30/2024 Letter from Bert Cabana and Michelle Reeves, 58 South Road:
Concerns about an ongoing chicken farming tent operation across the street; noise,
bad feces odor, and barking dog; second attempt at seeking resolution: This is a turkey
farm not chickens. This farm does rotational grazing. The turkeys are now in the back end
of the field away from the road and houses. Two dogs guard the turkeys from coyotes. The turkeys will be gone in the next month. Ms. DeFrancesco suggested the matter be forwarded
to Zoning. Mr. Patterson believed raising turkeys a permitted use under the Right to Farm Act.
Council had nothing to enter into Executive Session on.
MOTION made by Mr. Lefebvre to adjourn the meeting; seconded by
Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
November 4, 2024, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: November 4, 2024