EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
APRIL 7, 2025
Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 7:01 p.m., on Monday, April 7, 2025, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Also Present: Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Town Solicitor
Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk
Kenneth Findlay, Council Assistant
A. BOARD OF CANVASSERS: NEW MEETING DAY: WEDNESDAYS,
9:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M. (ORIGINALLY TUESDAYS, SAME HOURS):
The Public was informed.
B. ANNUAL DOG LICENSING: APRIL 1 – JUNE 1, $6.00; AFTER JUNE 1,
$6.00 PER LICENSE PLUS $25.00 LATE FEE PER LICENSE; OBTAIN AT CLERK’S OFFICE, ANIMAL SHELTER, OR, ONLINE; FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT
THE TOWN’S WEBSITE: The Public was informed and urged to register their dogs.
C. EXETER-WEST GREENWICH SCHOOL DISTRICT ALL-DAY REFERENDUM: MONDAY, APRIL 21, 2025, 7:00 A.M. – 8:00 P.M., COUNCIL CHAMBERS, EXETER CLERK’S OFFICE, 675 TEN ROD ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND: The Public
was urged to plan to vote.
D. EXETER FIRE DISTRICT ANNUAL BUDGET MEETING: WEDNESDAY,
MAY 14, 2025, 7:00 P.M., EXETER-WEST GREENWICH JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM, 930 NOOSENECK HILL ROAD, WEST-GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND: The Public was urged to attend and plan to vote.
E. FINANCIAL TOWN MEETING: TUESDAY, JUNE 10, 2025, 7:00 P.M.,
EXETER-WEST GREENWICH JUNIOR/SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM,
930 NOOSENECK HILL ROAD, WEST GREENWICH, RHODE ISLAND: The
Public was urged to attend and plan to vote.
F. EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY: ANNUAL EASTER EGG HUNT: SATURDAY,
APRIL 12, 2025, 11:00 A.M. TO 12:00 P.M.; REGISTER THROUGH THE PROGRAMMING AND EVENT CALENDAR ON THE LIBRARY’S WEBSITE:
The Public was urged to register their children.
G. EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY: ANNUAL EXETER SPRING MARKET
(FORMERLY ANNUAL SPRING CRAFT FAIR): SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025,
10:00 A.M. TO 2:00 P.M.; A WIDE VARIETY OF VENDORS (APPROXIMATELY
40) WILL BE SET UP OUTDOORS ON THE LIBRARY LAWN; NEW THIS YEAR,
A LOCAL AUTHOR SHOWCASE HIGHLIGHTING HOMETOWN LITARY TALENT; AUTHORS (APPROXIMATELY 9) WILL BE SET UP INDOORS IN
THE LIBRARY PROGRAM ROOM; SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISANS AND BUSINESSES; SHOP FOR A VARIETY OF HANDCRAFTED GOODS AND MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS: The Public was urged to attend.
H. TONIGHT’S AGENDA: Mr. Patterson noted that the agenda is long. At about 8:45 p.m., if Council has many items left, Mr. Patterson suggested that Council consider whether to continue the remaining agenda items to next Monday night, in order to enter into Executive Session, or to continue with the agenda.
As there were many residents from Estate Drive and Rolling Hill Drive who signed up for Public Comment, the following motion entered:
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to move Agenda Item No. 8, Public Comment, before Agenda Item No. 4, Approval of the Consent Agenda; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 8, Public Comment.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
1. RYAN’S LANDSCAPING, $3500.00, WALL AND ROADSIDE IMPROVEMENTS:
The voucher was not removed.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Morrissey and Ms. Allen removed No. 10.
Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 33, 36, 39, and 40.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: March 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:
$4,555.85, three accounts; See Town Clerk for details
Because a purchase was made from her employer, Ms. Allen removed the Bill Sheet.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES, MARCH 3, 2025
2. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES,
MARCH 3, 2025
The minutes were not removed.
1. Class 1 (over 10 dogs):
a. Ruth Gordon, Owner/Applicant, Delmyra Kennels, 191 Ten Rod Road
b. John Mann, Owner/Applicant, Cedar Valley Pet Lodge, 76B Levitt Lane
c. Ruth Colwill, Owner/Applicant, 174 Hallville Road
The Clerk reported: All requirements were met. These licenses were not removed.
2. Class 2 (four to ten dogs):
a. Gary & Barbara Donnelly, Owners/Applicants, 224 South Road
b. Susan Newell, Owner/Applicant, 23 New Road
c. Kimberly White, Owner/Applicant, 82 Sodom Trail
The Clerk reported: All requirements were met. These licenses were not removed.
F. HAWKER’S LICENSE RENEWALS:
1. Warren Philippi, Owner/Applicant, WBG Inc d/b/a Warrens Bargains Galore,
171 Nooseneck Hill Road
The Clerk reported: All requirements were met. This license was not removed.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the Consent Agenda minus the Bill Sheet
(March 1 through March 31, 2025); seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to approve the Bill Sheet (March 1 through March 31, 2025); seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Abstain
Olivia DeFrancesco Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
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.
B. RESIGNATIONS: There were no Resignations.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE MEMBERS (THREE NEEDED) (TO SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERM BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will
continue to post.
2. BOARD OF TAX AND ASSESSMENT REVIEW MEMBER (TO SERVE UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING MAY 6, 2027): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will continue to post.
3. BOARD OF TAX AND ASSESSMENT REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER
(TO SERVE THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT):
No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy will continue to post.
D. EXPIRING TERMS:
1. WILLIAM GALLAGHER, TOWN CONSTABLE (EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2025)
2. THOMAS ALLEN, SPECIAL CONSTABLE (EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2025)
3. STEPHEN VANNER, SPECIAL CONSTABLE (EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2025)
4. ALAN GUSTAFSON, SPECIAL CONSTABLE (EXPIRES APRIL 30, 2025)
Town Sergeant Scote Miller recommends that the Town Constable and Special Constables
be reappointed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint William Gallagher as Town Constable and Thomas Allen, Stephen Vanner, and Alan Gustafson as Special Constables for the terms ending April 30, 2026; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
5. GABRIELLE PERLMUTTER, JUVENILE HEARING BOARD
(EXPIRES APRIL 11, 2025)
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Gabrielle Perlmutter as Juvenile Hearing Board Member; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
6. KENNETH FINDLAY, LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES (EXPIRES APRIL 1,
2025)
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Kenneth Findlay as Library Board of Trustees Member; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
There were no Public Hearings.
Jon Nelson: Been a resident of Estate Drive since 2017. Since the injunction lapsed, there has been recent construction activities on the paper road at the end of Estate Drive. He is concerned. The end of Estate Drive, the paper road, is Town property, yet Asa Davis claims he has rights
via adverse possession. Exeter Village residents adamantly deny that he has legal title to the property via adverse possession. He does not meet and has not met the requirements. He thanked Council for serving Mr. Davis a cease and desist on April 4; however, Mr. Davis
has disregarded it and has continued the work. He and the residents implore the Town to
seek another injunction with the Superior Court immediately.
Kane Streichert: Been a resident since 2021. Same concerns as Mr. Nelson. Mr. Davis
bought the property at the end of Estate Drive on November 9, 2021. The address listed is
0 Ten Rod Road, not Estate Drive. Concerned that Mr. Davis is claiming the paper street
at the end of Estate Drive as his driveway. Records indicate that the paper street is owned
by the Town. If Mr. Davis proposed development promises tangible advantages to the Town,
he would support it. However, if the project is a negative for the Town, the Town Council should reject the development, and uphold its rights to its property.
Jackie Mears: Been a resident of Estate Drive for 14 years. Wonderful place to raise family. Plenty of room to enjoy outdoors. Paper street was trees. Did not know it was a paper street. Slowly the trees were cleared and the walking path became a road. In 2023, she was served papers. Mr. Davis and the Town were in a legal battle over who owned the paper street. She was being sued over property she did not own and was not next to hers. She and the other residents who were also served used their personal funds to obtain legal counsel. It is not right. The case is stayed. There has been no ruling on who owns the paper street. Therefore, it should not be touched. However, over the last few weeks, Mr. Davis has performed an extensive amount of extremely concerning activity, disrupting a once peaceful neighborhood, and taking
it upon himself to alter the paper street and utilizing it as his own property. The construction vehicles pose safety risks to the families and is compromising the structural integrity of the street. He continues his efforts despite being served a cease and desist by the Town.
Martina Baligian: Been a resident of Estate Drive for 25 years. Her property abuts the paper street. Concerned about what has been going on with the paper street for years. In spite of past court orders and the recent cease and desist, Mr. Davis continues to do what he wants with no consequences. He has cut down the trees and recently laid gravel. He is using the paper street heavily. He should be made to follow the same rules and regulations that all other residents
have to. He needs to stop. An injunction should be put in place and the barriers returned as
soon as possible.
Michael Perras: Been a resident of Estate Drive since 1998. What has been said are the feelings of all the residents. Mr. Davis’ activities need to be addressed. In 2017 or 2018, he woke up to the trees being cut. The road was a walkable path then, but now it can be driven down. Truck after truck are going through the neighborhood. They have to be slowed down
for the safety of the children playing outdoors. He should be stopped. Put in another injunction to stop him until the legal case is settled.
Gregory Casey: Is a resident of Dolly Pond Road. Struggling with lack of peace and quiet in his neighborhood caused by his neighbor’s motorcross course, at all hours, day and night, for hours, with multiple ATVs, dune buggies, etc. He and his family avoid their house nights and weekends. It is unbearable. They are suffering from stress. He was before Council about this
in December. Last April, he read the noise levels and found that the ordinances were broken. He has contacted the Town repeatedly complaining about the noise. There was riding 25 of the 28 days in March. Recently, Town Sergeant Scote Miller and Zoning Inspector Dave Thornley did a reading. He is looking for the noise ordinance to be addressed.
Council returned to Agenda Item No. 5, Approval of Consent Agenda, and resumed the normal order of the agenda.
A. SOLICITOR’S LICENSE APPLICATIONS: GRIFFEN GOODEN (NORTH
FRANKLIN, CT), MICHAEL TREVISONE (WEST GREENWICH, RI), DANIEL
WEST (WARWICK, RI), SCOTT KAELLER (UXRIDGE, MA), MATTHEW MAGUIRE (CUMBERLAND, RI), ROBERT O’NEILL JR. (NORTH KINGSTOWN, RI), JOSEPH CHIARELLA (CRANSTON, RI), APPLICANTS, POWER HOME REMODELING
(CRANSTON, RI): DOOR-TO-DOOR, FREE ESTIMATES, WINDOWS, ROOFING, SIDING: A representative from the company was present. The applicants will canvass the Town and schedule appointments for an expert to offer free estimates. Mr. Patterson queried: Who is writing the contracts? Are they licensed in Rhode Island to do so? The representative did not know.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to continue this matter to Unfinished Business next month until Council has the proper information and paperwork; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
B. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER ZONING ORDINANCE:
FARM CAFÉ – LIMITED FOOD OPTIONS PROVIDED BY FARM BREWERIES:
APPENDIX A; ARTICLE I, DEFINITIONS; ARTICLE II, SECTION 2.4, ZONING
USE TABLE: Mr. Ellis noted that Town Planner William DePasquale has spent a tremendous amount of time to craft the proposed amendments that would work not only for the one applicant but for all the Town.
Mr. DePasquale explained the amendments: Farm Café will be added to Farm Breweries to allow some element of food to be served. This change will affect the use code.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to schedule Farm Café proposed zoning amendments for public hearing at Council’s meeting next month; seconded by Mr. Ellis.
Discussion: Council thanked Mr. DePasquale for all the work he did on the proposed amendments. It was a huge undertaking.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
C. TOWN PLANNER: REQUEST FOR CONTRACT EXTENSION:
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN UPDATE: LARISSA BROWN AND ASSOCIATES,
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to grant the request to extend the contract with Larissa Brown and Associates up to $8,000.00 to rewrite the Comprehensive Plan in accordance with Statewide Planning’s comments; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. DePasquale has 60 days to do the rewrite and resubmit to Statewide Planning.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. APPLICATION FOR PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF
ORDINANCES, ZONING: MILAN EARL ADAMS III, 400 SOUTH COUNTY TRAIL, SUITE A102, EXETER, APPLICANT; ADD NEW ARTICLE, FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT; LOTS 64-1-8 AND 64-1-9, 400 HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD: Town Planner William DePasquale reported: Mr. DePasquale credited Mr. Adams with going before the Planning Board for guidance and making changes to his proposal before making application
to Council. By statute, it has to be forwarded to the Planning Board for its recommendations
and then back to Council for public hearing.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to send application for proposed amendments to zoning ordinance as presented by Mr. Adams to the Planning Board for its recommendations; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.
Discussion: Mr. Ellis noted that the proposed amendments coincide with Mr. DePasquale’s comments under Agenda Item 9C to improve farms. Such changes will allow farms flexibility and help them generate income, instead of being left to no choice but to sell to developers. Council thanked Mr. DePasquale for his expertise, passion, and efforts.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. ZONING INSPECTOR: STATUS REPORT: 41 DOLLY POND ROAD: An
abutter to the property was present. He is complaining about the noise generated by off-road vehicles on the property. No one can understand how annoyed his family is. They are entitled
to peace and quiet as are all other residents.
Zoning Inspector David Thornley reported that he and Town Sergeant Scote Miller sat at the location and measured the noise levels. They found that trucks and airplanes passing were louder than the off-road vehicles. The only time they were louder than the noise ordinance allows was when they are on an incline for a split second near the property line. The ordinance does not speak to the noise level having to be sustained. Mr. Thornley will submit proposed amendments to the noise ordinance to Council.
F. BOONE LAKE DAM MANAGEMENT DISTRICT: LACK OF BOARD
OF DIRECTORS: Eric Ingebretson of 156 West Shore Road is on the Board of Directors: There is no clerk. The assessor, collector, and gate keeper are stepping down, leaving only
the treasurer. There are no takers for the positions. He queried: What happens if the Board dissolves? The fees still have to be collected and the dam still has to be managed, but there
will be no one in the positions to do that.
Attorney Sylvia: Per the ordinance, relative to the dam management, Council does not have
any authority. If there are no Board members and a budget is not put to the membership, then there are no fees, no paying anything, no dam management. Other than changing the ordinance,
there is not much the Council can do to help. There is not a quorum requirement.
Whatever persons are left can put together a budget, present it, and then maintain the dam.
Mr. Ingebretson was present on a fact-finding mission. The Board is not at an end-all point.
Can the Board hire an outside entity? Attorney Sylvia noted: Section 42-196 of the ordinance says yes, provided the vote to do so is unanimous.
Mr. Ingebretson thanked Council for their time and advice.
G. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: AWARDING OF BID: GASOLINE DELIVERY: The bids were duly advertised and opened. One was received. Director
of Public Works Rob Shappy recommends the sole bidder, Santoro Oil.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to award Santoro Oil the bid for gasoline delivery
to Public Works; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
H. WEST SHORE DRIVE TURNAROUND ISSUES AND POSSIBLE RESOLUTION:
This agenda item will be moved to budget discussions. This is not an easy fix and could be
costly. Public Works recently improved the turnaround to its best ability.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to move Agenda Item No. 9H to budget discussions
to determine if there is a resolution to this problem; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
I. TAX ASSESSOR: REQUEST TO PROCEED TO BID FOR REQUESTS FOR PROPOSALS: STATISTICAL REAPPRAISAL AND EVALUATION:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to grant Tax Assessor’s request to proceed to bid for requests for proposals for statistical reappraisal and evaluation; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: This is a work in progress that has to be done.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
J. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TOWN COUNCIL BYLAWS: SECTION 102(B),
REGULAR MEETING: POSSIBLE CHANGE TO START TIME OF MEETINGS:
This was introduced last month. It is proposed to change the start time from 7:00 p.m.
to 6:30 p.m.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to change the Town Council Bylaws to reflect
that the start time of Council meetings be 6:30 p.m. instead of 7:00 p.m.; seconded
by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
K. RI ETHICS COMMISSION: RESPONSE TO COUNCIL’S INQUIRY TO MEET:
Council wrote the Ethics Commission regarding recent complaints of violations of Exeter officials and received a response.
The Commission responded: It strives to strike a balance in holding public officials accountable recognizing that not every violation is intentional or made in bad faith. It is the responsibility of public officials to be aware of Ethics rules when holding office. Training is offered and should be repeated every two years. The letter suggested that the Town schedule training for all of Exeter’s public officials.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to direct the Town Clerk to schedule two trainings, one day
and one evening; seconded by Mr. Patterson; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
L. YAWGOO VALLEY APARTMENTS: TERMINATION OF TENANCY POLICY:
The policy is not a good one and, though it causes considerable distress, is legal. Council could
not and did not take any action.
M. EXETER-WEST GREENWICH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT: SPECIAL
ELECTION: The District wishes to put proposed Charter amendments to the Public. It
wanted to put them on the all-day referendum ballot scheduled for April 14, but that would
have required the all-day referendum to be instead a Special Election with 20-day early voting. There was not time to make the switch. The all-day referendum regarding the budget would
have had to been delayed. The District decided to go ahead with the all-day referendum for
the budget and hold a Special Election for the proposed amendments at a later date this year.
A Special Election would cost the taxpayers an added expense in excess of $6,000.00, when
it would do no harm to have the proposed amendments on the General Election ballot in 2026 when there would be not be an added expense.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to direct the Town Clerk to write to the Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District to let them know that Council wishes they would
postpone the proposed amendments to the next General Election as discussed;
seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
N. VETERANS’ REPRESENTATIVE JOHN CIANCI: PROGRAMS AND
OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOCAL VETERANS: Mr. Cianci is a 22-year Army Veteran,
lives in Exeter, is a volunteer Veterans’ Services Officer, and is a member of the Italian-American War Veterans, which is Congressionally chartered and VA accredited. He and
others help Veterans and their families (with tax benefits, obtaining military benefits, day-
to-day necessities) for free. He will be contacting Exeter Veterans with a newsletter and
plans to be at the Exeter Library once a month. He left a brochure with the Clerk.
O. TOWN OF EXETER RESOLUTION NO. 2025-02: A RESOLUTION IN
OPPOSITION TO RHODE ISLAND 2025 GUN CONTROL LEGISLATION:
Mr. Patterson has had many residents express concerns regarding this legislation, which
will ban the manufacturing of magazines and gun parts and will close two factories in the
State.
Mr. Ellis queried whether Mr. Patterson should introduce this resolution as he owns a gun
shop. Mr. Patterson took an oath to uphold the Constitution.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adopt Exeter Resolution No. 2025-02, A Resolution in Opposition to Rhode Island 2025 Gun Control Legislation; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.
and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis No
Ms. DeFrancesco queried whether it is an Ethics violation for Mr. Patterson to introduce the
resolution. In 2011, Mr. Patterson was given a verbal decision that he was not in violation
when a complaint was made that he owned a gun shop and was pushing concealed carry permits to increase his sales. Would Mr. Patterson ask Ethics for an opinion whether a gun store owner should be introducing the resolution before Council. No, not worried about it. If Ms. Defrancesco asked, would be okay with Mr. Patterson? Yes.
P. TOWN OF EXETER RESOLUTION NO. 2025-03: RESOLUTION OF THE
TOWN OF EXETER REGARDING THE RESTORATION OF GENERAL REVENUE SHARING TO THE STATE’S CITIES AND TOWNS: At least six other cities and towns have approved this resolution. The State has level funded this line item in its budget andis
taking away the funds.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt Exeter Resolution No. 2025-03, Resolution of the Town of Exeter Regarding the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to the State’s Cities and Towns; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Q. REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT: TRAFFIC LIGHT, OAK HARBOR,
ROUTE 2: Because the number of businesses in Pine Ridge and at Oak Harbor, both located
in proximity to each other on Route 2, have increased, traffic in the area has increased. They need a letter of support from Council in order to apply to the State for a light to be installed at Oak Harbor, which would be logical location.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to write the requested letter of support for a traffic light
at Oak Harbor on Route 2; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco.
Discussion: Mr. Morrissey hoped it would help to slow down traffic. Both, Pine Ridge
and Oak Harbor have many cars going in and out. It takes some time to get in and out
of both locations.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. RECIPROCAL INSPECTIONS AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF EXETER AND NEIGHBORING TOWN(S): Council wrote East Greenwich. Their
Building inspector has left employment with the Town of East Greenwich. When they
have a new one, they will reach out to explore this proposal.
B. LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES: GIVING POLICY: The policy has been reviewed by Attorney Sylvia. It is acceptable. The signature lines will be removed. The
policy will be adopted into the Library Board’s policies.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt the proposed giving policy; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
C. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN:
There was no update.
D. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: The Committee will have an informational table at the Library Spring
Market on May 3, 2025.
E. TOWN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS: USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: BASEMENT WATER MITIGATION:
The Clerk was extremely happy to report: The staff has done a tremendous job going
through their records and storage in the basement. Public Works was invaluable, also doing
a tremendous job, disposing of trash (four truckloads) and preparing the basement for the work
to be done by Dry Zone Basements. The Clerk could not thank the staff enough and could not
be prouder for their cooperation and assistance.
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: Mr. Findlay reported: The contractor awarded the bid provided a draft of its contract, which was reviewed
by Mr. Findlay and Attorney Sylvia, and returned with comments. Mr. Findlay hopes to have
a final draft for Council next month.
No. 10 03/05/2025 The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island: Flag Raising
Program – Request for Exeter to raise Armenian Flag April 24, 2025: Council honors
this request every year. Ms. Allen’s wished to especially this year. Her brother-in-law passed away this weekend. His family was part of the Genocide.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to fly the Armenian National Flag on April 24
in commemoration of the Genocide; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted
unanimously in the affirmative.
No. 33 03/24/2025 North Smithfield School Committee Resolution: Funding for
Private School Transportation by State and Local Education Agencies;
No. 36 03/28/2025 Burrillville School Committee Resolution: Private School
Transportation;
No. 39 03/31/2025 North Kingstown School Committee: Signed Transportation
Resolution;
No. 40 03/31/2025 Portsmouth School Committee: School Transportation Resolution:
The bill would require non-public schools to share transportation costs with sending schools.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to Exeterize one of the above resolutions and put it on
next month’s agenda for Council’s consideration; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to take a brief recess; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into recess at 8:50 p.m. and reconvened at 9:02 p.m.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2), to discuss: 1) Litigation, Asa Davis v. Town of Exeter et al (WC 2019-0228)
and 2) Potential Litigation, Public Water System, 742 Ten Rod Road; seconded by
Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 9:02 p.m., adjourned Executive Session
at 10:26 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to affirm all votes taken in Executive Session and to seal
the minutes of Executive Session; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey 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,
May 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: May 5, 2025