No.   1:   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

No.   2:   CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL: 

The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:47 p.m., on Monday, December 1, 2025, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

Reason for late start time:  Council’s Special Meeting scheduled for 6:00 p.m. tonight,

before this Regular Meeting, ran late.

No.   3:   PRESENTATION OF NEWLY-APPOINTED TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER,

JOSEPH M. TURNER, AND ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE:  Mr. Turner

was introduced, sworn into office, and welcomed as a new Council Member.  He took his seat

at Council table.

No    5:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Agenda Order as presented;

seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   6:   APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: 

A.     REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST:  REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:

1.      UNITED WAY, $7,000.00

2.      DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOURCE CENTER OF SOUTH

         COUNTY, $3,500.00

3.      RYAN’S LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING, INC., $750.00

MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to approve Reynolds Charitable Trust

vouchers as presented; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously

in the affirmative.

B.     COMMUNICATIONS:  Mr. Morrissey removed No. 10. 

Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 3, 6, and 16.

C.     BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

1.      BILL SHEET:   December 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025

2.      TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None

3.      TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:  None

4.      TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:  None

MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to approve the Bill Sheet as presented;

seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.  7:   VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS:

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:

1.     JOSEPH M. TURNER, JUVENILE HEARING BOARD MEMBER:

Mr. Turner is now a Council member.  He cannot serve on a Town Board.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to accept Joseph Turner’s resignation as a

Juvenile Hearing Board Member; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted

as follows:

                                    Diane Bampton Allen              Yes

                                    Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr.                 Yes

                                    Calvin A. Ellis                         Yes

                                    Jamie S. Schiffer                                 Yes

                                    Joseph M. Turner                               Abstain

This Board is currently inactive.  The following Motion entered.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to not post the vacancy on the Juvenile Hearing Board; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.

Discussion:  Mr. Ellis spoke to School Superintend Erinakes.  He is aware that there have

been no referrals to the Exeter Board.  He thought the School Committee had addressed it.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

C.     APPOINTMENTS:

No.   8:   PUBLIC HEARINGS:

A.     APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENTS TO ZONING MAP/

         FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT: 

         MILAN EARL ADAMS III, MEACO LLC, MICOLE LLC, GLEN ROCK REALTY

         LLC, MICOLE REALTY TRUST, NILAN REALTY TRUST, APPLICANTS

         HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD a/k/a SHERMAN ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND

         PLAT- BLOCK-LOT 64-1-8; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-9; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-

         1-17; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-19; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-22; PLAT-BLOCK-

         LOT 64-1-23; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-26

         PRESENT CLASSIFICATION:    RU-4                                                             

         ZONE CHANGE REQUESTED:  RU-4 WITH FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT

This Public Hearing is rescheduled to Council’s January 5, 2025, Regular Meeting.  The Standard Pendulum missed its deadline for advertising and thus the Public Hearing was

not properly advertised as required.

No. 10:  PUBLIC COMMENT:

Mary Olash, Resident, 421 Hog House Hill Road:  New to Exeter and Rhode Island.  Her neighbor, in 2011, was granted 350’ frontage for the purpose of building a single-family dwelling with the condition that the permit be pulled and the building completed within one

year.  This has not happened.  It is a farm and junkyard, persons are living in trailers, and

there is a lot of traffic.  What can they do about this?  What can be done?

John Olash, Resident:  Owns two acres at 421 Hog House Hill Road.  Is building a single family home.  There is a right of way to a farm.  Upwards of 25-40 vehicles travel the right

of way every day.  The traffic is excessive and unacceptable.  What can be done?

Asa Davis, Resident, 146 Beechwood Hill Trail:  1) Congratulated Joseph Turner on becoming a Council Member; 2) Regarding his mediation with the Town scheduled for December 11 and 12, he provided Council background and history regarding cases and is willing to review the cases listed under Executive Session with Council; and 3) Removing his cases, the Town has

two to four times more legal cases, per capita, than comparable towns. 

Nancy Anderton, Chair, Exeter Board of Canvassers:  Council, some time ago, motioned to relocate the Board of Canvassers to the building at 742 Ten Rod Road.  In July 2024, the Board of Elections has approved the space as a polling location and found it to be a better space than  Council Chambers at 675 Ten Rod Road.  The building was bought two years ago and is still not occupied.  The Board of Canvassers Members is not opposed to working while construction is going on.  There is a space currently that could serve as an office and the big room for elections with no need for construction.  The current internet service would have to be approved by the Board of Elections and phones installed.  There appears to be a stalemate.  What is the hold up? 

Will Council finally agree to the move?  Elections for 2025 begin in April.  The Board of Canvassers would like to be in the building by March 1.

Rita Cassidy, Resident:  Why was 94 Bates Schoolhouse Road removed from the agenda last month?  There are still stormwater issues.  A Council Member said Ms. Cassidy was happy with the progress.  She is not.  Perhaps the Council Member is associated in business with the person

she is complaining about and should recuse as it is a conflict of interest?  She made her complaint to the Zoning Inspector on October 31 regarding noise, machinery, log splitting, and trucks and was told a cease and desist was issued.  She is concerned that she is not being paid attention to. 

James Fisk, Resident:  Concerned about 94 Bates Schoolhouse Road.  Owns 42 acres, 97 Bates Schoolhouse Road.  The area is a watershed.  If commercial business is allowed, there is a risk of contamination to neighboring wells.

No.    9:   NEW BUSINESS:

A.       REQUEST FROM STATE COMMANDER/VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER JOHN

CIANCI: PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS: 

As he is a 100% combat service disabled veteran, Mr. Turner recused. 

Mr. Cianci:  Advocating for 100% property tax exemption for 100% VA service disabled veterans to improve the veterans’ quality of life.  He is bringing the request for the exemption to all cities and

towns.  Scituate and Cranston allow the exemption.  He is also advocating for State legislation. 

Discussion:  The Town’s revenue is mostly property taxes.  There is little business and much of the property in Exeter is exempt from taxation.  It would be difficult to allow 100% exemption.  There

are three veterans’ known who are 100% disabled.  If this was implemented, the Town would lose approximately $30,000.00 in revenue just on those three veterans.  Current exemptions total approximately $2,000,000.00.  The Town cannot afford to lose more of this revenue.  Instead of 100%, the Town could look at increasing the exemption veterans’ currently receive.  This agenda item will be continued to Unfinished Business on Council’s January agenda for Mr. Cianci to provide Council a copy of Scituate’s ordinance.                

B.       PUBLIC WORKS:  REQUEST FOR STOP SIGN CORNER OF HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD, TRIPPS CORNER ROAD, AND MAIL ROAD:  Director of Public Works Rob Shappy recommends the sign.  There is a dangerous curve at the intersection and no one does the speed limit.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve Director of Public Works Rob Shappy’s recommendation to install a stop sign at the corner of Hog House Hill Road, Tripps Corner Road, and Mail Road; seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

C.       RHODE ISLAND STATE POLICE:  REQUEST TO MOUNT FLOCK CAMERAS ON STAND-ALONE STRUCTURES POWERED BY SOLAR ON ROUTE 165 AT CONNECTICUT LINE, ON ROUTE 102 AT ROUTE 3, AND ON ROUTE 3 AT ROUTE 102: 

Captain Matthew Alboum, RI State Police:  Flock cameras are a great tool.  There are many throughout the state.  Thirty-nine more have been purchased through a grant.  They help to enhance public safety, solve and eliminate crime, exonerate suspects, and strengthen highway security, statewide and nationally, and are capable of vehicle recognition, real time alerts (Silver and Amber), and advanced analytics. 

They significantly aid law enforcement in active threats (mass shootings), investigation of crimes,

and maintaining situational awareness and provide collaboration of jurisdictions (a vehicle can

be followed over State lines and apprehended).  There is no facial recognition, no speed tracking,

or evidence gathered.  They do not have a public ID and therefore are not accessible remotely. It

takes a picture of the rear of a vehicle and the license plate, held for thirty days. The cameras are

equipped with secure protocols to protect data, certified by the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services, are compliant with National Defense Authorization Act, the Higher Education Community Vendor Tool, HIPPA, and Family Educational Rights, and align with security protocols of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, Cyber Security, and the Cloud Security Alliances Framework.  The RI State Police will have a contract with Flock and will be working under a stringent policy.

MOTION made by Mr. Turner to approve the recommended Flock cameras with future consideration for additional deployments throughout the Town of Exeter; seconded

by Ms. Allen.

Discussion:  There is no cost or responsibility to the Town.  Mr. Alboun is open to considering other locations in Town for the cameras.  Much consideration has been given to the locations proposed. 

They make the most sense at the moment.  The ACLU is opposing the cameras on unfounded information.  The Rhode Island Department of Transportation is not in opposition to the cameras

on its highways.  Mr. Alboun will need a letter from Council.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to authorize Council President Diane Allen to sign letter required by the RI State Police regarding the Flock cameras; seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

D.       PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:  CHAPTER 14,

BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS; ARTICLE III, GROWTH MANAGEMENT:

Now that the impact fee ordinance has been updated, it follows that the growth management ordinance needs to be updated.  A consultant is needed to make recommendations of proposed amendments.  The Town Treasurer and Council Assistant will work on the RFP for advertising.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to post a Request for Proposals to update the growth management ordinance; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

E.       BATES SCHOOL HOUSE ROAD:  LAND USE AND STORM WATER ISSUES:  Last month, this agenda item was removed from the agenda.  Mr. Ellis received a call the next day.  There

are still significant issues.

Rita Cassidy:  Lengthy explanation of her concerns and the issues and problems.  She has lived in Exeter since 1961.  She lives in a CR-5 zone.  Wood cutting may be allowed, but not a tree service.  Her quality of life has been affected.   There are lots of lights, trucks, noise, and constant traffic.  She never thought the Town would allow anything that would impact her quality of life.  She has been complaining since 2022 about the silt, runoff, and erosion.  The value of her property and home has diminished.  The erosion has changed an egress.  Silt has built up.  The fruit trees have died.  She has rats for the first time.  It is snowballing.  The business is growing.  The property should be conservation, farming, or forestry, not a commercial wood yard.  She has a copy of the peer review.   Who is supposed to read it?  Who is supposed to contact her?  Did Council and the Zoning and Building Inspectors read the peer review?  Shouldn’t they?  It is all there.  It talks about the northern abutters, the silt, Brushy Brook Road, and loss of use.  She called the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.  They agreed there could be questions, but the Town would have to request a modification on the plan that was sent to them.  No one in the Town departments talk to each other.  No one comes out to investigate her complaints, loss of use, storing of material and commercial equipment.  It does not conform to residential use.  Is anyone acting on the peer review?  Her family has been paying taxes since 1961.  Does Council offer no help to the taxpayers?  She asked Council to get the plans modified so that there is no encroachment on her property.  She has been greatly impacted and implored Council to help her because she does not know where else to turn.

James Fisk:  Some time ago, wastewater was a problem for him.  Public Works installed two culverts.  Now, stormwater from his neighbor is draining onto his property.  Would like this issue rectified.

As this agenda item is being addressed by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management,

it will be removed from Council’s agenda.

F.       NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS AND CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS:  ENFORCEMENT:

Mr. Ellis queried:  What is the follow up process for enforcing violations and cease and desist orders issued?  Zoning Inspector Dave Thornley suggests that three reminder notices be sent after a violation issues.  If the violation is not addressed after the third notice, a fine be imposed and a lien put on the property.  Attorney Sylvia noted that the process to enforce a zoning violation, to date, has been that

after an inspector brings the matter to Council’s attention, Council directs legal to file suit. 

MOTION made by Mr. Turner to develop a list of remedies to address and mitigate violations; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

This agenda item will continue to Council’s January Regular Meeting Agenda, Unfinished Business,

for Zoning Inspector Dave Thornley to be present and Mr. Ellis to talk to Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco.

G.      ANNUAL EMPLOYEE APPRECIATION LUNCHEON:  DECEMBER 10, 2025,

12:00 P.M. TO 1:00 P.M.:

MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to approve the Annual Employee Appreciation Luncheon;

seconded by Mr. Turner.

Discussion:  The luncheon was started approximately 20 years ago by Mr. Ellis as a way

to say thank you to the Town’s employees.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

H.       FOR CONSIDERATION:  CLOSURE OF ALL TOWN OFFICES, FRIDAY,

DECEMBER 26, 2025:

MOTION made by Mr. Turner to approve Closure of All Town Offices on Friday,

December 26, 2025; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted as follows:

                                    Diane Bampton Allen              Yes

                                    Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr.                 Abstain (his wife is a

                                                                                                               Town employee)

                                    Calvin A. Ellis                         Yes

                                    Jamie S. Schiffer                                 Yes

                                    Joseph M. Turner                               Yes

No.   10:   UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A.     FUTURE TOWN HALL, 742 TEN ROD ROAD:  INITIAL PLANNING,

NEEDS ASSESSMENT, REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, FACILITY

LAYOUT AND DESIGN:  Mr. Findlay reported.  Of the six architects that submitted,

three have been scored the highest.  If Council approves, Mr. Findlay will start the process

of meeting with the highest scorer to negotiate rates.  Ms. Allen would like to see this done

this month.  Mr. Turner inquired whether a detailed scope of work will be provided to the architects.  Mr. Findlay thought the architects would provide it.  Mr. Turner said the Town should define the scope not the architects.  Mr. Findlay will tell the architects what the

Town wants and the architects will create it.  It may be a good idea for Town Planner Bill DePasquale and Planning Board Member Michael Vivieros, an architect, to meet with

Mr. Findlay and the architects.  If the three of them do not agree with the first architect’s

rates, they meet with the second, and so on, until they agree on one.  Mr. Findlay will start

the process tomorrow.

MOTION made by Mr. Turner to approve Mr. Findlay starting the process of negotiating an architect and for the Council to consider a special meeting to expedite the process prior to the January Regular Meeting; seconded by Mr. Schiffer.

Discussion:  Mr. Ellis:  What are the plans and design for the building?  What are we telling

the architects?  Mr. Findlay will provide each architect a scope of work so they can identify

the costs. The Board of Canvassers are willing to work around the construction.  That may

be an insurance liability.  The Board of Canvassers would like to be in the building by March 1.  

The Board of Elections has approved the space as a polling space.

Asa Davis, resident:  To maximize the future potential and flexibility of the building, if the

Town can, it should consider reactivating the community grant it was once considering and

reactivate the community well so that the building is not limited to how many people can

occupy it. 

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

B.     NEW ROAD AND TEN ROD ROAD INTERSECTION:  TRAFFIC SAFETY

ISSUES:  SURVEY FOR POSSIBLE VISIBILITY / SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS:

The job is on the surveyor’s schedule.  Installation of line striping and a mirror have helped.  Once the survey is received, what can be done to make more improvements will be determined.

C.      REQUEST FOR STATE POLICE PATROL:  MILL POND ROAD, YAWGOO

VALLEY ROAD, AND LIBERTY ROAD:  The residents in the area of the roads were

going to contact the Town’s Senator and Representatives and have not returned.  This agenda

item will be removed.

D.      FORMER TOWN DUMP, TEN ROD ROAD:  CURRENT CONSTRUCTION

ACTIVITIES:  Zoning Inspector Dave Thornley issued two violations on October 24,

2025.  The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management has issued a cease

and desist and has taken over mitigating the violations.  This agenda item will be removed.

E.     STATUS:  RI250 COMMISSION:  EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION

COMMISSION:  The Committee is active and meeting tomorrow night.

No.  12:    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) [Job performance, Public Works], RIGL 42-46-5(a) [Security at Clerk’s Office], and

RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) [Litigation, Asa Davis v. Town of Exeter, Green Development v.

Town of Exeter, Hughes v. Town of Exeter, and Town of Exeter v. National Mortgage Recovery Systems]; seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Council entered into Executive Session at 9:15 p.m., adjourned Executive Session

at 10:52 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to seal the minutes of Executive Session and

confirm all votes taken; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in

the affirmative.

No.   13:    ADJOURNMENT:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Schiffer;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 10:52 p.m.

The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,

January 5, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                                Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

                                                                                                Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:   January 5, 2026