EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 3, 2025
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, February 3, 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
A. TOWN OF EXETER OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS CLOSED:
PRESIDENTS’ DAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2025: The Public
was informed.
B. HEARTFELT THANKS AND GREAT APPRECIATION ARE EXTENDED
TO MARY B. HALL FOR 17 YEARS OF SERVICE AS BOARD OF CANVASSERS MEMBER: Council extended its thanks and appreciation to Ms. Hall for her dedication to elections, seventeen years. In her resignation letter, Ms. Hall indicated that it was a difficult decision to retire, but her family and friends want her to travel with them. She thoroughly enjoyed working elections, since 2008, and worked with wonderful staff, election workers,
and residents, many of whom are now friends. She is willing to help in the future, especially around elections. She thanked everyone for all the support she received over the years.
Ms. Hall was presented with flowers.
IT Director, James Angi, is present
regarding Agenda Item 9D. He has to leave by 8:00 p.m.
MOTION made Mr. Patterson to amend the agenda to address Agenda Item 9D
at the beginning of New Business; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
There were no vouchers.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed Communication No. 20.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: January 1, 2025 – January 31, 2025
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:
$10,528.25; 57 accounts; See Town Clerk for details
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:
$1,897.18; 2 accounts; See Town Clerk for details
No items in Agenda Item 5C were removed.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: There were no Minutes.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Consent Agenda as presented;
seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
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. MARY B. HALL, BOARD OF CANVASSERS MEMBER:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to accept resignation of Mary B. Hall as Board
of Canvassers Member with great regret; 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. This vacancy will
continue to post.
2. BOARD OF TAX AND ASSESSMENT REVIEW MEMBERS (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.
4. PUBLIC WORKS WORKER: Director of Public Works Robert Shappy has
submitted his recommendation, Austin Harris, noting that Mr. Harris is enthusiastic
and positive and is experienced in landscaping, mechanical maintenance, trucking.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Austin Harris as Public Works Worker;
seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
5. ANIMAL SHELTER ATTENDANT: Director of Public Works Robert Shappy
has submitted his recommendation, Sean Rosbottom, noting that Mr. Rosbottom started
as a volunteer at the Shelter, became a floater in 2023, has learned proper animal handling practices, works as a team player, can work independently, and is reliable and well-liked.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Sean Rosbottom as Animal Shelter
Attendant; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
6. BOARD OF CANVASSERS MEMBER (UNEXPIRED TERM ENDING
MARCH 2, 2026): The one individual interested has declined the position.
The Democratic and Republican Town Committees will submit recommendations.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: There were no Expiring Terms.
There were no Public Hearings.
Asa Davis: Regarding the Executive Session case list, it is close but incomplete. Some of
those case are closed. Some were ruled against the Town. The Department of Environmental Management case, No. 19-124, regarding illegal wetlands setbacks, clearing and construction
at the Town Garage is missing. Seven ethics cases are missing. Calls for investigation were ignored. The list looks long, but all Mr. Davis’ cases aside, he believes Exeter has more legal costs than other towns. If Council discusses closed cases in Executive Session, it risks an
Open Meetings violation, as closed cases should be discussed in open session.
Sheila Reynolds: An accident on January 23, on Route 3, West Greenwich, caused power outages in Exeter and West Greenwich. Ms. Reynolds’ home, 13 miles from the accident,
was affected. A surge protector in her living room blew. Later, when she went downstairs
to tend to the wood stove, she found the whole house surge protector was on fire. Luckily,
she was home to put it out. There was damage to the house solar panels. RI Energy had put three times the energy through the lines and is taking claim forms. How will this be stopped from happening again? How did it happen? Why did it happen?
This matter will be put on next month’s agenda.
Marybeth Cournoyer: Regarding Communication No. 7B, the State provided anyone whose data was breached free fraud protection for five years. Some individuals were not offered the protection. Does the Town have additional information? Ms. Cournoyer will contact the Town’s State Senator and Representatives.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 9D.
A. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: TOWNS OF EXETER AND WEST GREENWICH 2025 HAZARD MITIGATION AND FLOODPLAIN MANAGE-
MENT PLAN UPDATE: Emergency Management Director Dori Boardman reviewed.
Fayerweather Science, who was hired as a consultant (paid for with a FEMA grant), has been invaluable. West Greenwich has been an amazing partner. The purpose was to strategize and address five mission areas, prevention, protection, mitigation, response, recovery. The Risk Assessment has been drafted and is out for public review and comment, due February 14. Twenty-nine projects were carried over from the 2005 Hazard Mitigation Plan and 81 new projects have been identified (such as establishing a warming/cooling center, water contaminations, hazard materials going through Town via Route 95). After February 14,
the Risk Assessment will be finalized. Council is asked to review the draft before them and provide comments. A request to adopt the Plan will be on Council’s April 7 Agenda, before
it is sent to RIEMA and FEMA for final approval. Once they have approved, Ms. Boardman
will obtain grant funding to pursue the projects identified. This has been a phenomenal, positive, enlightening, learning experience for Ms. Boardman.
B. DESIGNATION OF TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER AS PLANNING BOARD LIAISON:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Olivia DeFrancesco as Council Liaison to the Planning Department; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
C. REQUEST OF BUILDING INSPECTOR: REQUEST TO APPOINT TEMPORARY ALTERNATE BUILDING INSPECTOR: Building Inspector Ronald DeFrancesco will be applying for a building permit for his personal residence. It would be a conflict of interest for him to review and approve the permit. He suggests that Council appoint the East Greenwich
Building Official to act as Alternate Building Inspector.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to move forward with having the current East Greenwich Building Official act as the Building Inspector for Ronald DeFrancesco’s project; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco Recused
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
D. TOWN WEBSITE: UPDATE OLD OR PURSUE NEW: Discussion ensued. There has been debate among staff and Council whether to update or start over. IT Director James Angi demonstrated the website, what can be changed, what cannot be, what it does, its features. Getting consensus for changes and material and getting departments to keep their pages updated has been difficult. To revamp the current website would cost $30,000 to $50,000. Mr. Angi suggests that the website be loaded with as much content as possible and organize it in the best possible way it can be. Then, if that is not working, revisit buying a new website. The Clerk will send a memo to all departments to work with Mr. Angi to review and update the website,
in particular, their pages. Council will re-visit this agenda item in three months.
Council moved to Agenda Item 9A and resumed the normal order of the Agenda.
E. ETHICS COMMISSION INTERVENTION:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to invite Jason Grammit, Chief, RI Ethics Commission,
to a future Council meeting to discuss ethics processes and issues; seconded by
Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
F. ENFORCEMENT OF ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS: Mr. Ellis noted:
There has been a long-time concern regarding enforcement. In 2005, legislation was adopted that allows Exeter to establish a municipal court. It has been suggested that the Town hire an Enforcement/Compliance Officer. Mr. Patterson suggested that fines be written into the
ordinance. This agenda item will be removed.
G. BOARD OF CANVASSERS: OPERATIONS:
Mr. Ellis: Recently a member of the Board was in on the weekend. Is there a need to be in
the office other than the normal Tuesday morning? The three members should be able to
manage themselves, with the assistance of the Town Clerk, who is an ex-officio member.
Is clarification of the operations needed?
Ms. DeFrancesco queried why all the BOC members have keys to the building? Ms. Hawkins
noted that all Board members have keys to the building and always have. There other issues, such as Mr. Nataly’s ongoing bad behavior and the taking of sensitive documentation home, needs to stop.
Ted Nataly, Board Member: Yes, he was in on the weekend. He requested a work session
with Council to discuss what he and Nancy Anderton, the other member, have been discussing. Things need to be done. There is a lot of clerical work. Ms. Hall had been doing it.
Nancy Anderton, Board Member: She has been made Chair and is the one who delegates work and hours. There is not enough work right now, because it is not an election year, to work more than three hours on Tuesdays.
H. NEW LICENSE APPLICATION: SOLICITOR’S LICENSE: TRINITY SOLAR
LLC. (2211 ALLENWOOD ROAD, WALL, NEW JERSEY); SHAYNE MCDANIEL
(741 BANK STREET, NEW LONDON, CONNECTICUT) AND MARK ANDERSON
(386 NORWOOD AVENUE, WARWICK, RHODE ISLAND), APPLICANTS:
Mr. Morrissey recused himself and left Council table. A family member works for Trinity
Solar.
The Clerk reported: All requirements have been met.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve Solicitor’s License for Shayne McDaniel
and Mark Anderson as presented and advertised; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Mr. Morrissey rejoined the meeting at Council table.
I. NEW LICENSE APPLICATION: RUBBISH REMOVAL: REPUBLIC SERVICES
(1080 AIRPORT ROAD, FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS); JESSICA VELILLA
(1080 AIRPORT ROAD, FALL RIVER, MASSACHUSETTS), APPLICANT:
The Clerk reported: All requirements have been met.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve Rubbish Removal License to Republic Services
as presented and advertised; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
J. COMMUNICATION NO. 9: RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FULL FUNDING
OF CATEGORICAL TRANSPORTATION AID AS OUTLINED IN RIGL 16-7.2-6:
Every year, the State tries to cut the funding or part of it from the State budget, although
State laws mandates it is to be provided.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve Resolution in Support of Full Funding of
Categorical Transportation Aid as Outlined in RIGL 16.7.2-6; seconded by Mr. Ellis;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
K. ZONING INSPECTOR REQUEST: REVIEW OF ZONING ORDINANCE
REGARDING ADUs AND SUBSTANDARD LOTS OF RECORD: David Thornley,
Zoning Inspector, inquired if the laws that the State has passed can be “massaged.” In his
memo to Council, he believes that “as far as…pre-existing, non-conforming lots…lot
coverage should reflect the percentage the setbacks have to be adjusted. For instance,
a pre-existing lot, in RE-2, of one acre, must be allowed a 50% setback relief. An RE-2 maximum lot coverage is 15%. In this instance, the maximum lot coverage would be cut
to 7.5. This would cut down on overcrowding. As far as the ADU…stick with the State
size allowance, but limit the occupancy to elderly or handicapped adults.” Discussion ensued.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to request from the Planning Department a review of those portions of the Zoning Ordinance that are affected by the new State regulations with regard to ADUs and substandard lots of record and provide their recommendations; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.
Discussion: Council acknowledges that the Planning Board is reviewing, but asks that
they pay particular attention to ADUs and substandard lots of record.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN:
There was no report.
B. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: Katrina Thornley inquired if an open house at the new town hall is planned for Spring. Sheila Reynolds inquired whether the Commission could hold a historic town council meeting in the old town hall. Council will get back to Ms. Thornley and Ms. Reynolds.
C. TOWN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS: USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: BASEMENT WATER MITIGATION:
The Clerk reported: The staff is making plans to do their sections. Goggles, masks,
and suits have been purchased for those who wish to use them.
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: AWARDING OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
TOWN HALL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: There was not an update.
No. 20 01/28/2025 Letter from Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship
Council to American Baptist Churches of Rhode Island (ABCORI) Offering Support in Protecting the Watershed Area: Mr. Ellis found the communication thoughtful and comprehensive. Believing it important that the area be protected, the communication
asks that ABCORI give serious consideration to the RIDEM acquiring the property.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to take a five-minute recess; seconded by
Mr. Morrissey; and voted as follows:
Raymond A. Morrissey Yes
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Olivia DeFrancesco No
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
Council entered into Recess at 8:37 p.m., reconvened in Open Session at 8:52 p.m.,
and entered into Executive Session.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter into Executive Session to discuss Agenda
Item 12.A, RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2), Litigation, regarding cases in Superior Court, Supreme Court, and the Attorney General brought by Asa Davis against the Town as listed on the agenda for tonight’s meeting; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 8:53 p.m., adjourned Executive Session
at 10:14 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to affirm all votes taken in Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to seal the minutes of Executive Session;
seconded by Mr. Patterson; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 10:14 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
March 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: March 3, 2025