EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 6, 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, January 6, 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 No
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Also Present: Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Town Solicitor
Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk
No. 3: ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A. RECOGNITION AND MANY THANKS TO EXETER FUEL, EXETER,
RHODE ISLAND, FOR ITS DONATION OF A FULL MONTH’S FUEL TO
THE EXETER ANIMAL SHELTER FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW:
Exeter Fuel was thanked on behalf of the Animal Shelter and the Town. Council
was grateful.
B. TOWN OF EXETER OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS CLOSED:
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, MONDAY, JANUARY 20, 2025:
The Public was informed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Agenda Order as presented;
seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
1. RYAN’S LAWN CARE & LANDSCAPING, $300.00
2. EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE, UP TO $6,000.00
The vouchers were not removed.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed No. 2.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: December 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES: None
No items in Agenda Item 5C were removed.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES, NOVEMBER 4, 2024
2. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES,
NOVEMBER 4, 2024
3. TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, NOVEMBER 25, 2024
4. TOWN COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES, DECEMBER 2, 2024
5. TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES, DECEMBER 16, 2024
6. TOWN COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING EXECUTIVE SESSION MINUTES,
DECEMBER 16, 2024
As Mr. Morrissey was not yet seated as a Council Member, Nos. 1 and 2 were removed.
As Ms. DeFrancesco was absent, No. 3 was removed.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to accept the Consent Agenda as amended;
seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve the November 4, 2024, Regular Meeting Minutes and Executive Session Minutes; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted as follows:
Daniel W. Patterson Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey Abstain
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Motion passes.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve the November 25, 2024, Special Meeting
Minutes; seconded by Ms. Allen; 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.
2. CONSERVATION COMMISSION: The number of members needed was changed
from seven to five as a result of a question on the November, 2025, election ballot. At a Council Special Meeting last year for the Comprehensive Plan, persons signed up who wished to serve. Ms. Hawkins has contacted them to determine if they still wished to serve. Katrina Thornley, Jennifer Cragan, Caleb Chaffee, David DeFrancesco, and Mary Brown still do.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to appoint Katrina Thornley, Jennifer Cragan,
Caleb Chafee, David DeFrancesco, and Mary Brown as Members of the Conservation Commission; seconded by Mr. Ellis.
Discussion: The five members were thanked for volunteering.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to have Town Clerk Lynn Hawkins and Council Assistant Kenneth Findlay organize the Commission’s first meeting; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Back to Original Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
B. RESIGNATIONS:
1. MATTHEW COLE, PUBLIC WORKS WORKER:
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to accept the resignation of Matthew Cole, Public Works Worker; 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 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.
4. PUBLIC WORKS WORKER: Director of Public Works Robert Shappy
continues to review the applications and interview.
5. ANIMAL SHELTER ATTENDANT: Director of Public Works Robert Shappy
continues to review the applications and interview.
6. 2025 TREE WARDEN: Traditionally, the Director of Public Works Director
has been appointed to this position.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Director of Public Works Director
Robert Shappy as 2025 Tree Warden; seconded by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: Mr. Shappy holds the license required to be appointed as Tree Warden.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: None
A. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:
APPENDIX A, ZONING
ARTICLE I – ADMINISTRATION PROCEDURES
SECTION 1.2 – DEFINITIONS
ARTICLE II – ZONING DISTRICT USE REGULATIONS
SECTION 2.4 – ZONING USE TABLE
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to open Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Town Planner, William DePasquale: While he, the Planning Board, and their consultants
were drafting performance standards for short-term rentals such as on-site waste water systems, functionality, parking, storm water mitigation, and potable well capability, uncertainties regarding the town’s capabilities to regulate the rentals for resource protection and public
safety were raised. On October 22, 2024, the Planning Board voted unanimously to advance
the subjective legislative changes to Council for its consideration. The current proposal is to propose modifications to the Exeter Zoning Ordinance, prohibit all short-term rentals across
all zoning districts, and add a specific use code in the Zoning Use Table for short-term rentals.
In Section 1.2, definitions for short-term rentals, bed and breakfasts, hotels, and motels would
be added. After weighing the proposal against the Comprehensive Plan, the Planning Board found the proposal to be consistent with the Plan. Aided by his Power Point, Mr. DePasquale
sited portions of the Plan that the Planning Board based its findings on. The proposed amendments are designed to provide adequate time for the judiciary and legislative bodies
to evaluate and contemplate STRs and which standards, if any, can be effectively incorporated.
This initiative aims to safeguard drinking water resources and ensure user compatibility and life safety, all while remaining in alignment with the Town’s Comprehensive Plan and existing state statutes.
Mr. Ellis: Thanked Mr. DePasquale for his extensive and comprehensive overview. The Town
is fortunate to have Mr. DePasquale.
Scott Millar, Resident: Supports the proposed ordinance. Commended Mr. DePasquale and
the Planning Board for their hard work, due diligence, and excellent job. The proposed changes look onerous but actually are not. It is a simple amendment. The Town is being proactive.
When he tried to find the proposal on the Town website as advertised, he could not find it.
The Town’s website should be updated to make it easier for someone to find information
more easily.
Ms. Hawkins: The Clerk concurred that notices indicate that they can be found on the Town’s website. However, notices also indicate alternate means to obtain copies if one cannot obtain
information in one of the manners advertised. Notices are posted in three public places as required by law and on the website in addition.
Angela Aurelio, Resident, 58 West Shore Drive: She is the spokesperson for a petition received by Council, asking that Council uphold the Planning Board’s decision to disallow short-term rentals (“STR”) in Exeter. She cited residents’ concerns. Can Exeter Fire and the State Police handle the increased calls for service? Can the Town afford to pay the State Police more for the increased calls? Do taxpayers want their taxes increased because of STRs? The Town does not have personnel to oversee STR at this time. How much would the taxpayers have to pay to hire such a person? STRs are causing housing issues, preventing opportunity for long-term rentals and property purchases, driving the prices of homes up, and dismantling towns. There
is a lack of accountability because the owners of STRs do not live in town or even in the state. Communities are suffering and fighting to regulate. The State is not regulating. Lawsuits are inevitable. Exeter has one already. How much has that cost the taxpayers? STRs are harmful
to the environment. All the homes on Boone Lake are on septic. Already, one STR, four bedroom, two bath, rented to 20 people in one rental period. She appealed to Council to not
get involved in STRs, to protect Exeter, and abide by the Comprehensive Plan.
Wendy Fenner-Aubin, Resident, 37 West Shore Drive: Concurred with everything Ms. Aurelio said. The home that rented to 20 people, has parking for four cars. There were ten cars parked all over the street. If it were needed, an ambulance or fire truck could not get through. What about policing, inspecting, and driving over septics? Who is going to do it?
Thomas MacMillan, Zoning Board Member: He supports the amendments, agreed with
the comments, and agreed that STRs would be a huge burden and cost to the Town.
He is pleased to see that this item will be added to the Zoning Table.
Mr. Patterson: If allowed, is there a duration limit? Mr. DePasquale noted that the proposed definition of STRs is they that they are “let for a fee of all or portions of the dwelling unit by anyone for tourist or transient use for a period of fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days.”
This excludes hotels, motels, and bread and breakfasts.
Mr. Ellis: If the amendments are adopted, the Use Table would indicate that STRs are not allowed in Town.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Ellis;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to accept proposed amendments to Exeter Code of Ordinances: Appendix A, Zoning; Article I – Administration Procedures, Section 1.2 – Definitions; Article II – Zoning District Use Regulations, Section 2.4 – Zoning Use Table;
seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
No one wished to make Public Comment.
A. TOWN PLANNER: ANNUAL REPORT AND UPDATE: Town Planner William DePasquale summarized some of the projects he has worked on, is working on, and will be working on.
The Comprehensive Plan has been updated and approved.
Grant Paid: RI Commerce Grant Site Readiness Study – establish overlay district, Route 3/95 corridor; RI Housing Municipal Technical Assistance Grant – rewrite sections of the zoning, land development, and subdivision ordinances.
Immediate Goals: Changes to Special Use Permit; Rewrite Inclusionary Zoning to meet new housing standards; and Establish Farm Cafes as a use.
Medium Goals: Revisions to entire Zoning Use Table; Update Land Development Regulations.
Long-term Goals: Multi-family Housing Ordinance; Modifications to various sections of zoning ordinance and zoning applications and processes; Expansion of notice of proposed zoning changes.
Future Challenges: Development pressure; Low-Moderate Housing; Lack of tax base diversification; New State housing laws.
Future Opportunities: Warehouse/distribution buildings; land use flexibility.
Council thanked Mr. DePasquale for all his good work and inquired how it can help.
Mr. DePasquale thanked Council for its continuing and future support. He requested
and suggested that an investment be made to the Town’s IT and website services.
Digitizing is required in the near future. He is concerned it cannot be supported.
B. DESIGNATION OF TOWN COUNCIL MEMBERS AS DEPARTMENT,
BOARD, AND COMMITTEE LIAISONS:
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to appoint Raymond Morrissey as Council Liaison
to the Animal Shelter; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Daniel Patterson as Council Liaison to Public Works; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to appoint Diane Allen as Council Liaison to the
Exeter Public Library and the Exeter-West Greenwich School Committee; seconded
by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A liaison for the Planning Board was tabled until next month.
Board of Canvassers Member, Edward Nataly, requested that a Council Liaison be appointed
to the Board of Canvassers. Following discussion, it was determined that appointing a Council
Liaison to the Board of Canvassers would not be appropriate.
C. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS: AWARDING OF BID: STATIONARY
FUEL TANK: Director of Public Works Robert Shappy is working with the Department
of Environmental Management for permits. Fire Marshal Sue Hawksley has signed off.
It is expected that the vendor will apply for the Town permits. There is an existing fuel
island. The objective is to add gasoline. Most public work facilities have gasoline on site.
Two bids were duly received and opened. Mr. Shappy has made his recommendation.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis accept the bid from Santoro Oil in the amount of $11,742.25, subject to all appropriate permits being in place; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The purchase will be paid out of the capital fund for the garage.
D. HAYING CONTRACT, TOWN FARM: AWARDING OF BID:
The Clerk reported: One bid, from the previous farmers who had the contract,
was received and duly opened.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to award Brushy Brook a three-year contract as
presented; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative
A. SOLID WASTE AND RECYCLING SERVICES AGREEMENT BETWEEN
THE RHODE ISLAND RESOURCE RECOVERY CORPORATION AND THE MUNICIPALITY: The agreement was in draft form, showing changes that will be
made later this year when the agreement comes up for renewal. This agenda item
will be removed.
B. STATUS: WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN:
The vendor is drafting a design.
C. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: The Exeter Historical Association is heading this project. Mr. Ellis
suggested to the Association that if they wished to hold an open house, Council would
consider holding it at the new town hall.
D. TOWN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS: USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:
1. 675 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: BASEMENT WATER MITIGATION:
The Clerk reported that the contract with the awarded bidder has been signed. In order for the work to be done, the basement, which is used for storage of records and miscellaneous items, will need to be cleaned out. The Clerk requested Council to make a directive to all departments
who have records and/or items in the basement to go through everything of theirs in advance of the work. They can weigh their stored records against the State Archives Records Retention Schedule. If they get permission to destroy records, those records can be properly disposed of
rather than taking it out and bringing it back in. If they are keeping records, they can be re-boxed and re-labeled. The Department of Public Works has a lot of work to do in the basement prior to the work being done, during, and after. Disposing of what does not need to be put back would be a great help.
MOTION made Mr. Ellis to direct the Clerk to send a memo to all departments requesting that they review and identify what can be removed as trash by the end of February; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
2. 742 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS: AWARDING OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS:
TOWN HALL ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: Mr. Findlay will have a recommendation
next month.
No. 2 12/04/2024 Letter from Nancy Roth: Request for Council to address issue of
trash being dumped in parking lot at intersection of Routes 102 and 3: The property
referenced in the communication is private property. No action taken.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to take a five-minute recess; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Recess at 8:56 p.m., reconvened in Open Session at 9:10 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, Open Meetings Complaint of Asa Davis
to Office of Attorney General; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 9:10 p.m., adjourned Executive Session
at 10:07 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to seal the minutes of the Executive Session; seconded
by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Ellis;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 10:07 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
February 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: March 3, 2025