No.   1:   PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 

Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.

No.   2:   CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: 

The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:36 p.m., on Monday, June 2, 2025, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No    4:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER: 

Mr. Ellis suggested that Agenda Item

No. 10E, RI 250 Commission, be moved to before Agenda Item No. 7, Public Hearing. 

The Chair of the Committee is in attendance but cannot stay until the end of the meeting.

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

By Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   5:   APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: 

A.     REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST:  REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:

1.      RYAN’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING, $300.00

The voucher was not removed.

B.     COMMUNICATIONS:  Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 14 and 20.

C.     BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

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

2.      TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS:  None         

3.      TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:  None

4.      TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:   

         $62.11, two accounts

         See Town Clerk for details

None of the above were removed.

No.  6:   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:  There were no resignations.

C.    APPOINTMENTS:

No.   7:   PUBLIC HEARINGS: 

A.     OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE APPLICATION:  FRIENDS OF THE EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY, APPLICANT: TO HOST ITS ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, THE “EXETER FALL FESTIVAL” TO BENEFIT THE EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2025, 10:00 AM. TO 3:00 P.M., AT YAWGOO VALLEY SKI AREA, 160 YAWGOO VALLEY ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND, TO INCLUDE MUSIC, ARTISANS, VENDORS, AND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT:

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Helen Douglas, President:  The Festival generates substantial funding donated to the Library.  There will be games, food trucks, and fun.  As the Friends are non-profit, she requested that

the application fee be waived.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Ellis;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Friends of the Exeter Public Library’s application for its Fall Festival on September 20, 2025, as advertised be approved

and to waive the application fee, $100.00; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted

unanimously in the affirmative.

The application was duly advertised and abutters notified.  The Friends will pay the advertising and certified mailings fees.

B.     PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT LICENSE APPLICATION:  EARL ADAMS,

APPLICANT: TO HOST AT HIS ADDRESS, 300 HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND, THE RHODE ISLAND NATIONAL GUARD’S LEAP FEST, AIRBORNE SOLDIER COMPETITION, SATURDAY, AUGUST 2, 2025 (RAIN DATE:  SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2025, 8:00 A.M. TO 5:00 P.M.):

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. Allen;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Earl Adams:  Has hosted the Rhode Island National Guard’s annual parachute event (“Leapfest”) for the last few years, with Council’s approval.  He volunteers his property.  He is not paid.  The Guard has held the event in Rhode Island for 42 years, previously at URI.  Competitors are from the U.S., as well as internationally.  It is one-day event with a couple days for preparation.  It is held on a 150- to 200-acre hayfield.  Parking is in another hayfield, 9 acres.  Veterans from the Town, the State, the country, and the military, local and international, attend.  Helicopters transport the competitors from Quonset.  After they jump and land, they are bussed back to Quonset.  The helicopters will land only if there is an emergency.  There are approximately

1000 spectators over the course of the day, a constant flow.  The Guard runs the event very

well and thoroughly, including traffic control.  They have medical and police are on hand. 

There is signage.  There have been no problems.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Ellis;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to accept Mr. Adams’ application for public entertainment license to host the Rhode Island National Guard’s Leapfest, Airborne Soldier Competition, Saturday, August 3, 2025, as advertised; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The application was duly advertised and abutters notified.  Mr. Adams will pay the advertising and certified mailings fees.

C.    PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:

APPENDIX A, ZONING

ADD

ARTICLE VII(a) –FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT

SECTION 7(a).1 – PURPOSE

SECTION 7(a).2 – DEFINITIONS

SECTION 7(a).3 – FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT

SECTION 7(a).4 – ELIGIBILITY

SECTION 7(a).5 – OTHER PROVISIONS:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Ellis;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Council has before it the original proposal (advertised for tonight’s Public Hearing),

the Planning Board’s proposal (provided prior to tonight), and a new applicant’s proposal (submitted today).

Town Planner William DePasquale:  The Planning Board reviewed the original proposed amendments at its meeting on May 13, 2025, and voted unanimously to support Town Planner William DePasquale’s findings of inconsistencies and deficiencies and his recommendations.  On May 21, 2025, Mr. DePasquale provided Council a memo and a draft of the original proposal amended with the Planning Board-approved changes.  There are advertising issues. The proposed overlay district lacks specificity regarding allowed uses and operational parameters.  This deficiency hampers the ability to assess the application with regard to alignment with the Comprehensive Plan, zoning, land uses, performance standards, and implications on the health, welfare, and safety of the community.  An application and approval process is not included.  Council must determine whether it wishes to consider applicant’s original version, the Planning Board’s version, and or the applicant’s version submitted today.  An overlay district is town-wide.  A floating zone applies to individual properties, once application is made and requirements met.

Ken Sylvia, Town Solicitor:  The original application was advertised for tonight’s Public Hearing.  Because it was for an overlay and includes a Town-wide map change, the applicant was required to send notice.  Because Mr. Adams did not send notice, Council can hear testimony tonight, cannot vote, and must continue and readvertise.    

John Pagliarini, Esq., representing Mr. Adams:  His client submitted today the Planning Board’s version with suggested changes.  He believes Council can move forward tonight, as there was public notice of the original, “anybody who would come in for one would be here for the other.”  The ordinance would provide farmers with other revenue sources and bring farming into the 21^st Century.  He asked Council to consider their changes to the Planning Board’s version: 1) the filing fee for preliminary and final applications, minor development, $100.00 plus $.02/square foot of the area to be used to host the activity.  Those fees would be exorbitant.  He proposes a flat $200.00 fee; and 2) that the process be done administratively as opposed to going through the Planning Board process, which takes longer.  Attorney Pagliarini asked that Council approve his client’s version submitted today with the changes discussed.

Mr. Sylvia disagreed:  What was advertised (the original) and what is now before Council tonight (the Planning Board’s version; the version submitted by the applicant today) differ. 

He advised Council that it should avoid the risk of challenge, continue the public hearing,

and readvertise.

Mr. DePasquale:  Regarding Attorney Pagliarini’s second request for administrative approval, this is about protecting the interests of the Town.  If it is a floating overlay, there are: 1) uses that are allowed by right.  Neither administrative nor planning approval are required; 2) limited uses and minor land development review would be approved administratively.  However, the administrative officer would have the ability to forward applications that are not straight forward to the Planning Board; and 3) there are prohibited uses that do not conform with the Town.

Comments from the Public:

David Thornley, Zoning Inspector:  The Preserve in Richmond was great at the start. However,

now, the parameters set have relaxed and are causing unwanted circumstances.  He does not

want something like that to happen here.

Scott Millar, former Planning Board Member:  He was prepared to give comments regarding

the applicant’s original proposal.  He was going to urge the Council not to approve it as it lacks standards and limits and would allow significant, substantial business uses in residential zones.   Tonight, it is clear that Council is considering a substantially different version.  He has not seen

a copy of either the Planning Board’s proposal or Mr. Adams’ proposal submitted today.  It sounds as if the Planning Board addressed some of these concerns.  He will reserve his comments until the continuation of this public hearing. 

Asa Davis, 146 Beechwood Hill Trail:  1) Does not believe Adams’ was obligated to send notice; 2) The Town Council has the ability to change and modify the proposal during the Public Hearing; 3) It is problematic that copies of the changes Council and the Planner are discussing have not been provided to the Public; 4) Fees to be imposed, by State law, can be up to but not  exceed actual costs; 5) Zoning changes are being approved in short periods of time; 6) He hopes prohibition on single family residences in groundwater overlay districts is reviewed soon. Needs to be a permitted by right; 6) The overlay district requires five years of continuance prior operation.  A startup farm would not meet that criteria.  This is restraint of trade of anti-competitive.  Remove the five-year requirement.  The requirement for income level is that

the sales income be not less than $10,000.00.  It is not tied to a time period.  Farm incomes vary.

Robert Correia, Planning Board Member: The Planning Board did not just approve what was presented by Mr. Adams.  It spent much time on it in discussion with the Town Planner and

submitted to Council a version with its recommendations.  The Planning Board supports allowing farms additional sources of revenue, but is obligated to protect the Town from unexpected consequences, such as: Does having animals turn into a slaughter house?

Does having a concert turn into a Woodstock?

Discussion ensued regarding which version to advertise. 

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to continue the Public Hearing to next month, July 7, 2025, and to advertise as discussed; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in

the affirmative.

No.   8:   PUBLIC COMMENT:

  There were no Public Comments.

No.   9:   NEW BUSINESS:

A.     RESOLUTION NO. 2025-05:  ADOPTION OF 2025 TOWNS OF EXETER AND

WEST GREENWICH MUTLI-JURISDICTIONAL HAZARD MITIGATION AND

FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT PLAN UPDATE:  Emergency Management

Director Dori Boardman read a statement outlining the travel of the Plan into the record (attached hereto and incorporated herein as “Attachment A”) and respectfully requested

Council to adopt the resolution to approve and adopt the Plan.  The Towns of Exeter and

West Greenwich have successfully completed the comprehensive update of their 2005

Hazard Mitigation Plans.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to adopt Resolution Adopting the 2025 Towns of Exeter and

West Greenwich Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation and Floodplain Management Plan

Update, which has been finalized; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Grants will be pursued in order to accomplish some of the priorities outlined in the Plan. 

The Plan will provide the backbone for many emergency operations projects. 

B.     DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS:  REQUEST TO GO OUT TO BID:

HVAC REPLACEMENT, DOG KENNEL AREA, ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY:

The system at the Shelter  is barely operational.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to go out to bid for HVAC replacement in the dog kennel area at the Animal Control Facility; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   10:   UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A.     FIRE REMEDIATION STATUS:  700 TEN ROD ROAD:  Last month, Council directed Attorney Sylvia to write a letter to the property owner to inquire if there have been

any remediation efforts.  The letter was returned undeliverable.  He suggested that Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco write a letter served by the Town Sergeant in hand.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to direct the Building Inspector to write a letter to the owner, have it served in hand by Town Sergeant Scote Miller, and work with Attorney Sylvia in drafting the letter; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

B.     EXETER-WEST GREENWICH REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT:  SPECIAL ELECTION:  The School will hold a Special Election, November 2025, regarding a Charter question. Council sent a letter requesting the School to postpone the election to the General Election, November 2026, thereby saving taxpayer money.  The School responded that they

will hold the Special Election, November 2025.  Council directed Attorney Sylvia research

the School’s Charter and laws to determine if Council can respond additionally.

C.     MAY COMMUNICATION NO. 1:  REQUEST FROM FREEDOM ENERGY

LOGISTICIS TO PRESENT REGARDING THE BENEFITS OF COMMUNITY

CHOICE AGGREGATION (CCA):  Based on Town Planner William DePasquale’s

opinion regarding this request, it does not appear a CCA is appropriate for the Town. 

Council took no action.

D.     STATUS:  WELCOME SIGNAGE IN AND OUT OF TOWN:  Mr. Findlay

has contacted the vendor who did the Town of Coventry’s signs and is waiting for a

return call.

E.     STATUS:  RI250 COMMISSION:  EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION

COMMISSION:  Katrina Thornley, a member of the Committee, reported:  The Committee

is planning a celebration next year.  Volunteers and funding are needed.  Merchandise to purchase will be available at the Library.  There will be an Open House in honor of Flag

Day on June 14 at Hall School.  There will be flags on display and information regarding

the 250^th and Exeter’s history.

Council moved to Agenda Item No. 7, Public Hearings, and resumed the normal

order of the agenda.

F.     TOWN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS:  USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:

742 TEN ROD ROAD:  STATUS:  ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES:  Azzinaro

Architects’ contract was reviewed by Mr. Findlay and Attorney Sylvia.  It was returned

to him with comments.  He was told it did not have to be returned until after the Financial

Town Meeting.

No.   12:    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to enter into Executive Session under RIGL

42-46-5(a)(2), to discuss: 1) Potential Litigation: Public Water System, 742 Ten Rod

Road, and Willow Valley Road; and 2) Union Local 1322 Labor Negotiations: Positions

of Building Zoning Planning Clerk and Animal Control Officer; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Council entered into Executive Session at 8:46 p.m., adjourned Executive Session

at 9:13 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to affirm all votes taken in Executive Session

and to seal the minutes of Executive Session; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   13:    ADJOURNMENT:

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

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:13 p.m.

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

July 7, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                                Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

                                                                                                Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:  July 7, 2025