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 7:00 p.m., on Monday, March 3, 2025, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

No    4:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER:

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

seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   5:   APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: 

A.     REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST:  REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:

1.  RHODE ISLAND COLLEGE, $232.12, BROCHURES & FLYERS

The voucher was not removed.

B.     COMMUNICATIONS:  No communications were removed.

C.     BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

1.      BILL SHEET:   February 1, 2025 – February 28, 2025

2.      TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: 

         $1,982.03; One account; See Town Clerk for details

3.      TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:

         $251.64; Three accounts; See Town Clerk for details

4.      TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:  None

The Bill Sheet was 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: 

There were no Public Hearings.

No.   8:   PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Sheila Boothroyd Reynolds:  1)  Ms. Reynolds was in an accident at the bridge on Escoheag Hill Road in October.  She believed the lack of signage contributed to the accident.  She brought her concern to Council  Council wrote the Department of Transportation asking them to install signage.  She reported tonight that narrow bridge and speed limit signs have been installed.  She thanked Council for their support and help; and 2) Regarding Agenda Item 9F on tonight’s agenda, Ms. Reynolds does not understand why Public Comment would be removed from the agenda.  It gives the Public the chance to come and say something, if need be.

Asa Davis:  As he was cut short on his Public Comment last month, Mr. Davis was given an extra minute to speak.  In 1791, Free Speech was approved in the Bill of Rights to keep government responsible to the Public it serves.  Free speech makes public officials work harder and be more responsible.  Per the Town Charter, Section 408, “The Council shall make reasonable provision to allow persons in attendance at its meetings the opportunity to speak.”  Charter Section 910A states, “Any elected official of the town who willfully violates any material provision of this Charter shall be deemed to have forfeited his or her office.” 

Agenda Items 9F2 and 3 are attempts to violate the Charter.  Public Comment should remain

on the agenda and be added to special meeting and work session agendas.

Ted Nataly:  Mr. Nataly read his letter to Council President Patterson.  Regarding Agenda Item 9A, he had some concerns. At the February 3, 2025, meeting,  Board of Canvassers Operations,  Councilman Ellis and Councilwoman DeFrancesco questioned his employment, a violation of open meetings laws.  The Solicitor should have stopped them.  Mr. Nataly inquired:  Who is he employed by and who has the right to question his employment?  The Board of Elections protects Board of Canvassers members from political attacks.  Two members of the Democratic party accused a Republican member of the Board of Canvassers, him, of employment issues in open session.  He suggested that employment relations between the Town of Exeter, the Board

of Elections, and the Board of Canvassers be reviewed.  He will be filing an open meetings complaint with the Attorney General and with the Board of Elections for Democratic interference during early voting. 

Angela Aurelio:  Regarding the turnaround at the end of West Shore Drive (Communications

15 and 18), not only can busses not turn around, emergency vehicles cannot either.  It has been

a problem for years.  She would like to see the residents and the Town work out the options.

Wendy Fenner Aubin:  Ms. Fenner Aubin concurred with Ms. Aurelio.  Though some work

at the turnaround has been done, more needs to be done.  The proposals to use the boat ramp

or private property pose issues.  There is Town property to extend the turnaround on.      

No.   9:   NEW BUSINESS:

A.     BOARD OF CANVASSERS:  OPERATIONS, SCHEDULE, ORGANIZATIONAL

HIERARCHY, ACCESS TO TOWN SERVICES AND FACILITIES, BEHAVIOR,

BUDGET, AND COMPENSATION:  Ms. Allen suggested that a policy be created to

address the items and issues.  Mr. Findlay will draft a policy for Council’s review and consideration at a future budget meeting.

B.     EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR DORI BOARDMAN:  REPORT:

WAWALOAM MEDPOD RIDOH EXETER MOCK DRILL, FEBRUARY 18, 2025:

Ms. Boardman reported:  The plan for a medical point of distribution (“POD”) is updated and approved annually by her department and Exeter Fire 1 and 2.  The Town of Exeter, normally, partners with West Greenwich Emergency Management and the Superintendent of the Schools and holds the POD at Metcalf School or the Junior/High School.  The Department of Health (“DOH”) wanted to see Exeter hold a POD on its own.  Wawaloam School was selected, as it

is located in Exeter.  The drill was flawless.  There was a floor plan, no patients, and volunteers.

The DOH walked through, made minor suggestions and changes (such as security and a volunteer list), but were pleased.  Ms. Boardman will reach out to the Town Sergeant and Exeter’s Emergency Services Department regarding Memorandums of Understanding for services required during an actual POD.

C.     SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR, JESSICA DeMARTINO:  REPORT:

ONGOING PROGRAMS:  1) The Food Bank will be reopening at Exeter Chapel;

2) The Village Steering Committee has 23 volunteers who are willing to assist shut-in

residents; 3) A handyman is available whose services are free; 4) Ronald Woodmansee,

who held the first Memorial Day Parade as an Eagle Scout project 50 years ago, will

serve as Grand Marshall at this year’s Annual Memorial Day Parade on May 25; and

5) On March 20, at 11:00, she is hosting a tour at the Tomaquag Museum.

D.     RHODE ISLAND ENERGY:  JOINT POLE PETITION: NARRAGANSETT

ELECTRIC/VERIZON NEW ENGLAND INC:  STONY LANE, INSTALL P7-84,

40^’ SOUTH OF P7 ACROSS THE STREET, AND INSTALL ANCHOR:  The electric

company has not installed a peg needed to do the work.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to approve Rhode Island Energy Joint Pole Petition

at Stony Lane, P7-84 40’ South of P7, to install an anchor across the street, subject to

approval by Director of Public Works Rob Shappy; seconded by Ms. DeFrancesco;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.  

E.     RI ENERGY POWER OUTAGE AND SURGE, JANUARY 23, 2025,

WEST END OF TOWN:  Last month, Sheila Boothroyd Reynolds, resident, made a public

comment regarding damage caused to her home on January 23, 2025.  She explained again

what happened and what damage she sustained.  The Clerk will write a letter to RI Energy requesting them to fast-track the Ms. Reynolds’ and other’s claims and explain what happened, why it happened, and what measures RI Energy is taking to ensure this does not happen again.

F.      PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO TOWN COUNCIL BYLAWS:

1.      SECTION 102, REGULAR MEETING:  B) SCHEDULE:  POSSIBLE

CHANGE TO START TIME OF MEETINGS:  It is introduced to change the meeting

start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.  Per the By-Laws, this matter is moved to next

month’s agenda for vote.

MOTION made by Mr. Patterson to move Agenda Item 9F1, to possibly change the

meeting start time from 7:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., to next month’s agenda; seconded

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

2.      SECTION 113, ORDER OF BUSINESS:  POSSIBLE REMOVAL OF PUBLIC COMMENT:  No action taken.  This agenda item was removed.

3.      SECTION 114, AGENDA:  F) ORAL COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE PUBLIC:  POSSIBLE REMOVAL OF REFERENCES TO PUBLIC COMMENT PORTION OF AGENDA:  No action taken.  This agenda item was removed.

G.     RECIPROCAL INSPECTIONS AID AGREEMENT BETWEEN TOWN OF

EXETER AND NEIGHBORING TOWN(S):  Last month, when Council appointed the

East Greenwich Building Inspector to help in a matter where the Exeter Building Inspector

has a conflict, it thought it should consider a reciprocal aid agreement.  The Clerk will write

a letter to the Town of East Greenwich to inquire whether it would be interested in pursuing

such an agreement.

H.     LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES:  GIVING POLICY:  The Champlin Foundation, the Library’s biggest donor, is requesting that the Library Board of Trustees Members be made

to donate to the Library, to make a financial commitment.  Mr. Findlay submitted a draft policy

to Council.  The members are volunteers.  Is it right to request a donation from a member who

is donating his or her time?  Mr. Sylvia will research the legality of this request.  This agenda

item will be carried to next month’s meeting under Unfinished Business.

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

GASOLINE DELIVERY:  A fuel tank has been delivered to the Public Works Garage,

after going out to bid and awarding of the bid.  It has not been installed.  Permits are being obtained.  Once they are, the unit will be installed, approximately mid-March. 

MOTION made by Ms. DeFrancesco to go out to bid for Gasoline Delivery Services; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   10:   UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

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

has not heard back from the vendor.  This will go out to bid.

B.     STATUS:  RI250 COMMISSION:  EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION

COMMISSION:  There was not a report or update.

C.     TOWN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS:  USES AND IMPROVEMENT PLANS:

1.      675 TEN ROD ROAD:  STATUS:  BASEMENT WATER MITIGATION: 

The company awarded the bid is set to do the work the week of April 14.  The staff

is in the process of sorting their sections of stored records and items.  A storage unit

will be ordered to hold everything that is going back once the work is completed.

2.      742 TEN ROD ROAD:  STATUS:  ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES: 

Azzinaro Architects, who was awarded the bid, is drafting a service contract.

No.   11:    COMMUNICATIONS: 

No.   12:    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

No.   13:    ADJOURNMENT:

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,

April 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m.

                                                                                                Respectfully Submitted,

                                                                                                Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC

                                                                                                Exeter Town Clerk

Approved:  April 7, 2025