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 6:30 p.m., on Monday, November 3, 2025, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.

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

JAMIE S. SCHIFFER, AND ADMINISTRATION OF OATH OF OFFICE:  Mr. Schiffer

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

at Council table.

The meeting resumed. Mr. Morrissey called the next agenda item.

No.   4:   REORGANIZATION OF TOWN COUNCIL:  SELECTION OF PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT: 

MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to appoint Diane Allen as Council President;

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

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Raymond Morrissey as Council Vice

President; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

The meeting resumed. Ms. Allen, as the newly-elected Council President,

called the next agenda item.

No    6:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER:

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

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

No.   7:   APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: 

A.     REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST:  REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:

         1.  ALSD, LTD, ACCOUNTING SERVICES, $247.61

The voucher was not removed.

B.     COMMUNICATIONS:  Ms. Allen removed Nos. 1, 10, and 12. 

Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 8 and 9.

C.     BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

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

         2.    TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None

         3.    TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS:  None

         4.    TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:  None

None of the above were removed.

No.  8:   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.     TOWN COUNCIL MEMBER, OLIVIA DeFRANCESCO:

MOTION by Ms. Allen to accept Town Council Member Olivia DeFrancesco’s

resignation with regret; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.

Discussion:  Mr. Ellis noted that Ms. DeFrancesco has spent five years serving on Council. 

She will be spending more time with her family.  Ms. Allen thanked Ms. DeFrancesco for

her service.  Mr. Morrissey was “shocked” by Ms. DeFrancesco’s resignation, thanked her,

and wished her well.  Serving on Council is a big commitment and “takes a lot.”

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

2.     JOSH CHASE, DEPUTY ZONING INSPECTOR:  Mr. Chase’s commitments

are too many.  Deputy Zoning Inspector Karen Ellsworth does not need Mr. Chase replaced,

so long as Building Inspector Ron DeFrancesco can do the inspections.  Mr. DeFrancesco

can and will.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to accept Josh Chase’s resignation as Deputy Zoning

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

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to remove Agenda Item No. 8B2; seconded by Ms. Allen;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

C.    APPOINTMENTS:

No.   9:   PUBLIC HEARINGS:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to convene as the Exeter Liquor Licensing Board;

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

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

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

A.     LIQUOR LICENSE RENEWALS: (12/1/2025-11/30/2026):

         1.    CLASS A: 

                a.     WOLF ROCK WINE & SPIRITS, INC.

                        806 South County Trail

                        Terrence D. Stringer Sr. & Donna J.C. Stringer, Applicants

No. 10:  PUBLIC COMMENT: 

Gregg Allen:  1)  Mr. Allen is in attendance on behalf of Scott Labossiere, who was served

a Notice of Violation and directed to appear before the Zoning Board within 15 days. 

Mr. Labossiere has had a death in the family and could not attend tonight.  The notice claims

he is keeping commercial vehicles and trucks on his property and cutting firewood. 

Mr. Labossiere’s neighbors are cutting firewood commercially.  Mr. Labossiere has a zoning certificate for such an operation.  Mr. Labossiere is feeling harassed.  As his neighbor is the Zoning Inspector, he requests that the notice be addressed by another department; and 2)  He has been picking up trash along Town roads.  Much of it is tires.  Would Council consider having a “Tire Day” at the Transfer Station where tires could be brought in at no charge?

Asa Davis:  1) Mr. Davis welcomed Mr. Schiffer to Council and wished him a long, successful tenure.  He has heard that Mr. Schiffer is not afraid of hard work and tough decisions; 2)  Regarding Agenda Item 11E, the DEM Recreation Grant, the Town has a habit of closing doors on the future.  The current Clerk’s Office building is inadequate.  Options were 742 Ten Rod Road and building of a new town hall in the Town’s field near the Library building.  The Town bought 742 Ten Rod Road but closed it off as an option by giving up the public well.  If the DEM grant is accepted, are there any conditions that would close off use for a new town hall in the field near the Library?  This decision should go to the Planning Board so they can do some future planning; and 3) Regarding firearm dealer’s license renewals, Shanbri was given the store by right.  Michael DeFrancesco was given wood working in his barn by right.  Both are in residential zones.  The loopholes allowing commercial in residential need to be closed.

Blake Costa, Owner, Sweetspot Dispensary, Route 2:  Regarding Agenda Item 11F, in the interest of safety, Sweetspot would like a traffic light installed where Route 2 intersects with Sweetspot’s driveway.  With other new businesses coming in, there is more traffic. The RI Department of Transportation directed them to the Town.  Sweetspot has been great neighbors, keeping the area clean, maintaining the environment.  When the Zoning Inspector talked to them about their lights, they realized they were installed improperly.  The lights are dark-sky compliant but were angled wrong.  They have been reangled and put on a timer.  They pay $225,000.00 in taxes per year to the Town, helping the Town’s revenue.  Mr. Costa is present tonight to ask the Town to contribute to the cost of the light, install it as a team, work together. 

No.   11:   NEW BUSINESS:

A.     COMPLAINT OF ASA S. DAVIS, III, 146 BEECHWOOD HILL TRAIL, EXETER, FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 910(b) OF THE TOWN CHARTER, ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF SECTIONS 406 AND 903 OF THE TOWN CHARTER BY OLIVIA DeFRANCESCO, AND ALLEGING THE FORFEITURE OF HER OFFICE:  In light of Ms. DeFrancesco’s resignation, the following motion entered:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to dismiss Agenda Item No. 11A in its entirety;

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

B.     PRESENTATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF AUDIT REPORT FOR

FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 2025:

Town Treasurer, Maria Lawler:  Jeffrey Wadovick, Michael Olson, Frank Napoli, and Robert Beaudoin from Wadovick & Company performed the audit and were in attendance.  Council

has received a copy of the full draft audit and was presented a summary tonight.

Michael Olson:  The draft report has been sent to the State.   Before the final audit is submitted,

the State reviews the format and confirms that all reports it requires will be submitted with

the audit.  The auditors and Town Treasurer will work with the State.  The numbers will not change.  The audit is due at the end of December, but could be filed as early as the end of November.  Mr. Olson reviewed the summary (amounts are approximations):

Independent’s Auditor’s Report/Opinion:  The Town received a clean, unmodified opinion.  There were no issues.  Town Treasurer, Maria Lawler, is easy to work with, very responsive. 

Balance Sheet: General Fund (cash and cash equivalents, bank accounts, money markets, etc.), $4.7 million.  Tax Receivables (property taxes), $250,000.  Liabilities, $2.2 million.  Payables and Accrued Items (payroll, etc), $294,000.  Unavailable Property Taxes, $182,000.  Total Fund Balance: $2.3 million, committed; $280,000, assigned; $600,000, cost overruns for the schools; approved appropriation, $100,000; unassigned, $1.4 million (10% of property current-year tax collections).   

Revenues:  Total Year Fund Revenues, $19 million.  Property Taxes, $15 million.  Inter-governmental Revenues/State Aid (second-largest revenue source), $3 million.  Overall,

majority revenues for Town, property taxes and State Aid.

Expenditures:  $18 million.  Largest expense, education, $14 million.  General Government

and Public Works, $4 million.

Budget to Actual:  Revenues:  $18.4 million budgeted; $18.7 million collected.  Expenses: $17,802 million budgeted; $17,821 million collected.

Property Taxes:  $15.4 million, assessed; $15.1 million, collected; 99% collection rate, 

thanks to and due to Tax Collector Kimberly Robitaille’s efforts towards this goal.

Long-term Liabilities:  There are no debt or leases.  The Town is debt free, thanks to and

due to Town Treasurer Maria Lawler’s efforts towards this goal.

Town Treasurer, Maria Lawler:  Though there is a small decrease in the Fund Balance, it is

as close to breakeven as you can possibly get with such a large budget.  There is nothing that

is a surprise.  Everything is known to Council, has been spoken about. She makes Council

aware of any departments over budget or other concerns or issues.  Grateful for departments under budget and the little revenue the Town collects.  Regarding property tax revenue on old accounts, the Tax Collector and Tax Assessor regularly research any over ten years old and determine whether it is appropriate that they be kept on the books.  Everything in the audit is standard.  Any questions, contact her.  There should not be any surprises.  She appreciates Wadovick & Company.  They are a good group to work with.  She thanked Council for their support, especially in keeping the Town debt free.  It would be great to have more revenue. 

The Town relies heavily on property taxes.  Every penny spent, is felt by the home owner. 

It weighs heavily on her mind.

Mr. Ellis:  He has been involved in this process for many years and glad to see the audit being worked on so soon before the end of the year.  That was not always the case and speaks volumes to Maria’s capability.  He appreciates her and also Tax Collector Kimberly Robitaille, whose collection rate is 99%.  You will not find that in other towns.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to accept Audit Report for Fiscal Year ended June 30, 2025;

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

C.     DESIGNATION OF COUNCIL MEMBER AS PUBLIC WORKS LIAISON:

Ex-Council President Patterson served in this capacity.  With his resignation, the following

motion entered:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Councilman Schiffer as Public Works Liaison; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

D.     REVIEW AND REPORT, DEPUTY ZONING INSPECTOR, KAREN          ELLSWORTH:  CROSSMAN ENGINEERING, PEER REVIEW, 94 BATES

SCHOOL HOUSE ROAD, STORM WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN:

The owner is working with the Department of Environmental Management to correct

the issues stemming from his property.  The complainant seems to be satisfied with the

progress.  Considering there has been a Notice of Violation issued and there is a process

that that entails, this agenda item will be removed.

E.     RIDEM OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANT: APPROVAL AND

ENDORSEMENT TO PROCEED WITH APPLICATION TO FUND THE

EXETER MULTI-USE OUTDOOR RECREATION CENTER PROJECT

AT THE EXETER PUBLIC LIBRARY: 

Library Board of Trustees Chair, Ken Findlay:  The goal is to make the whole site

one big recreation area for adults and children, with walking trails and Wi-Fi. 

Library Director, Tien Tran:  The first part of the project will be to renovate the playground. 

It is 20 years old.  Some pieces need to be replaced, such as the swings. It has outlived its time.  The area needs to be redone.  In addition, it will be good to: 1) add a pavilion for public use and to hold bands, birthday parties, small weddings, and Library programs; 2) extend the existing nature trial, make it longer, and wrap it into the playground and pavilion so that it is cohesive, and include a story walk and educational, historical signage; and 3) create a local destination. The project highlights the site’s outstanding ecological value.

Mr.  Findlay:  Council’s approval and support are needed to apply for the grant. The Library

Board of Trustees will be holding a public meeting to solicit comments as required by the grant.

There was survey sent out regarding upgrade of the playground and Library uses.  The families

responded affirmatively. 

Mr. Morrissey:  Where will the $132.5K, 25% Town match, come from?

Mr. Findlay:  From fundraisers, donations, Friends of the Exeter Library, and in-kind services (work the staff, Board members, and volunteers will put in).  The Library Board of Trustees

has funds to contribute.  The match will not be taxpayer-funded.

Mr. Ellis:  Can the pavilion be relocated to another site if the Town needs the site for another purpose?

Mr. Findlay:  It is going to be a big and beautiful and should be able to be moved, if necessary.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve and endorse the RIDEM Outdoor Recreation Grant and to proceed with the application; seconded with Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

F.     REQUEST FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL AT OAK HARBOR VILLAGE,

567 SOUTH COUNTY TRAIL:  Council wrote the Rhode Island Department of Transportation who responded that the developer (in this case, Sweetspot) would be responsible for hiring a traffic engineer to do a traffic study and develop traffic signal plans.  Those would be submitted to the DOT for review.  The developer would go through the DOT physical alteration application process and would be the responsible for funding the design and construction.  Council has copies of the letters and recent emails.

Blake Costa, Owner, Sweetspot:  Sweetspot is at 560 not 567 South County Trail.  He was under the impression that Council would make a decision tonight. He has invested time and money into a study, which shows the area meets the criteria for a traffic light.  Additional studies need to be done.  The Town has been involved in this process  Its letter to the DOT stated that it supports a traffic light being installed, but it did not take a position on how it will support the light.  The DOT’s response indicated that he should come to the Town, so he is here tonight.  He is looking for clarification. Sweetspot pays revenue to the Town.  He does not take a salary.  Sweetspot is his retirement. Everything goes back into the business.  He does not have it in his budget to fund the cost of a traffic light.  He is willing to do some legwork, collect information, utilize his traffic study, contribute to additional studies, and work together with the Town.  He has heard that the Town will not contribute, that it will be hands off.  He is willing to educate Council.  He does

not want to burden the Town.  He would be more than happy to prepare a report and present it

to Council next month versus him jumping the gun.  He is more than happy to keep going, but

if the Town is not going to participate, he does not want to invest more time and resources.

Would the Town be willing to support the project and contribute funds?  Would it be willing

to work with businesses in that area and being open to being a part of this project?  They are prepared for the fight, just need a corner man.

Mr. Ellis:  What is the cost of this project?  Does the State want the Town to fund a traffic

light on its road?

Mr. Costa:  Approximately, $150,000 - $400,000.  He queries how much of that the Town and the State are going to contribute?  If the Town and the businesses go to the State, they may get better response from the State.  The Town is the roadblock. 

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis for Mr. Blake to return next month with more information and details for Council’s consideration; seconded by Ms. Allen.

Discussion:  Should Senator Elaine Morgan be contacted?  Council will wait until it meets

with Mr. Costa again.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

G.    RESOLUTION PRESERVING THE NAME, SIGNIFICANCE, AND

OBSERVANCE OF THE VICTORY DAY HOLIDAY:  The proposed change seems

to be changing history.  Those who fought in World War II, which ended with Victory Day,

should be honored.

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to endorse and approve Resolution Preserving the Name,

Significance, and Observance of the Victory Day Holiday; seconded by Ms. Allen;

and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

H.    PUBLIC WORKS:  REQUEST TO GO OUT TO BID:  LIQUID BITUMINOUS CONCRETE MATERIALS AND SERVICES:  Director of Public Robert Shappy

needs the numbers for next year’s budget.  The contract has expired. 

No.   12:   UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A.     REQUEST TO EXPAND SPLIT ROCK MOBILE HOME PARK PURSUANT

TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES, ARTICLE II, SECTION 26-36:

JEFFREY F. CAFFREY, ESQ., ON BEHALF OF SHORELINE PROPERTIES,

INC., 400 SOUTH COUNTY TRAIL, SUITE A207, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND,

APPLICANT:  The zoning ordinance does not allow expansion of existing trailer parks.  Attorney Caffrey is drafting proposed amendments.  As he has to go through the ordinance amendment and major land development processes, he asks that this agenda item be removed until he is ready to come back before Council with a new application.

B.     APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENT TO ZONING MAP/FARM OVERLAY

DISTRICT: MILAN EARL ADAMS, III, APPLICANT, OF HOG HOUSE HILL

ROAD a/k/a SHERMAN ROAD, RELATIVE TO PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-8,

64-1-9, 64-1-17, 64-1-19, 64-1-22, 64-1-23, 64-1-26:  John Pagliarini, Esq., was present

on behalf of Mr. Adams.  The application is ready for public hearing.

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to schedule Milan Earl Adams, III, application for amendment to zoning map/farm overly district for Public Hearing during Council’s December Regular Meeting; seconded by Mr. Morrissey.

Discussion:  The application is a request for approval of a farm overlay district.  The Planning Board has indicated that all requirements have been met and that the application is eligible for Council’s consideration.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

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

NEEDS ASSESSMENT, REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS, FACILITY

LAYOUT AND DESIGN:  Mr. Findlay reported:  He, Town Planner William DePasquale,

and Planning Board Member Michael Vivieros have reviewed and scored the submissions. 

He has aggregated the totals and has a memo prepared with a recommendation for Council

that he will have Mr. DePasquale and Mr. Vivieros.  The totals are close.  A negotiation team will be required.

Mr. Ellis:  Is any work getting done in the building? 

Mr. Findlay:  Someone is going in tomorrow to quote a hot water tank.

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

ISSUES:  SURVEY FOR POSSIBLE VISIBILITY / SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS:

Public Works has installed a mirror.  Line striping will be done tomorrow.  A survey is needed

to determine if the road can be widened in order to make the corner safer.  Public Works has received a quote for $4000 and one for $6000.  Does Council want Public Works to move forward with a survey?

MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to authorize Public Works Director Shappy to continue

to work on the project and to take the funds from discretionary fund; seconded by

Ms. Allen.

Discussion:  It is a public safety issue for the residents that live there.  Trucks, busses,

and vehicles have difficulty entering and exiting New Road.

Back to the Motion:  Voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Mr. Shappy will obtain the survey.

E.    REQUEST FOR STATE POLICE PATROL:  MILL POND ROAD,

YAWGOO VALLEY ROAD, AND LIBERTY ROAD:  The residents were going

to contact the Town’s State Senator and Representatives.

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

ACTIVITIES:  Zoning Inspector Thornley indicates that there is a zoning violation.  The

Department of Environmental Management issued a cease and desist but has not followed

up.  This matter will remain on the agenda until it is resolved.

G.    FIRE REMEDIATION STATUS:  700 TEN ROD ROAD:  Attorney Sylvia

has been in contact with the owner, who is progressing towards a reasonable outcome.

This agenda item can be removed.

H.    EXETER JUVENILE HEARING BOARD:  STATUS:  LETTER SENT TO SUPERINTENDENT AND SCHOOL COMMITTEE, EXETER-WEST GREENWICH SCHOOL DISTRICT, REGARDING REFERRAL OF EXETER STUDENTS TO THE EXETER JUVENILE HEARING BOARD:  There has been no response.  The Clerk has

followed up.  Still no response.

Chair of the Board, Ed Baker, suggests that because the Board has had no referrals that the Exeter Juvenile Hearing Board be resolved.  Because in the future, circumstances could change, rather than dissolve the Board, it will remain inactive.  Council took no action.  This agenda

item will be removed.

I.      STATUS:  RI250 COMMISSION:  EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION

COMMISSION:  The Commission is selling hats and will be participating in a scavenger

hunt.

No.   14:    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

MOTION made by Ms. Allen to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(3),

regarding Security at Exeter Clerk’s Office; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Council entered into Executive Session at 8:44 p.m., adjourned Executive Session

at 9:05 p.m., and reassembled in Open Session.

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

and to seal the minutes of Executive Session; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and

voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   15:    ADJOURNMENT