EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
FEBRUARY 2, 2026
Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:32 p.m., on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Council Chambers, Exeter Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, Rhode Island.
Roll Call: Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr. Yes
Jamie S. Schiffer Yes
Joseph M. Turner Absent – Personal Commitment
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
Also Present: Kenneth Sylvia, Esq., Town Solicitor
Lynn M. Hawkins, Town Clerk
Kenneth Findlay, Council Assistant
A. TOWN OF EXETER OFFICES AND DEPARTMENTS CLOSED:
PRESIDENTS’ DAY, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2026:
The Public was informed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve the Agenda Order as presented;
seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
1. RYAN’S LAWNCARE & LANDSCAPING, $150.00
The voucher was not removed.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 8, 9, 11, 14, and 15.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: January 1, 2026 – January 31, 2026
2. TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
3. TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS: None
4. TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES:
One account, $1,218.47; Two accounts, $1,172.35
See Town Clerk for details
No bills, appropriations, or abatements were removed.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. REGULAR MEETING, JANUARY 5, 2026
2. REGULAR MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION, JANUARY 5, 2026
3. SPECIAL MEETING, JANUARY 15, 2026
4. SPECIAL MEETING, JANUARY 20, 2026
5. SPECIAL MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION, JANUARY 20, 2026
The Special Meeting Minutes and Executive Session Minutes of January 20
were removed. Mr. Ellis was absent from that meeting.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the Consent Agenda as amended;
seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the Special Meeting Minutes and
Executive Session Minutes of January 20, 2026; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;
and voted as follows:
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr. Yes
Jamie S. Schiffer Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Abstain
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. EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE
MEMBERS (THREE NEEDED) (TO SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERM BEGINNING
DATE OF APPOINTMENT): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy
will continue to post.
3. BOARD OF TAX AND ASSESSMENT REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER
(ONE NEEDED) (TO SERVE THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT): No Letters of Interest have been received. This vacancy
will continue to post.
4. PLANNING BOARD CLERK: Council has one applicant, who appears
to be seeking a military staffing position. This vacancy will continue to post.
B. RESIGNATIONS: There were no resignations for Council’s consideration.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR: Several letters of interest were received.
Interviews were conducted.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint JoAnn Guzeika as Social Services Director;
seconded by Mr. Schiffer.
Discussion: Ms. Guzeika’s experience is extensive. Her resume is impressive.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
2. TRAFFIC CONTROL OFFICIAL: This position gives the appointee the ability
to institute parking bans.
MOTION made by Mr. Morrissey to appoint the Director of Public Works as Traffic
Control Official; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXPIRING TERMS:
1. EDWARD BAKER, JUVENILE HEARING BOARD (TERM EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2026): The Juvenile Hearing Board is presently inactive. Council thanked Mr. Baker for serving the many years he has.
2. GERI ACKERMAN, BOARD OF CANVASSERS (TERM EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2026): Ms. Ackerman wishes to be reappointed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Geri Ackerman as Board of Canvassers Member for the ensuing term; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
3. SHEILA REYNOLDS-BOOTHROYD, LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES
(TERM EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2026): Ms. Reynolds-Boothroyd wishes to be reappointed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Sheila Reynolds-Boothroyd as Library Board of Trustees Member for the ensuing term; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
4. HELEN DOUGLAS, LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES (TERM EXPIRING MARCH 1, 2026): Ms. Douglas wishes to be reappointed.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to reappoint Helen Douglas as Library Board of Trustees Member for the ensuing term; seconded by Mr. Schiffer.
Discussion: Ms. Douglas has been involved with the Library and the Friends since the
start of both.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
There were no Public Hearings scheduled.
Glenn Bronson: Mr. Bronson lives in Voluntown, Connecticut. He understands that Council has approved the installation of flock cameras in Town. He wishes to obtain a copy of the contract between the State Police and the Town. He will submit a public records request.
Asa Davis: 1) PFAS is high in the Yawgoo Ski Area, possibly caused by shop solvents and tuning waxes and possibly affecting the area’s wetlands, well head, and ground protection ground overlay. Free testing will be offered to wells within a quarter mile; 2) He takes offense
to the word “threatened” used in the Executive Session relative to him. He has not threatened
the Town. His issues with the Town could be good or bad dependent on how Council chooses
to handle them. Perhaps “pending” should replace “threatened”; 3) If his 911 appeal submitted to Council is approved, two of his legal cases would be dropped. He urged Council to hear the appeal. The Charter allows it. Do not make matters worse. Does the Town want legal battles
to continue?; 4) He has spoken with the Bar Association and Disciplinary Board regarding Attorney Sylvia wishing to indemnify himself, his firm, and the Town’s insurance carrier and better understands that position.
Ted Nataly: Requested that Council have signage installed on the Clerk’s Office lawn
to inform the residents of Town events, such as meetings, voting, government closings,
parades, and the Christmas Tree Lighting.
A. EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR: CodeRED MEMORANDUM
OF UNDERSTANDING: APPOINTMENT OF TWO ALTERNATE POINTS OF CONTACT: Emergency Management Director Dori Boardman is requesting that Council appoint two alternate points of contact. Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca and Town Treasurer
Maria Lawler have volunteered.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca and Town Treasurer Maria Lawler as CodeRed Alternate Points of Contact; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the alternative.
B. REQUEST OF BOARD OF CANVASSERS: TO CLOSE TOWN CLERK’S
BUILDING FOR EXETER-WEST GREENWICH ALL-DAY SCHOOL REFERENDUM, APRIL 13, 2026:
Ms. Allen: The Referendum is only one day. Last year, there were less than 100 voters.
They are in and out.
Mr. Ellis: Agreed. It is only one day. Though the State mandates the space, could a smaller section of Council Chambers be used? The new 20-day voting process is understandably more difficult.
Ted Nataly, Board of Canvassers Member: Holding the Referendum in Council
Chambers is confusing and difficult. Elections should be held in the new building.
Ms. Hawkins: Voting in Council Chambers is disruptive to day-to-day business. It is noisy.
Though the voting area is sectioned off, residents enter the building and do not know if they
can go where they intended or if they are interrupting something, while others are entering
to vote. It can be confusing and hectic. The Board of Canvassers does the best they can
under the circumstances.
No action taken.
C. JANUARY COMMUNICATION NO. 1: JOHN F. KILLROY, JR.,
NARRAGANSETT INDIAN TRIBE AND THE NARRAGANSETT INDIAN HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE (“NITHPO”): REQUEST TO DESIGNATE THE QUEEN’S FORT SITE TAX EXEMPT: This agenda item will be discussed in Executive Session. Council will return to this agenda item to address it in Open Session following discussion
in Executive Session.
Council adjourned from Executive Session, reconvened in Open Session, and returned
to this agenda.
NITHPO is not tax exempt. Back taxes are owed. Based on discussion in Executive
Session, the following motion entered:
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to grant tax exempt status to the Narragansett Indian
Tribe Historic Preservation Office (“NITHPO”) pursuant to RIGL 44-3-3(25) going forward without abatement of the back taxes owing; seconded by Ms. Allen; and
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council moved to Agenda Item 13 and adjourned the meeting.
D. TOWN’S SCENIC HIGHWAYS: MAINTAIN INTEGRITY:
Mr. Ellis: Understands that updated amendments and/or regulations may need to be put in place.
Suggested that Council ask the Town Planner and Planning Board for its recommendation.
Myrna George, Resident: Scenic highways are historic and invaluable assets to the Town.
They bring civic pride. They are controlled by the Town, but administered and maintained by both the Town and State. Exeter’s charm is its open fields and farmland. Establishing the scenic highway was a collaborative effort by many residents some 20 to 30 years ago. Things have happened on the road, such as installation of macadam and clear cutting by the Rhode Island Department of Transportation. Those are not conducive to the scenic status.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to refer Town’s Scenic Highways, Maintain Integrity,
to Town Planner William DePasquale and the Planning Board for direction on how
to proceed and what actions that could be taken; seconded by Ms. Allen; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. JOHN & MARY BOLLASH, 421 HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD: CONCERNS
ABOUT NEIGHBOR’S ACTIVITIES:
Mr. & Mrs. Bollash: Provided Council with documentation. Requested that their issue
with their neighbor at 415 Hog House Hill Road be put on a Zoning Board agenda to review decisions made in March of 2011. They believe what was agreed on and allowed is being ignored. A variance and frontage were granted for a single-family residence. Mr. DeMarco
was to obtain a building permit or extension within a year. He has not done neither. There
are two businesses on Mr. DeMarco’s property, DeMarco Trash & Treasurer and Hog House
Hill Farm. There is heavy traffic, many semi-trucks, over the right of way. They would like
the variance and frontage removed.
Attorney Sylvia: A decision cannot be brought back before the Zoning Board. Council
does not have the authority to put the Bollashes on a Zoning Board agenda. Mr. & Mrs.
Bollash should talk to Zoning Inspector Dave Thornley to determine if there are any
violations and then action be taken on those findings, if any.
Dave Thornley, Zoning Inspector: Will meet with Mr. & Mrs. Bollash and investigate
their neighbor’s activities.
This agenda item will be removed.
F. PLANNER’S RECOMMENDATION: MONTHLY MEETING WITH
INSPECTORS: The Town Planner is requesting authority to schedule meetings
with the Town’s inspectors to address issues and new items collaboratively.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to direct Town Planner William DePasquale to schedule monthly meetings with the inspectors; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
G. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE: LIAISON: Mr. Morrissey believes the Economic Development Task Force should have a Council Liaison and volunteered for the position. Before he was a Councilman, Mr. Morrissey was a member.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint Councilman Raymond Morrissey as Liaison for the Economic Development Task Force; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted as follows:
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr. Abstain
Jamie S. Schiffer Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
H. FEBRUARY COMMUNICATION NO. 6: AMY R. DEVEREAUX,
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER; RHODE ISLAND CANNABIS CONTROL
COMMISSION: NOTICE REGARDING ADULT-USE CANNABIS RETAIL
APPLICATIONS AND MUNICIPAL REVIEW: If someone submits to the State
to open a store in a municipality, the State will send a request to the city or town to
inquire whether the application violates any town ordinances or regulations. If they
do not get a response, they will assume not. This communication requests that the
Town’s Zoning Inspector be appointed to review the applications to ensure a timely
response.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to appoint the Zoning Inspector as the Town’s Representative to the Cannabis Control Commission; seconded by Mr. Ellis;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
I. PUBLIC WORKS: REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO
DIRECTOR AND SUPERINTENDENT FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER-RELATED EVENTS: This agenda item will be discussed in Executive Session. Council will recess Executive Session and return to this agenda item to address it in Open Session following discussion in Executive Session.
Council recessed Executive Session and reconvened in Open Session to address this agenda item.
Mr. Ellis to Mr. Shappy: What amount are you seeking? Money is tight. Council cannot
give thousands of dollars. Council can compensate with a stipend not overtime according
to the Town’s Labor Attorney. He values what Mr. Shappy and Mr. Brown do for the Town.
Mr. Shappy: He distributed to Council copies of the notices of vacancies for Public Works Director (Rob Shappy) and Public Works Superintendent (Bill Brown), which indicate that duties include physical and supervisory work. In his opinion, these positions are non-exempt
and should be paid overtime for every minute over 40 hours. He and Mr. Brown have logged their hours where they were called away from their homes. Mr. Shappy has saved the Town thousands of dollars, because at least three times lately, he has patrolled the Town in the middle of the night, deemed the roads safe, and did not deploy his crew, a savings of $12,500.00 each time. He requested retro overtime from December 1, when he first requested overtime compensation. He has logged 136 hours since then. Mr. Brown has logged 125.50.
At time and a half per hour, Mr. Shappy is requesting $8,900.00. Mr. Brown, $6,100.00.
They are making these sacrifices and should be paid. When he is not home with his family
and is not getting paid, it is a problem. He owes the Town 40 hours per week, but his job requires more. His crew is making more money than him, when he is right there working
beside them. Going forward, he and Mr. Brown would like to be hourly not salary.
Mr. Brown: If Public Works has a night job, he sleeps all that day, works the night, and sleeps the next day, losing two days of his life. With their overtime, some of the crew make more money than him.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to pay from the Discretionary Fund a stipend to Director
of Public Works Rob Shappy in the amount of $9,000.00 and a stipend in the amount
of $6,500.00 to Public Works Superintendent Bill Brown; seconded by Mr. Schiffer.
Discussion:
Mr. Ellis: Going forward, if there are other storm events, Mr. Brown and Mr. Shappy
will have to come back before Council to be paid additional compensation for those.
Mr. Morrissey: Mr. Morrissey’s understanding is that an employee paid a salary is paid
just that no matter what has to be done or how much time is necessary in order to do it;
however, he understands the efforts put in by Mr. Brown and Mr. Shappy.
Mr. Schiffer: When he was in law enforcement, there was “availability pay.” Can that
be instituted here?
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Mr. Shappy and Mr. Brown thanked Council for the recognition. They are grateful
to be working for the Town.
Council returned to Executive Session, continued with the rest of the Executive Session
items it had scheduled for discussion, and adjourned Executive Session.
A. REQUEST FROM STATE COMMANDER/VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER
JOHN CIANCI: PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS: Mr. Cianci is
requesting the Town to provide totally disabled veterans 100% tax exemption. Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca canvassed the State’s cities and towns. Not one gives 100% exemption. In fact,
Exeter discounts more than others. Ms. Petrarca suggests offering a $5,000.00 exemption to totally disabled veterans, keeping in line with the Town’s elderly and veterans exemptions
presently in place. State law and the Town’s ordinance would have to be changed. Council
would have to first draft a resolution and send it to the General Assembly to change the law.
Once that is approved, Council can change the ordinance and allow the exemption.
Nick Rainone, Resident: He and his wife (deceased) have lived in Town for 70 years and have served on various Town positions that they were not compensated for, such as welfare director and town constable. They are both Vietnam vets. All vets need compensation. They have
been “screwed” the by State and Federal governments for years. His taxes have risen to the
point where he is not going to be able to forward his home and will be forced to sell. He
urged Council to put the 100% exemption for veterans in place.
Marybeth Conouyer, Resident: Queried: Veterans receive a $5,000.00 deduction. Changing
the law and ordinance would allow totally disabled veterans that deduction plus an additional $5,000.00? Yes, plus if they are elderly, they would receive that deduction of $5,000.00, for
a total of $15,000.00 in exemptions.
Mr. Morrissey: In the Town of Scituate, totally disabled, service-connected veterans get $350,000.00 off their property valuation. They must be five-year residents and occupy
their homes.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to direct Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca to draft
a resolution to be forwarded to the State; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
B. NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS AND CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS:
ENFORCEMENT: This will be addressed when the Planner and Inspectors meet,
as directed in Agenda Item No. 9F.
This agenda item will be removed.
C. DECEMBER COMMUNICATION NO. 6: LETTER FROM NANCY ROTH:
REQUEST TO START A FOOD PANTRY FOR PETS IN EXETER: Director of
Public Works has met with Ms. Roth. He believes the Transfer Station is the place to put
one. He will contact other cities and towns to determine where they have their pet food
pantry and how they manage them. This matter will be revisited in the Spring.
Beth Peckham, Volunteer, Exeter Food Bank: Visitors to the Food Bank often are seeking
pet food. TheFood Bank does not have the space to store pet food. A Food Pantry
would be somewhere they could be directed.
This agenda item will be removed and placed on Council’s agenda in three months.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 13, Adjournment.
D. FUTURE TOWN HALL, 742 TEN ROD ROAD: SELECTON OF ARCHITECT,
INITIAL PLANNING, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, FACILITY LAYOUT AND DESIGN:
Mr. Findlay: Council had gone out for Requests for Qualifications for Architects in October
of 2025. Last month, Council approved the list of the top three architects who scored the highest. He has contacted the top scorer, The Brewster Thornton Group. He recommends
that a contract be initiated.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to direct Council Assistant Ken Findlay and Town Solicitor Ken Sylvia to proceed with a contract with Brewster Thornton Group; seconded by
Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. NEW ROAD AND TEN ROD ROAD INTERSECTION: TRAFFIC SAFETY
ISSUES: SURVEY FOR POSSIBLE VISIBILITY / SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS:
Director of Public Works Rob Shappy has ordered the survey.
F. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: No report.
No. 8 01/14/2026 Donation check from Southern New England Truck Pullers Inc.:
The donation, $250.00, for the Food Bank was acknowledged and the Southern New England Truck Pullers thanked. The Town is very appreciative.
No. 9 01/14/2026 Town of Charlestown: Resolution Supporting Healthcare Advocacy
and Fair Reimbursement to Preserve Local Access to Care: This resolution will be “Exeterized” and placed on next month’s regular meeting agenda.
No. 11 01/16/2026 State of Rhode Island Department of Revenue: FY 2027 Governor’s
Proposed State Aid: Some years, the Town sees an increase in State Aid, others, a decrease.
This year, very little is forthcoming.
No. 14 01/22/2026 Kiki’s Garden: Letter of Thanks for support of Kiki’s “Garden For
Good” program and $1500 donation for Exeter Food Bank: The donation was acknowledged and Kiki’s Garden was thanked. The Town is very appreciative.
No. 15 01/23/2026 Asa Davis, Resident, 146 Beechwood Hill Trail: Slaughterhouses:
Mr. Ellis noted that Mr. Davis makes some interesting observations. A copy of this communi-cation will be given to the Town Planner and Planning Board.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to take a recess; seconded by Mr. Schiffer;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into recess at 7:54 p.m. and reconvened in open session at 8:10 p.m.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2), Potential Litigation [1) Department of Public Works, Employee Classification and 2) Taxability of the Queen’s Fort Site Owned by the Narragansett Indian Historic Preservation Office] and Litigation [1) Town of Exeter v. National Mortgage Recovery Systems and 2) Asa Davis v Town of Exeter]; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 8:10 p.m., took a recess at 8:29, and returned
to Open Session to discuss Agenda Item 9I. Upon completion of that discussion, Council
returned to and resumed Executive Session, adjourned Executive Session at 9:19 p.m.,
and reassembled in Open Session.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to seal the minutes of Executive Session and
confirm all votes taken; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously
in the affirmative.
Council returned to Agenda Item No. 9C.
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 9:20 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
March 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: April 6, 2026