EXETER TOWN COUNCIL
REGULAR MEETING
JANUARY 5, 2026
Council led the Public in the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council was called to order at 6:30 p.m., on Monday, January 5, 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 Yes
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:
MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY, MONDAY, JANUARY 19, 2026:
The Public was informed.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to change the Agenda Order to address Agenda Item
No. 7B, Public Hearing regarding Farm Overlay District Application, next, before
the rest of the agenda; seconded by Mr. Turner, and voted unanimously in the
affirmative.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 7B, Public Hearing, Farm Overlay District Application.
A. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL:
There were no vouchers for Council’s consideration.
B. COMMUNICATIONS: Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 1 and 5.
C. BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:
1. BILL SHEET: December 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025
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
None of the above were removed.
D. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 1, 2025
2. SPECIAL MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION, DECEMBER 1, 2025
3. REGULAR MEETING, DECEMBER 1, 2025
4. REGULAR MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION, DECEMBER 1, 2025
5. SPECIAL MEETING, DECEMBER 15, 2025
6. SPECIAL MEETING, EXECUTIVE SESSION, DECEMBER 15, 2025
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the Consent Agenda as amended;
seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and approved unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve December 1, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes
and Special Meeting Executive Session Minutes; seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve December 1, 2025, Regular Meeting Minutes
and Regular Meeting Executive Session Minutes; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve December 15, 2025, Special Meeting Minutes
and Special Meeting Executive Session Minutes; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and voted
as follows:
Diane Bampton Allen Yes
Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr. Abstain – Absent from meeting
Jamie S. Schiffer Yes
Joseph M. Turner Yes
Calvin A. Ellis Yes
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 an Assistant Planner’s position. This vacancy will continue to post.
B. RESIGNATIONS: There were no Resignations for Council’s consideration.
C. APPOINTMENTS:
1. SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR: Council has five applications.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis for Social Services Director Jessica DeMartino
and Town Clerk Lynn Hawkins to conduct interviews this week.
Ms. Hawkins will be out of town. Motion withdrawn. Discussion ensued.
Who should conduct the interviews? When?
MOTION made by Ms. Allen for Social Services Director Jessica DeMartino
and Town Council to conduct interviews as schedules allow; seconded by
Mr. Morrissey.
Discussion: Council has a meeting every week this month. If all Council Members
participate in the interviews, an agenda must be posted. Discussion ensued
whether all of Council should participate or just one or two members. Mr. Turner
and Mr. Schiffer will participate in the interviews tentatively scheduled for Friday, 10:00 a.m.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
2. 2026 TREE WARDEN: Traditionally, Council has appointed the Director of Public Works as the Town’s Tree Warden.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Public Works Director Robert Shappy
as 2026 Tree Warden; seconded by Mr. Turner.
Discussion: Mr. Shappy is a licensed arborist.
Back to Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. EXPIRING TERMS: There were no Expiring Terms for Council’s consideration.
A. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:
CHAPTER 42, TAXATION
ARTICLE IX, EXEMPTION FOR OWNERS OF
LOW- OR MODERATE-INCOME HOUSING
IN ITS ENTIRETY
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Kerri Petrarca, Tax Assessor: The State has changed the housing laws so that instead of being taxed on market price, low- to moderate-housing will be assessed on the purchase price, which
is lower than market price, thus lower taxes paid. The Town has an ordinance that allows
low- to moderate-home owners, a $1,000.00 exemption. Now that their assessments and taxes will be much lower, it is recommended that the ordinance be deleted in its entirety. The new
law results in potentially a $100,000.00 loss in tax revenue.
Ted Nataly: How much is resale value on the homes? They can be sold at the purchase price with a slight increase in appreciation. There is a convenant in place for 99 years that prevents the homes being sold at market value. They remain low- to moderate housing for 99 years.
Asa Davis: In talking with Ms. Petrarca today, forty households are eligible for the $1,000.00 exemption. Repealing the ordinance will result in a gain to the tax base.
Mr. Ellis: Thanked Ms. Petrarca for researching the law and the effect on the Town and
bringing this to Council’s attention.
Ms. Petrarca will include a letter of explanation with the exemption forms due to be mailed soon.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to close the Public Hearing; seconded by Mr. Morrissey;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adopt Proposed Amendments to Exeter Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, Taxation, Article IX, Exemption for Owners of Low- or
Moderate-Income Housing, Repealed in its Entirety; seconded by Mr. Schiffer; and
voted unanimously in the affirmative.
B. APPLICATION FOR AMENDMENTS TO ZONING MAP/
FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT:
MILAN EARL ADAMS III, MEACO LLC, MICOLE LLC, GLEN ROCK REALTY
LLC, MICOLE REALTY TRUST, NILAN REALTY TRUST, APPLICANTS
HOG HOUSE HILL ROAD a/k/a SHERMAN ROAD, EXETER, RHODE ISLAND
PLAT- BLOCK-LOT 64-1-8; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-9; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-
1-17; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-19; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-22; PLAT-BLOCK-
LOT 64-1-23; PLAT-BLOCK-LOT 64-1-26
PRESENT CLASSIFICATION: RU-4
ZONE CHANGE REQUESTED: RU-4 WITH FARM OVERLAY DISTRICT
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to open the Public Hearing; seconded by Ms. Allen;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
As the room was over the fire code limit, the following decision and motion was made:
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to continue the Public Hearing to Tuesday, January 20,
2026, at 6:30 p.m., at Exeter Fire Station #1, 305 Ten Rod Road, Exeter; seconded by
Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council moved to Agenda Item No. 5, Consent Agenda, and resumed with the normal order
of the agenda as posted.
Katrina Thornley, Bates Schoolhouse Road: The owners at 94 Bates Schoolhouse Road are conducting a commercial business in a CR-5 District. There are large trucks traversing the dirt roads, causing potholes and erosion to the pond and brook, driving fast and blocking the road. There have been accidents. She has emailed all the Council members with her concerns and complaints and asks that they do the right thing with respect to the Town’s zoning ordinances.
Asa Davis, Beechwood Hill Trail: Regarding the recent mediation attempt of his cases, he thanked the Town, but in his view, restrictions and additions were added that were not part
of the original scope. He thanked the Town and Mr. Turner and Mr. Schiffer for attending
and hopes they are not discouraged as Council members as a result. The Town wanted withdrawal of his suit regarding building permits. He could not do that as it would be
allowing “bad behavior,” that of the Building Inspector not adjusting permit fees and
charging in excess of what they should have been. Regarding some of the lawsuits filed following Planning Board actions, he believes the Board acted on bad advice, and could
not withdraw those.
Rita Cassady, Arcadia Road: Same concerns as Katrina Thornley. The trucks are 20,0000 pounds, hauling trees and rocks. A tandem truck was involved in an accident this weekend. There is a lot of traffic. The trucks travel faster than they should. It is not safe when they pull out or when the residents pull out of their driveways. The business is causing air and water pollution, encroachment on neighboring properties, and increased noise.
A. SOLICITOR’S LICENSE APPLICATION : HERNAN AVILA, RENEWAL BY
ANDERSON, 10 RESERVOIR ROAD, SMITHFIELD, RHODE ISLAND; FREE
CONSULTATIONS FOR WINDOWS AND DOORS, 12:00 P.M. TO 6:30 P.M.:
Joshua Kelley appeared on behalf of Hernan Avila. Mr. Avila has worked for Renewal by Anderson for eight years. Mr. Avila will go door-to-door to schedule appointments for window
and door installations and will follow up with previous customers to determine if they
need additional services.
The Clerk reported: All requirements have been met.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to accept Solicitor’s License Application of Hernan Avila, Renewal by Anderson, 10 Reservoir Road, Smithfield, Rhode Island, per the application; seconded by Mr. Schiffer.
Discussion: The Town Sergeant has had no complaints of Renewal by Anderson.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
B. TRANSITION FROM ELECTED SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR TO
APPOINTED SOCIAL SERVICES DIRECTOR: Lengthy discussion. At the 2022 General Election, this position was changed from elected to appointed. The currently-serving Social Services Director has resigned to pursue other employment. Will the new, appointed Social Services Director be part time or full time? In office or remote? What will his or her responsibilities and duties be? Will the new Social Services Director only assist residents in essential services or will he or she sit on the many boards the previous Social Services Director did? Will the new Social Services Director conduct the activities the previous Social Services Director did? Will they at first do the essential services, then progress to sitting on boards and conduct activities? Will a stipend be paid to someone to run the Food Bank? Can it be paid out of the Social Services Operation funds? Could the Reynolds Fund help with the Food Bank? Adjustments to the salary will be addressed at budget discussions. No action was taken.
Mr. Findlay will provide Council with a job description. This agenda item will continue
to next month’s agenda.
C. DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT: REQUEST FOR
CONSIDERATION: CodeRED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING:
Emergency Management Director Dori Boardman: CodeRed is a State program offered
to all municipalities at no cost. Exeter has participated for many years. It is used for
messaging residents of emergencies. CodeRed has been updated and a new Memorandum
of Understanding (“MOU”) is required to continue participation. The MOU reflects new protocols, specifications, usage, chains, and compliance standards. It requests that someone
be designated as a Single Point of Contact. Ms. Boardman suggested herself and requested
that Council appoint someone as a backup.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to accept CodeRED Memorandum of Understanding; seconded by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: CodeRED was recently hacked, but personal information was not affected.
Users were sent a message requesting that they change their passwords.
MOTION AMENDED by Mr. Ellis to include Emergency Management Director
Dori Boardman as Single Point of Contact in the Memorandum of Understanding; seconded by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: The MOU does not allow for an alternate. Ms. Boardman will inquire
whether CodeRed will accept an alternate.
Back to the Amended Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Back to the Original Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
D. PUBLIC WORKS: AWARDING OF INVITATIONS TO BID:
The Clerk reported: All bids were timely received and duly opened:
1. STREET PAVING: Director of Public Works Rob Shappy recommends T. Miozzi, LLC.
Though Miozzi’s bid was not the lowest bid, the Town has worked with Miozzi for six years. Miozzi’s delivers a premium product. Its service is excellent. There have been no issues.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to award T. Miozzi, LLC, the bid for Street Paving;
seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
2. MODIFIED ASPHALT CHIP SEAL WITH POLYMER RUBBER IN PLACE:
Director of Public Works Rob Shappy recommends All States Construction. If approved,
this would be the second time the Town engages All States’ services, which are excellent.
MOTION made by Mr. Turner to award All States Construction the bid for Modified Asphalt Chip Seal with Polymer Rubber in Place as recommended by Director of Public Works Rob Shappy; seconded by Mr. Ellis; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
3. 2025/2026 SIX-WHEEL PLOW, SANDING, DUMP TRUCK; and
4. 2025/2026 TEN-WHEEL PLOW, SANDING, DUMP TRUCK:
Director of Public Works Rob Shappy recommends Western Star from ATG (Advantage
Truck Group) for both trucks. Public Works has several models of trucks and perform preventative maintenance on all of them to the best of their abilities and technology.
The newer trucks have computers and often times must be sent out for maintenance,
which is costly. Mr. Shappy’s plan is to gravitate to seven-year warranty units that can
be maintained under warranties at no cost to the Town and that will have higher resale and
trade-in values. He does not believe in running the trucks into the ground then scraping them,
as has been past practice. He recommends 2027 Western Stars. Western Star is desirable,
solid, and has a high resale value. They are a lot of truck with a high resale value.
Mr. Turner: Is the cost in the budget? The trucks take a year to build. The cost is being stretched out over two years’ budgets. Some is in last year’s budget. The rest is anticipated
to be approved at this year’s Financial Town Meeting.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to approve Director of Public Works Rob Shappy’s recommendation to purchase two trucks (2027 Western Star, six- and ten-wheel
plow, sanding, dump trucks) from ATG (Advantage Truck Group); seconded
by Mr. Turner.
Discussion: Mr. Ellis to Town Treasurer Maria Lawler: Are the funds in the budget?
Yes, between what is in the budget and hopefully what will be funded. Mr. Shappy is
counting on at least level funding for next year for equipment.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. PUBLIC WORKS: ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION TO DIRECTOR
AND SUPERINTENDENT FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER-RELATED EVENTS:
This agenda item will be discussed with Labor Attorney Vincent Ragosta at a Special
Meeting in Executive Session on January 27, 2026.
F. RESOLUTION REGARDING THE RESTORATION OF GENERAL
REVENUE SHARING TO CITIES AND TOWNS: The State removed revenue sharing
from its budget. Council would like it returned to the budget and the municipalities.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adopt Resolution Regarding the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns; seconded by Mr. Morrisey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
A. REQUEST FROM STATE COMMANDER/VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER
JOHN CIANCI: PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR VETERANS: Mr. Cianci
appeared before Council last month. He requests Council to consider 100% tax exemption
for disabled veterans. He was to provide Council with more information and return this
month. He did not and is not present. Presently, Exeter offers a $5,0000.00 tax exemption
off the veteran’s assessed value and, if the veteran’s income is less than $52,000.00, he or
she is eligible for an additional percentage off his or her tax amount. There is legislation
being proposed. The Clerk will follow up with Mr. Cianci. Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca
will provide Council with a spreadsheet showing what tax exemptions other cities and
towns offer veterans.
B. NOTICE OF VIOLATIONS AND CEASE AND DESIST ORDERS:
ENFORCEMENT: Mr. Ellis queries: What follow up is in place if there is no response
to building or zoning violations? Are they being remedied? How can they be remedied?
Council will support the Building and Zoning Inspectors if they bring to Council’s attention
that a violation is being ignored and will do what is necessary to see that the violation is corrected. This agenda item will continue to next month’s agenda for further discussion.
C. DECEMBER COMMUNICATION NO. 6: LETTER FROM NANCY ROTH:
REQUEST TO START A FOOD PANTRY FOR PETS IN EXETER: Director of
Public Works Rob Shappy will meet with Ms. Roth this month to discuss the prospect
of a Food Pantry for Pets in Exeter.
D. FUTURE TOWN HALL, 742 TEN ROD ROAD:
1. CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR IN RECOMMENDATION
TO TOWN COUNCIL REGARDING QUALIFICATIONS-BASED SELECTION
OF ARCHITECT, AND RECONSIDERATION OF THREE MOST QUALIFIED
FIRMS IN LIGHT OF CORRECTED RECOMMENDATION; and
2. INITIAL PLANNING, NEEDS ASSESSMENT, REQUEST FOR
QUALIFICATIONS, FACILITY LAYOUT AND DESIGN:
Mr. Findlay provided Council with a corrected score sheet. The previous one did not show
all the bids due to a margin error. When the sheet was corrected, the top scorers changed.
Ms. Allen inquired: Can any projects be done while an architect is being selected? No,
any work will wait until an architect is selected.
Mr. Ellis noted that the building was purchased in February of 2024. In June of 2024,
Mr. Findlay and ex-Council President Dan Patterson were made Project Managers by vote
of the Council. Now that Mr. Patterson has resigned, Mr. Ellis suggested that a new Council Liaison be selected. Mr. Turner volunteered.
MOTION made by Mr. Ellis to appoint Councilman Joseph Turner to serve as Council Liaison and Project Manager with Mr. Findlay on the New Town Hall project; seconded
by Ms. Allen.
Discussion: Mr. Turner is a Certified Senior Project Manager for the Federal Government.
Mr. Findlay and Mr. Turner will work together to interview the architects. Town Planner Bill DePasquale will be included in the interviews. Town Treasurer Maria Lawler will be consulted regarding the finances.
Back to the Motion: Voted unanimously in the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to approve the corrected score sheet; seconded by
Mr. Schiffer; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
E. NEW ROAD AND TEN ROD ROAD INTERSECTION: TRAFFIC SAFETY
ISSUES: SURVEY FOR POSSIBLE VISIBILITY / SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS:
Awaiting survey from selected surveyor.
F. STATUS: RI250 COMMISSION: EXETER HISTORIC PRESERVATION
COMMISSION: The Exeter 250th Committee is working with the West Greenwich
250th Committee to plan a joint celebration in July.
No. 1 12/10/2025 John F. Killoy, Jr., Narragansett Indian Tribe and the Narragansett Indian Historic Preservation Office (“NITHPO”): Request to designate the Queen’s Fort
site as tax exempt: Discussion with Tax Assessor Kerri Petrarca ensued. Because the NITHPO is not recognized as a tax-exempt entity under State statute, it is not entitled to tax exemption. This agenda item will be made a New Business item on Council’s February Regular Meeting agenda for further discussion.
No. 5 12/16/2025 Rocco Grasso: Next Generation Community Electricity Program:
This communication was referred to Town Treasurer Maria Lawler for her recommendation
whether Council should consider the offer.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to take a recess; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into recess at 8:39 p.m. and reconvened at 8:49 p.m.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to enter into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2), Litigation, 1) Labossiere v. Town of Exeter, and 2) Town of Exeter v. National Mortgage Recovery Systems; seconded by Mr. Morrissey; and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
Council entered into Executive Session at 8:49 p.m., adjourned Executive Session
at 9:24 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. Ellis; and voted unanimously in
the affirmative.
MOTION made by Ms. Allen to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. Turner;
and voted unanimously in the affirmative.
The Regular Meeting was adjourned at 9:24 p.m.
The next Regular Meeting of the Exeter Town Council is scheduled for Monday,
February 2, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Lynn M. Hawkins, CMC
Exeter Town Clerk
Approved: February 2, 2026