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 Tuesday, September 8, 2026, in Council Chambers, Exeter Town Clerk’s Office, 675 Ten Rod Road.

Roll Call:                     Diane Bampton Allen                         Present

                                    Raymond A. Morrissey, Jr.                 Present

                                    Jamie S. Schiffer                                 Present

                                    Joseph M. Turner                                Present

                                    Calvin A. Ellis                                     Present

Also Present:               Kenneth Sylvia, Town Solicitor

                                    Kenneth Findlay, Town Administrator

                                    Patricia L. Whitford, Deputy Clerk     

No    4:   APPROVAL OF AGENDA ORDER:

Motion made by Mr. Morrissey to approve the agenda order as presented; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   5:   APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA:

Motion made by Ms. Allen to approve the consent agenda: seconded by Mr. Schiffer and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

A.   REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST: REQUESTS FOR APPROVAL: 

 1. RECOMMENDATION; SINGLE INDIVIDUAL (AO) FINANCIAL  

     ASSISTANCE UP TO $2,900.00, AND $7,000.00 FOR WOOD RIVER

     HEALTH SERVICES (SERVICING EXETER IN A VARIETY OF AREAS)

             2. VOUCHER; WOOD RIVER HEALTH SERVICES INC. $7,000.00 

B.     COMMUNICATIONS:

Mr. Ellis removed Nos. 1,2,6,13,17&18         

Ms. Allen removed Nos. 14,15,16

C.     BILLS, APPROPRIATIONS, AND ABATEMENTS:

         1.   BILL SHEET:   August 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026

         2.   TAX ASSESSOR’S ABATEMENTS: 

               One Accounts: $1,754.73 Account # 12-0013-00

               (See Tax Assessor for details)

         3.   TAX COLLECTOR’S ABATEMENTS : None

         4.   TAX COLLECTOR’S REMITTANCES : None

No.   6:   VACANCIES AND APPOINTMENTS:

A.     VACANCIES:

 1.   PERSONNEL BOARD (5 MEMBERS NEEDED); No letters of interest

 2.   EXETER RURAL LAND PRESERVATION TRUST COMMITTEE

               MEMBERS (THREE NEEDED) (TO SERVE FOUR-YEAR TERM

               BEGINNING DATE OF APPOINTMENT): One letter to put on hold

         3.   BOARD OF TAX AND ASSESSMENT REVIEW ALTERNATE MEMBER

               (ONE NEEDED) (TO SERVE THREE-YEAR TERM BEGINNING DATE

               OF APPOINTMENT): No letters of interest         

         4.   PLANNING BOARD CLERK: No letters of interest

         5.   TAX COLLECTOR CLERK: Three letters of interest Tax Collector is reviewing

         6.   DEPUTY TREASURER: Motion made by Ms. Allen to Post the position of Deputy Treasurer; Seconded by Mr. Turner and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

B.     RESIGNATIONS: 

         1.     TOWN CLERK, LYNN M. HAWKINS, CMC; Motion made by Ms. Allen to accept the resignation of Lynn Hawkins with REGRET; seconded by Mr. Schiffer, Discussion followed Mr. Ellis read Ms. Hawkins Grateful note written to the Council.

It was a pleasure working with you on matters pertaining to the Town and for the betterment of the Town. I am thankful to have worked with easy Councils, especially you. Good Luck in the Election. Signed Lynn-There was a round of applause.  Back to the vote,

Voted unanimously in the affirmative.   

C.     APPOINTMENTS: 

1.      INTERIM TOWN CLERK: Motion made by Ms. Allen to appoint

Patricia L. Whitford Interim Town Clerk; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer Vote taken

Ms. Allen yes, Mr. Morrissey recused, Mr. Schiffer yes, Mr. Turner yes, Mr. Ellis yes

Motion carries. 

2.      DEPUTY TOWN CLERK: Motion made by Ms. Allen to approve the

appointment of Janette S. Morrissey Deputy Town Clerk; Seconded by Mr. Turner, Vote taken Ms. Allen yes, Mr. Morrissey recused, Mr. Schiffer yes, Mr. Turner yes, Mr. Ellis yes

Motion carries.

D.     SWEARING IN:

         1.  INTERM TOWN CLERK; Ms. Allen administered the Oath of Office to

 Patricia L. Whitford

         2.  DEPUTY TOWN CLERK; Ms. Allen administered the Oath of Office to

 Janette S. Morrissey

E.     CLERICAL ASSISTANT POSITION: POST AND ADVERTISE:

Motion made by Ms. Allen the Post the position of Clerical Assistant; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

F.     EXPIRING TERMS: 

1. LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER, DONALD HOLDER

Mr. Holder does not want to continue on the Board. Motion made by Ms. Allen to Post the position of Library Board of Trustees Member; Seconded by Mr. Turner and voted unanimously in the affirmative

2. REYNOLDS CHARITABLE TRUST COMMITTEE MEMBER,

CARL BOWEN; Mr. Bowen is interested in continuing on the Board.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to reappoint Carl Bowen to the Reynolds Charitable Trust Committee; Seconded by Mr. Ellis and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

No.   7:   PUBLIC HEARINGS:

A.     PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO EXETER CODE OF ORDINANCES:

CHAPTER 42, TAXATION; ARTICLE V, VETERANS WITH SERVICE-

CONNECTED TOTAL DISABILITY TAX EXEMPTION;

Motion made by Ms. Allen to open the Public Hearing; Seconded by Mr. Ellis

vote taken Ms. Allen yes, Mr. Morrissey yes, Mr. Schiffer yes, Mr. Turner Abstained,

Mr. Ellis yes. Motion carries.

Ms. Allen recognized Tax assessor Kerri Petrarca to speak; Assessor Petrarca stated the 100% service-connected disabled veterans tax exemption would be in addition to the existing exemptions that are currently available to qualifying property owners. At this time, no community in Rhode Island offers a full property tax exemption specifically for veterans who are 100% service-connected disabled. Public had no comment.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to close the Public Hearing; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer, Vote taken Ms. Allen yes, Mr. Morrissey yes, Mr. Schiffer yes, Mr. Turner abstained, Mr. Ellis yes. Motion carries. 

Motion made by Ms. Allen to approve the ordinance Article V, Veterans with Service-Connected Total Disability Tax Exemption; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer Voted taken Ms. Allen yes, Mr. Morrissey yes, Mr. Schiffer yes, Mr. Turner Abstained, Mr. Ellis yes. Motion carries. 

No.   8:   PUBLIC COMMENT:

 Comments are not limited to items on this agenda.   

However, items not on this agenda will only be heard and not acted upon by the                       Town Council, unless they are of an emergency nature.  (3-minute time limit per

person; 15-minute maximum time allowed for this agenda item).

Section 42-46-6 of the Open Meetings Act and the Town Council By-Laws

prohibit the Town Council from deliberating, debating, or acting on previously

unposted matters during the Public Comment section of the agenda.

State law prohibits the Town Council from acting or voting upon any such

matter, except under emergency circumstances.  The Town Council may only,

if warranted, refer such matters to an appropriate committee, to another body

or official, or post the matter for consideration at a properly noticed, future meeting.

Accordingly, because the Council is obliged not to respond, the immediate silence of

the Town Council Members relative to any matter raised by a speaker during Public

Comment may not be construed as any endorsement, confirmation, acquiescence in,

support of, or the taking of any position concerning, a matter raised by a member of

the public under Public Comment.

Public participants under Public Comment are also reminded that they must adhere

to the dictates of Sections 115.B, 117 (Manner of Address), 119 (Decorum), and 120

(Enforcement) of the Council By-Laws in addressing the Council during a public

meeting under Public Comment.

Asa Davis-146 Beechwood Hill Trail- Mr. Davis spoke in regards to the survey that was done at the end of Estate Drive the survey was a sketch. There is a difference between a survey and a sketch, there is no stamp on it, there are no notes indicating what type of survey, there’s no scale, and no indication of the abutting landowner’s names.

Frank DiGregorio-143 Hallville Road- Mr. DiGregorio spoke about his concern about the destruction of our rural character by the RI Low- & Moderate-Income Housing Act.

No.   9:   NEW BUSINESS:

A.     TOWN PROPERTY AND FACILITIES: PUBLIC USE

Town Administrator Findlay stated many times people have inquired about using metal detectors on Town properties, use of buildings, or other properties.   Administrator Findlay suggested a policy should be drawn to govern the uses.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to direct Administrator Findlay to draw a policy on the use of Town Properties and facilities; Seconded by Mr. Turner and voted unanimously in the affirmative 

B.     RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF MUNICIPALITIES COLLABORATING

IN REVIEWING, ANALYZING, AND RESPONDING TO THE 2025 AFFORDABLE HOUSING LAWS; Ms. Allen explained this ordinance is to join the RI cities and Towns to send a message to the legislators in regards to the new housing laws.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to adopted the Resolution 2025 Affordable Housing Laws; Seconded by Mr. Morrissey and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

C.     RECOGNITION AND ACCEPTANCE: RHODE ISLAND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 2026 SCENIC HIGHWAYS GUIDEBOOK

RIDOT has adopted a guidebook on Scenic Highways in the state. This guidebook can be found on the RIDOTS’ web site.

Motion made by Ms. Allen for the clerk to copy and hand out to the Offices that need to follow the rules of the State’s scenic highway and place on the Town’s website; Seconded by Mr. Ellis and voted unanimously in the affirmative.      

D.     ZONING INSPECTOR: REQUEST FOR DAMAGE COSTS TO PERSONAL          VEHICLE

Zoning Inspector David Thornley had a dog scratch his car when he was on town work. The cost to have the damage fixed was $1,400.00.

Motion made Mr. Ellis to pay for the damage to Mr. Thornley’s car in the amount of $1,400.00

Seconded by Mr. Morrissey, voted unanimously in the affirmative. 

E.      SEPTEMBER COMMUNICATION NO. 1:  AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES

UNION: REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION AS TO WHY PARTICULAR SIGNS

WERE DISPLAYED AT THE JULY 8^TH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING

The signs in question were not placed in front of the Council table by any one of the

Council members, Council was not aware the signs were there or what they read.

Administrator Findlay has drafted a response to answer the ACLU.

F.       RHODE ISLAND ENERGY: REQUEST FOR APPROVAL:

1.   PETITION OF NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC FOR POLE LOCATION:

MAIL ROAD: INSTALLATION OF ONE NEW STUB POLE AND ANCHOR

 TO GUY A NEW SERVICE

 2.  PETITION OF NARRAGANSETT ELECTRIC FOR JOINT OR IDENTICAL

 POLE LOCATION: MAIL ROAD: INSTALLATION OF ONE NEW MID-

 SPAN POLE TO ACCOMMODATE PRIMARY WIRE EXTENSION FOR A

 NEW SERVICE

DPW Director Mr. Shappy has recommended #1 and #2 Rhode Island Energy Request be approved.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to Approve the RI Energy Request as recommended by Mr. Shappy; Seconded by Mr. Turner, voted unanimously in the affirmative.

G.      SOCIAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

(SOP): DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ADOPTION

Town Administrator Findlay is still working on the SOP to be carried on next month agenda.

H.     AMENDMENT TO CODE OF ORDINANCES, CHAPTER 2, PROCEDURES FOR

THE QUALIFICATION-BASED SELECTION OF ENGINEERING SERVICES   

FROM THE TOWN’S PREQUALIFIED ENGINEERING SERVICES LIST:

DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE MOVE TO PUBLIC HEARING 

Town Administrator Findlay explained to the Council to establish the listing of engineers, an ordinance needs to be adopted.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to advertise for Public hearing for October 5, 2026; Seconded by Mr. Turner, and voted unanimously in the affirmative.   

I.        RURAL HEALTH GRANT APPLICATION: UPDATE

Administrator Findlay reported to the Council he attended the meeting. There is a grant for $125,000.00, a plan needs to be in place and an application needs to be processed, discussion to follow.

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

“WINTER RENTAL” A 16 TON-WHEEL LOADER WITH A 3+ YARD          DETACHABLE BUCKET AND SNOWBLOWER ATTACHMENT

DPW Director Shappy would like to go to bid for the “Winter Rental” Snowblower, Director Shappy explained how this snowblower could help with blowing the snow for clearer road widths.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to go to bid for the “Winter Rental” Seconded by Mr. Schiffer and voted unanimously in the affirmative.       

No.   10:   UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A.     REQUEST OF BEN HARDING: USE OF REYNOLDS FIELD FOR

GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE Mr. Harding addressed the Council explaining the use of the field, he presented the Council with a proposed Use and Partnership Plan. Administrator Findlay will work with Mr. Harding then come back to Council.

Motion made by Mr. Ellis to direct Administrator Findlay to work with Mr. Harding in addressing a Plan for the field; Seconded by Ms. Allen voted unanimously in the affirmative.

B.     FUTURE TOWN HALL, 742 TEN ROD ROAD: STATUS

The building has been open for early voting it is working well, with a nice response from the public. RFP has been posted for bids for renovations. Bids will be opened on the 30^th. 

C.     NEW ROAD AND TEN ROD ROAD INTERSECTION: TRAFFIC SAFETY ISSUES: SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS

Director Shappy is waiting on the State for a meeting.

No.   12:    EXECUTIVE SESSION:

Motion made by Ms. Allen to enter into Executive Session at 9:00 p.m. under: RIGL

42-46-5(a)(1): Job Performance and RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2): Litigation; Seconded by Mr. Morrissey and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to adjourn Executive Session at 9:40 p.m.; Seconded by

Mr. Ellis and voted unanimously in the affirmative.

Motion made by Ms. Allen to reconvene in open session at 9:41 p.m.; Seconded by Mr. Schiffer and voted unanimously in the affirmative

Motion made by Ms. Allen to seal the minutes of Executive Session, there were no votes taken; seconded by Mr. Turner; and voted unanimously in the affirmative

No.   13:    ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Ms. Allen to Adjourn the meeting at 9:45 p.m.; Seconded by Mr. Turner and voted unanimously in the affirmative

                                                                                    Respectfully Submitted

                                                                                    Patricia L. Whitford

                                                                                    Interim Town Clerk

Approved:

Approved:  October 5, 2026