WORK SESSION

Members present:     Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence and Michael Viveiros

Members Absent:      Donna Di Donato

Staff present: William DePasquale, Town Planner, Dixie Foisy, Clerk

I.                CALL TO ORDER:

Chairman Millar called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.

II.              PUBLIC COMMENT:

None

Chair Scott Millar made a motion to amend the agenda to hear item B. Dark Skies first, and hear item A. Comprehensive Plan second.  Gina Thurn seconded the motion.  Voted all in favor to hear the agenda out of order.  Motion Passed.

III.            WORK SESSION:

A.    Discussion and response to a Town Council inquiry related to a Dark Skies ordinance:

Chair Scott Millar introduced this item and referenced a memo from our Town Clerk, Lynn Hawkins dated 11/10/2021 and stated that the Town Council made a motion to forward a communication from Mike Cerullo and asked that the Planning Board consider its contents relative to the Town’s current regulations. 

Discussion ensued and topics covered were as follows:

·       Chair Millar noted he reviewed section 2.5 from Development Plan Review and found two references of lighting – one mentions glare from outdoor lights shall be shielded from view to residential properties; and the other is labeled exterior lighting which reads - to minimize impact on neighboring properties;

·       Gina Thurn noted that she did a search for “light” in Exeter Municode and approximately 50 references to light came up in all different sections and the idea was offered to possibly combine them into one section;

·       Michael Viveiros noted that Exeter wants to stay as a rural community and he believes light control is important, as any “light spillage” doesn’t keep with the rural character and is not very desirable.  However, he stated lights are needed for safety and security purposes;

·       Michael DeFrancesco added that he agrees with everyone so far and believes that Exeter being a rural community, needs a higher standard of light control as opposed to cities like Cranston or Warwick.  He shared that whatever the Board comes up with, that we should be cognizant of having a balance of light control, while providing safety.

·       Bill Haas and Gina Thurn agree that the lights at Wawaloam are a concern.  Mr. Haas added that he feels the Charlestown ordinance goes way beyond what is needed in Exeter;

·       Chair Millar stated reasonable standards should be set for new applicants that come to Town;

·       Joe St. Lawrence added that he agreed with Mike DeFrancesco’s comments and that most of the lighting is at businesses and due to building code, there is need for lighting at commercial buildings.

Public Comment:

1.)   Chris Palmer – Referenced R.I. General State Law 42-1-36 Light Pollution and Dark Sky Compliance.  Discussion ensued regarding compliance and enforcement.

2.)   Michael Cerullo – Discussed the Ladd Center/Phoenix House/Job Corp/Fire Academy and the Veteran’s Cemetery as these properties abut his property.  He stated that there is no light pollution from these locations as all the lights are directed downward.  Mr. Cerullo then discussed the advent of CEA’s and that they need light, and this light goes up and out.  He asked to note this for the record, and stated that a member of the community has characterized his recommendations of taking a look at the dark sky around the question of whether CEA’s produce too much light and characterized it as “fear mongering” and “dis-information.”  Mr. Cerullo stated that this came from Asa Davis.  Mr. Cerullo then shared that all the information that he circulated came from a link that Asa Davis had sent him.  Further discussion ensued regarding regulating and enforcing light pollution and dark sky management.

After a lengthy discussion between the Board members and public in attendance, Chair Scott Millar made a motion that the Planning Board respond to the Town Council which was then amended once by the Chair and a second amendment then made by Gina Thurn. 

In conclusion, the amended motion read as follows: the Planning Board will respond to the Town Council stating that the Charlestown ordinance far exceeds that which is contained in Exeter ordinances and regulations.  In the future, the town could benefit from the addition of clear standards for dark sky compliance that are consistent with local, state and federal laws.  Michael DeFrancesco seconded the motion.  Vote was taken; all in favor.  Motion passed.

B.    Planning Board review and scoring of three (3) bids received in response the Town’s RFP soliciting professional services to assist the Town in the rewrite of the Exeter Comprehensive Plan

Chair Scott Millar introduced this item and turned over to Michael DeFrancesco.

Mr. DeFrancesco first complemented Bill DePasquale on the RFP process and getting the information was on point.  He reviewed the three proposals and scored SLR International with the highest rating, Larissa Brown & Associates, LLC second, and Weston & Sampson third.

Chair Millar stated he took a different approach and scored Larissa Brown the highest and explained why he felt LB checked all the boxes.

Bill Haas shared his comments on the three proposals and stated that he prefers Larissa Brown or Weston & Sampson over SLR.  He explained that he scored SLR last because they stated “maybe” they could complete the plan for $100,000.

Michael Viveiros shared that he feels its about the quality of the team

Gina Thurn stated that she was not impressed with Weston & Sampson because reading their proposal was like watching paint dry; not visually rich at all.  Gina stated she scored Larissa Brown’s proposal the highest; she shared that she did like SLR’s proposal too but felt the communities they used to compare are not like Exeter and that they did not do enough research on Exeter.

Joe St. Lawrence stated that there were “red flags” for him on the SLR proposal due to their estimated cost and that they think they could complete for $100,000.  Joe stated he also scored Larissa Brown’s proposal the highest and thinks this is the best for the town.  He shared that Weston & Sampon’s was okay but did not stand out.

Public Comment:

1.)   Chris Palmer – stated that he has a problem with the Weston & Sampson proposal.  First, they are working on Scituate’s Comp Plan which he shared is 3 years in the making and not completed.  His second concern is that Ashely Sweet works with Weston & Sampson and believes this is a conflict as she had worked on the Exeter Comp Plan and got nothing completed.  Mr. Palmer stated that he had a major concern with Ashley working on this as it would be an ethics violation.  The Chair thanked Chris for his input.

Michael DeFrancesco asked to make a recommendation to the Town Council and stated that his first choice goes to Larissa Brown, SLR second and Weston & Sampson, third.

Joe St. Lawrence then asked to have Town Planner, Bill DePasquale share his comments.

Bill DePasquale spoke briefly about the 3 proposals submitted and stated that Larissa Brown really listened and that he’s very happy with the outcome.

Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to award the contract to Larissa Brown & Associates, LLC; Bill Haas seconded the motion. Brief discussion took place and Chair Scott Millar asked to amend the motion to read: the motion to award the contract to Larissa Brown & Associates, LLC was “a unanimous decision” by the Planning Board.  Bill Haas seconded.  Vote was taken; all in favor.  Motion passed.

IV.            ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.    Zoning Board of Review:  January 13, 2022 – (2) special use permit applications and (1) appeal;

discussion took place regarding the rooftop solar project and the Chair made a motion to send a recommendation to support this project and SUP at Carousel Industries; Bill Haas seconded the motion.  Vote was taken; all in favor.  Motion passed.

B.    Approval of Meeting Minutes:

May 11, 2021 – Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to approve minutes with amendment on page 3, line 8; Bill Haas seconded.  Vote was taken; all in favor.  Minutes approved as amended.

August 24, 2021 – Bill Haas made a motion to approve minutes with amendment on page 3, V. Zoning Board of Review to note property information (AP,B,L); Joe St. Lawrence seconded.  Vote was taken; all in favor.  Minutes approved as amended.

C.    Future Meeting: - Bill DePasquale shared some possible agenda items for our next meeting on January 11, 2022 and shared that right now our regular meeting on 1/25/2022 looks like a full agenda.  Discussion took place about adding a Comp Plan update and a pre-application.

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by William Haas to adjourn, seconded by Chair Scott Millar; voted all in favor.  MOTION PASSED.  The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,  

M. Dixie Foisy

Planning Board Clerk