Town of Exeter, Rhode Island
PLANNING BOARD
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, R.I. 02822
401-294-2612
401-294-2592
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2022
Approved: April 26, 2022
Pursuant to Executive Orders executed by
the Governor of RI as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic,
this meeting was held virtually via Zoom
Members present: Scott Millar, Michael DeFrancesco, William Haas, Gina Thurn, Joe St. Lawrence, Michael Viveiros, and Donna Di Donato
Members Absent: None
Staff present: William DePasquale, Planner and Dixie Foisy, Clerk
Chair Scott Millar called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
None noted.
A. Action: Selection of a title and tag for the new draft Comprehensive Plan
Chairman Millar recognized Town Planner William D. Pasquale. Planner DePasquale working with Larissa Brown of Larissa Brown & Associates, LLC, (LB Associates) presented to the board, for their consideration, several “title and tag” naming options for the Comprehensive Plan project. Noting that by naming the plan it would help to build a strong attachment and identification of the plan that would eventually go along with a logo. He presented the following to the Planning Board for their consideration:
1. Exeter 2042 – “Our Heritage and Our Future”
2. Plan Exeter or Exeter 2042 – “Honoring Our Past and Building Our Future”
3. Exeter Together – “Our Plan Our Future”
4. Exeter Tomorrow – “Planning for Our Fourth Century”
5. Exeter 20 – “Moving Forward Together” “A Blueprint for Our Community”
6. Exeter Forward – “A Comprehensive Plan for a 21st Century Exeter”
7. Envision Exeter – “Preserving Tradition while Strengthening our Future”
Planner DePasquale asked the board to review the suggestions and select one, or to offer modifications, combined versions or something totally different. He noted that his preference was to use the word “heritage” rather than “past,” and “preparing” for the future rather than “building,” because it was more neutral. He remined the board that it was important to remember that the final selection should be a short name that the people of Exeter could easily recognize when referring to the Comprehensive Plan. For reference see Planning Memorandum: Comp Plan Title and Tag – Selection, February 28, 2022.
Chairman Millar asked for comments or questions. William Haas felt that the naming of the plan should be more direct, that choosing a “fancy” name would not tell him what it was. That if you needed to name it, you should call it Exeter’s Plan – “Our Plan for the Future.” Joe St. Lawrence indicated that he liked No. 1, Exeter 2042. Michael DeFrancesco noted that he also liked No. 1, Exeter 2042, for its simplicity. He would consider changing the tag line to read, “Facing the Future” or “Embracing the Future.” Gina Thurn noted that her choices would be between Exeter 2042 and Exeter Together. Ms. Thurn had a preference for “One Community Moving Forward Together,” as the tag line. Michael Viveiros’s preference for a tag line was, “Our Heritage, Our Future” and suggested rounding the number up to 2044 or 2050 for consideration of when the plan would be adopted. Donna Di Donato stated that she liked Exeter Forward because it showed initiative and that Exeter is looking towards the future.
Chairman Millar reviewed the board’s suggestions and Planner DePasquale noted that the board needed to come to a consensus so that he and the consultant could move forward with designs for a logo and from there everything would be branded going forward. Discussion continued. Under consideration was Exeter 2042 --“One Community Moving Forward Together.” Chairman Millar asked for any objections, Mike Viveiros wanted to amend the number to 2044.
The final decision was: Exeter 2044 – “One Community Moving Forward Together.”
B. Discussion of CPAC and Possible Action of the Planning Board to make their own appointments to the committee
Chairman Millar noted that the Planning Board had received notice that the Town Council would be making the appointments to the CPAC. Mr. Millar shared that it was the legal opinion of Solicitor James P. Marusak, Esq., that the town’s charter states that only the council has the authority to make appointments. Chairman Millar noted that of the seventeen people who have applied, some are family members. He suggested that only one person, per family should be selected. Moreover, all who applied shall be appointed, which is consistent with how Exeter has made appointments in the past. Michael DeFrancesco asked if there was a cutoff date for names to be submitted and should there be an alternates list? It was noted that the town council would be making appointments at their April 4, 2022 meeting. Town Planner DePasquale suggested having two at-large positions and alternates within a family.
Chairman Millar proposed the following names be recommended to the Town Council for appointment to the CPAC: Christopher Ausura, Janelle Bonn, Robert Corriea, Asa Davis, Jessica DeMartino, Charlie Franklin, Hartman Family (Tracy or Jack), Lacouture Family (Peter or Marnie) Claudia Massa, Tom McMillan, Raymond Morrissey, Ted Nataly, (Rachael Slattery or Ben Coerper).
Planner DePasquale asked if anyone had a contact with someone from the Reynolds Charitable Trust? Mr. Haas said he knows Shelia Reynolds and would be happy to contact her and ask for her participation.
Chairman Millar made a motion to recommend from the Planning Board the above individuals to the Town Council for appointment to the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) at their April 4th meeting. Mr. DeFrancesco seconded the motion. Voted 5-0. The motion passed.
Town Planner DePasquale will author a memo to the Town Council with the recommended names.
C. Action: Proposed Planning Board Budget for FY 22-23
Chairman Millar asked Town Planner William DePasquale to review the proposed FY 2021-2022 Town of Exeter Planning Board budget. The proposed draft for the Planning Board included the following: Budget Line Items: Supplies $600; Travel/Training $1,400; Consulting & Contract Services $3,000. Total Operating Budget Request: $5,000. Revenue (Anticipated revenue—fees, collections, state aid, etc…) $7,000.
Mr. DeFrancesco asked for the actual income brought in last year. Mr. DePasquale reported that to date, $8,625 had been collected. Chairman Millar asked for any questions or comments. Hearing none. Michael DeFrancesco made a motion to submit the budget to the Town Council as agreed upon, and Scott Millar seconded the motion. Voted all in favor, 5-0. The motion passed.
A. Zoning Board of Review: No March meeting; next meeting on April 14, 2022
Two applications: one for an above ground swimming pool and one for a single-family dwelling.
B. Approval of Minutes: January 11, 2022
Chairman Millar asked to approve the January 11th minutes. Michael DeFrancesco made the motion to approve the minutes as submitted, Seconded by Gina Thurn, all in favor. Voted 5-0.
The January 11, 2022 minutes were approved.
C. Future Meeting: March 22, 2022
A preapplication for a major sub-division.
Preliminary of the Peck/Franklin Homestead, Phase II.
Chairman Millar noted that as of March 22, 2022 the planning board meetings would be back in Town Hall. That the Governor’s Executive Orders were set to expire on March 19th and that it was highly unlikely they would be extended. Mr. DeFrancesco asked that with respect to the zoom meetings could they get an opinion from Solicitor Steve Sypole on continuing the use of zoom meetings for those individuals doing work for the Town of Exeter, but residing out of state. Chairman Millar felt this would be very beneficial for both parties. Town Planner DePasquale will look into the possibility of future zoom meetings. Both Gina Thurn and Dixie Foisy along with Olivia DeFrancesco shared that the library has the necessary equipment to run these virtual meetings. It was noted that in the next few months a new system may be installed in the Town Hall for future meetings. Joe St. Lawrence thanked Bill DePasquale for all of his hard work on the Comprehensive Plan.
Motion by William Haas to adjourn, seconded by Joe St. Lawrence; voted all in favor. Motion passed. Chairman Millar adjourned the meeting at 7:18 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebecca Lukowicz
M. Dixie Foisy, Planning Board Clerk