I.                   NEW BUSINESS

A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Andrews to open the Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Richard Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Alternate Member Sovet is not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent and not voting.   Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present and voting:  Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.

A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Andrews to take the agenda items out of order and hear Item B. The Appeal of Notice of Violation issued by Deputy Zoning Inspector Karen R. Ellsworth dated October 24, 2025, to Scott R. Labossiere appellant and owner of the property located at 94 Bates School House Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned CR-5 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 31 Block 3 Lot 21; for processing wood without having obtained a Minor Land Development Project approval from the Exeter Planning Board as required by Sec. 2.4.1.41 of the Exeter Zoning Ordinance; and two commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 20,000 pounds parked on the property in violation of Sec. 5.1(D) of the Exeter Zoning Ordinance. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present:  Five in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent. 

Attorney Dane Ardente, representing Scott LaBossiere, stated in his letter that Mr. Labossiere is working to clear the outstanding issues filed against him and they are requesting a continuance to the January 8, 2026 Zoning Board meeting.

A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Andrews to continue the public hearing to the January 8, 2026 Zoning Board Meeting.

Discussion.  Vice Chair McMillan commented this is a significant issue and the Board deserves to hear why we are rescheduling. It is a disservice to the Exeter residents here not to go forward, and we need to hear what they are contemplating. Member Robertson noted his concern and the Board is not trying to sell the people out. Solicitor Ruggiero noted the request for the continuation is by both sides, and it would be a violation of due process to proceed without the appellant in attendance.  Negotiations are ongoing and a solution may be reached.  Chair Booth noted the concerns and communications from abutting property owners and these will be addressed at the public hearing continuation in January.

Back to the vote on the motion.  Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Nay; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present:  Four in the affirmative, one in the negative, one not voting, and one absent.

Chair Booth noted this agenda item will be heard at the next meeting on January 8, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.

A.                The application of Adam C. and Erin M. Giuliano applicants and owners of property located at 23 Ridge Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-3 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 22 Block 2 Lot 47; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2-5 to erect a 25’x45’ steel storage shed on a gravel base closer to the front setback than permitted.

Applicant Adam Giuliano is sworn in by Stenographer Ronzio. Mr. Giuliano explains he is proposing to add a 25’ by 45’ steel garage/shed on level ground with a gravel base to store firewood and equipment and possibly a vehicle in the future. The site was chosen as it is the best level area and is not over the septic, leach field or well. It will not encroach on the neighbors and is 100 feet from the paved roadway.  A 12-foot variance is requested as there is another shed on the property that has solar on the roof and cannot be moved. Member Andrews asks for clarification as the Zoning Characteristics Matrix references 89 feet proposed and the Deviation from Required Standards proposed references 88 feet, the same as the map.  Mr. Giuliano states it is 88 feet where 100 feet is required and a 12-foot variance is requested.

Member Robertson noted the wooded area between the road and proposed shed and recommends painting it a shade of green that would blend in. The shed will not have electricity or utilities.

Vice Chair McMillan asked for further clarification. Mr. Giuliano described the existing shed, the proposed location and size of the new structure, why this is the most feasible location, and it will not be visible from the road.

Member Sovet expressed concern for the neighbors and making the shed aesthetically pleasing by painting it a color that blends in with the surrounding area.

Chair Booth asked Solicitor Ruggiero if the Notice to Abutters was done properly, and he stated yes, it was.

Neighbor Frank Ward expressed his concern that the structure needs to fit in with the neighborhood and he is in favor of letting his neighbor use his property as he sees fit.

A motion was made by Vice Chair McMillan with second by Member Robertson to close the public hearing at 7:27 p.m. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present: Five in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent.

A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Andrews to approve the application of Adam C. and Erin M. Giuliano applicants and owners of property located at 23 Ridge Drive, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-3 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 22 Block 2 Lot 47; a request for dimensional relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Section 2.4.2-5 to erect a 25’x45’ steel storage shed on a gravel base closer to the front setback than permitted, seeking dimensional relief of 12 feet for an 88 foot setback versus the 100 foot requirement for RU-3.

Discussion. Vice Chair McMillan noted his concerns have been addressed. Member Andrews expressed that the paint color should be appropriate for the surrounding area and this condition should be part of the decision.

A motion was made by Vice Chair McMillan with second by Member Quattromani to reopen the public hearing. Member Andrews, Nay; Member Robertson, Nay; Chair Booth, Nay; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion fails by a majority vote of the members present: Three in the negative, two in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent. 

Back to the vote on the original motion:  Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present: Five in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent.

II.                ADMINISTRATIVE:

A.                Approval of Invoices:

1.      Southern RI Newspapers 

2.      Ron Ronzio, Stenographer

3.      Solicitor Peter D. Ruggiero

B.                 Approval of Meeting Minutes:

1.             November 13, 2025

A motion was made by Vice Chair McMillan with second by Member Andrews to approve the Minutes of the November 13, 2025 meeting. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, abstains; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present:  Four in the affirmative, one abstains, on not voting, and one absent. 

C.                Approval of 2026 Zoning Board of Review Meeting Schedule and Application Submission Deadlines

A motion was made by Vice Chair McMillan with second by Member Andrews to approve the 2026 Zoning Board of Review Meeting Schedule and Application Submission Deadlines. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present:  Five in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent. 

There is no Solicitor’s Report.

III.             ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Vice Chair McMillan with second by Member Andrews to adjourn. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair Booth, Aye; Vice Chair McMillan, Aye; Member Quattromani, Aye; Member Sovet, not voting; Member Franco-Towell, absent. Motion passes by a majority vote of the members present:  Five in the affirmative, one not voting, and one absent. 

The meeting is adjourned at 7:38 p.m.

Cheryl A. Fernstrom, Building/Zoning Clerk