MINUTES
EXETER ZONING BOARD OF REVIEW
JANUARY 8, 2026
The regular meeting of the Exeter Zoning Board of Review is called to order by Chair Booth at 7:02 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, in the Council Chambers of the Exeter Town Clerk’s Office at 675 Ten Rod Road, Exeter.
Zoning Board of Review Members present:
Loren Andrews
Timothy Robertson
Richard Booth, Chair
Thomas McMillan, Vice Chair
Richard Quattromani
Stephen Sovet
Zoning Board of Review Members absent:
Susan Franco-Towell
Also in attendance:
Peter D. Ruggiero, Zoning Solicitor
Ronald DeFrancesco, Building Inspector
Ronald Ronzio, Stenographer
A motion was made by Member Andrews with second by Vice Chair McMillan to open the Public Hearing. 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 unanimous vote of the members present and voting: Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.
A. The Appeal of Notice of Violation issued by Zoning Inspector David Thornley dated October 21, 2025 to David Duarte appellant and owner of the property located at 1029 Ten Rod Road, Exeter, RI; Zoned RU-3 and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 22 Block 2 Lot 3; in violation of: Section 2.4.1.61 operating as a junk or salvage yard in the RU-3 Zone; Section 2.4.2.4 Dimensional Regulations requiring a minimum front depth (setback) of 100 feet in the RU-3 Zone; Article V. Section 5.1.D. no parking or storage of commercial registered vehicles containing a weight of over 20,000 GVW (gross vehicle weight) which is not allowed in the RU-3 Zone; in violation of the Exeter Zoning Ordinance.
Chair Booth read the correspondence from Attorney Robert Craven and Associates, representing Mr. Duarte, into the record as follows:
January 6, 2026
Town of Exeter
Attn: Clerk, Zoning Board
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
RE: David Duarte – 1029 Ten Rod Road (Plat 22 Block 2 Lot 3)
Request for Continuance – Appeal of Violation Notice
Madam Clerk,
Please accept this letter as a formal request for a continuance of the above matter to the February, 2026 meeting.
I must request this continuance as my client is out of state due to a prior commitment. His involvement is necessary for the appeal.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Very truly yours,
Robert E. Craven, Esq.
Chair Booth entertained a motion to grant the requested continuance with the stipulation that no further continuances will be granted, as this hearing is the second continuance. Attorney Craven stated in his letter this property was incorrectly cited. There is a DEM violation due to an abandoned dump on the property and his client plans to remediate and cap it. Chair Booth explained the process the Board must follow. The Board will hear the issues at the February meeting and make a decision on next steps.
Chair Booth stated the Board will allow a question from a member of the audience.
Deborah Rodriguez asked if the Town ever capped the dump. Chair Booth stated the Board is unsure and directed Ms. Rodriguez to speak with Zoning Inspector Thornley for more information.
A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Vice Chair McMillan to continue this matter to the February 12, 2026 Zoning Board of Review meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Exeter Town Clerk’s Office Council Chambers, with the expectation we will have further information in February before we consider another continuation.
Discussion. It was determined tonight’s hearing is not a second continuance for this appellant.
Back to the vote on the motion. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair 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 unanimous vote of the members present and voting: Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.
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; continued from December 11, 2025.
Chair Booth read the correspondence from Exeter Town Solicitor Kenneth Sylvia into the record as follows:
January 6, 2026
Exeter Zoning Board
675 Ten Rod Road
Exeter, RI 02822
RE: Appeal of Notice of Violation issued to Scott R. Labossiere dated October 24, 2025
94 Bates School House Road, Exeter, RI; Assessor’s Plat 31 Block 3 Lot 21
Dear Chairman Booth and Members of the Board:
I write in my capacity as Exeter’s Town Solicitor. The above matter is scheduled for hearing on January 8, 2026 before the Exeter Zoning Board. Deputy Zoning Inspector Karen Ellsworth is unavailable to attend the hearing that evening because of another commitment. Her testimony is critical to the Zoning Board’s review of this Notice of Violation. For that reason, the Town respectfully requests that this matter be continued to the Zoning Board’s February 12, 2026 meeting.
I have spoken with Attorney Dane Ardente, who represents Mr. Labossiere, and he has agreed to join in the request for a continuance. The parties intend to go forward with the hearing at the February meeting and do not anticipate needing additional continuances. Thank you for your consideration.
Very truly yours,
Kenneth J. Sylvia
Chair Booth entertained a motion to continue this issue to the February 12, 2026 meeting with the condition no further continuances will be granted. Vice Chair McMillan noted his concerns expressed at the December meeting as well as those of abutting property owners. Discussion ensued of allowing testimony by abutters this evening. Chair Booth stated as Deputy Zoning Inspector Ellsworth is not in attendance, the Board cannot take testimony. Discussion involved the ongoing negotiations with Mr. Labossiere, Attorney Ardente (representing appellant Labossiere), Deputy Zoning Inspector Karen Ellsworth and Town Solicitor Sylvia to resolve the issues outlined in the October 24, 2025 Notice of Violation. This will be the second continuation. Discussion continued.
A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Quattromani to continue this matter to the February 12, 2026 Zoning Board Meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Clerk’s Office Council Chambers as regards 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; continued from December 11, 2025 and January 8, 2026 to the February 12, 2026 meeting with the condition that no further continuances will be granted beyond the February meeting for the same appeal. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair 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 unanimous vote of the members present and voting: Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.
A. Solicitor’s Report Peter D. Ruggiero, Esq. There is no report this evening.
B. Approval of Invoices:
1. Southern RI Newspapers
2. Ron Ronzio, Stenographer
3. Solicitor Peter D. Ruggiero
There are no invoices to approve.
C. Approval of Meeting Minutes:
1. December 11, 2025
Member Quattromani asked for review of the December Minutes for further clarification of any language to reopen the public hearing. Stenographer Ronzio will provide a recording of the meeting to clarify the vote. As well as a recording of tonight’s meeting. The Minutes will also reflect that Member Quattromani was present at the meeting. Discussion ensued of a motion, second, discussion and a vote not to reopen the public meeting. This will be reviewed by the Clerk from a recording to be provided by Stenographer Ronzio. The Minutes should clarify that Mr. Craven’s remarks were from his email letter and not by him in person.
A motion was made by Member Robertson with second by Member Andrews to continue approval of the December meeting Minutes to the February meeting agenda. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair 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 unanimous vote of the members present and voting: Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.
A motion was made by Member Andrews with second by Member Robertson to adjourn the Meeting. Member Andrews, Aye; Member Robertson, Aye; Chair 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 unanimous vote of the members present and voting: Five in the affirmative, one not voting and one absent.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:51 p.m.
Attest:
Cheryl A. Fernstrom, Building/Zoning Clerk