New Shoreham Town Council Minutes

Town Hall, Old Town Road, Block Island

Monday, December 4, 2017

7:00 PM

Present: First Warden Kenneth C. Lacoste, Town Councilors Marth Ball, Andre Boudreau and Christopher Willi. Also present: Interim Town Manager Shirlyne Gobern, Town Clerk Fiona Fitzpatrick.

Warden’s Report: First Warden Lacoste called for a moment of silence for Second Warden Norris Pike, whose funeral was held Saturday.

Public Comment: There was no comment from the public.

Continued from November 6, 2017: Board of License Commissioners Public Hearing for New Class BH Liquor License/Receive and act on new Class BH liquor license application from Block Island Accommodations, LLC, Member: Cariona Corcoran, d/b/a Bellevue, High Street, Plat 7, Lot 73-2 The application has been withdrawn. No action was needed or taken.

1. Act on appointment of Second Warden to complete unexpired term of Second Warden Norris Pike

Councilor Martha Ball moved to appoint Andre Boudreau to serve as Second Warden. The motion was seconded by Christopher Willi.

Ayes: 4 (Lacoste, Ball, Boudreau, Willi) Nays: 0

Mr. Boudreau was immediately sworn into office by the Clerk.

2. Act on appointment to Town Council

Mr. Lacoste moved to appoint Sven Risom, who serves on the Planning Board, Tourism Council and as the Town’s CRMC Representative, to the Town Council, seconded by Christopher Willi.

Ayes: 4 (Lacoste, Boudreau, Ball, Willi) Nays: 0

Mr. Risom was sworn into office by the Clerk.

3. Act on annual renewal of motorized tricycle, bicycle and scooter (moped) rental licenses for the 2018 license year

Moped rental licensees present were John Leone, Paul Filippi and Michael Finnimore. Mr. Lacoste said the Town Council is willing to work with the licensees on issues of safety and noise issues. A brief discussion ensued.

Mr. Lacoste moved, seconded by Mr. Willi, to A motion would be in order to renew the motorized tricycle, bicycle and scooter licenses for the 2018 license year for Aldo’s Mopeds Inc., The Moped Man, Inc., Finnimore and Fisher, Inc., dba Island Mopeds, Miles-Un-Limited, Inc. and Ocean State Bikes, Inc., pending receipt of registration numbers as issued by the State of Rhode Island, Vehicle Identification Numbers as issued by the manufacturer of each vehicle and licensing fees; and further that each license is for the rental of 34 vehicles in accordance with the ordinances of the Town of New Shoreham, with such license to expire December 31, 2018. Any lease agreement between a moped renter and the licensee shall include hours of operation, safety features, information regarding operation on unimproved roads, and the following language: “The horn on the vehicle is a piece of equipment designed for emergency use and should be used only in this fashion.”

Ayes: 5 (Lacoste, Boudreau, Ball, Risom, Willi) Nays: 0

4. Act on resolution to be sent to RI Legislature requesting an exemption from Rhode Island General Laws 39-14.2 “Transportation Network Company Services” (ex: Uber and Lyft)

Councilor Ball recused; she holds a taxi license. Present for the MVFH Commission were Chair Brad Marthens and Commissioner Vincent McAloon.

Mr. Lacoste read the resolution, which is attached to these minutes.

First Warden Lacoste moved to adopt the Resolution requesting an exemption from Rhode Island General Laws 39-14.2 “Transportation Network Company Services” (ex: Uber and Lyft), and to forward copies to Senator Sosnowski and Representative Blake Filippi.

Ayes: 5 (Lacoste, Boudreau, Ball, Risom, Willi) Nays: 0

5. Act on appointments to Boards, Committees and Commissions

Ms. Ball moved to table the item to the interim meeting, seconded by Mr. Lacoste.

Ayes: 5 (Lacoste, Boudreau, Ball, Risom, Willi) Nays: 0

6. Act on Town Council meeting schedule for 2018

Changes were made to the Town Council meeting schedule.

Mr. Lacoste moved to approve the meeting schedule as amended, seconded by Mr. Risom.

Ayes: 5 (Lacoste, Boudreau, Ball, Risom, Willi) Nays: 0

7. Correspondence: RI Commerce Corporation Foreign Trade Zones.

No action was needed or taken.

8. Act on minutes: Open session minutes of November 6, 2017; closed session minutes of August 3, 2017, August 9, 2017, August 17, 2017, August 24, 2017, September 6, 2017, November 1, 2017, November 3, 2017 and November 6, 2017

Mr. Lacoste moved to approve the open session minutes of November 6, 2017, seconded by Ms. Ball.