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New Shoreham Town Council Minutes
Wednesday, July 7, 2021
7:00 PM
Present: Second Warden Sven Risom, Town Councilor Keith Stover; absent were Town Councilors Martha Ball and Mark Emmanuelle. First Warden Andre Boudreau was absent. Also present were Town Manager Maryanne Crawford and Attorney Katherine Merolla, and to take the minutes, Town Clerk Fiona Fitzpatrick.
Second Warden Sven Risom called the meeting to order at 7:05 PM.
Mr.Risom announced that the meeting was being hosted on a Zoom platform pursuant to RI Governor’s Executive Order 20-46, dated June 12, 2020, regarding operations of open meetings during the Covid19 pandemic. For the first time in 15 months, the Town Council met together in person at Town Hall. Public participation was via Zoom.
1. Town Council will hold a Community Forum via Zoom to gather citizen comments about the Block Island Airport, RI regional airports as well as the Rhode Island Airport Corporation’s request for proposals regarding Block Island Airport property development. Written comments submitted before the meeting are encouraged. Please send to: townclerk@new-shoreham.com.
Second Warden Risom opened the comment session by welcoming comments from members of the general public.
Jake Kramer called to ask the Town Council to review their relationship with RIAC (Rhode Island Airport Corporation). His comments are attached.
Brian Schattle of RIAC called to say he wants the Town’s position in writing.
Henry DuPont called to agree with Jake Kramer, and said RIAC divested airport property in Westerly on which the Police complex and an industrial park were built, leaving a growing parking issue for the Westerly Airport.
Dennis Greco of RIAC called to say RIAC has put a lot of effort into their strategic plan. They support the towns and municipalities of the general aviation airports.
Peter Ikely of Flight Level, a RIAC project developer, called in support of RIAC’s strategic plan. He said there is satisfactory parking at the Block Island Airport. He has a hanger development at Quonset and plans to develop another at Westerly.
Sean McGarry called to say he believes RIAC has turned over their portfolio to Cushman and Wakefield to develop property for maximum profit. He believes the conservation groups should step up. He supports cutting vegetation for safety.
Britney Pagliarini of RIAC called to ask the Town Council’s position regarding the airport hazard overlay.
Keith Stover said “Bid 1,” proposed for non-aeronautical development, abuts one of Block Island’s largest, most important and highly sensitive conserved areas, home to at least two federally endangered species. Councilor Stover also pointed out that Block Island’s relationship with the airport is unlike the other general aviation airports. The airport is our lifeline for medical emergencies and is sometimes the only means of general access. Changing the face of the airport will change the community’s relationship with the airport.
Richard Villa called to say when an airport accepts FAA funding for airport development, funds must be used for aviation unless a waiver is received from the FAA. Also, he said property listed as “Bid 3” in the Cushman and Wakefield offering is under a memorandum of understanding with conservation groups and cannot be mowed until after Columbus Day to protect federally endangered burying beetle and blazing star. Bids 2 and 4, are on the current airport master plan for improved paved parking. The development proposed at the airport is on state property and is not subject to local zoning. He urged the Town Council to oppose it quickly.
Councilor Martha Ball said actions have been taken taken at the airport in direct conflict with local zoning. She asked for a clarification of RIAC’s statement that they would “comply with applicable local zoning.” She also noted parcels adjacent to Nathan Mott Park under a clear zone were taken by condemnation in 1949 and 1960. She quoted from an administrative letter issued in 1976 by the RI DOT Division of Public Works, “Federal requirement will allow vehicular traffic under a clear zone as Center Road now is used, but will not allow a structure to be built in this area.” Further, she noted Cushman and Wakefield commercial offering was circulated without being submitted to Town government.
Councilor Mark Emmanuelle reiterated that the prospectus should have come to the Town
first.
Roberta McCormick called to speak against any industrial development of the airport land. She pointed out that unlike the other general aviation airports, the Block Island Airport is not in an out of the way area; instead it is on a central thoroughfare in an extremely visible, scenic area. Its development will affect the entire Island. She asked the Council to take a strong stand against the proposal. She also said airport abutters are not in favor of closing the airport.
John Goodman of RIAC called to clarify that there is no proposal for an industrial park or parking; RIAC has put out a request for proposals for an industrial park as a result of a meeting in January.
Brian Schattle called to ask the Town Council to put their position in writing.
Mr. Risom said the forum will be continued to a date to be determined.
2. Receive and act on report from Town Solicitor regarding Finnimore & Fisher Inc., et al v. Town of New Shoreham, et al. (WC-2021-0063) (This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) for sessions pertaining to litigation.)
Continued to 5:00 PM Monday, July 12, 2021.
3. Receive and act on report from Town Solicitor regarding Champlin’s Realty Associates v. Coastal Resources Management Council, et al v. SU-2020-168 M.P. and SU-2020-169 M.P. (This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) for sessions pertaining to litigation.)
Continued to 5:00 PM Monday, July 12, 2021.
At 8:15 Mr. Risom moved to adjourn the meeting, seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle.
Ayes: 4 (Risom, Ball Emmanuelle, Stover) Nays: 0 Absent: 1 (Boudreau)
Minutes approved July 21, 2021
Fiona Fitzpatrick
Town Clerk