New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Thursday, April 3, 2025

7:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members William McCombe, Margaret O’Neill and Tristan Payne.  Also present were Interim Town Manager Amy Land, Interim Finance Director Mona Dwyer Helterline and via Zoom, Town Solicitor James Callaghan.  Town Clerk Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes. 

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. 

 

1.      Discuss request from Block Island Housing Board for a Warrant item on May 5, 2025 Financial Town Meeting to support the development of the O’Brien Property housing project in the amount of $2,000,000

Mark Maguire, Chair of the Housing Board, explained that the Housing Board voted to ask the Council to support a request for a $2,000,000 Warrant item in support of the development of affordable housing on the O’Brien property.  He made a presentation, highlighting the following:

·         The housing development would take place on Plat 18, Lot 2-3.

·         8 buildings, each with two, 2-bedroom units are being proposed, for a total of 16 units.

·         The project has been approved by the Planning Board.

·         The infrastructure site work is now underway.

·         The total cost based on bids: $6.4 to $7.5 million.

·         The current funding situation was reviewed:

o   $1.5 million on hand.

o   $400,000 from a Solar Initiative grant.

o   $2 million bond authority held be the Housing Board.

o   The RI Housing grant applications have been denied up to this point.

·         The board is determining the rental demand vs. purchase demand.

·         For sale units may be a component to help fund rental units.

·         The Board is asking for a $2 million bond item to be placed on the May 5^th Financial Town Meeting Warrant.

·         Contributions from the Town would show favorably on a RI Housing grant application.

 

Discussion ensued between the Town Council and Housing Board members Mark Maguire, Cindy Pappas and Chris Warfel regarding the required 10% affordable housing threshold, the monitoring of rental units, and the financial feasibility of rental units going forward.

 

Jessica Rossoto, Erin Groll, Sue Covalt, and Tom Hobin spoke from the audience regarding the lack of housing and in support of the housing bond.

 

2.      Hold second public hearing, discuss and act on Town of New Shoreham FY2026 budget

Mr. Payne moved to open the second public hearing on the Town of New Shoreham FY2026 budget.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and it carried.

            Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, O’Neill, Payne, McCombe)                        Nays: 0

 

Mr. McCombe suggested that the job description of the Facilities Manager be further defined.  Additionally, he suggested that there may be a need for an additional employee to do maintenance, as the maintenance needs of the Town increase.

 

Administration:

·         Mr. McCombe asked that the extra $20,000 in the Clerk’s Wages, to cover the Interim Director of Administration, be moved into Contingency.  He noted that from there, the money could be reassigned as necessary to fit the need.  The Council concurred.

·         Ms. O’Neill stated that she would like to add $2,100 to the Deer Management line, raising it to $37,500.

 

Central Dispatch:

·         Mr. Payne stated that he would like to discuss the financial impact of the medical grade oxygen machine (to benefit the Medical Center) that operates at the Fire Barn.   

 

Police:

·         The Council suggested checking with Police Chief Deane to see if he has plans to use the funds in the Accreditation line beyond the $2,250 accreditation membership fee.

·         Technology/Data Processing licensing fees have gone up since last year as new technology has been implemented.

·         Wages/Seasonal-Other is shy covering the salary of a ¼ person.  $12,000 would fully fund the staffing.

·         The Housing line covers the Police Chief housing stipend, and the seasonal police staff housing at MacLac and in-Town.

 

Public Works:

·         Ms. Dodge questioned if the Thomas Property $30,000 maintenance line could be lowered.  Ms. Land explained that the extrapolated number for maintenance for the units is $30,000.

·         The Maintenance/Building line has been reduced by $5,000 by stretching out the painting schedule for a year.  The Council showed interest in fully funding the line.

·         Ms. Dodge questioned why the Town is not considering a large snow blower instead of a sidewalk clearing tractor.  Ms. Land will report back.

 

Harbors:

·         Maintenance/Dredging will go out to bid and it may include land-based dredging.

·         Maintenance/Restrooms line covers the restrooms at Old Harbor and Smugglers.

 

Building Official:

·         The Four Leaf Building Official consultant does not cover proactive building code enforcement.  The Council expressed their interest in ensuring that proactive building code enforcement be a priority.

·         Mr. McCombe stated that he would like to see an employee fill the role of the Building Official instead of a consultant.

 

Recreation:

·         Fred Benson Beach budget includes decking and plumbing improvements and maintenance.

 

Library:

·         Mr. Payne questioned the $60,000 for an Assistant Director in the Library budget.  Ms. Land reported that the intention was to reclassify an existing position to Assistant Director, not adding a new employee. 

 

Boards & Commissions:

·         Ms. Dodge stated that she sees the need for an additional 10 hours for a Land Use Clerk, due to increased responsibilities brought on by the state Zoning changes.  She noted that she is not in favor of allocating time to enforcement of Short-Term Rentals.  The Council agreed to fund the Wages/Clerk line to the recommended funding of $71,427.

 

Community Support:

·         BI Early Learning Center –

o   Ms. Dodge, Mr. Stover and Ms. O’Neill shared their concerns over appeared lack of communication, openness and stonewalling from the center’s staff to the board and parents.

o   Executive Director Julie Conant was present and stated that they are open and forthcoming.  They welcome people to talk, hold regular board meetings, are open to comment during the meetings, and have policies dealing with complaints that are very effective.

o   Ms. O’Neill and Mr. Stover suggested setting guidelines to review the bylaws, make the Board equal partners, look at policies for potential improvements, and have discussions with stakeholders on how to improve processes and communications.  Mr. McCombe suggested bringing in a facilitator to gain insight between the parties to create a path to move forward.

·         Fire Department:

o   Mr. Payne questioned what is included in the funding of $5,000 for communications.  Ms. Land noted it was for replacement of radios, etc.

o   Mr. Payne stated that charging for ambulance transport should be made a priority. 

o   Mr. Payne stated he was not in favor of level funding the department without some more information.

o   Fire representatives will be invited to the April 9, 2025 meeting for further discussion.

·         Mr. McCombe stated that he would like to fund the Mini-Grant line.

 

Capital Tax:

·         Transfer Station: Ms. Dodge asked if the Town was holding any funds from previous years for the Transfer Station.  Ms. Land stated they were not holding any previous funding.

 

Mr. Payne moved to close the second public hearing on the Town of New Shoreham FY2026 budget.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and it carried.

            Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, O’Neill, Payne, McCombe)                        Nays: 0

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 10:16 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and it carried.

            Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, O’Neill, Payne, McCombe)                        Nays: 0           

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk    

 

Date Approved: 4/7/2025