New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Monday, August 4, 2025

7:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Molly O’Neill, William McCombe, and Tristan Payne.  Also present were Town Manager Amy Land, and via Zoom, Town Solicitor Nick Solitro.  Town Clerk Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes. 

 

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

 

7:00 p.m.

1.      Discuss and act on negotiations between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham. This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a) (2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation

Mr. Payne moved to go into closed session at 7:01 p.m. to discuss and act negotiations between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham. This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a) (2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne)  Nays: 0           Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn the closed session at 7:05.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne)  Nays: 0           Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

Mr. Payne moved to seal the minutes of the closed session.  The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne)  Nays: 0           Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

Mr. Stover reported that one vote was made in closed session and will not be disclosed at this time, as negotiations are ongoing.

 

2.      Public Comment

No public comment was presented.

 

3.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Act to approve minutes: July 16, 2025 open and closed

b.      Act on a recommendation from the Motor Vehicles for Hire Commission to grant a Limousine license to Seth Dulac for the 2025 – 2026 licensing year

c.       Act to authorize the Memorandum of Understanding for Death in Custody Reporting between the RI Department of Public Safety, Public Safety Grant Administration Office and the New Shoreham Police Department

d.      Receive Correspondence:

                                                     i.            Letter from Joseph Bottino requesting clarification that RI law bans electric scooter/skateboards on all roads; amend the ordinance to allow use of such downtown; and consider fairness in enforcement

                                                   ii.            Letter from Chris Warfel in response to Heidi Tarbox’s Clerk of the Block Island Land Trust survey communication

                                                 iii.            Letter from Leone Leone of Aldo’s Mopeds in response to a letter from Mike Finnimore regarding Island Mopeds operations

                                                 iv.            Notice to Town properties: Notice of public hearing in front of the Town Council on August 20, 2025 for the ordinance amendment for potential addition of lots to the Historic District Overlay

                                                   v.            Notice to Town properties: Notice of Board of License Commissioners public hearing on August 20, 2025 for the relocation of Class BV license for Old Island Pub, LLC to 598 Corn Neck Road, Plat 5, lot 7-2 (October – April only)

Mr. McCombe noted the following regarding the correspondence:

                    i.            The letter from Joseph Bottino deserves a response.

                  ii.            The letter from Leone Leone should be shared with the police.

                iii.            The notice regarding the Historic District Overlay is very clear.

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

            Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne)  Nays: 0           Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

4.      Discuss and act on Board, Commission and Committees:

a.      Announce vacancies:

                                                     i.            Commission on Motor Vehicles for Hire: One (not MVFH licensee) (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                   ii.            Sewer District Commission: Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2025)

                                                 iii.            Water District Commission: Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2025)

                                                 iv.            Conservation Commission (2-year term exp. 12/2025)

The vacancies were announced.

 

5.      Set public hearing date for proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 1 Section 111 General Prohibitions, Items 4, 9, 23, and 25, and Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions, Item 189, and Adding Agricultural, Aircraft, Amusement Park, Asphalt Refining, Car Wash, Commercial Shooting Range, Drive-Through Window, Equipment, Field House, Floating Business, Floating Residence, Gambling, Gambling Facility, Hog Raising, Houseboat, Laboratory, Livestock, Motor Vehicle, Penal Institution, Petroleum Refining, Raceway, Shipping Container, Tent, Trailer, Underground Storage, and Vending Machine

Mr. Payne moved to set a public hearing date for proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 1 Section 111 General Prohibitions, Items 4, 9, 23, and 25, and Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions, Item 189, and Adding Agricultural, Aircraft, Amusement Park, Asphalt Refining, Car Wash, Commercial Shooting Range, Drive-Through Window, Equipment, Field House, Floating Business, Floating Residence, Gambling, Gambling Facility, Hog Raising, Houseboat, Laboratory, Livestock, Motor Vehicle, Penal Institution, Petroleum Refining, Raceway, Shipping Container, Tent, Trailer, Underground Storage, and Vending Machine on September 2, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, Old Town Road.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

The staff report regarding the proposed amendment will be provided to the Council and public prior to the hearing.

 

6.      Discuss and act to authorize the execution of Purdue Direct Settlement Subdivision Participation Form and execution of the Third Amendment RI Memorandum of Understanding between the State and Cities and Towns Receiving Opioid Settlement Funds

Town Manger Land explained that the State of Rhode Island participated in a case against three major opioid distributors regarding the opioid epidemic and 20% of Rhode Island’s settlement funds are being shared with cities and towns. She noted that to date, New Shoreham has received just over $35,000.  She explained that the funds received have not been spent and have been earmarked for opioid prevention, intervention and recovery.  Ms. Land further noted that a new settlement has been proposed with Purdue and the Town must opt-in to participate. 

 

Ms. O’Neill joined the meeting at 7:14 p.m.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to authorize the execution of the Purdue Direct Settlement Subdivision Participation Form and the execution of the Third Amendment RI Memorandum of Understanding between the State and Cities and Towns Receiving Opioid Settlement Funds.  Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

7.      Discuss and act on the approval of the amendment to the lease agreement with Block Island Health Services (BIHS) expanding the use of the housing to include BIHS Chief Executive Officer

Mr. Stover recused himself.

 

BIHS Board President Susan Stover was present and reported that the board was actively searching for a doctor.  She explained that, in the meantime, while the Doctor’s Residence sits empty, the board was requesting that they have the option to house the CEO there temporarily.  Ms. Stover confirmed that the doctor, when hired, will move into the house.  She additionally confirmed that internal policies will ensure the Dr. Residence will be ready and available when a new doctor is ready to take residence.

 

Ms. O’Neill moved to approve the amendment to the lease agreement with Block Island Health Services expanding the use of the housing to include Block Island Health Services Chief Executive Officer.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

4 Ayes (Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill)                    0 Nays             1 Recused (Stover)

 

Mr. Stover returned to the table.

 

8.      Raise items for future agendas

The following items were raised for future agendas:

·         Create a written policy regarding public relations and communications during large-scale events.

·         Review the Town Manager’s House rental policy.

·         Receive report regarding communications and developments with groups that receive Town funding.

·         Clarification regarding what is allowed and where concerning scooters, electric bikes and rental of mopeds.

 

Ms. O’Neill made a motion to adjourn at 7:38 p.m.  Mr. McCombe seconded and all were in favor.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Date Approved: 8/20/2025