New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Wednesday, August 6, 2025

4:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Molly O’Neill, and William McCombe.  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.  Council member Tristan Payne was absent.

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m.

 

1.      Review and discuss potential changes to the noise ordinance

Town Manager Land reviewed her memo dated August 6, 2025 regarding noise data, highlighting the following:

·         The residual noise of the neighborhood is often above the limits set forth in Table 1 of the noise ordinance.

·         Readings taken to identify noise disturbances are generally not more than 5-10 dBA above ambient sound levels.

·         There are some but not material differences between dBA and dBC readings.

 

Ms. Land made the following suggestions for amendments to the noise ordinance:

·         Amend both12-46(d)(2) and Section 12-50, Regulation of Sound Equipment and Sound Amplifying Equipment, to remove the exemption for Outdoor Entertainment License holders from adhering to the decibel level table.

·         Amend the ordinance to measure decibel level readings regarding noise complaints from the property line of the Outdoor Entertainment License holder, rather than the receiving property.

 

Mr. McCombe suggested including a question on the Outdoor Entertainment application regarding what noise mitigation efforts were being made by the licensee.  Ms. O’Neill suggested limiting the number of Outdoor Entertainment licenses issued.

 

The following potential future considerations were raised:

·         Establish an incremental or differential dBA level for Outdoor Entertainment License holders (i.e. 10 dBA above Ambient Sounds Level).

·         Introduce measuring dBC levels.

·         Shift to a source-management approach like East Greenwich.

·         Review hours set forth in the ordinance for sound levels in general.

·         Limit the number of Outdoor Entertainment licenses issued.

·         Receive a tutorial from a sound engineer and discuss mitigation strategies.

 

2.      Discuss potential ordinance amendments regarding tents, trailers and shipping containers

This item was tabled.

 

3.      Discuss ordinance(s) regarding tax classification/homestead exemption

Ms. Land explained that legislation has been obtained that will allow the Town to expand the homestead exemption to include those who provide year-round rentals and mixed-use properties in which the residential portion could capture the homestead exemption.  Additionally, she noted that the existing homestead exemption will sunset after this current tax year.  She will work with the Board of Assessors to determine the best mechanical structure for potential homestead expansions and return to the Council to discuss.

 

Mr. McCombe made a motion to adjourn at 5:00 p.m.  Ms. Dodge seconded and all were in favor.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Date Approved: 8/20/2025