New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Monday, January 6, 2025

7:00 PM

 

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

 

Second Warden Dodge called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

 

Second Warden Dodge offered the Councils’ condolences to First Warden Stover over the loss of his father and to the family of longtime resident and community contributor Eliott Taubman.

 

1.      Public Comment

No public comment was presented.

 

2.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Approval of Minutes: December 16, 2024: December 18, 2024 1:00 p.m.; December 18, 2024 7:00 p.m. open and closed

b.      Receive report of Block Island Health Services Town Representative Laura Parsons regarding Block Island Health Services happenings

c.       Approve abatements recommended by the Board of Assessors:

                                                              i.      David Roosa, Acct # P-183025: $1,205.57

                                                            ii.      Nature Conservancy & Kate Knapp, Acct # P-201919: $3,016.01

Mr. McCombe moved to approve the items on the consent agenda with a change to the minutes of December 18, 2024.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

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

 

Ms. Dodge stated that a meeting should be scheduled between the Council and Block Island Health Services.

 

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

a.      Appointments:

                                                              i.      Building Committee for Public Safety Complex: Two members of the public (1 year term)

Mr. McCombe moved to appoint Arlene Tunney to the Building Committee for the Public Safety Complex with a term expiring December 2025.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

b.      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.      Coastal Resilience Committee (term exp. 12/2025)

                                                            v.      Juvenile Hearing Review Board (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                          vi.      Tree Warden (licensed arborist)

                                                        vii.      Building Committee for Public Safety Complex: One member of the public (1 year term)

The vacancies were announced.

 

4.      Discuss and act on deer hunting dates for Town property at Plat 20, Lot 20

Mr. Payne asked that the hunt on Plat 20, Lot 20 be publicly placarded at both Andy’s Way and the entrance to West Beach.  Ms. Dodge asked that the hunt be well advertised.

 

Ms. O’Neill questioned if weekend hunting can be accommodated during that hunt.  Mr. Payne shared his concern over weekend hunting in that heavily trafficked area.

 

Mr. Payne moved to authorize controlled deer hunting on Town property at Plat 20, Lot 20 for Archery, Shotgun and Muzzleloader on: January 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 of 2025 and February 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 of 2025.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

5.      Discuss and act on amendments to the Transportation Safety Committee Resolution

Mr. Payne moved to continue the item to the January 15, 2025 meeting.  The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.

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

 

6.      Discuss the potential Town Manager search

Mr. McCombe suggested scheduling a meeting with the Interim Town Manager for midway review of her job performance on January 15, 2025.

 

7.      Discuss and act on salary stipends for officials:

a.      Fiscal Year 2026: Board of Canvassers, Emergency Management Agency Director(s)

b.      Fiscal Year 2027: First Warden, Second Warden, Town Council, Board of Assessors

Town Clerk Highet explained that in an effort to establish a record, update the files and potentially increase the salary stipends for Town Officials, she is recommending the ratification or reestablishment of stipends.  The current stipends are Board of Canvassers: $850 per full member; Emergency Management Agency Director(s): $700 split between Directors; First Warden: $10,000; Second Warden: $7,500; Town Council Members: $5,000 each member; and Board of Assessors: $1,100 split between three members.  Discussion ensued regarding the salaries.

 

Interim Town Manager Land will research Board of Assessors stipends in other communities and report back. 

 

Mr. Payne moved to ratify the salary stipends as follows:

• Beginning Fiscal Year 2026:
• Board of Canvassers: $850 each full member
• Emergency Management Agency Director(s): $700 split between Directors

 

• Beginning Fiscal Year 2027:
• First Warden: $10,000
• Second Warden: $7,500
• Town Council Members: $5,000 each member

 

The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

8.      Review and announce budget hearing schedule

The following budget hearing schedule was announced:

Wed. March 19, 2025, 7:00 p.m.            Budget Presentation to Town Council

FY24 Budget Overview; during Town Council Meeting

 

Wed. March 26, 2025, 3:00 p.m.            Budget Work Session

Town Department review; Block Island School (special meeting); Revenue

 

Thurs. March 27, 2025, 7:00 p.m.         Budget Work Session

Library; Community Support; BI Health Services, BI Volunteer Fire & Rescue, BI Early Learning Center; Capital (special meeting)

 

Wed. April 2, 2025, 4:00 p.m.    Budget Public Hearing

Capital Tax during Town Council Work Session

Budget Public Hearing

 

Thurs. April 3, 2025, 7:00 p.m. Budget Public Hearing

Budget Public Hearing (special meeting)

 

Wed. April 9, 2025, 7:00 p.m.    Town Council Adoption

Final Budget Public Hearing (special meeting)

 

Wed. April 23, 2025, 4:00 p.m. Warrant Adoption

      Warrant Adoption (special meeting)

 

Mon. May 5, 2025, 7:00 p.m.     Financial Town Meeting

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 7:31 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk    

 

Date Approved: 1/15/2025