New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Wednesday, January 8, 2025

2:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Tristan Payne and Margaret O’Neill.  Also present, via Zoom, were Interim Town Manager Amy Land, Town Solicitors James Callaghan and Nick Solitro, and Rhode Island Interlocal Trust Attorney Mark Reynolds.  Town Clerk Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes.  Town Council member William McCombe was absent.

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 2:03 p.m.

 

1.      Discuss and act on request of Chris Warfel for support of a Resilient Microgrid for Critical Services Grant for a microgrid feasibility study to increase municipal energy resilience during times of electrical grid outages

Chris Warfel was present and explained that he was applying for a Resilient Microgrid for Critical Services Grant for a microgrid feasibility study for the Block Island Housing Board property, Plat 18, Lot 2-3.  He stated that the project would provide electricity to the proposed housing project on the property and act as backup power for the Block Island Power Company (BIPCo) during high demand times and outages.  He further explained that the Housing Board property was chosen to benefit affordable housing, serve as a financial benefit to the Housing Board and may also benefit the neighboring E. Searles Ball and the West Lane housing development.  Barbara MacMullan of the BIPCO board was present and spoke in favor of the application.  Ms. Dodge questioned whether the Housing Board property is the right choice, as the housing projects may not represent disadvantaged communities, and may not serve the public good.  Additionally, she questioned the local team members noted in the application.  Mr. Stover and Ms. Dodge suggested a less site-specific letter of support.

 

Mr. Payne moved to direct the Town Manager to send a, not site-specific, general letter of support for the application for the Resilient Microgrid for Critical Services Grant focusing on a less-site specific .  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

2.      Discuss and act on potential acquisition of real property.  This discussion may be held in executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(5) Any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public

 

3.      Receive update from Town Attorneys regarding pending litigation.  This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) for sessions pertaining to litigation or reasonably anticipated litigation:

a.      Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO.WC-2022-0021

b.      Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO.WC-2021-0129

c.       Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO. WC-2022-0339

d.      Bluff Head, Block Island, LLC v. Susan Bush, et al. (WC-2022-0335)

e.       Town of New Shoreham v. Ballard’s Wharf Realty LLC, Bluewater, LLC, T&C Holdings, Interstate Navigation Company, Intrastate Nav. Company, et al. (WC-2020-0043)

f.        Town of New Shoreham v. T&C Holdings, et al. (WC-2004-0115)

Mr. Payne moved to go into closed session at 2:30 p.m. to discuss and act on potential acquisition of real property.  This discussion may be held in executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(5) for any discussions or considerations related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public; and to receive updates from Town Attorneys regarding pending litigation.  This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5 (a)(2) for sessions pertaining to litigation or reasonably anticipated litigation:

a.       Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO.WC-2022-0021

b.      Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO.WC-2021-0129

c.       Finnimore & Fisher, Inc. v. Town of New Shoreham, et als. C.A. NO. WC-2022-0339

d.      Bluff Head, Block Island, LLC v. Susan Bush, et al. (WC-2022-0335)

e.       Town of New Shoreham v. Ballard’s Wharf Realty LLC, Bluewater, LLC, T&C Holdings, Interstate Navigation Company, Intrastate Nav. Company, et al. (WC-2020-0043)

f.        Town of New Shoreham v. T&C Holdings, et al. (WC-2004-0115)

  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to go out of closed session at 3:56 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Mr. Stover reported that no motions were made in closed session.

 

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

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

 

4.      Discuss and act on appointments of Town Attorneys:

a.      Town Solicitors: Robert Craven, Nick Solitro of Robert Craven and Associates and James Callaghan of Callaghan and Callaghan Law

Ms. Dodge questioned how duties were divided between the attorneys.  Attorney Callaghan and Attorney Solitro noted that some duties are collaborative, and some duties are divided based on strengths.  It was noted that Attorney Solitro handles litigation.  Mr. Stover stated that he feels extraordinarily well counselled.

 

Mr. Payne moved to reappoint Robert Craven and Nick Solito of Robert Craven and Associates and James Callaghan of Callaghan and Callaghan Law as the Town’s Solicitors.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

b.      Town Land Use Attorney: Kerin Browning of Desautel Browning Law

Mr. Payne moved to reappoint Kerin Browning of Desautel Browning Law as the Town’s Land Use Attorney.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

5.      Discuss and act on approval of the agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Mayfourth Group for lobbyist services and the appointment of Town Lobbyists: Rick McAuliff & Jeffrey Taylor of Mayfourth Group

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

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 3:14 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk    

 

Date Approved: 1/15/2025