New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Wednesday, January 15, 2025

6:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, 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 James Callaghan.  Town Clerk Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes. 

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.

 

6:00 p.m.

1.      Discuss potential property purchase.  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

 

2.      Discuss and act regarding Order and Motion to Reconsider in In Re: Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc. (Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Docket No. D-13-51) This discussion may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(2) for the discussion of litigation

 

3.      Meet with Police Chief to discuss and act on security and staffing concerns.  This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(3) for discussions regarding to a matter of security including, but not limited to, the deployment of personnel or devices

 

4.      Discuss the job performance of the Interim Town Manager. Pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-1(a) (1) the meeting may be held in closed session for discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons provided that such person or persons affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting.

Mr. Payne moved to go into closed session at 6:00 p.m. to discuss potential property purchase.  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; to discuss and act regarding Order and Motion to Reconsider in In Re: Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc. (Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Docket No. D-13-51) This discussion may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(2) for the discussion of litigation; to meet with Police Chief to discuss and act on security and staffing concerns.  This item may be held in closed session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(3) for discussions regarding to a matter of security including, but not limited to, the deployment of personnel or devices; and to discuss the job performance of the Interim Town Manager. Pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-1(a) (1) the meeting may be held in closed session for discussions of the job performance, character, or physical or mental health of a person or persons provided that such person or persons affected shall have been notified in advance in writing and advised that they may require that the discussion be held at an open meeting.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to continue Item #2, #3 and #4 to the end of the meeting.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to go out of closed session at 7:03 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

Town Council member McCombe returned to the table.

 

Mr. Stover reported that the only motion made in closed session as follows: Continue Item #2, #3 and #4 to the end of the meeting, motion made by Mr. Payne and seconded by Ms. Dodge.

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

 

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

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

 

5.      Public Comment

Chris Blane spoke from the audience and asked that the Council reconsider the deer hunting dates on Plat 20, Lot 20 to prohibit deer hunting through the completion of waterfowl season.

 

Mary Lutz spoke from the audience and asked that the Council consider designating New Shoreham as a sanctuary city.  She read her letter noted under Item #6 e. i. and circulated statistics.   

 

6.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Approval of minutes: January 6, 2025 @ 12:30; January 6, 2025 @ 7:00; and January 8, 2025 open and closed

b.      Grant Resident Commercial Shellfish Licenses for 2025:

                                                              i.      Lionel Butterfield

                                                            ii.      George Davis

                                                          iii.      Joseph Fallon

                                                          iv.      Charles Gale

                                                            v.      Jon Grant

                                                          vi.      Eric Gustafson

                                                        vii.      Frederick Howarth

                                                      viii.      Christopher Littlefield

                                                          ix.      John Swienton

c.       Grant Non-Resident Commercial Shellfish License for 2025: James Nelson

d.      Authorize Letter of Support and Acceptance of Dredge Materials re: Interstate Navigation Company Dredging of Old Harbor Berths

e.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Mary Lutz re: Possibility of declaring New Shoreham a sanctuary city

                                                            ii.      South Fork Wind re: Review of vendor proposals received for mitigation measures outlined in Final Historic Property Treatment Plan for the Old Harbor Historic District

Mr. Payne moved to approve the items on the consent agenda.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

7.      Set public hearing date for amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance Article 2, Section 202 Definitions re: Tent, Trailer & Shipping Container; Article 1, Section 111 General Prohibitions, Article 5, new Section 519 Tents

Mr. Payne moved to set a public hearing date of February 19, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, Old Town Road for amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance Article 2, Section 202 Definitions re: Tent, Trailer & Shipping Container; Article 1, Section 111 General Prohibitions, Article 5, new Section 519 Tents.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

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

a.      Announce vacancies:

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

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

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

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

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

                                                      viii.      Tree Warden (licensed arborist)

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

The vacancies were announced.

 

9.      Continued Item: Discuss and act on amendments to the Transportation Safety Committee Resolution

Ms. Dodge stated that she would like to amend the Transportation Safety Committee resolution to include a charge that is less moped focused.  Discussion ensued regarding the focus and makeup of the safety committee.  Ms. Dodge read a proposed charge for the committee that she drafted: Examine the various vehicles on our roads, including mopeds, bicycles (electric and manual), scooters (electric and manual), and electric golf carts with emphasis on traffic flow, safety and demand, and recommend any actions to enhance safety and. regulate congestion, particularly in the downtown area.  Ms. O’Neill suggested including rental cars in the charge.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to insert the following charge into the existing resolution: “Examine the various vehicles on our roads, including mopeds, bicycles (electric and manual), scooters (electric and manual), and electric golf carts with emphasis on traffic flow, safety and demand, and recommend any actions to enhance safety and. regulate congestion, particularly in the downtown area.” And further moved to establish the committee makeup as follows: Police Chief or designee, Rescue Squad Captain or designee, moped license holders, bicycle rental owners, two Council members, and representative of the business community.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne.

 

Discussion ensued.  Ms. O’Neill stated that she wanted the membership to include car rental owners.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to amend her motion for the membership of the committee to reflect: Police Chief or designee, Rescue Squad Captain or designee, moped license holders, license holders for rental cars and bicycles, two Council members, and a representative of business community.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

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

 

10.  Discuss and act on appointments to the Transportation Safety Committee

No action was taken on this item.

 

11.  Continued Item: 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. McCombe stated that, although this was not a reflection of Rick McAuliff or Jeffrey Taylor skills or service, he believes that the Council should determine its’ needs before reappointment of the lobbyists. Ms. Dodge concurred, noting that the Council should determine what the Town wants to accomplish and see if it would require a consulting group. 

 

Mr. Payne moved to continue the item to Tuesday, January 21, 2024.  Ms. Dodge

 

12.  Discuss and act on Resolution in support of legislation that authorizes the interest on school bonds to eligible for reimbursement

Interim Town Manager Land explained that the resolution supports legislation that would authorize the interest on the school bonds to be eligible for reimbursement from Rhode Island Department of Education. 

 

Mr. McCombe moved to approve the resolution in support of legislation that authorized the interest on school bond to be eligible for reimbursement.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

13.  Discuss and act on negotiations between the Town of New Shoreham and the State of Rhode Island Department of Transportation regarding the state road maintenance contract

Interim Town Manager Land explained that the RIDOT sent the Town a signed a contract for the maintenance of the state roads, though the Town may want to explore different terms.  She noted the contract increases the price over the previous contract and includes the installation of guardrails.  She explained that it is silent on addressing any of the capital needs, such as the promised salt shed, the replacement of the Highways Garage or indemnifying the Town from concerns over the environmental storage of highway salt.  She expressed her concerns over how to move forward without any of the promised capital work being carried out. 

 

Town Engineer Jim Geremia was present via Zoom and suggested executing the agreement, and additionally, put the state on notice that the Town has the ability to terminate the agreement with 12 months’ notice, if expectations and needed items are not addressed.  Discussion ensued. 

 

Ms. Land will reach out to DOT and to discuss the capital needs and the absence of the lease that was not included in the document.

 

14.  Review of financial reports

Interim Finance Director Mona Dyer Helterline presented the financial reports, highlighting the following:

·         At this time, the Building Permits line is $76,000 less than the prior year.

·         Short-Term Rentals have raised $67,730.

·         The Hotel Tax has decreased by 9% over last year, though the Cottage Tax has increased 21%. 

·         The Meals Tax has increased 7.5% over last year.

·         Funding for the new Town Manager staffing arrangement as proposed is a net zero over last year.  The increase in the Town Manager Wages is due to severance pay given to the previous Town Manager.  Ms. Dwyer Helterline and Ms. Land are looking into how to cover the severance payment and suggested there may be under-expenditures that could be reallocated under road materials, harbors truck, building official, grant writer, and lobbyist.

·         The contingency line expenses are made up of the Highview Lane settlement with the Sewer Commission, the lightning strike at the dispatch center and the required fire alarm monitoring upgrade.  There should be an insurance reimbursement for the lightning strike.

 

15.  Receive and act on Report of Interim Town Manager (Public Works, Finance, School, School Construction Project, Library, Recreation, Administration, Harbors, Broadband, Police, Roads, Human Services)

Interim Town Manager Land presented the Town Manager’s Report, noting the following:

·         The staff is regrouping, closing out projects and starting to gear up for the summer programs and operations.

·         There are three areas of staffing needs, which include filling a vacancy in Finance, adding hours for Land Use assistance and enforcement, and paying an Alarm and Communications staff member.

 

Ms. O’Neill questioned how fire alarm respondent payments are covered.  Ms. Land stated that fines may be able to be instituted to cover the payments once the new system is fully deployed.

 

Mr. Payne moved to go back into closed session at 8:16 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to go out of closed session at 9:26 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.

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

 

Mr. Stover reported that one motion was made in closed session: Mr. Stover moved to take no action on the matter regarding Order and Motion to Reconsider in In Re: Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc. (Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, Docket No. D-13-51).  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

Ayes: 3 (Stover, Payne, O’Neill)        Nays: 1 (Dodge)         Recused: 1 (McCombe)

 

Mr. Stover further reported that under Item #4, job performance of the Interim Town Manager, everyone expressed their satisfaction with all aspects of the current structure, and a commitment to stay the course and revisit the discussion in the near future.

 

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

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 9:31 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk    

 

Date Approved: 2/3/2025