New Shoreham Town Council Meeting and

Board of License Commissioners

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Monday, July 7, 2025

6:45 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 6:50 p.m.

 

6:45 p.m.

Town Council

1.      Discuss and act on potential litigation regarding wall constructed on town property (Plat 3, Lot 128). This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a)(2) sessions pertaining to litigation or reasonably anticipated litigation. 

The Council decided to hold the discussion in open session regarding wall constructed on town property (Plat 3, Lot 128).

 

Attorney Nick Solitro reported that an agreement has been reached between the Town and the Andersons, who built a stonewall on Town property.  The Andersons will remove the wall beginning in September, and the litigation can then be finalized.

 

Ms. Dodge asked that the record reflect that the Town apologizes for the way the situation was handled and the long period of time that took place without conversation.  Mr. Stover disagreed, stating that it is important to be kind and gracious, but he did not agree to an apology.  Ms. Land explained many respectful conversations were held with the Andersons that have underscored how unfortunate it has been that the process has gone on so long. 

 

The Council took a five-minute recess.

 

7:00 p.m.

Board of License Commissioners

2.      Discuss and act on an application for six F1 liquor licenses for Persephone’s Kitchen on July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, August 7, and August 14, 2025 from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. at 235 Dodge Street, Plat 6, Lot 132

Mr. Payne convened the Board of License Commissioners.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Attorney Solito explained that the same application that is in front of the Board was previously denied on June 18^th.   He noted that the applicant had the right to an appeal.  He further noted that the Board can choose not to take up application or they, through a motion to reconsider, can rehear the application.  The motion to reconsider must be moved by a member who initially voted in the majority.

 

Mr. Stover suggested that the application be reconsidered, as there have been no problems, objections or concerns.  Ms. O’Neill concurred.  No member that voted in the majority chose to reconsider the application.

 

From the audience, the following spoke in favor of hearing and granting Persephone’s Kitchen the F1 liquor licenses:

·         Persephone Brown

·         Carolyn Collins

·         Thea Monje

·         Mary McGill

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn the Board of License Commissioners.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Town Council Agenda

3.      Public Comment

No public comment was presented.

 

4.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Act to approve minutes: June 17, 2025 open and closed; June 18, 2025

b.      Act to approve the waiver of fees for a Special Use Permit for utility use at the Schmidt Well Field on behalf of the New Shoreham Water District and the State of Rhode Island

c.       Act to authorize the agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Alison Ring of AB Planning and Mapping for GIS and other consulting services

d.      Act on request of Judy Gray and the Coastal Resilience Committee for a letter of support from the Town Council to the URI Coastal Institute regarding BI becoming a Climate Response Demonstration Site

e.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                     i.            Letter from Chris Warful in support of Solar Energy

                                                   ii.            Letter from Leone Leone regarding Island Mopeds operations

                                                 iii.            Letter from Craig Curtis re: noise

                                                 iv.            Notification from International Institute of Municipal Clerks congratulating Deputy Town Clerk Keisha Phillips Brown on receiving the prestigious designation of Certified Municipal Clerk

Mr. Payne made a motion to approve Item a., b., and e(i) on the consent agenda.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

The following items were pulled from the Consent Agenda and acted upon separately:

c.       Act to authorize the agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Alison Ring of AB Planning and Mapping for GIS and other consulting services

The contract between the Town and Alison Ring was reviewed.  Ms. Land noted that the contract reflected the funding in the adopted budget.

 

Mr. McCombe moved to authorize the agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Alison Ring of AB Planning and Mapping for GIS and other consulting services.   Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

d.      Act on request of Judy Gray and the Coastal Resilience Committee for a letter of support from the Town Council to the URI Coastal Institute regarding BI becoming a Climate Response Demonstration Site

Mr. McCombe questioned Judy Gray of the Coastal Reliance Committee whether the letter obligates the Town to anything.  Ms. Gray explained that there is no obligations to the Town.

Mr. McCombe moved to send a letter of support to the URI Coastal Institute regarding BI becoming a Climate Response Demonstration Site.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

e.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                   ii.            Letter from Leone Leone regarding Island Mopeds operations

                                                 iii.            Letter from Craig Curtis re: noise

Mr. McCombe asked that the correspondence from Leone Leone be sent to the Police and the Craig Curtis correspondence be sent to the Transportation Safety Committee.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to receive the correspondence from Leone Leone and Craig Curtis.  The motion was seconded and carried.

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

 

                                                 iv.            Notification from International Institute of Municipal Clerks congratulating Deputy Town Clerk Keisha Phillips Brown on receiving the prestigious designation of Certified Municipal Clerk

The Council and Town Clerk heartily congratulated Keisha Phillips Brown on achieving the impressive designation of Certified Municipal Clerk.  The correspondence was noted received and filed.

 

5.      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.

 

6.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Town Ordinance Chapter 9 Marine Activities, Areas and Structures, Sections 9-86 Procedure for moorings and anchorages and 9-107 Procedures for Old Harbor Town Dock

Mr. Payne moved to open the public hearing for proposed amendments to New Shoreham Town Ordinance Chapter 9 Marine Activities, Areas and Structures, Sections 9-86 Procedure for moorings and anchorages and 9-107 Procedures for Old Harbor Town Dock.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Harbormaster Kate McConville was present.  Town Manager Land explained that the proposed ordinance codifies an existing policy requiring insurance for boats moored or anchored in Block Island waters for more than two consecutive weeks. 

 

Ms. Dodge questioned why the insurance requirement included only boats staying two weeks or more and not all boats.  Ms. Land explained that including all boats would be an administrative burden.

 

Mr. McCombe suggested that every boat of a certain size be required to carry insurance.  Ms. Land explained that she does not support having laws on the books that will not or cannot realistically be enforced or acted upon.  Additionally, she stated it was important to avoid any appearance of prohibiting access to the water’s of New Shoreham. 

 

Harbormaster McConville stated that her long-term goals include influencing the state to require insurance when registering a boat.

 

Mr. Payne moved to approve the proposed amendments to New Shoreham Town Ordinance Chapter 9 Marine Activities, Areas and Structures, Sections 9-86 Procedure for moorings and anchorages and 9-107 Procedures for Old Harbor Town Dock.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to close the public hearing.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

7.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Liquor License Rules and Regulations

Mr. Payne moved to open the public hearing for proposed amendments to New Shoreham Liquor License Rules and Regulations.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Town Clerk Millie Highet reviewed the proposed updates to the Liquor License Rules and Regulations, noting many of the changes focus on housekeeping, though there is a new provision for applicants to describe the measures taken to keep alcohol consumption within the designated areas. 

Mr. McCombe moved to amend the language of IIA(4)(d)(5) and III(D)(3)(f) to state “A description of the measures taken to contain and control alcohol consumption in the designated area. (e.g. personnel, signage, fencing).”  Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

 

Discussion ensued regarding improving the site plans which show liquor service areas, to include distribution areas (bars); service areas (waitstaff service); and consumption areas.  The Town Clerk will implement the site plan improvements.

Discussion ensued regarding the Rhode Island State Fire Marshal Certification of Compliance process and time period.  The current regulations ask for the Certificate of Compliance within twelve months of submitting the application.  No changes were made to the timeline.

Attorney Solitro, in response to a question, explained that the Board derives its authority directly from state law and there is no room to delegate that authority for administrative approval of a one-time expansion for a special event.

Ms. Dodge questioned whether, under the II (E) Relief # 1 “Any noncompliance with the regulation or rule was due to mistake, inadvertence, surprise, excusable neglect or other just cause,” covers all situations.  Attorney Solitro explained that he finds “other just cause” covers everything the Board may find worthy of consideration.  He noted that the Board needs a standard that is uniformly applied to all circumstances.

Mr. Payne moved to close the public hearing.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Ms. O’Neill moved to approve the proposed amendment to New Shoreham Liquor License Rules and Regulations.  Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

8.      Set a public hearing date for proposed amendments to New Shoreham General Ordinance Chapter 7. Historical Preservation, Section 7-13 List of Lots and New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance Article 3. Zoning Districts and Regulations, Section 302. Zoning Maps, (D) Historic Overlay adding additional lots to the Historic District

Ms. Dodge moved to set a public hearing date for proposed amendments to New Shoreham General Ordinance Chapter 7. Historical Preservation, Section 7-13 List of Lots and New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance Article 3. Zoning Districts and Regulations, Section 302. Zoning Maps, (D) Historic Overlay adding additional lots to the Historic District on August 20, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, Old Town Road.  Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

9.      Receive legislative update

Town Manager Amy Land reported the following regarding the 2025 legislative session:

·         Landing Fee - increases the landing fee for New Shoreham from fifty cents ($.50) to one dollar ($1.00).

·         Tax Classification – enables New Shoreham to adopt a tax classification plan which divides the class consisting of residential real estate into non-owner and owner-occupied property and adopt separate tax rates by ordinance.

·         Water District – clarifies that the New Shoreham water district be required to provide water service to only its designated service areas.

·         School Bond - principal and interest on bonds issued in support of school housing projects to be eligible for state housing aid reimbursement.

·         Short-term whole house rental – 5% tax begins January 2026 on short-term rentals.  25% of the tax will come back to the Town which is estimated to bring in about $125,000 to the Town.

·         Local hotel tax – has been increased from 1% to 2%, with the funds coming back to the Town for an estimated $240,000.

·         Conveyance tax – there is an increase from $2.30 to $3.75.  Furthermore, portions of sales over $800,000 will be subject to an additional $3.75.  Over $800,000 rate will change every year with the CPI.  All the additional funds will stay at the state level to address affordable housing and homelessness.  This rate will take effect on October 1, 2025.

·         A nonowner-occupied state property tax for properties over $1,000,000 that are not rented for 183 days or more, will begin July 1, 2026.  The funds will stay at the state level to address housing.

 

Ms. Land noted that under the current framework, it is unlikely the Town will benefit from any of the allocated housing funds raised through these taxes.  She further noted that over the next 12 months it will be important to determine a path to take advantage of the funds.

 

The Council expressed their disappointment over the adoption of the state nonowner-occupied property tax.  Ms. Land will continue to follow the drafting of the rules and the implementation of the bill.

 

10.  Discuss and act on request from Henry duPont of the Block Island State Airport Stakeholders’ Group to address the issue of the Rhode Island Airport Corporation eliminating the Office of State Aeronautical Inspector

Henry duPont representing the Block Island State Airport Stakeholder’s Group was present and expressed his deep concern regarding Rhode Island Airport Corporation (RIAC)s’ action to eliminate the Office of State Aeronautical Inspector, which has been responsible for the safe and efficient operation of state aviation facilities and aircraft and other crucial activities.  He asked the Council to petition RIAC to immediately restore the Office of State Aeronautical Inspector and address the backlog of maintenance issues at the outlying airports.

 

Ms. Land will reach out to RIAC to discuss the safety plan going forward, now that the Office of State Aeronautical Inspector has been eliminated.

 

11.  Review correspondence of the Town Manger to the Rhode Island Department of Transportation regarding overdue capital improvements and maintenance

Town Manager Land noted that she has alerted the RI DOT that the overdue capital improvements on Block Island, including the condition of the State roads and the structural failure of the State garage, are putting the State Road Maintenance Agreement in jeopardy.  She explained that the Town has placed DOT on notice that twelve months after July 1, 2025 the agreement shall be terminated if DOT is not proceeding in good faith to provide the necessary improvements.  Ms. Land further explained that she is planning to bring DOT representatives to the island this summer.

 

12.  Discuss and act on collection agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Interstate Navigation Company for collection of the landing fee

Mr. McCombe recused himself.

 

Mr. Payne moved to approve the agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Interstate Navigation Company for the collection of the landing fee.  Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

13.  Discuss and act to give advice and consent on the Town Manager’s recommendation to adopt the job description of and appoint Millicent McGinnes Highet as Town Clerk & Director of Administration

Mr. McCombe returned to the table.

 

Mr. McCombe moved to accept the Town Manager’s recommendation, to adopt the job description of and appoint Millicent McGinnes Highet as Town Clerk & Director of Administration.  Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

14.  Act to approve the employee agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Millicent Highet as Town Clerk and Director of Administration for a two-year term

Mr. Payne moved to approve the employee agreement between the Town of New Shoreham and Millicent Highet as Town Clerk and Director of Administration for a two-year term.  Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

15.  Raise items for future agendas

The following items were raised for future agendas:

·         Debrief on July 4^th – From the audience, Police Chief Deane reported on the Fourth of July weekend.

·         Rental car licenses

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 9:03, 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: 7/16/2025