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New Shoreham Town Council Meeting and
Board of License Commissioners
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Margaret O’Neill, William McCombe, and Tristan Payne. Also present were 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 6:32 p.m.
6:30 p.m.
Discuss and act negotiations between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham. This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a) (2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation
Mr. Payne moved to go into closed session at 6:32 p.m. to discuss and act negotiations between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham. This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a) (2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne) Nays: 0 Absent: (O’Neill)
Ms. O’Neill joined the meeting at 6:50 p.m.
Mr. Payne moved to adjourn the closed session at 7:58. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
Mr. Payne moved to seal the minutes of the closed session. The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
Mr. Stover reported that no motions were made in closed session.
7:00 p.m.
Board of License Commissioners
1. Continued Item: Hold Public Hearing, discuss and act on the continuation of New Beverage License conditionally issued for Class BH Beverage License for 585 Hospitality, LLC, Stockholder: Frank DiBiase Jr, d/b/a Spring House in New Harbor, 585 Beach Avenue, Plat 5, Lot 92
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
It was noted that the BH Liquor license for 585 Hospitality, LLC was conditionally granted on April 7, 2025, which included quiet hours of 9:00 p.m., a 45-day trial period, and continuing the application to July 16th.
Applicant Frank DiBiase, III was present representing 585 Hospitality, LLC.
Police Chief Deane reported that he has not received any complaints regarding the property. It was also noted that there were no complaints received from the abutters regarding the liquor license.
Mr. Payne moved to grant a BH Liquor license to 585 Hospitality, LLC, d/b/a Spring House in New Harbor, 585 Beach Avenue, Plat 5, Lot 92, subject to a mandate of quiet hours beginning at 9:00 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
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
2. Public Comment
No public comment was presented.
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of minutes: July 7, 2025
b. Approval of Mobile Food Establishment Permit for Carole Payne d/b/a Payne’s Killer Donuts, Plat 5, Lot 104 Ocean Avenue
c. Grant 2025/2026 Game License applications for Aldo’s Bakery (1 game); Champlin’s Marina & Resort (1 game); Neptune House (2 games); and Yellow Kittens (1 game)
d. Act to approve request of Lucinda and David Morrison to transfer cemetery lot Plat 3, Plot 63F back to the Town for the price paid of $1,100
e. Receive Correspondence:
i. Chris Warfel re: Block Island Land Trust survey communication
ii. Block Island Land Trust Clerk Heidi Tarbox in response to Chris Warfel’s survey communication
iii. Mike Finnimore response to Leone Leone’s letter regarding Island Mopeds operations
Ms. Dodge made a motion to approve items (a), (c), (d), (e)i, and (e)ii on the consent agenda. Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
b. Approval of Mobile Food Establishment Permit for Carole Payne d/b/a Payne’s Killer Donuts, Plat 5, Lot 104 Ocean Avenue
Mr. Payne recused himself.
Ms. Dodge moved to approve the Mobile Food Establishment Permit for Carole Payne d/b/a Payne’s Killer Donuts, Plat 5, Lot 104. Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.
4 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, O’Neill) 0 Nays 1 Recused (Payne)
Mr. Payne returned to the table.
iii. Mike Finnimore response to Leone Leone’s letter regarding Island Mopeds operations
Ms. O’Neill noted the correspondence states that Island Moped is renting two cars, and they do not have a car rental business license. The item will be discussed later under item #10.
Mr. Payne moved to receive the correspondence from Mike Finnimore. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
4. 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.
5. Receive and act on Report of Town Manager (Public Works, Finance, School, School Construction Project, Library, Recreation, Administration, Harbors, Broadband, Police, Roads, Human Services, Thomas Property)
Town Manager Land reported the following:
· Human Services:
o The Director has made connections with an immigration attorney and is working with domestic violence advocates from South County Law Enforcement.
o The PACE grant to allow Medicare to cover in-home caregiving was denied. Senator Spears will advocate on the Island’s behalf and the RI Medicaid Director is willing to work with the Town.
o The final application for the Livable Communities initiative has been accepted by AARP.
· Public Works:
o Mansion Beach bathrooms are getting a tremendous amount of use with no issues.
o GZA engineers are working on the Corn Neck Road dune restoration project.
o DEM did a site visit of the transfer station and the West Beach revetment.
· Harbors:
o For the second year in a row Block Island was the winner of the Best Harbor in the US 2025.
o The July 3rd weather event caused 15 moorings to drag, put 30 boats in distress and required Safe Sea to pull 3 boats off the east side of the harbor. The Harbors Department did a fabulous job.
· Land Use: Historic District Commission approved the new Chamber of Commerce project of installing Wayfarer signs around the island.
· A public stakeholder meeting is scheduled August 4, 2025, at 4:00 p.m. with GZA to discuss the conceptual design solutions for the Corn Neck Road project.
· An RFQ has been issued under the $14,000 Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission grant for archaeologist to investigate so-called “Colored and Indian Cemeteries.”
· Sam P. Meadow archaeological survey should wrap up this week, with the final report a few months out.
· A STIP public hearing was held July 10th at which Planner Freidrichs testified for roadway improvements ($20m in FY26 and $2m each year after). The latest draft of the STIP did not include the $20m. Conversations are ongoing with DOT, legislators and lobbyists.
6. Receive and act on Financial Reports
In response to a question from Ms. Dodge, Town Manager Land noted that $171,114 of the Transfers In line is made up of Landing Fee and the balance is made up of Block Island Land Trust reimbursements for payments of their bonding.
7. Receive and act on report from Police Chief Deane regarding noise data and potential updates to the noise ordinance
Police Chief Paul Deane was present and reported on the decibel training he took and noise data he collected over the past month, highlighting the following:
· He attended a certification course regarding decibel meter reading and noise mitigation in New Jersey.
· The training included best practices for municipalities.
· There are two different decibel scales. A-scale, which closely mimics human hearing and C-scale which refers to the bass sound.
· At Bridgegate Square, C-scale decibel readings of neighborhood residual noise (all the noise of the neighborhood) was between 68 – 86 and with bands playing it was 81 – 89. The max level in the area is 70 decibels.
· He raised a question – how you issue a violation when your decibel levels for neighborhood residual already exceeds the allowable decibel level?
· The current ordinance requires enforcement readings to be taken at the affected person’s property line.
· Recommended changes:
o Improve the way recording and math equations are handled to take in account the neighborhood residual and come to a more accurate ambient sound level.
o Potentially remove the existing 5 decibel reduction from decibel readings, as that only should be used in the case of constant steady noise, such as a transformer.
Ms. O’Neill asked that noise from moped horns, lawnmowers, etc. not be forgotten. She noted that noise disturbance is subjective depending on the activities of those affected.
Cindy Lasser and Bridget Price spoke in support of stronger ordinances, measuring noise in the C-scale, turning speakers in towards the building, and requiring baffling and noise absorption.
The noise ordinance will be reviewed at the August work session.
8. Review of the Fourth of July weekend
Town Manager Land presented information regarding the Fourth of July weekend noting the following information collected from stakeholders:
· Block Island Health Services:
o Collaborated with Chief Hobe to set up a hydration, shade, triage tent.
o The volume of patients treated as trauma could have impacted critical care.
o Ideas for next year to include engaging a private ambulance service; set up medic tents; more police presence in Narragansett; and ask Interstate Navigation to search coolers.
· BIVFD: Ideas for next year: reschedule the parade as to not conflict with unloading ferries in Old Harbor; provide porta-johns on Water Street and Corn Neck Road; provide more garbage cans on Water Street, Corn Neck Road and the beach; man water stations; bring triage trailers from RIEMA; and monitor social media.
· Public Works:
o Highways Supervisor Pokraka coordinated beach cleanup, deploying a front-loader and dump truck collecting about 3,000 lbs. of trash.
o BIRM ran extra collection trip of the public trash bins.
· Block Island Chamber of Commerce:
o Businesses who responded to a survey reported: the weekend was excellent overall; 50% felt revenue was the same as last year; no days were slower than last year; and 50% felt noise/safety/security was a big concern.
o Concerns raised and ideas for next year include:
§ Unsupervised, underage kids partying on Block Island beaches damage the island’s reputation, disrupt beach goers, damage property and litter.
§ There is a shortage of parking in Point Judith.
§ There is tenant dissatisfaction over open containers, indecency and unruly crowds.
§ Implement potential age restrictions for unaccompanied minor ferry passengers.
§ Propose a surcharge on same-day ferry tickets for July 4th.
§ Use social media as a deterrent, post enforcement warnings about potential arrests and confiscate coolers.
Police Chief Deane stated that the crowds have been growing year to year. He stated he wanted to put an end to it and suggested a media barrage (social media, local news stations, newspapers) and the use of the Fusion Center leading up to the 4th.
The following ideas were also raised:
· Use school buses to detain underage drinkers.
· Require parents to come to the Island to pick up their detained kids.
· Use other South County Police Chiefs to help with strategy and messaging.
· Hold mitigation dialogues with Interstate Navigation, other local towns and the state.
· Send out enforcement messaging this summer in the lead-up to Victory Day.
BIHS Executive Director NettieRose Cooley, Fire Chief Chris Hobe and Rescue Member Gary Ryan spoke, reiterating the holiday difficulties. Frank DiBiase, III suggested holding a family-oriented event on Baby Beach to circumvent the partiers - promote good to get good.
July 4th strategy will be discussed in the fall.
9. Discuss and act on Thomas Property:
a. Duplex Unit rentals:
i. Timeline
Town Manager Land revied the rental timeline for Thomas Property duplex units: advertising to begin 7/18; applications due 8/8; lottery held 8/15; with occupancy beginning 9/1.
ii. Rental policy
Attorney James Callaghan explained that he has had conversations with RI Attorney General’s Office, and the AG’s Office find that all four of the duplex units are affected by the Violette Connolly Estate Order, requiring that the Police Department have right of first refusal over the units. A Modification to the order has been drafted that includes an updated site plan. Ms. Dodge stated that she was in favor of limiting the Police right to only two units. Mr. McCombe concurred. No other Council members expressed such an interest.
Ms. Land reviewed the rental policy.
Ms. O’Neill moved to adopt the Thomas Property Duplex Unit Rental Policy as presented. Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
b. Update on Town Manager House rental
Town Manager Land explained that there has been some interest from the Town’s Executive Level to rent the Town Manager House. She noted that the rental lease would be brought to the Council if confirmed; if not confirmed it would be made available to Town Department Heads.
c. Update on construction
Town Manager Land reported the following regarding the construction of the Thomas Property duplex units:
· Once the floors are completed, the appliances will be installed.
· Punch lists with the HVAC, plumbing and electrical subs are being completed and testing of systems are taking place.
· CT Valley has been responsive and engaged, has signed off on timeline and are clear on what the expectations are.
10. Discuss and act on licensing rental car businesses
Attorney Callaghan explained, in a response to a question from Mr. Stover, that low-speed vehicles can only be restricted on Town roads if low-speed vehicles represent an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury.
Attorney Callaghan stated that the Town does not have the ability to regulate car rental businesses due to lack of state enabling legislation. Mr. McCombe stated he was interested in seeking legislation to allow for that. Ms. Dodge questioned if making car rental business a non-prohibited use would allow the Council to regulate them. She asked the attorneys to explore an answer to the question.
Ms. O’Neill questioned what constitutes a rental car vs. a loaner car.
11. Discuss and act on letter from Sue Ann Millikin and Cathy Payne requesting legislation to regulate shuttles and courtesy vehicles
This item was not addressed, as there was no quorum available. Council members O’Neill, Payne and McCombe will seek advisory opinions from the RI Ethics Commission to determine who has the least conflict to allow the Council to hear the item under the Rule of Necessity.
12. Raise items for future agendas
The following item was raised for a future agenda: Closed session on property purchase.
Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 9:27 p.m., 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: 08/04/2025