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New Shoreham Town Council Meeting
Town Hall 16 Old Town Road, Block Island
Monday, June 2, 2025
7:00 PM
Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Molly O’Neill, William McCombe, and Tristan Payne. 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 Stover called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
1. Public Comment
No public comment was presented.
2. Consent Agenda:
a. Approval of minutes: May 21, 2025
b. Act to approve request of Jedd Novatt to transfer cemetery lot Plat 3, Plot 7B back to the Town for the price paid of $800
c. Receive Correspondence:
i. Notice of Zoning Board Public Hearing June 25, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. Town Hall for 251 Spring St., LLC Plat 7, Lot 27 for a Special Use Permit for Manisses Hotel to convert a one-story walk-out basement into a 5 room inn
ii. Second Request for action - Letter from Block Island Taxi Owners SueAnn Millikin and Cathy Payne requesting legislation to regulate shuttles and courtesy vehicles.
Item 2(c)(ii) was removed from the consent agenda and will be addressed at an upcoming meeting.
Mr. Payne made a motion to approve the consent agenda excluding item 2(c)(ii). Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
3. Discuss and act on Board, Commission and Committees:
a. Acknowledge resignation of Fred Leeder from the Conservation Commission – serving from 2010 to present
The Council recognized the many years of service of Fred Leeder on the Conservation Commission and thanked him for his committed service.
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. Conservation Commission (2-year term exp. 12/2025)
The vacancies were announced.
4. Continue public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions Adding Balcony, Deck & Porch and Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits; Section 406 Residential Structures Meeting Certain Thresholds
The continued public hearing on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions Adding Balcony, Deck & Porch and Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits; Section 406 Residential Structures Meeting Certain Thresholds was opened.
Mr. Stover offered a thank you to Zoning Official Jenn Brady for providing a detailed memo regarding the history of the proposed amendment.
Planner Peter Friedrichs was present. He noted that there was a typo on 406(G) and it should be 406(F). Discussion ensued regarding 406 (F)(4).
Ms. Dodge moved to add language “may not exceed 1,200 square feet” at the end of the first proposed line of 406 (F)(4). The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Ms. Dodge moved to adopt the amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions Adding Balcony, Deck & Porch and Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits; Section 406 Residential Structures Meeting Certain Thresholds as amended. The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
5. Set public hearing date for 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 set a public hearing date of July 7, 2025 at 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, Old Town Road regarding 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. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
6. Meet with Block Island Health Services CEO NettieRose Cooley
The CEO of Block Island Health Services NettieRose Cooley was present. The Council welcomed Ms. Cooley to the organization and thanked her for her commitment to the Island. The following items were discussed:
· The Medical Center is working on process flow.
· A search firm helping to source a new Medical Director.
· There is a focus on primary and preventative care to meet the needs of the community.
· The summer plan for staffing includes the two advance practitioners, medical students, medical residents, two medical assistants, and an exceptional nursing staff. Ms. Cooley noted that she is additionally meeting with two advanced practitioners to add to the summer staffing.
7. Discuss and act on an appeal of administrative denial of application for a Special Event License of Madeline Murphy for a wedding on June 14, 2025 at Plat 8, Lot 30, 1228 Southeast Road, Block Island
Madeline Murphy was present and explained that she submitted an application for a Special Event license for her wedding on June 14th out of time. She stated that she did not realize the application must have been submitted 30 days prior to the event. She asked the Council to consider the appeal and grant the license.
Ms. Dodge moved to grant the appeal of Madeline Murphy for a Special Event License for a wedding on June 14, 2025 at Plat 8, Lot 30, 1228 Southeast Road, Block Island. The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
8. Discuss and act on request from the New Shoreham Sewer Commission to add Plat 10, Lot 6 to the New Shoreham Sewer District
It was noted that the Sewer Commission is recommending that Plat 10, lot 6 be added to the Sewer District. The property abuts the existing Sewer District and is in the Water District as well.
Ms. O’Neill moved to act on the request from the New Shoreham Sewer Commission to add Plat 10, Lot 6 to the New Shoreham Sewer District. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
9. Discuss and Act on Proclamation for the Seniors graduating from the Block Island School
The Council congratulated the Block Island School graduating senior class.
Mr. Payne moved to approve Proclamation for the Seniors graduating from the Block Island School. The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
10. Receive update regarding the Thomas Property construction
Interim Town Manager reported the following regarding the Thomas Property construction:
· The project is moving very slowly, slowed by Connecticut Valley and the Town’s electrical sub.
· The Town will not be looking at a June occupancy.
· The main power service should be installed by the end of the week.
· The other outstanding items to be completed include the stairs, flooring installation, a small amount of plastering and punch list items.
· CT Valley has hired a new local contractor to assist with their projects.
Mr. McCombe raised concerns over the exposed side of the east building that is without shingles or Tyvek, and that there is no obvious heating systems directed to the second floor. The Council expressed their frustration with Connecticut Valley, the process and the timeline of the project.
Ms. Land reported that one Police Officer is interested in renting a Thomas Property duplex unit.
Attorney Nick Solitro reported that conversations are taking place between Attorney James Callaghan and the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office regarding whether the second duplex unit on the Thomas Property would be considered exempt from the Consent Order of Violette Connelly, which allocates the housing opportunity to Police Officers first.
11. Raise items for future agendas
No items were raised for future agendas.
The Interim Town Council meeting of June 18, 2025 was rescheduled to June 17th. There will be a one item Board of License Commissioners meeting on June 18th, as the item was previously advertised.
Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 7:45, Ms. Dodge seconded and all were in favor.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Millicent Highet, MMC
Town Clerk
Date Approved: June 17,2025