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New Shoreham Town Council Meeting
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
4:00 p.m.
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 4:00 p.m.
1. Review and discuss potential ordinance amendments pertaining to:
a. Outdoor entertainment license and noise mitigation strategies
Interim Town Manager Land noted that the focus of the discussions is to determine what items to move forward with.
Mr. Stover stated that he was interested in looking into measuring noise levels from the locations of outdoor entertainment license holders and gathering data from the downtown locations. Mr. McCombe suggested gathering data over the next month for discussion at the meeting of July 16th. Chief Deane stated he would gather data at sidewalk level of establishments in both A and C decibel levels.
Ms. O’Neill noted that she may be interested in looking at dropping the decibel level or eliminating the 5% margin of error. She additionally noted that she would like to look at the noise ordinance for authorized times regarding construction noise.
Socha Cohen, Marie Langdon, and Cindy Lasser spoke from the audience in support of limiting noise.
The following items regarding Outdoor Entertainment licenses and Special Event Licenses will be reviewed:
· Outdoor entertainment within 25’ of principal structure. How to address this when there are multiple principal structures on a property.
· 12-50 exempts Special Event and Outdoor Entertainment licensees from creating a noise disturbance: § 12-50. Regulation of sound equipment and sound amplifying equipment. [Rev. Ords. 1989, § 12-50; Ord. of 3-18-1992; Ord. of 4-6-2005(3), § 12-50 - Except for activities for which a special event license or an outdoor entertainment license has been issued by the town, no person shall so operate, play or permit the operation or playing of any radio, television, phonograph or other sound-amplifying equipment so as to create a noise disturbance across a real property boundary. The Council would like to ensure outdoor entertainment and special events are not exempt from the noise ordinance.
Interim Town Manager Land explained that the Fire Chief raised concerns over the need to create accessible laneways and driveways by trimming 14’ wide x 14’ high. She expressed her concern over enacting an ordinance in which many of the existing laneways will not meet or not be able to meet such a criterion. Mr. Stover suggested an education program to have homeowners cut back the vegetation along laneways. Ms. O’Neill suggested that there also be a requirement to visibly post fire numbers.
c. Liquor rules and regulations
Discussion ensued regarding II. New License Applications “to be submitted only between September 15th and September 30th” and Section E. Relief. The Council agreed that they want to maintain the 9/15 – 9/30 filing period. Ms. Dodge suggested amending the Relief section to have the applicant explain why they should be granted relief (instead of meeting 1 & 2 under the section) and have the granting be at the board’s discretion.
Mr. McCombe suggested limiting establishment’s service areas and additionally having establishments maintain responsibility and control over the liquor service and consumption areas throughout the property.
Ms. O’Neill suggested creating a special expansion area in a license holders service area for events that can be approved administratively.
d. Homestead exemption
Interim Town Manager Land explained that the legislature will be acting on the updated tax classification bill soon. She additionally explained that the homestead exemption would sunset at the end of the year. The homestead exemption will be on a Council agenda in August.
e. Wastewater ordinance overhaul
Ms. Land stated that it was time to review and overhaul the wastewater ordinance. She noted that the Wastewater Inspector has thoughts on needed updates and modernization. It will be addressed over the winter.
f. Zoning ordinance – full review
Ms. Land noted that the full review of the Zoning Ordinance has been raised periodically. She recommended holding off until the new legislative items have been fully adopted and implemented.
A Prohibited Uses amendment will be forthcoming from the Planning Board.
Tents and Containers will be brought back to the Council for discussion shortly.
Ms. Dodge suggested getting a report from the Land Use Attorney on the implementation of the state zoning changes.
g. Receive report from Interim Town Manager Land regarding other potential ordinance amendments for future consideration
Interim Town Manager Land reported on other ordinances that call for revision, but are not quite ready to discuss in detail:
· Short-Term Rentals – This will be ready for review next year.
· Warden’s Court vs. Municipal Court.
· Cannabis Retail sites – An ordinance regarding local cannabis sale will be researched.
2. Discuss policy options regarding low-speed vehicles and car rentals
Mr. Payne stated he would like to know if low-speed vehicles can be prohibited on Block Island.
Mr. Stover noted if low-speed vehicles (LSV) are to be prohibited, they can only be prohibited on Town roads, due to safety, and cannot be prohibited on state roads. Mr. Stover questioned if LSVs are safe at night.
Mr. McCombe questioned whether low-speed vehicles can be rented out by car rental establishments. Additionally, he questioned whether there is a way the Town can license rental car establishments.
Discussion ensued, with the following questions raised:
o Can LSV be prohibited on Block Island?
o Can LSV be rented out by car rental establishments:
§ Can they be swapped for a car or other vehicle?
§ Can a new LSV rental shop be opened?
o 31-1-3 Types of Vehicles: is a LSV a car, a vehicle, a automobile, etc.?
o Does the Town need to take action to prohibit LSV rental shop?
o What does the Town have the right to do regulating slow-speed vehicles?
o If a vehicle is allowed to register and operate in another state, though prohibited in Rhode Island, does reciprocal acknowledgement exist?
o What is the allowable number of rental cars at each car rental establishment, how many are being rented and is there a numbering process that can be implemented?
o How can the Town regulate car rentals establishments locally?
3. Discuss the job performance of the Interim Town Manager, Interim Director of Administration and Interim Finance Director. 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 6:29 p.m. to discuss the job performance of the Interim Town Manager, Interim Director of Administration and Interim Finance Director. 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
Ms. O’Neill moved to adjourn the closed session at 7:19 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 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. Stover reported that no motions were made in closed session, though the Council authorized the Interim Town Manager to move forward with the drafting of contracts reflecting the current staffing model to include the Town Manager Amy Land, the Town Clerk & Director of Administration Millicent McGinnes Highet and the Finance Director Mona Dwyer Helterline.
Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 7:21 p.m. The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, O’Neill, McCombe) Nays: 0
Millicent Highet, MMC
Town Clerk
Date Approved: June 17, 2025