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New Shoreham Town Council Meeting and
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island
Monday, March 3, 2025
6:30 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. Deputy Town Clerk Laurel Payne was present for the recording of minutes.
First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
6:30 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
Mr. Payne made a motion to move into closed session at 6:31 to discuss potential property purchase. Ms. O’Neill seconded, and the motion carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Mr. Stover made a motion to move out of closed session at 6:59, Mr. Payne seconded, and the motion carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Mr. Stover called the regular meeting to order at 7:05.
7:00 p.m.
Mr. Stover reported that no votes were taken. Mr. Payne made a motion to seal the minutes, Ms. Dodge seconded, and the motion carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
2. Public Comment
Chris Warful commented that he attended the last Land Trust Meeting to assist in affordable housing on the Island, he was disappointed with the outcome. He would like to see the Board change their policy and become more transparent. He requested that the Council ask for a joint meeting with the Land Trust, Planning Board and Housing Board regarding housing on Block Island.
3. Consent Agenda:
a. Act to Approval of Minutes: February 19, 2025; and February 25, 2025
b. Act to Approve request of the Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council for a Special Temporary Permit under Section 1121 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow portable restroom facilities at Camp Sandsland, Plat 10, Lot 33 from April 15th to October 15th, 2025
c. Act to Approve Board of Tax Assessors Abatements:
i. Acct. # P-040049 Sioban Deveney: $1,907.16
ii. Acct. # P-201250 Joseph Teja: $ 1,779.66
iii. Acct. # P-201250 Joseph Teja: $ 4,574.34
d. Act to approve the contract for 2025 Statistical Revaluation of Real Property between the Town of New Shoreham and Vision Government Solutions, Inc. in the amount of $59,000
e. Act to authorize the hunting, possession and taking of deer within the boundaries of the Town of New Shoreham
f. Act to prohibit the hunting of deer on the Wildlife Refuge Plat 1, Lot 16
g. Receive correspondence:
i. Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management re: filing of a Wetlands Permit by the Town of New Shoreham for Corn Neck Road, Plat 2, Lot 2-2
ii. Island Collaborative: Thank you for supporting request for funding to establish the Story Walk on Adiran Mitchell Trail
iii. RI Division of Public Utilities & Carriers re: Interstate Navigation Company FY 22 & 23 Earnings Report Settlement Agreement
iv. Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities & Carriers re: Order issued on Intrastate Navigation Company’s Motion to Intervene Docket No.: D-13-51
v. Jennifer Brady, Zoning Official re: Planning Board and Historic District Committee reviewing the expansion of the Historic District, adding 3 zones
Ms. O’Neill asked for clarification on Tax Assessors’ Abatements. Ms. Land explained that the valuation is the responsibility of the Board of Assessors, and it takes an act of the council to change the taxes.
Ms. Dodge noted, under correspondence, that the RI PUC agreement with Interstate is for the traditional ferry. Interstate does yearly audits with the PUC and as a result has created a fuel reserve. June to Sept. there will be a dollar off on tickets and two dollars off from Oct to May.
Ms. O’Neill acknowledged the thank you note from the Island Collaborative to create the Story Walk on Adrian Mitchell trail. Mr. Mitchell passed away last week, and this is a nice way to remember him.
Mr. McCombe wanted to encourage people to attend the Historic District meetings regarding the possible expansion.
Mr. Stover made a motion to approve the consent agenda, Mr. Payne seconded and all were in favor.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Mr. Stover took a few minutes to acknowledge the loss of Adrian Mitchell.
4. Discuss and act on Board, Commission and Committees:
a. Appointments:
i. Transportation Safety Committee: Police Chief; Rescue Squad Captain or designee; and John Leone as car rental license holder.
ii. Juvenile Hearing Review Board, term expiring 12/2026
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. Board of Canvassers: Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 3/2026)
Mr. Payne made a motion to appoint Police Chief Paul Deane, Rescue Squad designee Tracy Fredericks and License Holder Johnny Leone to the Transportation Committee. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
5. Hold Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management Plan (HM&FMP) Informational Session: The Project Consultant will provide a brief overview of the Project, summary of the Action Plan, and next steps including disseminating the DRAFT Plan for public review and holding a Public Hearing.
Kim Jacobs gave a presentation on the Hazard Mitigation & Flood Management plan. She explained that this update and review is a federal requirement every 5 years, to receive FEMA funding assistance.
There will be a public hearing on April 7, 2025, at which time the council will be asked to adopt a draft resolution and then it will go upstate for review and approval from RIEMA & FEMA.
6. Receive and act on recommendation of Director of Public Works for State Transportation Improvement Program submittal
Jim Geremia presented the 5 recommendations for the 2026-2035 State Transportation Improvements Program created by himself and Director of Public Works Mike Shea
for submittal.
#1 Questions ensued regarding buildings, salt storage and cost. Mr. Geremia reported that the DOT have not shared plans yet. He will modify the noted cost for the building.
#2 Cost has been developed by DOT’s consultant
#3 Cooneymus Road
#4 Lakeside Drive
#5 Mohegan Trail
Mr. Geremia mentioned that all the roads have major drainage issues.
7. Discuss and act on application for Congressionally Directed Spending opportunity FY26
Ms. Land mentioned that a very short window was given for the application period, with the original deadline being March 4th giving them only 2 weeks, however this has been extended to the 21st. Fiscal year 2025’s ask is still pending.
Ms. Land stated 3 options:
· Rehabilitation for the Coast Guard Station
· Boating Facility at Sam P Meadows
· Sit out this round
The council agreed that Ms. Land should put forth an application for the Coast Guard Station.
8. Discuss and act on Landing Fee legislative changes
Ms. Land discussed the 3 focus areas previously discussed, the costs of tourism over recent years, the constitutionality issues and a feel from our legislators. Ms. Land will be scheduling a meeting over the next couple of weeks with the legislators and lobbyists. Regarding the cost of tourism, using basic inflation math, this would increase the current $.50 landing fee to $1.17. When including identified seasonal impacts the increase of 43% would increase the landing fee to $1.68.
Ms. Land also mentioned that collections from the Harbors will be directly collected per head starting this season.
Discussion ensued.
Mr. McCombe asked that we have a conversation with Narragansett regarding how the raise in landing fee was received.
9. Discuss and act on a Resolution in requesting legislation providing property tax relief to property owners providing long-term rental housing
Ms. Land explained the enabling resolution. This would give the town the ability to make decisions locally and annually.
There will be a years implementation period before this would go into effect.
Mr. Payne made a motion to authorize the Tax Relief Resolution, Ms. O’Neill seconded, and the motion passed.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
10. Receive and discuss legislative update including: Housing; Hotel Tax; House Bill 5352 regarding Alzheimer's Disease
Ms. Land reported that the housing board team which Mayforth is working with would like support for enabling legislation where a community could levy a 2% tax for any real estate transaction over 900,000 to be used for affordable housing. Mayforth is looking for some direction from the council. Mr. Stover would like to have as many tools as possible.
Ms. Land will create a resolution for the council to vote on.
Ms. Land reviewed the 2 hotel tax expansion bills; 418 brings the funds back to the town, with restrictions, where 335 gives distribution back to the Tourism Council. Ms. Land will bring a resolution to the council.
Sandra Kelly spoke on House Bill 5352 regarding Alzheimer’s Disease, she does not think this requires Mayforth group but asked for an email to Tina Spears showing support for this issue.
Ms. Land will send an email tonight.
Ms. Land went over 2 final legislative items. School bonding legislation is supposed to be heard
by the senate finance committee on March 4, 2025.
There have been some communities pushing for general revenue sharing, Ms. Land is not hopeful but
wanted to let the council know.
Mr. McCombe asked for more information on Car Rentals, Mr. Stover mentioned some Zoning Decisions which members of the council should see. The clerk’s office will look into this.
Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 8:32, Ms. Dodge seconded and all were in favor.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Respectfully submitted,
Laurel Payne
Date Approved 3/19/2025