New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Thursday, March 27, 2025

7:00 PM

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members William McCombe, Margaret O’Neill and Tristan Payne.  Also present were Interim Town Manager Amy Land, Interim Finance Director Mona Dwyer Helterline 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 7:02 p.m. 

 

1.      Budget discussions on FY 2026 budget:

a.      Revenue:

Interim Town Manager Amy Land reviewed the Revenue lines noting the following:

·         There is an 3.75% increase to the tax levy.

·         The Motor Vehicle Tax has been phased out and the state will reimburse a total of $164,315 for foregone motor vehicle excise tax.

·         The State has established a $50,000 exemption on tangible personal property and the state will reimburse $14,181 for the foregone tax.

·         There has been a decline in Other Clerks License and Fees and Recording Fees due to declining real estate transactions.

·         The Short-Term Rental Fees are expected to be about $95,000.  The net change under Licenses/Permits/Fees will be an increase over the current year of $48,800.

·         There has been an increase to Harbors rental mooring rates and Old Harbor Dock fees.

·         Rents:

o   Thomas Property Rentals is set at $81,600.

o   State Bluffs Agreement is set at $20,000 for the maintenance of the site.

o   Visitor Center rent is $10,000.

·         Insurance and Other Recoveries is a placeholder for insurance payouts regarding the lightning strike, etc.

·         State Aid for Hotels Cottage and Meals dollar figure has been extrapolated from the Rhode Island Governor’s Budget.

·         There will be a Statistical Reval reimbursement of $25,000.

·         Reserve/BILT Note is covered by payment from the Block Island Land Trust with an offset in Debt Service.

·         Debt Service Reserve – ILP was established to cover all Island Light & Power distributions to offset the debt service payments on the bond to purchase BIPCO.

 

b.      Community Support: BI Health Services, BI Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Tri-County Community Action, Visitor Center, Domestic Violence Center of South County, Coast Guard Facility, BI Early Learning Center

First Warden Stover thanked Dr. Warcup for his dedicated service to the Island and to Block Island Health Services.  He wished Dr. Warcup well in his future endeavors.

 

It was noted that BIHS has been level funded at $405,000.

 

Dr. Tom Warcup and Alison Warfel of Block Island Health Services were present and explained the following regarding the BIHS budget:

·         Medical visits are up 3% since 2021.

·         There were 1,300 same-day visits in 2024.

·         There has been a 14% increase in overall physicals from 2023 to 2024.

·         Changes:

o   A new provider and a new CEO will come on board shortly.

o   The new building is up and running.

o   They are providing more services to the community to include a dental suite, PT, and a behavioral health program.

o   Hospice and in-home care are being expanded.

·         The center has become a hub for medical education, bringing in medical students and residents, nurse practitioners and physician assistants which assist in the centers needs and also prepare rural track family health providers.

 

Mr. McCombe acknowledged the Board for their fundraising and building the fantastic new Medical Center facility.

 

Ms. Dwyer Helterline and Ms. Land stated that the BI Volunteer Fire Department has been level funded at $292,300.  There is also an EMS Medical Director at $2,800 annually, as required by the Department of Health.  Alarm Reimbursement has been level funded at $25,000 to pay a stipend to Fire Department personnel who respond to alarm calls.

 

Treasurer Mike Lofaro and Fire Secretary Beth Rousseau were present and explained that the Rescue Squad did not implement transport fees.  They were turned down by three companies, due to the classification of the Medical Center.  Alison Warfel will look into any workarounds in classification.

 

Ms. Dwyer Helterline explained that Town staff, Tourism Council representatives and Chamber of Commerce representatives have been working on a collaborative plan to operate the visitors center.  The budget includes $35,000 as the Town’s portion of the operating fees. 

 

Sharon Tavilla of the Chamber of Commerce was present and explained the following regarding the visitor center budget:

·         It costs about $105,000 per year to operate the visitors center.

·         The expenses will be covered by a combination of funding from the Town, the Chamber of Commerce and the Tourism Council.

·         The lockers need to be replaced, though they are reluctant to spend the money on the replacement when the center is slated to be rebuilt.

 

Ms. Dwyer Helterline noted that the Block Island Early Center was level funded at $141,892.

 

Director Julie Conant was present and explained the following regarding the Block Island Early Learning Center budget:

·         The center lost $5,900 in Town funding last year and this year’s request includes covering last year’s funding gap and this year’s upcoming funding gap.

·         A new van was received from the Roosa Fund.

·         The center is now responsible for van insurance.

·         Staff includes one part-time employee in the toddler room, plus two full-time employees: the Executive Director and the Pre-School Teacher.

·         There was a rate increase last year from $10.25 to $12.00 per hour.

 

Interim Finance Director Dwyer Helterline noted the following:

·         The RI League and Town is funded at $1,500 to cover the membership fee.

·         The Domestic Violence Center of South County is funded at $1,000.

·         The Coast Guard Facility budget line covers maintenance costs of $28,000, based on a three-year average.

·         The Mini-Grant Program line has been added but is currently not funded.

 

c.       Capital Tax

Interim Town Manager Land and Interim Finance Director Dwyer Helterline reviewed the Capital Tax and Debt Service, highlighting the following:

·         Recreation/Ball O’Brien: Funded at $30,000 for repairs to the tennis and basketball courts.

·         Harbors/Utilities: $50,000 for mandated fire suppression and upgraded utility services.

·         Coast Guard Station: $100,000 for repairs to the south exterior wall.

·         Harbors/New Harbor: $50,000 for dredging Phase 1.

·         Highways/Mower/Vehicle: $35,000 for a second set of plow and sander equipment (the first set having been purchased this fiscal year).

·         Recreation/Upgrade Heinz: $25,000 for the refresh of the infield mix.

·         Recreation/Fred Benson Beach: $30,000 replacement of decking and plumbing.

·         Library – Building: $110,000 for elevator replacement.

·         Technology: $13,153 for required upgrades at the library.

·         Comprehensive Community Plan: $60,000 for planner/contract costs.

·         Transfer Station Upgrades: $50,000 for planning for facility use.

 

Debt Service

·         There is $500,000 in new capacity from a paid off School bond which will cover new debt coming on for the new School bond, the Thomas Property bond and the road improvements bond.

 

2.      Discuss and act on a resolution seeking legislation to increase the Block Island Landing Fee

Town Council member McCombe recused himself.

 

It was noted that the Landing Fee went into effect in 1991 and has not been increased.  Mr. Stover suggested requesting a legislative change for an increase in the Landing Fee from $0.50 to $1.75.  Ms. Dodge suggested a $1.50 increase. 

 

Mr. Payne moved to adopt the resolution seeking legislation to increase the Block Island Landing Fee from $0.50 to $1.75.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Stover and it carried.

Ayes: 3 (Stover, O’Neill, Payne)  Nays: 1 (Dodge)         Recused: 1 (McCombe)         

 

3.      Discuss and act on correspondence from Interstate Navigation re: Rhode Island Fast Ferry

Interim Town Manager Land explained that she reached out to representatives of Interstate Navigation to determine if they would be willing to support an increase to the Landing Fee.  She noted that they would be willing to support the increase if the Council would support them in opposing the Rhode Island Fast Ferry’s motion for reconsideration of the revocation of the Fast Ferries Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity to operate a new fast ferry from Quonset Point to Old Harbor.  She further explained that they may choose to separate themselves from the collection agreement if the Council chooses not to support Interstate’s opposition. 

 

Ms. Dodge reviewed the history of the Rhode Island Fast Ferry PUC case.  She noted that the Town has always stood shoulder to shoulder with Interstate Navigation and it was an important relationship which should be protected.  

 

Mr. Stover suggested that Interstate Navigation representatives come to the Town Council express their concerns.  Mr. Payne stated that he did not feel it is a good use of Town resources to fight a battle for a private company.

 

From the audience, David Lewis expressed his concern about the degradation of relationship between the Town and Interstate.  Nancy Miles spoke from the audience in support of increasing the landing fee and potentially changing it to a tax.  She also suggested using eminent domain to gain water frontage.  Jennifer Phillips spoke in opposition to adding another ferry.  Kim Gaffett stated that the Town should work to keep a strong relationship with Interstate and oppose the Fast Ferry.

 

4.      Act to extend the appointments and employee agreements between the Town of New Shoreham and:

a)      Amy Lewis Land as Interim Town Manager for a three-month period, expiring June 30, 2025

b)     Mona Dwyer Helterline as Interim Finance Director for a three-month period, expiring June 30, 2025

c)      Millicent Highet as Interim Town Clerk and Director of Administration for a three-month period, expiring June 30, 2025

Mr. McCombe returned to the table.

 

Mr. Payne moved to approve the recommendation from the Interim Town Manager and appoint the following positions for a three-month period, expiring June 30, 2025: Amy Lewis Land as Interim Town Manager; Mona Dwyer Helterline as Interim Finance Director; and Millicent Highet as Interim Town Clerk and Director of Administration.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and it carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to adjourn at 9:19 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and it carried.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk    

 

Date Approved: 4/7/2025