New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Monday, November 3, 2025

6:30 p.m.

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members William McCombe, and Tristan Payne.  Also present were Town Manager Amy Land, and via Zoom, Town Solicitor Nick Solitro.  Town Clerk/Director of Administration Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes.  Margaret O’Neill was absent.

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

 

6:30 p.m.

1.      Discuss potential property purchase (Plat 5, Lots 69-1, 69-4, 69-5, 72, 73-1, 73-2).  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 moved to go into closed session at 6:31 p.m. for discussion of potential property purchase (Plat 5, Lots 69-1, 69-4, 69-5, 72, 73-1, 73-2).  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.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

            Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

Mr. Payne moved to go out of closed session at 6:53 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

            Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

It was noted that no motions were made in closed session.

 

Mr. Payne moved to seal the minutes of the closed session. The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

            Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

2.      Public Comment

No public comment was presented.

 

3.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Act to approve minutes: October 15, 2025, October 20, 2025 @ 3:00; and October 20, 2025 @ 7:00

b.      Act to approve the amended Ownership and Management Agreement for the Hodge Property

c.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Notice of Public Hearing of Planning Board on November 12, 2025 @ 4:00 p.m. for an application for Development Plan Review for an outdoor classroom and accessory structure for the Town of New Shoreham, Block Island School, Plat 10, Lot 1

                                                            ii.      Notice to Town property re: Application for a new Outdoor Entertainment License 585 Beach Ave, LLC d/b/a Spring House New Harbor 585 Beach Avenue, Plat 5, Lot 92

                                                          iii.      Order from RI Division of Public Utilities and Carriers re: Rhode Island Fast Ferry, Inc.’s Motion to Reconsider or Alternatively, Motion for Relief from Order, Docket No.: D-13-51

It was noted that the updated Ownership and Management Agreement for the Hodge Property clarifies the membership of the committee.

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

            Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

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.            Coastal Resilience Committee (term exp. 12/2027)

                                                     i.            Age-Friendly Community Task Force

                                                   ii.            Senior Advisory Committee (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                 iii.            School Committee (term exp. 12/2026)

The vacancies were announced.

 

5.      Meet with the Block Island Land Trust to discuss and act on delineating the Town of New Shoreham’s 1.75-acre Development Area on the Sam P. Meadow property in accordance with Conservation Easement and Management Plan.

Block Island Land Trust members Barbara MacMullan, Wendy Crawford and Harold Hatfield were present.  It was noted that the Conservation Easement on the Sam P. Meadow property grants a 1.75 acre development area to the Town of New Shoreham.  Ms. MacMullan explained that the archeological study, the hydro-geology study, and the wetlands study, have been completed and time is right to look at site development location.  It was suggested that development can be done in stages: access road, parking, a boat-ramp and then later a harbors facility.

 

The Sam P. Meadow subcommittee will meet and work on questions such as how to incorporate the Ball O’Brien property, best locations for the access road, parking, boat ramp, dock, and facility.

 

 

6.      Mobile Food Establishment Permits:

a.     Discuss and Act to set the Cap for 2026

Mr. McCombe moved to set the 2026 caps for mobile food establishments at six.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

b.     Discuss and Act on request to use Town property and authorize lease for Block Island Gourmet, LLC, Plat 4, Lot 68, Dingy Beach/Mosquito Beach Corn Neck Road

Mike O’Brien was present representing Block Island Gourmet, LLC.

 

Mr. McCombe moved to approve the use of Town property and authorize the lease for Block Island Gourmet, LLC, Plat 4, Lot 68, Dingy Beach/Mosquito Beach Corn Neck Road.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

7.      Hawkers & Peddlers Licenses:

a.      Discuss and Act to set the Cap for 2026

Mr. Payne moved to set the 2026 caps for Hawkers and Peddlers licenses at one.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

b.      Discuss and Act on request to use Town property and authorize lease for Julia Gasner, Plat 1, Lot 16 Settler’s Rock, Corn Neck Road

Julia Gasner decided not to renew the Hawkers and Peddlers license she held previously.  Therefore, no action was taken on this item. 

 

8.      Discuss and act to set locations for 2026 Mobile Food Establishments and Hawkers and Peddlers

Mr. McCombe stated that food trucks were no longer using the Interstate Nav parking area and suggested removing the location from the list.  Mr. Stover suggested removing Settler’s Rock from the list, as Julia Gasener will not be using the property.

 

Mr. Payne moved to set the locations for the New Shoreham Mobile Food Establishment permits and Hawkers and Peddlers licenses for the following properties:

Plat 4, Lot 68              Mosquito Beach, Corn Neck Road                            

Plat 5, Lot 104            Carole Payne property at Fort Island, Ocean Avenue

Plat 8, Lot 1                SE Light Reservation, Spring Street

Plat 19, Lots 5 & 6      Champlin’s Hotel, Marina & Resort, West Side Road

Plat 20, Lot 21            Great Salt Pond

Plat 5, Lot 0                Payne’s Dock

The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

Ayes: 4 (Stover, Dodge, Payne, McCombe)               Nays: 0            Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

9.      Discuss and act on notice from RI Department of Environmental Management re: An application from James Blansfield of Blansfield Realty Holdings. LLC, off Mansion Road, Plat 3, Lot 136 to alter freshwater wetlands; comment period ends November 17, 2025

Ms. Dodge recused herself.

 

It was noted that comment period for the DEM application of Blansfield to alter a freshwater wetland is open now, closing November 17^th.  It was additionally noted that advisories have been received from the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission, with Conservation issuing an unfavorable advisory and Planning issuing a favorable advisory.

 

Town Engineer Jim Geremia was present via Zoom and reported the following regarding the application:

·         The application is seeking a variance from the Wetlands Act. 

·         The Town’s Environmental Engineer consultant is looking at the application for specific criteria: loss of flood plains, loss of ground water quality, loss of wetland habitat, etc. 

·         The Environmental Engineer will prepare a response on behalf of the Town.

 

The Council asked that the correspondence to the DEM include the Planning Board and Conservation Commission comments along with the wetlands engineering findings.

 

Mr. Payne moved to send the document prepared by the Engineer, the correspondence from the Planning Board and the Conservation Commission and to include a note regarding the importance of life-safety access to the property, to the DEM regarding the application to alter a freshwater wetland from James Blansfield of Blansfield Realty Holdings. LLC, off Mansion Road, Plat 3, Lot 136.  The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.

Ayes: 3 (Stover, Payne, McCombe)   Nays: 0            Recused: 1 (Dodge)    Absent: 1 (O’Neill)

 

10.  Discuss and act on Rhode Restore grant application for 2026

Ms. Dodge returned to the table.

 

Town Engineer Jim Geremia presented the proposed priority for the Rhode Restore grant as follows:

·         $83,000 has been allocated to the Town for road work from the RI Department of Transportation (DOT).  These funds require a 66.6% matching funds from the Town.

·         The Public Works Director is recommending using the funds for road improvements to 1000 linear feet at the entrance of Graces Cove Road.

·         The improvements will include pulverizing the existing road base, trimming and fine-grading and the placement of recycled asphalt.

·         The estimated cost for the road work is $284,050 with the Town covering $201,050 and the DOT grant covering $83,000.

 

Mr. Stover noted that improved roads bring increased speeds.  He suggested adding a speedbump to Beacon Hill Road.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to authorize the Rhode Restore grant application for 2026 including the priority as presented.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

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

 

11.  Receive background information on the Town’s current and future debt profile

Town Manager Land presented background information on the current and future debt profile of the Town, highlighting the following:

·         Debt dips a bit in 2026 as the school bond is paid off and will go back up in 2027 with the funding of the new school bond.

·         Current debt reflects $22 million today, $15 million in 2029, $8 million in 2031, with all notes paid off in 2038.

·         15% to 20% of debt service to budget is a comfortable place.

·         90% of debt is paid off within ten years. 

·         With the outgoing debt, a path opens to bring in new projects.

·         Upcoming projects may include school improvements, a new Public Safety Complex, Transfer station improvements, and landfill/West Beach revetment upgrades.

·         The Town’s Underlying Bond Rating by Standard and Poor’s is AA for 2023.  The 2025 rating should be coming out this week.

 

12.  Raise items for future agendas

·          New pumper truck storage location

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 8:42 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Date Approved: November 17, 2025