New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Monday, November 17, 2025

3:00 p.m.

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, and Town Council member William McCombe.  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.  Tristan Payne and Margaret O’Neill were absent.

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 3:00 p.m. 

 

1.      Receive presentation, discuss and act on letter from Block Island Taxi Owners Sue Ann Millikin and Cathy Payne requesting legislation to regulate shuttles and courtesy vehicles

Attorney Thomas Tarro was present representing Taxi License holders Cathy Payne and Sue Ann Millikin.  He made a presentation noting the following:

·         New Shoreham is exempt from state law regulating taxis – Exhibit #1.

·         New Shoreham General Ordinances layout duties for the Motor Vehicles for Hire Commission and provides a definition for taxis – Exhibit #2:

o   It forbids a person to transport passengers without obtaining a taxi license. 

o   Applicants for license must meet stringent qualifications.

o   Liability insurance is required.

·         Exhibit #3 is an email from Keith Stover to Judy Clark noting the Town can only regulate taxis.

·         Exhibit #4 is the letter from Sue Ann Millikin and Cathy Payne requesting legislation to regulate courtesy shuttles.

·         The cabs are receiving competition from shuttles that are not qualified under the ordinances.

·         Shuttles are being advertised to be used in lieu of taxis.

·         Exhibits #5 & #6 are pictures showing shuttle pickup and drop off on the side of the road and at the Spring House.

·         Exhibit #7 is a draft courtesy vehicles ordinance.

·         Exhibit #8 documents a shuttle parking at a taxi stand.

·         Exhibit #9 are reviews of Champlin’s shuttle.

·         There is no regulation on the number of shuttles on the island.

 

Steve O’Donald of Steve O’Donald Associates presented the following:

·         He was hired by Thomas Tarro to examine transportation operations on the island.

·         He observed the Champlin’s van, discussed the process with the driver, and received a ride to Champlin’s from Weldon’s Way. $5.00 was exchanged as a tip for the ride.

·         Payne’s shuttle dropped him off at the Manisses.  Free shuttles from Aldo’s are provided for anyone who rents a moped.

·         Shuttles are transporting passengers for a fee, without ensuring they are guests of the resort.

·         Safety issues include no seatbelts, potential liability questions, and drivers not being screened.

 

From the audience:

·         Sue Millikin asked for regulations to level the playing field.  Shuttle services are out of control, and they are acting as cabs.  Shuttles are taking compensation through tips and by charging an amenity fee at resorts.

·         Sands Payne of Payne’s Dock runs a shuttle to alleviate the parking problem at the dock and provide a service for his customers.  He noted that all his drivers have chauffeur licenses, and the vehicles are insured and registered for the appropriate use.  He explained that he was only allowing rides to the ferry, airport, and restaurants.  He stated that any regulations should allow business to business travel.

·         John Cullen stated that visitors are trusting that shuttles are safe and there is no regulation requiring such.  Clearly defined regulations for shuttles and taxis should be developed. 

·         Tim McCabe suggested getting rid of the parking lot prohibition and work with the Mott’s to create a New Harbor parking lot.

·         Fred Leeder stated that a shuttle goes from point A to point B and they should be defined and regulated.  He noted that taxi owners have to live here year-round and shuttle owners should be held to the same standard.

·         Judy Clark stated that because shuttles are being compensated, they fall under the MVFH ordinance.  Regulations should be allowed based on that and if not, legislation should be sought to allow the Town to regulate shuttles.

·         Cathy Payne stated that she was afraid of the corporations that are taking over the island business.

·         Amy Doran, a courtesy shuttle driver for Payne’s Dock, stated that she is often calling cabs for business.  She further stated that shuttle drivers should be courteous.

·         Terry Mooney stated that the Town needs to ensure that taxi drivers living is not taken away by shuttles.

 

Ms. Dodge stated that there is room for reasonable regulations.

 

The Council will discuss what can be done through ordinance or legislation with the Town’s Attorney.  The item will be discussed at a future meeting.

 

Mr. McCombe made a motion to adjourn at 4:04 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

            Ayes: 3 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe)         Nays: 0                 Absent: 2 (Payne, O’Neill)

 

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Date Approved: 12/2/2025