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New Shoreham Town Council Meeting
Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road
Monday, October 6, 2025
7:00 p.m.
Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Nancy Dodge, Town Council members Molly O’Neill, 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.
First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
1. Public Comment
Public comment was presented by:
· Chris Warfel:
o He explained that he approached the Town regarding the safety of the Medical Center solar array on September 16th. Given he has had no response, he distributed images with list of concerns. He has experienced retaliation due to bringing the issue forward. BIPCo has made derogatory comments to PUC and the Health Services chair has accused him of trespassing. The taxpayer should not be financially liable by the Town’s negligence and misconduct.
· Cindy Pappas –
o She explained that the new RI tax on non-owner-occupied properties puts a very large burden on our residents. She asked if the there is any action to amend or repeal the legislation. She suggested, in lieu of repealing, amending the legislation to include properties assessed at $2,000,000 and above and additionally lobby for whatever funds are generated on Block Island be returned to Block Island.
2. Consent Agenda:
a. Act to approve minutes: September 17, 2025 open and closed
b. Act on a recommendation from the Motor Vehicles for Hire Commission to grant a Limousine license to Richard Tretheway for the 2026 – 2027 licensing year
c. Receive Correspondence:
i. Letter from New Shoreham Conservation Commission to RI Coastal Resource Recovery Council re: Objection to Block Island Club’s application (Plat 4, Lot 49) to improve and enlarge dockage and floats
Mr. Payne made a motion to approve the consent agenda. Ms. Dodge seconded the motion, and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
3. Discuss and act on Board, Commission and Committees:
a. Set membership numbers and terms for the Age-Friendly Community Task Force
Ms. O’Neill moved to set the Age-Friendly Community Task Force membership number at seven with two-year staggering terms, beginning with three with one-year terms and four with two-year terms. Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
b. Appoint Police Advisory Commission member with term expiring 12/2030
Mr. Payne moved to appoint Brad Marthens to the Police Advisory Commission with his term ending December 2030. Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
c. Appoint two alternate position members to the Water District Commission and the Sewer District Commission with terms expiring 4/2026
Mr. Payne moved to appoint Lyle Carey and Joel Taylor Brenneman as alternate members to the Water District Commission and the Sewer District Commission with term expiring April 2026. Ms. O’Neill seconded the motion, and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
d. Receive resignation of Persephone Brown from the School Committee effective November 17, 2025
The resignation of Persephone Brown from the School Committee was received effective November 17, 2025 with much thanks for her service.
e. 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)
iii. Age-Friendly Community Task Force
iv. School Committee (term exp. 12/2026)
The vacancies were announced.
4. Receive update from Coastal Resilience Committee, BI Climate Resilience Coordinator and Director of Public Works regarding the Corn Neck Road coastal resiliency project
Coastal Resilience Committee Chair Judy Gray, Public Works Director Mike Shea and Block Island Climate Resilience Coordinator Nora Clark presented an update on the Corn Neck Road coastal resiliency project highlighting the following:
· Future grants are being investigated, and applications are being made.
· The Town and the project team must select three priority concepts to advance to the next stage of design. GZA will refine these concepts to 60% design and conduct pre-permitting discussions.
· The three priority areas identified by the Coastal Resilience Committee are the:
o Town Beach Parking Area: Pervious pavers, stormwater best management practices (BMPs), parking retrofit with integrated stormwater management system to address chronic flooding. It was noted that pavers will be easy to maintain.
o Scotch Beach Road Parking Area: Parking retrofit with integrated stormwater management system.
o Dune Beach Paths: Stabilization measures including fencing, plantings, pedestrian mats, creating a “V” path exit and selective closures to support dune restoration.
· The other three identified areas for mitigation are the relocating the Town Beach pavilion, stabilizing the Corn Neck Road revetment and marsh protection and restoration.
· There is $200,000 for implementation in reserves.
Mr. Stover stated that he felt work on the relocation of the beach house and dune restoration in front of the building should be the highest priority as it is the first line of defense.
5. Discuss and act on the request from the Double Ender Committee for direction and/or financial assistance with the Fourth of July firework element
Double Ender Committee members Christy Zendt, Kristen Kiley, Kelly Case, and Elizabeth Dorherty were present. They explained that the Fourth of July firework presentation is becoming very expensive and the committee cannot handle it through fundraising, due to the barge rental. They explained that they were looking for financial assistance or permission to retire the firework presentation.
Mr. Stover stated that he does not see money available in the Town budget to support the fireworks, although he raised concern that if there was not a firework display it may encourage unsafe private firework usage. Discussion ensued.
The Double Ender Committee was thanked for their work.
Ken Lacoste suggested implementing a beach parking permit to help fund the fireworks.
6. Act on a resolution adopting the New Shoreham’s Safe Streets for All program
Ms. Dodge moved to approve the resolution adopting the New Shoreham’s Safe Streets for All program. Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
7. Discuss and act on potential regulation of car rental businesses
Ms. Land explained that any regulation of car rental businesses would require enabling legislation granting the Town authority over car rentals. Attorney Solitro explained that car rental businesses are pre-existing non-conforming uses and enforcement would be under the jurisdiction of the Zoning Officer.
A question was raised regarding how many rental cars are allowed on a car rental property and can there be more cars stored there then the authorized number. The question will be presented to Land Use Attorney Kerin Browning for a response.
Mr. McCombe suggested meeting with car rental businesses, exploring their willingness to implement a numbering system for rental cars.
Mr. Payne suggested amending moped legislation to include car rentals. The Council took no action.
8. Discuss and act on the potential governance of low-speed vehicles operating on Town roads
Attorney Nick Solitro explained that low-speed vehicles can only be restricted on Town roads if low-speed vehicles represent an unreasonable risk of death or serious injury. Upon request, Attorney Solitro will investigate whether the operation of low-speed vehicles can be limited to daylight hours only.
9. Discuss the Coastal Resource Management Council application process and the interface with the Town
Town Manager Land explained that once CRMC and DEM applications are filed and reviewed, public notice is sent to the Town. The public notice usually allows for 20 to 30 days for comment. When such notice comes to the Town Council, it is usually placed on the Consent Agenda. Moreover, notice also goes to Planning, Zoning and Conservation Commission. Ms. Land noted that she was working on process improvement.
Ms. Land explained that additionally, the Town is sometimes brought in early in the application process for such things as Zoning Official sign-off. She further explained also that applicants may approach the Town when public trust waters are involved to work with the Harbormaster for a recommendation.
From the audience, Carlos Salinas stated that it is important for the Town to use their advisory commissions and committees for feedback.
10. Discuss and potentially act on the Block Island Club’s application to CRMC (Plat 4, Lot 49) for dock reconfiguration and expansion
Town Manager Land recused herself.
It was noted that the Council supported the Block Island Club’s application to CRMC at their May 21, 2025 meeting and the Conservation Commission objected to the application on October 1, 2025. It was further noted that the objection was based on the fact that the application includes infrastructure previously installed without a permit; misrepresentation of the nature of the work; continuing private encroachment upon public waters; and negative impacts on the Great Salt Pond.
Mr. Stover remarked that he was in favor of recommending that the Block Island Club keep what they have built but oppose the expansion. Ms. Dodge stated that she was in favor of rescinding the Town’s approval and requesting a hearing. Ms. O’Neill suggested that a hearing be requested but not an objection to the project.
From the audience, Carlos Salinas and Amy Keeler spoke objecting to the application, due to a violation of process, a misrepresentation of the nature of work, continuing private encroachment upon public waters, and potential negative impacts on the Great Salt Pond.
Block Island Club board member Rob Closter stated that they were never rejected by CRMC. He reviewed the details of the application regarding existing unapproved portions and requested expanded development.
Mr. Stover drafted a letter stating: As the community more deeply reviews this application it is clear there are concerns. The issues raised have focused on two primary areas. One, the failure of the Block lsland Club to seek CRMC permits or assents for a previous expansion or expansions; and two, the potential for damage to Class 1 waters as a result of the proposed plan.
Mr. Payne moved to approve the letter as drafted. The motion was seconded by Mr. McCombe and carried.
Ayes: 5 (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) Nays: 0
11. Discuss provisions and potential changes to the contract between the Town of New Shoreham and Block Island Health Services for lease and operations of the Medical Center
Mr. Stover recused himself. Ms. Land returned to the table.
No changes to the contract were proposed.
12. Discussion of the Management Agreement between the Town of New Shoreham, the New Shoreham Sewer District and the New Shoreham Water District ahead of the joint annual meeting October 20, 2025
Mr. Stover returned to the table.
No changes to the agreement were made. It was noted that the Town was privileged to have fantastic Superintendents in John Breunig at the Water Department and Dylan Chase at the Sewer Department.
13. Raise items for future agendas
The following items were raised for future agendas:
· Medical Center solar array response
· Non-resident tax
· Beach parking permit
Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 9:56 p.m. Ms. Dodge seconded and all were in favor.
5 Ayes (Stover, Dodge, McCombe, Payne, O’Neill) 0 Nays
Millicent Highet, MMC
Town Clerk
Date Approved: 10/20/2025