New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

4:00 PM

 

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

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m.

 

1.      Meet with Interstate Navigation for discussion of tourism related issues, scheduling, July 4th planning, etc.

Interstate Navigation representatives Operations Managers Josh Linda and Athena Linda, Attorney Michael McElroy, Reservations Manager Jeanette Centraccio, Advertising Manager Megan Moran were present. 

 

The following items were discussed:

·         The Fourth of July puts immense stress throughout the community, public health and safety organizations, and Interstate Navigation:

o   Analytics show that the ridership was a younger crowd from the South County area.

o   The demographic proves to be the most difficult visitor: underage drinkers, that are bringing their liquor in water bottles, requiring health and safety triage.  

o   Coolers were kept on the freight deck.

o   Interstate posted signage, “No drinking in public.”

o   The upcoming 2026 Fourth of July falls on a Saturday in which the holiday may prove to be longer and busier.

o   Scheduling should be done between the ferry landing time and the parade through downtown.

o   Megan Moran will work with the police on social media posting and list-serve blasts.

o   The Town plans to be more proactive with mainland news outlets and messaging.

o   The DOT may be able to provide portable illuminated signs to post on the escape road with party deterrent messaging.

·         Interstate communicates with the Police Chief to discuss holidays and URI Day strategies.

·         Parking in Point Judith is an issue.  Remote parking lots may be a future consideration and/or a parking garage.

·         Brainstorming conversations can continue with DEM regarding parking.

·         July’s ridership was consistent with previous years, whereas August numbers were up from previous years.

·         Mr. Stover would like to learn more about rate setting: cars vs. passengers.  He would like Interstate to share information regarding how they think about rates and also hear how the PUC looks at rates.

·         The handicap lift is only on the “Block Island” ferry. 

 

The Council thanked Interstate Navigation representatives for attending the meeting, their open communication and their service.

 

2.      Discuss requiring boards, committees and commissions to livestream their meetings

Mr. Stover explained that the New Shoreham Charter was amended in 2020 to require broadcasting and recording of all Town Council meetings, as well as meetings of the following boards and commissions:

·         Planning Board

·         Zoning Board of Review

·         Conservation Commission

·         Historic District Commission

·         Police Advisory Board

·         Public Facilities Review Commission

The following items were raised:

·         The School Committee and the Block Island Land Trust are not under the purview of the Town Council and the Council does not have the authority to mandate streaming for the organizations.

·         The School Committee has a bid out for equipment for filming and streaming.

·         An update from the Block Island School on their streaming project will be requested.

·         The Town will work towards to all board, committees and commissions streaming their meetings.

 

3.      Discuss transfer station future planning

Mr. McCombe stated that the transfer station property is immaculate, but the building is falling apart.  He questioned if there is something that can be done to make the building more presentable while the renovation plans are underway.  He suggested spray-painting the front of the building. 

 

Sean McGarry of Block Island Recycling Management, operators of the transfer station, stated that a new ridge cap and new sheeting in the front of the building will be needed prior to renovation.

 

Ms. Land stated that the staff was focused on the longer term; an intensive exercise, focused on different issues.  She asked for a consensus of the Council if they want the staff to make a shift and focus on the atheistic.  She explained that they were also working on the revetment and the landfill, which comes with a timeline from DEM.  She noted that the transfer station plans, and the DEM mandated work will converge, with mandated work beginning in spring of next year.  It was noted that the building is at the end of its life, and redesign will focus on efficiency, as the lot has limited buildable space.

 

Ms. Land will investigate costs of short-term shore-up and an aesthetic paintjob.  

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 5:20 p.m.  Mr. McCombe 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