New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Monday, October 20, 2025

7:00 p.m.

 

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 Solicitor 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 7:02 p.m.

 

1.      Public Comment

There was no public comment presented.

 

2.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Approval of minutes: October 6, 2025; and October 7, 2025

b.      Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      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

                                                            ii.      Email from Chris Warfel re: lack of adequate response from the Town Manager regarding the Medical Center solar array

The Notice from RI DEM re: Blansfield application will be on the next agenda for discussion and possible action.

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Ms. O’Neill seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

3.      Discuss and act on Board, Commission and Committees:

a.      Acknowledge resignation of Gail Pierce from the Senior Advisory Committee, after over 18 years of service

Mr. Stover acknowledged the resignation of Gail Pierce from the Senior Advisory Committee, intensely thanking her committed service to the committee and the senior community for over 18 years.  Human Services Director Allison Carley, Senior Advisory Committee Co-Chair Sandra Kelly and Town Clerk Millicent Highet also praised and thanked Gail Pierce. 

 

b.      Appoint a member to the Coastal Resilience Committee with term expiring 12/20277

No action was taken on this item.

 

c.       Announce vacancies:

                                            i.            Commission on Motor Vehicles for Hire: One (not MVFH licensee) (term exp. 12/2026)

                                          ii.            Age-Friendly Community Task Force

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

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

The vacancies were announced.

 

4.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendment to New Shoreham General Ordinances Chapter 12 Noise, Article I In General, Section 12-4 Measurement of Sound; Article III Sound Level Regulations, Section 12-46 Maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land use; immediate threat, (d)(2) Exceptions to Table I; and Section 12-50 Regulation of sound equipment and sound amplifying equipment

The continued public hearing for the proposed amendment to New Shoreham General Ordinances Chapter 12 Noise, Article I In General, Section 12-4 Measurement of Sound; Article III Sound Level Regulations, Section 12-46 Maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land use; immediate threat, (d)(2) Exceptions to Table I; and Section 12-50 Regulation of sound equipment and sound amplifying equipment commenced.

 

Town Manager Land explained that two straight forward amendments came out of the discussions over noise at the August meeting.  She stated that the one amendment modifies where sound measurements can be taken, noting that they need not be taken at the real property line of a complainant of a noise disturbance.  Additionally, the second amendment eliminates the exemption of special event license holders and outdoor entertainment license holders from the noise ordinance.

 

From the audience, the following people spoke:

·         George Davis spoke about the importance of having outdoor entertainment for the community to enjoy. 

·         Chris Willi spoke against the amendment, specifically as it eliminates the exemption from the noise ordinance for special event license holders and outdoor entertainment license holders.

·         Cindy Lasser spoke in favor of the amendment and stated that other items need to be addressed: low frequency noise, noise across boundary lines, etc.

 

Police Chief Deane spoke in favor of adopting the ordinance.  Mr. Stover concurred.

 

Mr. McCombe stated the key to success is to keep up open cooperation and communication.

 

Mr. Payne moved to close the public hearing.  Ms. O’Neill seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to adopt the proposed amendment to New Shoreham General Ordinances Chapter 12 Noise, Article I In General, Section 12-4 Measurement of Sound; Article III Sound Level Regulations, Section 12-46 Maximum permissible sound levels by receiving land use; immediate threat, (d)(2) Exceptions to Table I; and Section 12-50 Regulation of sound equipment and sound amplifying equipment as presented.  Mr. Stover seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

5.      Update on the solar array at the Medical Center

Town Manager Land reported on the following actions taken in reviewing the solar array project at the Medical Center:

·         The permitting process was reviewed.

·         An independent contractor was hired to inspect the solar array and found three general areas that needed attention but found no need to shut the system down.

·         Additionally, the Town’s Electrical Inspector and Building Official, both from Four Leaf, Inc., found eight violations. 

·         The contractor has been very responsive, is communicating with the inspectors and will be making the required changes in short order.

 

From the audience, Chris Warfel expressed his concern over the lack of response to his complaint.  Discussion ensued.

 

6.      Receive report regarding the Public Safety Complex building

Town Manager Land, member from the Public Safety Complex Building Committee Doug Michel, and Police Chief Deane reported on the Public Safety Complex proposed building plans:

·         The plans use the current police and fire building site.

·         A new building is proposed to be built with:

o   Drive-out basement level entering/exiting on to Ocean Avenue for fire vehicles and equipment.

o   First story level with drive-out access on to Beach Avenue for rescue vehicles, equipment and an alternate dispatch area.

o   Second story unfinished area for future use.

o   Plenty of expansion bays and storage areas.

·         The existing fire bays, dispatch area and meeting room would be demolished.

·         The existing rescue building would be moved and attached to the police station as a new dispatch area.

 

Ms. Land explained that an RFQ will go out soon, to be awarded in January 2026.

 

7.      Receive and authorize the GZA Master Plan Report – Corn Neck Road Resilience Strategy and Dune Restoration Project

Ms. Land explained that the summary of the Corn Neck Road Resilience Strategy report was received at the October 6, 2025 meeting, and today’s item is the acceptance or rejection of the Master Plan. 

 

Mr. Stover stated that he is in favor of the dune path work and the Scotch Beach Road work, but he was not supportive of work on the Town Beach parking area before addressing the protection of the Town Beach Pavilion.  He noted that addressing the pavilion should be in the first phase.

 

Public Works Director Mike Shea noted that many complaints are regularly received regarding the south parking lot.  He suggested having a plan in place regarding replacement and/or relocation of the beach house for when it is lost in a storm or reaches its end of life.  He stated that he was not in support of placing pavers in the Scotch Beach parking area.  He also stated that he was not in favor of mats for the beach paths, except for at the Town Beach, to establish an ADA path.

 

Discussion ensued.  It was noted that there is $200,000 that has been held back from the grant for project implementation. 

 

The Council came to a consensus supporting work on the beach paths and improvements to the Scotch Beach parking area.

 

The item will be agenda after notification of the awarding of the NIWIF grant.

 

8.      Receive and act on Report of Town Manager (Public Works, Finance, School, School Construction Project, Library, Recreation, Administration, Harbors, Police, Roads, Human Services, Hunting, Rural Health Transformation Program through the RI Dept. of Health, non-owner-occupied property tax)

Town Manager Land highlighted the following from her report:

·         Roadwork will begin on Beacon Hill Road, with milling, grading and paving the three hills.

 

·         The mini-grant application filing period is open now.

 

·         The ½ marathon has been rescheduled for this weekend.

 

·         From USFWS: Block Island National Wildlife Refuge will open deer hunting opportunities at designated units during the State hunting season beginning October 16. Similar to past years, Beane Point and Sandy Point Units will follow State regulations for deer hunting, while the Wash Pond, Grove Point, and Skippers Island Units will open for archery only during the State season. Wash Pond Unit will open for waterfowl (ducks, merganser, and coot) hunting opportunities during the State waterfowl season beginning October 10.

 

Though the Town has not allowed hunting in the Sachem Pond Wildlife Refuge under §11-71 this coming season, the restriction does not apply to easement areas under USFWS management. USFWS has been open to hearing the Town’s concerns around hunting in the Refuge and to aligning priorities and practices to the extent possible in setting hunting parameters for future seasons.

 

·         The Town has received several inquiries, primarily from off island parties, about zoning related to retail cannabis establishments as the Adult-Use Retail Cannabis License Application Submission Portal is now open through December 29, 2025. New Shoreham does not have any cannabis-specific retail zoning requirements. Up to 24 licenses will be granted statewide, divided equally across the 6 zones.

 

·         A meeting with representatives of the Block Island Veterinary Initiative provided an encouraging update on momentum, including considerations of space and funding, toward establishing a veterinary facility on island to enable access to more consistent and complex vet care. As the group’s organizational framework solidifies, they look forward to a future meeting with Town Council to discuss these plans.

 

·         Following RIDEM’s inspection on June 5, 2025, the Town has received a Landfill Closure and Slope Repair Comment letter outlining steps necessary to complete the 2019 landfill closure including significant repair to Landfill Slope (revetment), completion of the capping, and ongoing Environmental Monitoring. The Town is engaged with DEM to prepare a responsive action plan by November 21^st. Necessary repairs and landfill closure activities must be initiated by May 1, 2026, and will have a budget impact going into FY27. Additional updates will be provided as available.

 

·         The Town submitted two proposals for the Rural Health Transformation Program, each totaling just under $1.5 million, in addition to requests by Block Island Health Services. The first focuses on Right-sizing and Efficiency and Sustainability Improvements for Block Island Volunteer Rescue Squad's Delivery of Emergency Medical Services, proposing funding for training, equipment and vehicles to bolster the rescue squad’s ability to serve the Block Island community’s remote needs. The second seeks transformational investment in the still relatively new Department of Human Services to establish a sustainable community health infrastructure focused on community health workers, facilitating transportation and access, and strengthening recovery, chronic care, wellness and mental health frameworks on the island. We are engaged with RIDOH and EOHHS on an ongoing basis to clarify, refine and advocate for Block Island as the state puts the final request together.

 

·         Traction appears to be growing for reconsideration or amendment of the non-owner occupied property tax as familiarity and understanding of the law spreads. This can be a topic of discussion with Mayforth as we consider the Town’s upcoming legislative agenda, likely in December.

 

·         The USCG has revised its Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal, which can be found here: https://uscoastguard.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=ec177e10b27843579411b18639a46 e46 . The current version includes removal of Northeast Whistle Buoy 5, Dickens Point Shoal Bell Buoy 6, and Southwest Ledge Lighted Whistle Buoy 2 and relocation of Old Harbor Channel Lighted Bell Buoy 1. Comments are due by November 15, 2025.

 

9.      Receive and act on Financial Reports

Finance Director Mona Dwyer Helterline reported the following regarding the Town’s finances:

·         Mooring fee increases and Landing fee increases are notable.

·         Thomas Property Rents are newly reflected.

·         The Hotel Tax decrease reflects an adjustment made at the state level.

·         She is working on the initiation of the $4,000,000 School Bond.

·         The first month and year of 2024 bonds are reflected, which include the Thomas Property and road improvements.

 

10.  Receive and act on recommendation of the Finance Director to adopt retirement plan revision consistent with Secure 2.0

Finance Director Mona Dwyer Helterline explained The Town’s existing 457 retirement plan document indicates that all contributions will be made on a pre-tax basis.  She noted that to continue allowing all eligible employees the benefit of this catch-up provision, the SECURE 2.0 Roth Mandate requires the plan document to be amended to include a Roth (after-tax) component for participants making catch-up contributions, who earned over $145,000 in the prior calendar year.

 

Mr. McCombe moved to amend Town of New Shoreham’s existing 457b Plan #304151, currently provided by Mission Square, to permit Roth contributions effective January 1, 2026, consistent with the SECURE 2.0 Age-based Catch-up/Roth Mandate.  Ms. O’Neill seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

11.  Receive and act on the FY 2024 Town of New Shoreham Audit Town of New Shoreham Audit

Ms. Land reported the following regarding the FY 2024 Town Audit:

·         It reflects a clean component. 

·         There is a fund balance of 22% and the target is between 10 – 15%. 

·         Debt levels reflect short maturities, where much of the current debt will be repaid in the next 9 years. 

·         The Town’s state pension plans are very healthy. 

·         Budget to actual revenues came in under budget, mostly reflecting a large, unexpected tax abatement.

·         Budget to actual expenditures were close. 

·         The Town had a very strong tax collection rate of 98.4%.

 

Mr. McCombe moved to receive the FY 2024 Town of New Shoreham Audit.   Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

12.  Raise items for future agendas

·         Cannabis regulation

·         USCG has revised its Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal

·         Debt tutorial

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 9:50 p.m.  Ms. O’Neill seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Date Approved: 11/3/2025