New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road, Block Island

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Tuesday, September 2, 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, via Zoom, Town Solicitor Nick Solitro and Planner Peter Friedrichs.  Town Clerk and Director of Administration Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes. 

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.

 

Mr. Stover offered thanks and appreciation for the work through the summer season of all of the Town leaders, Town employees, police, highways, fire and rescue personnel. 

 

1.      Public Comment

Public comment was presented by:

·         Chris Blane –

o   He suggested a proclamation be issued to honor 100 years of Rhode Island State Police.

o   At Settler’s Rock, there is 2 ft. erosion drop-off from the parking lot to the trail going to Sachem Pond.

o   He suggested installing a handicapped parking spot and a wooden walkway to Sachem Pond.

o   The stonewall built on Town property at Mansion Beach was moved.  Can we be assured it is now on private property?

o   The plastic gate at Mansion Beach should be removed.

 

·         Chris Warfel –

o   He read a letter read into the record regarding the lack of recording and streaming of Block Island Land Trust meetings.  

o   The Town does not listen to expertise and makes decisions contrary to taxpayers’ wishes. 

o   The Town should create a system where important decisions are vetted and coordinated.

 

2.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Act to approve minutes: August 20, 2025

b.      Authorize extension to March 31, 2025 of the Housing Board Infrastructure Grant for site work at the O’Brien property

c.       Authorize the execution of Secondary Manufacturers Settlements Subdivision Participation and Release Form related to National Opioids Settlement

d.      Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Notice to Town property re: Zoning hearing 9/24/205 for Muddy Paws, LLC Plat 6, Lot 72-2 application for Variance from 308(C) and a Special Use Permit

                                                            ii.      CRMC Decision 2024-09-029 re: expansion of existing stone revetment

Ms. Dodge made a motion to approve the consent agenda.  Mr. Payne 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.      Announce vacancies:

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

                                                   ii.            Sewer District Commission: Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2025)

                                                 iii.            Water District Commission: Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2025)

                                                 iv.            Conservation Commission (2-year term exp. 12/2025)

                                                   v.            Police Advisory Commission (5-year term exp. 12/2030)

The vacancies were announced.

 

4.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 1 Section 111 General Prohibitions, Items 4, 9, 23, and 25, and Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions, Item 189, and Adding Agricultural, Aircraft, Amusement Park, Asphalt Refining, Car Wash, Commercial Shooting Range, Drive-Through Window, Equipment, Field House, Floating Business, Floating Residence, Gambling, Gambling Facility, Hog Raising, Houseboat, Laboratory, Livestock, Motor Vehicle, Penal Institution, Petroleum Refining, Raceway, Shipping Container, Tent, Trailer, Underground Storage, and Vending Machine

Mr. Payne moved to open the public hearing for the proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 1 Section 111 General Prohibitions, Items 4, 9, 23, and 25, and Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions, Item 189, and Adding Agricultural, Aircraft, Amusement Park, Asphalt Refining, Car Wash, Commercial Shooting Range, Drive-Through Window, Equipment, Field House, Floating Business, Floating Residence, Gambling, Gambling Facility, Hog Raising, Houseboat, Laboratory, Livestock, Motor Vehicle, Penal Institution, Petroleum Refining, Raceway, Shipping Container, Tent, Trailer, Underground Storage, and Vending Machine.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Ms. Land explained that upon notation from the Land Use Attorney, the Planning Board developed definitions to items noted as Prohibited Uses in the Zoning Ordinance but were undefined.  She further explained that the definitions will provide clarity and also allow the Prohibited Uses to be defendable if challenged in a court room.

 

Planner Peter Friedrichs explained that the Planning Board spent several months developing the definitions.  He noted the Planning Board gave a favorable advisory and found that the proposed amendments to be consistent with the Comprehensive Plan.

 

Mr. McCombe questioned what signifies a houseboat versus a boat.  The definition was discussed.  Ms. Land noted that houseboats are currently prohibited in the Towns’ General Ordinances.  She clarified that the proposed definition reflects the CRMC and Harbors Ordinance definitions and would make the ordinances internally consistent.  It was noted that there is confusion between state legislation and the CRMC definition.  Discussion ensued.  Ms. Dodge and Mr. McCombe stated they were concerned about adding “houseboats” to “111. General Prohibitions, #4 Floating residence or businesses or houseboats” because Zoning only has jurisdiction over land.  

 

Ms. Land explained that the new definition of “Aircraft” would include drones. She noted that drones are currently used for commercial activities, Town activities, and coastal resiliency.  Mr. Stover suggested adding an exception to allow drones when expressly permitted by the Town Manager or pursuant to public safety activities.  Ms. Dodge suggested carving out drones from the definition and working on a separate drone ordinance.  Discussion ensued. 

 

Ms. Dodge moved to amend proposed ordinance “10.1 Aircraft,” adding a line at the end of the definition that states: “This definition shall not apply to drones.”  Mr. Payne seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

Mr. McCombe questioned whether “136.1 Motor Vehicle” includes electric mopeds and bikes, etc.  Ms. Land noted that the definition mirrors the Motor Vehicle definition in the General Ordinance.  Planner Friedrichs stated that the definition does not have any reference beyond that of an auto repair shop in the ordinance.  It was suggested that the Motor Vehicle’s definition in both the Zoning Ordinance and the General Ordinance be refined in the future.

 

Mr. Payne moved to close the public hearing.  The motion was seconded by Ms. Dodge and carried.

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

 

Ms. O’Neill moved to adopt the proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances Article 1 Section 111 General Prohibitions, Items 4, 9, 23, and 25, and Article 2 Definitions; Section 202 Definitions, Item 189, and Adding Agricultural, Aircraft, Amusement Park, Asphalt Refining, Car Wash, Commercial Shooting Range, Drive-Through Window, Equipment, Field House, Floating Business, Floating Residence, Gambling, Gambling Facility, Hog Raising, Houseboat, Laboratory, Livestock, Motor Vehicle, Penal Institution, Petroleum Refining, Raceway, Shipping Container, Tent, Trailer, Underground Storage, and Vending Machine as amended by adding a line at the end of 10.1 Aircraft stating “This definition shall not apply to drones.”  Mr. Payne seconded the motion and it carried.

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

 

5.      Discuss and act to approve the Milestone Funding Agreement between Sunrise Wind, LLC and the Town of New Shoreham for the Planning and Rehabilitation of the Block Island North Light, Coastal Resiliency Planning and a Past and Future Adaptations Visitor Experience

Town Manager Amy Land explained the existing funding agreement between Sunrise Wind, LLC and the Town is not affected by President Trump’s Executive Order shutting down the Revolution Wind project.  She noted that the agreement does not contain any language regarding the agreement being terminated in the event Sunrise Wind’s permit is suspended or revoked.

 

Ms. Dodge moved to approve the Milestone Funding Agreement between Sunrise Wind, LLC and the Town of New Shoreham for the Planning and Rehabilitation of the Block Island North Light, Coastal Resiliency Planning and a Past and Future Adaptations Visitor Experience.  Mr. McCombe seconded the motion, and it carried.

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

 

6.      Raise items for future agendas

The following items were raised for future agendas:

·         Transfer station upgrades, long-term plans, short-term plans, and budget

·         Visitors Center update

·         Town organizations streaming meetings

·         End of season wrap-up

·         Parking in New Harbor

·         Warden’s Court vs. Municipal Court

 

Ms. O’Neill made a motion to adjourn at 8:35 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: 09/17/2025