New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Monday, April 6, 2026

6:30 p.m.

 

To see supporting documents for this agenda, go to: ClerkBase https://clerkshq.com/NewShoreham-RI  

The meeting can be watched on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@Town-NewShoreham/streams

“The above virtual access option is being provided only as a convenience and is not an official “location” where meeting access is guaranteed.  The only way to guarantee complete access to the meeting is to attend physically, in-person at the physical location listed above.”

 

6:30 p.m.

1.      Discuss and act on negotiations between RI Council 94 AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 2855 New Shoreham Employee’s Association and Town of New Shoreham and New Shoreham School Committee. This item may be discussed in closed session pursuant to RI General Laws 42-46-5(a) (2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation.

 

7:00 p.m.

2.      Public Comment

 

3.      Consent Agenda:

a.       Act to approve minutes: March 18, 2026 open & closed; March 23, 2026; March 25, 2026; March 26, 2026; March 31, 2026

b.      Act to Approve request of the Boy Scouts of America Narragansett Council for a Special Temporary Permit under Section 112 of the Zoning Ordinance to allow portable restroom facilities at Camp Sandsland, Plat 10, Lot 33 from April 15^th to October 15^th, 2026

c.       Authorize reallocation of FY26 $25,000 Recreation Capital (Ball O’Brien) from Tennis Court Resurfacing to Playground Equipment

d.      Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Letter from Robert Downie in opposition proposed new structure to be built on Calico Hill

                                                            ii.      RI Superior Court Modified Consent Order in the Estate of Violette M. Connolly M.P.NO. WM-2011-0724 regarding the Thomas Property, Plat 8, Lot 218

                                                          iii.      Letter from Albert Alba, PhD re: Opposing the state’s “one-size-fits-all” housing and zoning mandates

                                                          iv.      Award from RI DEM, 2026 Recreation Grant for $100,000 for Block Island Pickleball Court Project

 

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

a.       Establishing an Old Harbor Dock Advisory Board consisting of five members with one-year term

b.      Acknowledge resignation of Alicia Miro from the Age-Friendly Community Task Force

c.       Announce vacancies:

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

                                                   ii.            Old Harbor Task Force (term exp. 12/2027)

                                                 iii.            Police Advisory Commission (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                 iv.            Sewer District Commission:

1.      Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2027)

2.      Two Full positions (term exp. 4/2029 and term exp. 4/2031)

                                                   v.            Water District Commission:

1.      Two Alternate positions (1-year terms exp. 4/2027)

2.      Two Full positions (term exp. 4/2029 and term exp. 4/2031)

                                                 vi.            Old Harbor Dock Advisory Board: five members; one-year terms

 

5.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Sections 202 Definitions Item 96 Household and Section 506 Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTSs) and Creating Sections 202 Item 18.1 Bedroom and 304.1 Number of Occupants per Household

 

6.      Set a public hearing date for proposed amendment to New Shoreham General Ordinance, Chapter 8 Licenses and Business Regulations, Article VII. Motor Vehicles for Hire, 8-161 through 8-167

 

7.      Discuss and act sending the Lighting ordinance back to the Planning Board to rework and cancel the public hearing that was scheduled for May 5, 2026

 

8.      Discuss and act on awarding the RFQ for the Comprehensive Plan update for the Town of New Shoreham

 

9.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on Town of New Shoreham FY2027 budget

 

10.  Receive and act on request of New Shoreham Sewer Commission to consider borrowing authorization at the May 4, 2026 Financial Town Meeting

 

11.  Receive and act on legislative update:

a.       Moped license retirement

b.      Online driver’s education H7498

c.       Differentiating between owner-occupied and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals for tax purposes H7657

d.      Minimum off-street parking requirements S2628

e.       Requirements for operation of recreational vehicles, manual, electric or gas powered S2604 & H7789

f.        Department of Transportation funding for Highways maintenance and replacement of highway garage

g.      Non-owner occupied property tax

h.      Tick-borne illness- Public health issue on Block Island

 

12.  Discuss and act on Resolutions:

a.       In support of the Blue Wave Bond Bill H8151, a referendum to provide funds for coastal preparedness

b.      Merging Coastal Resources Management Council into the Department of Environmental Management H7996, S3082

c.       Joint Municipal Statement of Rhode Island Municipalities Regarding the 2025 State Affordable Housing Laws

 

13.  Raise items for future agendas

 

 

 

Individuals requesting interpreter services for the deaf and hard of hearing must call (401) 466-3200 forty-eight hours in advance of the meeting date.

TTY: 711.   Posted: 4/2/2026 mh