Click Video Icon to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.

 

REVISED

New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Wednesday, March 18, 2026

6:00 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.”

 

6:00 p.m.

1.       Solicitor’s update on: TNS v. Filippi et al (WCSC 2004-0115) “Old Harbor Triangle” dispute.  This discussion may be held in executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. Video

 

7:00 p.m.

2.       Proclamation commending the work of the Block Island Power Company staff during the blizzard “Hernando” Video

 

3.       Public Comment Video

 

4.       Consent Agenda: Video

a.       Approval of minutes: March 2, 2026

b.       Act to approve a letter to send to the Rhode Island Executive Office of Housing in support of Housing 2030 Entry Level Homeownership Program grant application for the Block Island Housing Board

c.       Act to authorize a letter in support of Block Island Maritime Institute’s request for federal appropriations to enhance public safety outreach and seal conservation on Block Island

d.       Act to award bid to:

                                                              i.      Hall’s Mowing for the Town Hall, Thomas property, Heinz Field, Ball O’Brien Park and Legion Park

                                                            ii.      DHM Landscaping for mowing at the Police Rescue/Fire Station, Old Harbor Dock area, Island Free Library, Nicholas Ball Park, and Negus Park.

                                                          iii.      Connelli Land Improvement for Field Mowing and Tree Work

                                                           iv.      EH Services dba Fairplay Turf for Heinz Athletic Field Maintenance, July  1, 2026 through July 1, 2028

e.       Act to approve request from Rustic Rides Farm, Inc. for permission to use Old Mill Road, Grace’s Cove Road, Dorrys Cove Road and Champlin Road for the summer months and all other Town roads October through May

f.        Act to authorize Agreement with Mayforth Group to provide lobbyist services for the period January 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026 Video

g.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Chris Warfel letter of 2/27/2026 re: BIPCO’s policy regarding employee housing

                                                            ii.      US Department of the Interior BOEM re: Revolution Wind Mitigation Fund Operating Procedures

 

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

a.       Appoint Board of Canvassers members: Video

                                                     i.            Two Alternates (1-year terms exp. 3/2026)- Lesley Helterline & Zena Clark

                                                   ii.            One Full member (term exp. 3/2032) – Danielle Bates

b.       Announce vacancies: Video

                                                     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.            Board of Canvassers:

1.       Two Alternates (1-year terms exp. 3/2026)

2.       One Full member (term exp. 3/2032)

 

6.       Hold public hearing, discuss and act on proposed amendments to New Shoreham General Ordinance, Chapter 9 Marine Activities, Areas and Structures; Article IV Fishing; Division 2 Shellfishing; 9-140 Issuance of shellfish licenses; license categories; fee; term; 9-142 Quantities and restrictions Video

 

7.       Set a public hearing date for proposed amendment to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Chapter Article 5 Performance Standards, Section 512 Lighting Video

 

8.       Set a public hearing date for proposed amendment to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Article 2 Section 202 Definitions Items 3, 4.1, 48, and 137; Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits Section 405 Affordable Housing; Article 5 Performance Standards Section 502 Off-Street Parking/Sidewalks, Section 510 Accessory Use, and Section 513 Accessory Dwelling Units; and Zoning Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District Video

 

9.       Set public hearing date for proposed amendment to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Article 2 Section 202 Definitions items 79. Floor Area, Living & 86. Gross Area and Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits, Section 406 Residential Structures Meeting Certain Thresholds (C)(1) Video

 

10.   Set public hearing date for Gary Pollard’s application to amend the Zoning Ordinance Article 1 General, Section 111 General Prohibitions, deleting (A)15. “Game Rooms;” adding to Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Section 311 Old Harbor Commercial Zone, D.  Permitted Uses adding “Game Rooms” Video

 

11.   Set public hearing date for Block Island Land Trust’s application to amend the New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances re: Disc Golf: Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Section 306 Residential A  Zone, E. Uses Allowed with Special Use Permit adding “Disc Golf” to Recreational Facilities; Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits B (2) (c) Video

 

12.   Review proposed changes to the New Shoreham General Ordinance regarding Motor Vehicles for Hire – removing references to the governance of limousines and charter buses Video

 

13.   Discuss and act on potential legislative and ordinance changes related to: Video

a.       Limousines

b.       Charter Buses

c.       Black car services

d.       Courtesy vehicles

 

14.   Receive initial presentation of FY2026 General Fund Operating and Capital Budget Video

 

15.   Review of financial reports Video

 

16.   Receive legislative update: Video

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

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

c.       Non-owner-occupied property tax

d.       Tick-borne illness – Public health issue on Block Island

e.       Moped license retirement

f.        Online driver’s education

g.       Blue Bond H8151 to support resiliency projects

 

17.   Discuss and act on resolutions:

a.       Department of Transportation funding for state road maintenance and replacement of the state highway garage Video

b.       In opposition of the non-owner-occupied property tax law Video

c.       In support of H7971, adjusting the threshold for Prevailing Wage Video

 

18.   Receive update on Old Harbor Bulkhead project Video

 

19.   Receive and act on Report of Town Manager (Public Works, Finance, School, School Construction Project, Library, Recreation, Administration, Harbors, Broadband, Police, Roads, Human Services Video)

 

20.   Raise items for future agendas Video

 

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.”

 

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: 3/16/2026 mh

 

Published by ClerkBase
©2026 by Clerkbase. No Claim to Original Government Works.