REVISED

New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Wednesday, May 20, 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 International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham. 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.       Act upon resignation of Nancy O. Dodge from the position of Second Warden:

a.       Receive and accept resignation

b.       Appoint current Town Council member to fill the position of Second Warden

c.       Discuss steps to fill the vacant Town Council position

 

4.       Consent Agenda:

a.       Approval of minutes: May 5, 2026 open and closed

b.       Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Notice of Violation from the Zoning Official to the Moped Man, Inc, Plat 6, Lot 100 re: prohibited vehicle rental and storage of rental vehicles

                                                            ii.      Letter expressing the delight of the Island Collaboration over the receipt of a Town’s Mini-Grant and the success of the supported Story Walk Project

 

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

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

                                                           iv.      Age-Friendly Community Task Force (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                             v.      Sewer District Committee and Water District Committee Alternate position (term exp. 4/2027)

                                                           vi.      Early Learning Center Board of Directors – Town Representative (term exp. 12/2026)

 

6.       Continued Item: Hold public hearing, discuss and act on 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”

 

7.       Hold a public hearing, discuss and act on Block Island Land Trust’s application to amend the New Shoreham Zoning Ordinances re: Disc Golf: Article 2 Definitions; 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); Article 5, Section 502 Off-Stret Parking/Sidewalks

 

8.       Hold a public hearing, discuss and act on an amendment to New Shoreham General Ordinance Chapter 17, Taxation and Finance, Article I In General, Section 17-1 Property Tax Classification

 

9.       Set a public hearing date for proposed amendment to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Article 3, Sections 306E & 307E re: Uses Allowed with Special Use Permit (Total Living Area)

 

10.   Set a public hearing date for amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance regarding Development Plan Review Article 2 Definitions, Section 202, Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Sections 319, 320, 321, 322, Article 4, Criteria for Special Use Permits, Sections 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 409, 411, 415, 420, 422, 423, 426, Article 5 Performance Standards Sections 502, 505, 506, 508, 513, 517, Article 7 Permits, Procedures and Enforcement, Sections 702, 703 & 704

 

11.   Set a public hearing date for amendments to New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance Article 1 General, Section 113 Non-Conformance and Article 4 Criteria for Special Use Permits, Section 401

 

12.   Set a public hearing date for Block Island Veterinary Initiative application to amend the New Shoreham Zoning Ordinance, Article 1, Section 111 General Prohibitions #3 Trailers

 

13.   Set public hearing date for amendments to New Shoreham General Ordinance Chapter 17 Taxation and Finance, Article II Exemptions From Taxes, Division 3 Veterans, Section 17-56 Authority & 17-58 Effective Date

 

14.   Receive, discuss and act on requests from the Manissean Tribal Community and supporting resolution regarding:

a.       Tribal camping pilot program

b.       Non-commercial traditional fishing and clamming license for tribal members

c.       Establishment of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Town and the Tribe establishing guidelines for the programs

 

15.   Discuss and act on seeking legislation to regulate/license car rental businesses

 

16.   Discuss and act to set the amount of the homestead exemption

 

17.   Review of financial reports

 

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

 

19.   Receive legislative update:

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

b.       Non-owner-occupied property tax

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

                                                              i.      Deer mitigation (H8451)

                                                            ii.      Tick mitigation (S2660)

d.       Moped license retirement (S3187, H8388)

 

20.   Raise items for future agendas

 

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

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: 5/15/2026 mh