New Shoreham Town Council Meeting

Town Hall, 16 Old Town Road

Monday, October 5, 2026

6:45 p.m.

 

Present: First Warden Keith Stover, Second Warden Margaret O’Neill, Town Council members Tristan Payne, Mark Emmanuelle and William McCombe.  Also present were Town Manager Amy Land, via Zoom, Town Attorney Nick Solitro, Town Land Use Attorney Kerin Browning and Town Planner Peter Friedrichs.  Town Clerk/Director of Administration Millicent Highet was present for the recording of minutes.  

 

First Warden Stover called the meeting to order at 6:47 p.m.

 

6:45 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

Mr. Payne moved to go into closed session at 6:47 p.m. to 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.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to go out of closed session at 7:03 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to seal the minutes of the closed session.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle and carried.

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

 

Mr. Stover noted that no motions were made in closed session, although the contract is an item that will be voted on later in the meeting.

 

7:00 p.m.

2.      Public Comment

No public comment was presented.

 

3.      Consent Agenda:

a.      Approval of minutes: September 16, 2026

b.      Receive Correspondence:

                                                              i.      Jen Seebeck re: writing in opposition to the proposed eviction of the Block Island Early Learning Center over the use of the rear portion of the property

                                                            ii.      Frank DiGregorio of Home Rule Coalition of Rural Towns re: writing in opposition to the RI Low & Moderate Income Housing Act 

                                                          iii.      New Shoreham Zoning Official to John R. and Kelly A. Leone, Plat 9, Lot 64, 995 Mohegan Trail re: Violation of Zoning Ordinance Section 306 (D) and (E) Residential A Zone – Parking lot not a permitted use; Section 502 Off Street Parking/Sidewalks – Excessive number of vehicles parked and/or stored is not permitted; and Section 502 (D) and 704 Large-Lot Parking without Development Plan Approval

                                                          iv.      New Shoreham Zoning Official to John R. and Kelly A. Leone, Plat 9, Lot 64, 995 Mohegan Trail re: Violation of Zoning Ordinance Section 111, 19 General Prohibitions, Uses prohibited in all zoning districts: Car, moped, jet ski, and other motorized vehicle rental & Article 5, Section 510 Accessory Uses: 40 motor vehicles stored at the property is not incidental or subordinate to a residential dwelling.

Mr. Payne moved to approve the Consent Agenda.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

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

a.      Appoint Lois Bendokas to the Library Board of Trustees with term exp. 12/2027

Mr. Payne moved to appoint Lois Bendokas to the Library Board of Trustees with her term expiring December 2027.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

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

                                                   v.            School Building Committee – Educational Mission Representative (term exp. 12/2026)

                                                 vi.            Age-Friendly Task Force (term exp. 12/2027)

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

Mr. Stover announced the board vacancies.

 

c.       Review memo from the Town Clerk regarding vacancies

A memo regarding board vacancies was review noting that most of the boards with vacancies do not have an issue with quorum.  Mr. Stover explained that two of the groups, the Old Harbor Task Force and the Age-Friendly Task Force are in favor of reducing their membership from 9 members to 7 members.  The Age Friendly Task Force would like to maintain two alternate positions.  Ms. Highet suggested addressing these recommendations in December when acting on annual appointments.

 

5.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on New Shoreham Zoning RE: Adaptive Reuse: Article 1 General, Section 114 Permitted Uses; Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Sections 306 – 313; Sections 319 Planned Development Zone & 322 Medical Center Zone; Article 5 Performance Standards, Sections 502 Off-Street Parking/Sidewalks & 520 Adaptive Reuse; Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District

Mr. Payne moved to open the public hearing for New Shoreham Zoning RE: Adaptive Reuse: Article 1 General, Section 114 Permitted Uses; Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Sections 306 – 313; Sections 319 Planned Development Zone & 322 Medical Center Zone; Article 5 Performance Standards, Sections 502 Off-Street Parking/Sidewalks & 520 Adaptive Reuse; Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Town Planner Friedrichs reported the following regarding the Adaptive Reuse amendment:

·         The amendment was drafted to bring local ordinance into compliance with state zoning changes of 2025.  The amendment reorders the reuse section as well.

·         Adaptive Reuse is required to be permitted in every zone, except residential zones.

·         Adaptive Resue can be prohibited for health and safety reasons.

 

It was noted that Land Use Attorney Kerin Browing found that state law allows adaptive reuse for hotels and theaters, therefore the use cannot be prohibited.  Mr. Stover stated that he was not prepared to vote on the amendment with it including hotels and theaters.  Mr. McCombe concurred.  Ms. Browning noted that the state law still stands even if the amendment is not adopted locally. 

 

Planner Friedrichs will draft language to restrict density limits for market-rate housing in adaptive reuse projects.

 

Mr. Payne moved to continue the New Shoreham Zoning amendment RE: Adaptive Reuse: Article 1 General, Section 114 Permitted Uses; Article 3 Zoning Districts and Regulations, Sections 306 – 313; Sections 319 Planned Development Zone & 322 Medical Center Zone; Article 5 Performance Standards, Sections 502 Off-Street Parking/Sidewalks & 520 Adaptive Reuse; Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District to November 16, 2026 at 7:00 p.m., Town Hall, Old Town Road .  The motion was seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle and carried.

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

 

6.      Hold public hearing, discuss and act on New Shoreham Zoning amendment to Zoning Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District

Mr. Payne moved to open the public hearing for New Shoreham Zoning amendment to Zoning Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District. The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Planner Peter Friedrichs explained that the use table has not been regularly updated overt the years and the proposed amendment brings it fully up to date.  He noted that the table will be included in all future amendments. 

 

Mr. Stover moved to strike #5 Adaptive Reuse under 520.  The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

Mr. Payne moved to approve the New Shoreham Zoning amendment to Zoning Appendix B Use Categories Allowed by Zoning District as amended during the hearing. The motion was seconded by Ms. O’Neill and carried.

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

 

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

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

 

7.      Act to approve the contract between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham

Mr. McCombe moved to approve the contract between International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 720 (representing members of New Shoreham Police Department) and Town of New Shoreham for the term July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Payne and carried.

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

 

8.      Award Bid for Design Engineering and Permitting for West Beach Road Development of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Retrofits – Municipal Resilience Program Grant

Ms. Land explained that $115,000 in grant funds have been received for design engineering and permitting for the development of green infrastructure to address stormwater on West Beach Road.  She noted that additional grant funding may come available for the construction, though no construction would begin until after the renovation of the transfer station.  She additionally noted that four bid responses were received for the design project, and she recommends awarding the bid to Fuss & O’Neill. 

 

Mr. Payne moved to award the bid for Design Engineering and Permitting for West Beach Road Development of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Retrofits – Municipal Resilience Program Grant to Fuss & O’Neill.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle and carried.

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

 

9.      Discuss and act on a Resolution requesting the General Assembly amend the Sewer District enabling legislation to increase the penalty for violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Sewer District

Town Manager Land explained that the Council discussed this item in May and now the timing is appropriate to authorize a resolution requesting a change in the Sewer District enabling legislation to amend the allowable penalties from not exceeding fifty dollars, to not exceeding ten thousand dollars.

 

Mr. Payne moved to authorize the Resolution requesting the General Assembly amend the Sewer District enabling legislation to increase the penalty for violation of the Rules and Regulations of the Sewer District.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Emmanuelle and carried.

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

 

10.  Raise items for future agendas

The following item was raised for a future agenda:

·         Notification of the property owners regarding a violation

 

Mr. Payne made a motion to adjourn at 7:35 p.m.  The motion was seconded by Mr. Stover and carried.

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

 

 

Millicent Highet, MMC

Town Clerk                                        

 

Date Approved: 10/21/2026