RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

August 15, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

This meeting will take place in Town Council Chambers, 5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Richmond, RI 02898.

 

The public can also observe and participate in the meeting remotely broadcast on Zoom. The public is invited to observe and participate in the deliberations of this meeting by accessing the meeting link below. For those without access to video observation platforms, you may also call in to listen to the deliberations of this meeting by using the call-in phone number provided herein. To participate during Public Hearing or Public Input you will press *9 to raise your hand.

 

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The meeting will also be available for viewing access only using the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/@richmondtowncouncil4066/streams

 

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

C.        THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

D.        PUBLIC HEARING

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items.

1)                 Discussion and consideration of proposed amendments to Chapter 10.06 of the Code of Ordinances, entitled “Street Stop Signs”. The amendment would add a stop sign on Gardiner Road at Hog House Hill Road. 

 

E.        CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the Consent Agenda shall be equivalent to approval of each item as if it had been acted upon separately; or items may be removed by the Town Council for review, discussion and/or take Action.

1)         Approval of Town Council Minutes

a)         July 18, 2023 (Regular Meeting)

b)         July 21, 2023 (Special Meeting)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of Town Clerk’s report for the month of July 2023

b)         Approval of Tax Collector’s report for the month of July 2023

c)         Approval of Building, Planning and Zoning report for the month of July 2023

d)         Approval of Police Department report for the month of July 2023

e)         Approval of Finance Department report for the month of July 2023

f)         Approval of Human Service Department report for the month of July 2023

 

3)         Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – July 12, 2023 to August 8, 2023

 

4)         Approval of Pole Placement Request of Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. to install a new pole on Wilbur Hill Road- Petition WR#30820016

 

5)         Approval of Pole Placement Request of Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. to install a new P9 and P9-84 with anchor on Punchbowl Trail- Petition WR#30811469

 

6)         Approval of Tax Collector Refunds dated August 8, 2023

 

F.         PUBLIC FORUM

The Public Forum will be conducted according to Town Council Rules & Procedures Article 6. http://www.richmondri.com/DocumentCenter/View/1878/Rules-of-Procedure?bidId=

Those participating remotely, use the “raise hand” icon at the bottom right side of your screen, or, if you are using a phone, press *9. The moderator will tell you when it is your turn to speak.

 

G.        REPORTS

Please Note the following items are Status Reports and Matters of Interest to the Council and are for Informational Purposes unless Indicated Otherwise and will be Acted upon in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b)   

 

1)         Town Administrator’s Report: Karen D. Pinch

a)         Request for Approval to Award the Bid for the EMA Trailer to All Pro Trailer Superstore

b)         Request for Approval to Award the Contract with D’Ambra Construction for Paving of North Road

c)         Discussion and consideration of amending the Personnel Ordinance to add Juneteenth as a Town Holiday; and authorization for the Town Clerk to advertise for Public Hearing

d)         Announcement of Government Finance Officers Association Award

e)         Grant Update

 

2)         Police Chief’s Report: Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.

a)         Request to re-hire Nicolas Lassell as a part-time police dispatcher

b)         Request consideration/discussion of installing stop signs at the intersection of Carolina Nooseneck Road and Baker Pines Road; and authorization for the Town Clerk to advertise for Public Hearing amendments to Ordinance 10.06.

 

3)         Finance Director’s Report: Laura Kenyon

a)         Tax Rates and Assessments

 

4)         Conservation’s Commission Report: James Turek, Chair

a)         Beaver River Park Grassland Invasive Plant Management Final Report

 

H.        APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Resignation of Ray Pouliot from the Richmond Preservation Land Trust and Economic Development Commission

 

2)         Request from Eileen Burton for appointment to the Richmond Preservation Land Trust term expiration of December 31, 2027.

 

I.          NEW BUSINESS

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:  

1)         Request of President Trimmer for Discussion and Consideration of acceptable behavior for Richmond Town Council Members

a)         Copy of Letter to: Honorable Mark Trimmer, President

            From: B. Joe Reddish, III Chair of Richmond Democratic Town Committee

            Dated: August 4, 2023

            Re: Conduct

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration on Proposed Amendments to the Town Council Rules of Procedure

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of the Procedure regarding Distribution of Executive Session Materials and Minutes

a)         Copy of Email to: RI Attorney General’s Office Open Government

            From: Councilor Wilcox

            Dated: August 3, 2023

            Re: Executive Session Minutes

b)         Copy of Email to: Councilor Wilcox

From: Katherine Connolly Sadeck, Chief of Open Government Unit-RIAG

Dated: August 4, 2023

Re: Executive Session Minutes

 

4)         Request of President Trimmer for Discussion and Consideration of going “paperless” and using electronic means regarding the Town Council Agendas and Packets

 

5)         Request of President Trimmer for Authorization of the Full Payment of the Invoice from Attorney Larisa for Purcell vs. Clay Johnson and Town of Richmond

 

6)         Request of Councilor Wilcox for Discussion and Consideration of Amendments or Additions to Ordinance 2.20.040 Appointment, Probation and Layoff

 

J.         COMMUNICATIONS, PETITIONS, AND PROCLAMATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS FROM OTHER RHODE ISLAND CITIES AND TOWNS

The Council may acknowledge any of the listed Communications and Proclamations and Resolutions. Should any member wish to have a conversation on any of the matters, the item will be placed on a future agenda for review, discussion and/or potential action and/or vote.

1)         Communications Received:

a)         Richmond Police Department Press Release – August 4,2023

 

b)         Notice on the Town of Richmond Board/Commission Vacancies- August 3, 2023

 

c)         Copy of Letter to: Richmond Town Council

            From: Bryan Lebeau

            Re: EDC and ARPA funds

 

d)         Report to: Richmond Town Council

            From: Wood River Health

            Re: 2022 Annual Report

 

e)         Notice of Assessor’s Statement of Assessed Values and Tax Levy for Tax Roll Year 2023; Assessment as of December 31, 2022

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Town of Westerly Resolution Opposing Senate Bill 2023-0134 & House Bill 2023 H 5201 relating to Relief of Injured Fire Fighters and Police Officers

 

K.        ADJOURNMENT

Pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-6(c) Notice of this meeting was posted on the Secretary of State’swebsite, Richmond Town Hall, Richmond Police Station, and Clerk Base on August 10, 2023

 

 

 

 

The public is welcome to any open meeting of the Town Council.  If communication assistance (readers/interpreters/captions) is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting at (401)539-9000 x9.

 

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