RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

February 6, 2024

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.        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)         January 16, 2024 (Special Meeting)

b)         January 16, 2024 (Executive Session)

c)         January 16, 2024 (Regular Meeting)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of Town Clerk’s report for the month of January 2024

b)         Approval of Tax Collector’s report for the month of January 2024

c)         Approval of Building, Planning and Zoning report for January 2024

d)         Approval of the Planning Board Annual Report 2023

 

3)         Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – January 11, 2024, to January 31, 2024

 

4)         Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements in the amount of $176.25

 

E.        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.

 

F.         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 hire Gary Robar as Public Works Director

b)         Request for approval to hire Michael Rosso as Electrical Inspector

c)         Consideration of a Resolution in Support of the League of Cities and Town Legislative Priorities

 

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

a)         PayPal Merchant Scam against Local Resident

b)         Arrest of Suspect in Breaking and Entering Complaint

 

3)         Finance Director’s Report: Laura Kenyon

a)         Discussion and Consideration of American Rescue Funds

b)         Discussion and Consideration of Proposed Amendments to Chapter 13.05 Water System; with authorization for the Town Clerk to advertise for Public Hearing

 

4)         Town Planner’s Report: Talia Jalette

a)         Requested Update on Valley Lodge Flood Mitigation

 

G.        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)         Discussion and Consideration of Candance Brodeur Resignation from the Building Code of Appeals

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Peter C. Burton Request for Appointment to the Planning Board with Term Expiration of January 31, 2027

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Tim Michaud Resignation as Republican Alternate Member of the Canvassing Authority

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of Kristen P. Chambers Request for Appointment to the Richmond RI 250th Commission

 

5)         Discussion and Consideration of Lucy Fleet Resignation from the Dog Park Committee

 

6)         Discussion and Consideration of a Request of the Richmond Democratic Town Committee to Reconsider the Nomination and Selection procedure for Appointments made at the January 16, 2024 meeting regarding the Richmond Canvassing Authority

a)         Request of the Republican Town Committee to appoint Raymond F. Pouliot as Full Member with term expiration of 2/29/2030

b)         Request of the Democratic Town Committee to appoint Pamela Rohland from Alternate Member to Full Member with term expiration of 2/29/30

c)         Request of the Democratic Town Committee to appoint Christopher Kona as Alternate Member should Pamela Rohland be promoted to full member with term expiration of 2/28/2029

d)         Request of the Democratic Town Committee to appoint Alexis Turner as Third Alternate

 

H.        LICENSE

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

1)         Approval of Application Renewals for Refuse Collection and Hauling License

a)         Application of Sanitation by Quint Perry

b)         Application of CWPM, LLC

c)         Application of Waste Management of RI, Inc.

d)         Application of MEGA Disposal Waste Connections

e)         Application of RPKK Inc.

f)         Application of On Time Disposal

g)         Application of D. Lewis & Son Inc.

 

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)         Discussion and Consideration of moving the May 7, 2024, Town Council Meeting to May 8, 2024, due to the Chariho Bond Referendum

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of rescheduling the second Budget Public Hearing to May 8, 2024, due to the Chariho Bond Referendum

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of scheduling a Budget Workshop on April 10, 2024.

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of a Request from the Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Association WPWA; regarding replacing the Culvert on Hillsdale Road

a)         Authorization for the WPWA to pursue funding for the culvert replacement

b)         Approval for WPWA to serve as project administrator on behalf of the Town of Richmond

c)         Appointment of Town Staff to participate in the Planning and Development

 

5)         Request of President Trimmer for Discussion and Consideration of Creating a Resolution Opposing the Chariho New School Initiative and Stage II RIDE Application

 

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)         Notice on the Town of Richmond Board/Commission Vacancies- January 24, 2024

 

b)         Richmond Police Department Press Release- January 19, 2024

 

c)         Richmond Police Department Press Release- January 31, 2024

 

d)         Notice on Ways to Vote for Spring 2024 Elections

 

e)         ACLU Voicing Concerns on Public Comment Policies of RI City and Town Councils and School Committees

 

f)         What Taxpayers in each Town actually pay for the Chariho Budget by Sylvia Thompson

 

g)         Copy of Email to: Scott Barber

By: Bill Harsch

Re: Tug Hollow Dam/Culvert

 

h)         Memorandum from Sylvia Thompson regarding the Chariho New School Initiative with the following supportive materials:

i.          Unofficial Compilation of the Chariho Act

ii.         Draft Language for the Chariho $150,000,000 Bond

iii.        MGT of America Chariho Facilities & Financial Study

 

K.        ADJOURNMENT

 

Pursuant to RIGL § 42-46-6(c) Notice of this meeting was posted on the Secretary of State’s website, Richmond Town Hall, Richmond Police Station, and Clerk Base on February 1, 2024

 

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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