RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Minutes

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

January 16, 2024

6:00 P.M.

 

 

A motion was made by Councilor Wilcox, seconded by Vice President Nassaney to close Executive Session and return to open session. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Wilcox, seconded by Councilor Colasante to seal the minutes of Executive Session. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

A.        CALL TO ORDER

 

President Trimmer called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. He also thanked the paid and volunteers for their efforts during the recent storm events.

 

B.        ROLL CALL

 

Town Council Members present in chambers were as follows: Mark Trimmer, Rich Nassaney, Helen Sheehan, Michael Colasante and Samantha Wilcox. Also present, Town Solicitor Karen Ellsworth, Town Administrator Karen Pinch (Via Zoom), Chief of Police Elwood Johnson, Town Planner Talia Jalette, Finance Director Laura Kenyon, Tax Assessor Carmen LaBelle, and Town Clerk Erin Liese.

 

C.        THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited followed by a moment of silence.

 

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)         December 19, 2023 (Regular Meeting)

b)         January 2, 2024 (Regular Meeting)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

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

b)         Approval of Finance Department report for the month of December 2023

c)         Approval of Tax Collector’s report for the month of December 2023

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

e)         Approval of Building, Planning and Zoning report for December 2023

f)         Approval of Human Services Department report for December 2023

 

3)         Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – December 27, 2023 – January 10, 2024

 

Councilor Sheehan shared concerns regarding item D2F and duplication of services between the Senior Services and Human Services Departments.

 

Councilor Colasante noted duplication of motion and edits to item D1A.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to approve Items D1-3 of the Consent Agenda with changes to Item D1A. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

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.

 

No public comment.

 

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 Connor King as Assistant Town Clerk

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded my Councilor Sheehan to approve the hiring of Connor King as Assistant Town Clerk.

 

Town Clerk Liese introduced Connor King.

 

Connor King provided a brief professional background.

 

Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

b)         Discussion of process for hiring DPW Director

 

Discussion ensued on reviewing potential candidates, interviews, and the Town Charter relative to hiring Department Heads.

 

Town Administrator Pinch advised that she was waiting for the direction of the Council before proceeding. She further advised that DPW Director Barber is still currently employed and cannot hire anyone at this time. 

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Sheehan to direct the Town Administrator to provide the top three candidate resumes for any Director position. Vote: President Trimmer, Nay; Vice President Nassaney, Nay; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Nay.

 

It was further clarified that the Town Administrator would bring a recommendation for the DPW Director position to the Council. Remaining with the procedure that has been in place.

 

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

a)         Storm Response

 

Chief Johnson provided an update on the Storm Response and the interdepartmental response to emergencies.

 

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 Steven Saracino Request for Reappointment as Tree Warden with Term Expiration of February 28, 2025

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to approve the Reappointment of Steven Saracino as Tree Warden with Term Expiration of February 28, 2025. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Joan M. Kent Resignation from the Economic Development Commission

 

A motion was made by Vice President Nassaney, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to approve the resignation of Joan M. Kent from the Economic Development Commission. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Requests for Appointment to the Economic Development Commission with term expiring January 31, 2025, and term expiring January 31, 2026

a)         Scott W. Barber

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to approve the appointment of Scott W. Barber to the Economic Development Commission with term expiring January 31, 2025.

 

Scott Barber briefly discussed why he wanted to be on the Economic Development Commission.

 

Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

b)         James M Brear

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to approve the appointment of James M. Brear to the Economic Development Commission with term expiring January 31, 2026.

 

James Brear briefly discussed why he wanted to be on the Economic Development Commission.

 

Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of Appointments to the Richmond Canvassing Authority with requests from the Republican and Democratic Town Committee

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 and Lisa Zambrano as Fourth Alternate

 

Discussion ensued on filling the Board of Canvasser Vacancy.

 

Town Clerk Liese further clarified filling the vacancy according to Title 17.

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Sheehan to appoint Raymond F. Pouliot as Full Member with term expiration of 2/29/2030 with a cleared BCI.

 

Raymond Pouliot provided a brief explanation for requesting the appointment.

 

Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Nay.

 

H.        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)         Presentation by Superintendent Gina Picard, Mario Carreno from RIDE, and SLAM Architect Firm on the Potential Impacts of The Stage I and Stage II Capital Improvement Planning Application for Chariho Regional School District

 

Superintendent Gina Picard provided a presentation alongside Mario Carreno on the Potential Impacts of The State I and Stage II Capital Improvement Planning Application for Chariho Regional School District.

 

a)         Construction Bond thoughts and concerns from Councilor Sheehan

 

Councilor Sheehan expressed concern about building three schools for 130 million dollars.

 

Superintendent Picard advised that this is an opportunity for the three towns for voters.

 

Discussion ensued on the potential construction bond.

 

Mario Carreno from RIDE provided clarification.

 

Discussion continued.

 

Jeff Dube provided a brief statement regarding the concern of children not attending Hope Valley.

 

Bill Day shared concerns that this was being driven by the state.

 

Clay Johnson shared his concerns about misinformation.

 

Ken Mitchell expressed his concern that the Chariho Act doesn’t work.

 

Louise Dinsmore shared concerns about decisions being made too quickly.

 

Karen Reynolds shared that things need to be done before they can get to the bond vote.

 

Chris Kona shared that he thought it was foolish not to invest in the schools now to spend less on repair costs over the next ten years.

 

Louise Dinsmore asked when the district would know from RIDE if we had the 76% reimbursement in this process. Superintendent Picard provided clarification on the bonding process.

 

Louise Dinsmore asked if it is true that three new elementary schools must be completed in 5 years, or we risk not getting the 76% reimbursement. Superintendent Picard provided clarification.

 

Discussion on reimbursement costs.

 

Jeff Noble expressed that he was also concerned about what the proposal was going to cost.

 

Mark Reynolds shared that this is going to cost the same on a yearly basis for maintaining the old schools.

 

Jessica Purcell shared concern that we are not quite as regional as we should be.

 

Senator Morgan questioned if a new school project could move forward without Town Council approval.

Superintendent Picard provided clarification.

 

Discussion continued.

 

Steve Moffit from the Hopkinton Town Council shared that Superintendent Picard is just here to present information.

 

Town Clerk Liese requested Superintendent Picard explain the timeline. Superintendent Picard advised on the timeline.

 

2)         Request of Councilor Wilcox for Discussion and Consideration of adding a rule prohibiting individual Council members from requesting legal opinion, ordinance amendments, or proposed resolutions from the Town Solicitor without Council majority approval.

 

Councilor Wilcox expressed her reasoning for adding this rule.

 

Discussion ensued.

 

A motion was made by President Trimmer, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to hold on the discussion until a new solicitor has been appointed. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Nay; Councilor Colasante, Nay; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

3)         Request of Councilor Wilcox for Discussion and Consideration of the Chariho Regional School District Resolution in support of full funding of Categorical Transportation Aid

 

A motion was made by Councilor Wilcox, seconded by Councilor Colasante to support the Chariho Regional School District Resolution to support the full finding of Categorical Transportation Aid. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

4)         Discussion of the Annual Senior/100% Disabled Exemption Analysis for Tax Year 2024

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante, seconded by Councilor Sheehan to Approve the Senior/100% Disabled Exemption Analysis for Tax Year 2024 as proposed by the Tax Assessor.                             Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

5)         Request of Councilor Colasante for Discussion and Consideration of Requesting a Report from the Town Planner on the Valley Lodge Flood Mitigation

 

A motion was made by Vice President Nassaney, seconded by Councilor Wilcox to request a Report from the Town Planner on the Valley Lodge Flood Mitigation at the next meeting. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

I.          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 3, 2024

 

b)         Richmond Police Department Press Release- January 5, 2024

 

c)         Notice on the Chariho Omnibus Meeting – January 17, 2024

 

A motion was made by Vice President Nassaney, seconded by Councilor Colasante to file Communications, Petitions, and Proclamations and Resolutions from Other Rhode Island Cities and Towns. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

J.         ADJOURNMENT

 

A motion was made by Councilor Colasante seconded by Vice President Nassaney to adjourn the meeting at 8:41 PM. Vote: President Trimmer, Aye; Vice President Nassaney, Aye; Councilor Sheehan, Aye; Councilor Colasante, Aye; Councilor Wilcox, Aye.

 

 

 

Attest:

 

 

 

_______________________

Erin F. Liese, CMC

Town Clerk