RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

April 1, 2025

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.

 

This meeting is being offered via Zoom and YouTube as an added service to our constituents.  There is no legal requirement for this method of viewing the meeting.  Should technological issues on the part of the Town or the viewer prevent this meeting from being seen via Zoom or YouTube, no part of the meeting will be repeated.  Should you wish to participate in any part of the meeting, the most reliable way to do so is to be in person at the Town Hall.                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

 

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96584695272     Meeting ID: 965 8469 5272

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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)         Outdoor Entertainment License

Applicant: Warwick Civic Orchestra d/b/a Warwick Symphony Orchestra

Location: 78 Richmond Townhouse Road

Expires: June 16, 2025

 

E.        NEW HIRES

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 Hiring Brandi Chapman as Tax Collector

 

F.         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 Bryce Kelley’s Request for Appointment to the Affordable Housing Committee; with term expiration of May 31, 2028.

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Carl J. Coutu's Request for Appointment to the Richmond Investment for Commercial Health Task Force Commission, as Planning Board Member; with term expiration of December 31, 2026

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Dan Fitzgerald’s Resignation from the Wellness Committee

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of Michele Martel’s Request for Appointment to the Recreation Commission, with term expiration of January 31, 2028

 

G.        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)         March 4, 2025 (Regular Meeting)

b)         March 18, 2025 (Regular Meeting)

 

H.        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.

 

I.          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 a Bid to Automatic Temperature Controls, Inc. for DPW Furnaces in the Amount of $54,627.00 (Continued from March 18, 2025)

b)         Request for Approval of RIEMA Cybersecurity Grant Application

 

2)         Town Planner’s Report: Talia Jalette

a)         Richmond Community Comprehensive Plan Summary

 

J.         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 Vice President Reynolds for Discussion and Consideration of  Exeter-West Greenwich Regional School District School Committee Resolution Regarding Private School Transportation

 

2)         Request of President Wilcox for Approval of a Resolution in Opposition of S 0416 regarding Meal and Beverage Tax

 

3)         Request of President Wilcox for a Report by the Town Administrator and EMA Director on the Hazard Mitigation Plan

 

K.        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)         Board and Commission Vacancies - March 20, 2025

b)         Police Department Press Release - March 19, 2025

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Charlestown Town Council Resolution in Support of House Bill 2025-H5315, allowing Temporary Service of Election Officials after Retirement

b)         Burrillville Town Council Resolution in Opposition to Rhode Island 2025 Gun Control Legislation

c)         Woonsocket Town Council Resolution Regarding General Revenue Sharing to Rhode Island Cities and Towns

d)         Narragansett Town Council Resolution Regarding General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns

e)         Westerly Town Council Resolution Regarding General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns

f)         Middletown Town Council Resolution in Support of Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns 2025 Legislative Priorities

g)         Middletown Town Council Resolution Regarding General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns

h)         North Smithfield School Committee Resolution Regarding Funding for Private School Transportation by State and Local Education Agencies

 

L.        EXECUTIVE SESSION

1)         Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws -46-5 (a)(2) – Collective Bargaining Local IBPO 425

 

M.       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 March 27, 2025

 

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.

 

“In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, the Town of Richmond is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)  To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).”  For those persons needing auxiliary aid please call 711 for assistance.