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| TOWN OF RICHMOND, RHODE ISLAND |
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| 5 Richmond Townhouse Road | |
| Wyoming, RI 02898 | |
| (401) 539-9000 www.richmondri.com |
RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL
Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda Amended
Town Council Chambers
5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898
July 15, 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 broadcast remotely 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 the 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 in person at the Town Hall.
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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. RESOLUTION & PROCLAMATION
Please note that in accordance with section 42-46-6 (b), the Council may review, discuss, and/or take action on the following items:
1) Approval of a Proclamation 2025-17 Honoring Karen Pinch
2) Approval of Resolution 2025-17 for the Assessment and Collection of Taxes FY 25/26
E. LICENSE
Please note that in accordance with section 42-46-6 (b), the Council may review, discuss, and/or take action on the following items:
1) One-Year Door-to-Door Sales License for Zachary Olson- Trinity Solar
F. NEW HIRES
Please note that 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 Thomas J. DeTora as a Full-Time Police Dispatcher
G. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS
Please note that 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 Pete Burton’s resignation from the Economic Development Commission
2) Discussion and Consideration of Appointments to the Town Administrator Search/Hiring Committee as required by Article 4 Section 1C of the Town Charter, with the appointment of a Town Council member to serve pursuant to the Charter:
c) Application of Danielle Andrews
d) Application of Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.
e) Application of Laura Rieger
f) Application of Jim Palmisciano
g) Application of Tomas J. Marron
h) Application of Robin Woodmansee
i) Application of Helen F. Sheehan
3) Discussion and Consideration of Jennifer Fournier’s resignation as Assistant Finance Director
4) Discussion and Consideration of Erin Liese’s resignation from the Recreation Committee
H. CONSENT AGENDA
Please note that in accordance with section 42-46-6 (b), the Council may review, discuss, and/or take action on the following items:
1) Approval of Town Council Minutes
a) June 10, 2025 (Executive Session Meeting)
b) June 10, 2025 (Special Meeting)
c) June 17, 2025 (Regular Meeting)
d) June 17, 2025 (Executive Session Meeting)
e) June 24, 2025 (Executive Session Meeting)
f) June 24, 2025 (Special Meeting)
2) Approval of Town Department Reports
a) Approval of Town Clerk’s Report for June 2025
b) Approval of Tax Collector’s Report for June 2025
c) Approval of Finance Director’s Report for June 2025
d) Approval of Police Department's Report for June 2025
3) Approval of Appropriations and Payment of Bills – June 11, 2025 to July 8, 2025
I. 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.
J. 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) Discussion and Consideration of the Town Administrator's Job Description
b) Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Richmond Code of Ordinances, Chapter 2.40 Recreation Department, with authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing
c) Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Richmond Code of Ordinances, Chapter 4.34 Senior Activities Committee, with authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing
d) Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Richmond Code of Ordinances, Chapter 8.18 Solid Waste Disposal and Recycling, with authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing
2) Police Chief’s Report: Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.
a) Update on the Police Department’s Lower-Level Improvements
b) Discussion and Consideration to Award the Bid for Electrical Work at the Animal Control Pound to Lighthouse Electric, LLC
3) Public Director’s Report: Gary Robar
K. NEW BUSINESS
Please note that in accordance with section 42-46-6 (b), the Council may review, discuss, and/or take action on the following items:
1) Request of Councilor Madnick for Discussion and Consideration to Create and Install Permanent Signs at the Richmond Transfer Station Recycling Area, informing users on proper recycling, and that non-compliance leads to fines for the Town (Continued from June 17, 2025)
2) Discussion and Consideration of Contract Amendments with PVD Food Trucks for the remaining Food Truck Events in 2025
a) Request of the Town to eliminate in 5B the requirement for 2 DPW staff to work at each event.
b) Request of PVD Food Trucks to eliminate the $250.00 fee if PVD provides parking attendants.
3) Request of Councilor Palmisciano for GZA to provide an update on 4 Richmond Townhouse Road
4) Request of Councilor Madnick and President Wilcox for Discussion and Consideration of creating/amending the policy for the use of Town Property, with Consideration of drafting an Ordinance Codifying the Policy
5) Request of Councilor Madnick for Discussion and Consideration to Direct the Finance Board (including Board appointees, Administrator, and Finance Director) to meet and provide a report on how to better create, review, and present the Annual Budget; with report presented to the Town Council by the October 21st meeting
6) Request of Councilor Madnick for Discussion and Consideration on promoting public comment to prioritize Richmond State Roads in the State Transportation Improvement Plan
L. 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- July 8, 2025
b) Police Department Press Release- June 13, 2025
c) Police Department Press Release- June 27, 2025
d) Notice from the Town of Exeter regarding Ordinance Amendments
e) Copy of the Superior Court Orders regarding The Preserve Tax Appeals
f) Letter from Rhode Island Energy and Narragansett Electric regarding 2025 Vegetation Management Standards
M. EXECUTIVE SESSION
1) Pursuant to § 42-46-5(a)(2): Regarding Litigation: Universal Excavating
2) Pursuant to § 42-46-5(a)(2): Regarding Litigation: Opioid
3) Pursuant to § 42-46-5(a)(2): Regarding Potential Litigation: Jordan Carlson
N. 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 July 10, 2025. Amended posted July 11, 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.
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