RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

October 7, 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.

 

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/92224755649   Meeting ID: 922 2475 5649

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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 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 Amendments to the Richmond Town Code of Ordinances Chapter 5.06, Entitled Business Registration.

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to Chapter 2.40 of the Richmond Town Code of Ordinances, Entitled “Recreation Department”

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to Chapter 4.34 of the Richmond Town Code of Ordinances, Entitled “Senior Activities Committee”

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (303), Entitled “Private technical, trade school”

 

5)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (308), Entitled “Cemetery”

 

6)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (322), Entitled “Child or adult day care for 9 or more persons”

 

7)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (409), Entitled “Fairgrounds”

 

8)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (444), Entitled “Place of worship”

 

9)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (446), Entitled “Private club”

 

10)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (460), Entitled “Theater or other indoor privately-owned public gathering place”

 

11)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (462), Entitled “Stadium, arena, or other outdoor privately-owned public gathering place”

 

12)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (502), Entitled “Power generation”

 

13)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (510), Entitled “Broadcast studio, antenna”

 

14)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (536), Entitled “Towing with vehicle storage”

 

15)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.010, “Table of Uses”, Table 18.16.010 (604), Entitled “Fuel sales and delivery”

 

16)       Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Ch. 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, Section 18.16.030, “Accessory Uses”, Elimination of Duplicative Section

 

17)       Discussion and Consideration of Addition to the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 18.16 – “Use Regulations”, for a New Section, 18.16.040, Entitled “Uses Permitted by Special-Use Permit”

 

E.        LICENSES

Please Note 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 Application:

Applicant: Renewal by Anderson – Hernan Avila

Location: Richmond

Expires: One year from the Date of Issuance

Subject to: BCI Clearance

 

F.         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)         September 16, 2025 (Regular Meeting)

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of Human Services Department Report – September/October 2025

3)         Approval of the Tax Collector Taxpayer Refunds – September 2025

 

G.        PUBLIC FORUM

The Public Forum will be conducted according to Town Council Rules & Procedures Article 6. http://www.richmondri.gov/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.

 

H.        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)         Interim Town Administrator’s Report: Erin Liese

a)         Announcement of Flu Vaccine Clinic – October 22, 2025, Richmond Senior Center

b)         Request for Approval of Memorandum of Understanding with Richmond-Carolina Fire District and Hope Valley-Wyoming Fire District for utilization of the Town’s Open Government Permitting System and Administrative Support

c)         Request for approval to amend Town Code of Ordinances 3.06, entitled “Fee Schedule” to include Fire Inspection Fees, with authorization to advertise for Public Hearing

d)         Authorization of Agreement between the Town of Richmond and Constellation/Power Operations regarding electricity rate pricing for 2025-2028

e)         Consideration of inviting the Richmond Chariho Committee members to a future meeting of Council to discuss the FY 26/27 Budget

 

2)         Police Chief’s Report: Elwood Johnson

a)         Recognition of Public Works for work completed at the Police Department

b)         Request to add signage restrictions on Punchbowl Trail

 

3)         Human Services Director’s Report: Kate Schimmel

a)         Request for Authorization to Apply and Accept the Office of Healthy Aging Grant

b)         Request for Authorization to Apply and Accept the RI Senate Legislative Community Service Grant

c)         Request for Authorization to Apply and Accept the State of Rhode Island Municipal Beautification Mini-Grant

 

4)         Conservation Commission Report: James Turek

a)         Request of the Conservation Commission for Authorization to Apply for State of Rhode Island Micro Grants – Litter Free & Municipal Beautification

 

H.        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 President Wilcox for Discussion and Consideration of forming a Climate Resiliency Commission

 

2)         Request of Councilor Madnick for Discussion and Consideration of Adult-Use Retail Cannabis Licenses

 

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)         Boards and Commissions Vacancies

b)         Human Services Newsletter – September 2025

c)         Copy of Email from Helen Sheehan regarding sudden infant death syndrome

d)         Copy of Letter from Deborah J. Goddard, Secretary of Housing, regarding update on the proposed Housing 2030 Plan

e)         Copy of Email from Jay Borcuk regarding Detour Signs on Shannock Hill Road

f)         Copy of Letter from Gary Parker regarding the revisions to Richmond Town Ordinance 18.16.010, entitled “Table of Uses”.

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Westerly Town Council Resolution regarding the Preservation of the Name, Significance, and Observation of the Victory Day Holiday

 

J.         EXECUTIVE SESSION

1)         Pursuant to § 42-46-5(a)(4): Investigative Proceedings regarding Allegations of Civil Misconduct

 

2)         Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-46-5(1), Discussion of the job performance of Chief of Police Elwood M. Johnson, Jr.

 

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 October 2, 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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