RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

January 20, 2026

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 to be in person at the Town Hall.

 

Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98712303778      Meeting ID: 987 1230 3778

One tap mobile +13126266799,82347258321# US (Chicago) +16465588656,82347258321# US (New York) 888 788 0099 US Toll-free 833 548 0276 US Toll-free Meeting ID: 987 1230 3778 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kcmTYhwnxb

 

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.        RESOLUTIONS

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 Resolution 2026-1 Richmond Energy Savings Task Force

 

E.        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 the Request of Paul Erdos for Appointment to the Building Code Board of Appeals, with Term Expiration of January 31, 2029

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of the Request of Paul Erdos for Appointment to the Elder Affairs Commission, with Term Expiration September 30, 2028.

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Steven Sarcino’s Re-Appointment as the Tree Warden, with Term Expiration of February 28, 2027.

 

4)         Discussion and Consideration of the Resignation of Robin Woodmansee from the Recreation Commission.

 

5)         Discussion and Consideration of Philip Damicis’s Re-Appointment to the Planning Board, with Term Expiration of January 31, 2029.

 

6)         Discussion and Consideration of Conservation Commission Re-Appointments with Term Expirations of January 31, 2029:

a)         David King

b)         David G. Johnson

 

7)         Discussion and Consideration of Victoria Vona’s Re-Appointment to the Dog Park Committee, with Term Expiration of January 31, 2028.

 

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)         January 6, 2026 (Regular Minutes)

 

2)         Approval of Town Department Reports

a)         Approval of the Town Clerk’s Report – December 2025

b)         Approval of the Finance Department’s Report – December 2025

c)         Approval of the Police Department’s Report – December 2025

d)         Approval of the Building/Zoning Department’s Report – December 2025

e)         Approval of the Tax Collector’s Report – December 2025

f)         Approval of the Human Services Director’s Report – December 2025

 

3)         Approval of the Appropriations and Payment of Bills – December 1, 2025 – December 31, 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)         Town Administrator’s Report: Erin Liese

a)         Discussion of the Following RI League Legislative Priorities and Council’s Endorsement or Concerns:

i.          Maintenance of Sidewalks

ii.         Comprehensive Permit Approval Pause

iii.        Joint Legislative Commission on Municipal Government

iv.        General Revenue Sharing

v.         Prevailing Wage for Public Works Projects Threshold Increase

vi.        Cleanup Tax Assessment Appeals Prices

vii.       Municipal Post-Retirement Work Limit Expansion

viii.      Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Tax

ix.        Statewide Transportation Modernization

x.         Comprehensive Plan Optional Deadline Extension

xi.        Safety Zones

xii.       Change State Primary Day

b)         Discussion and Consideration of Ordinance Amendments to 8.18.070 entitled “Tipping Fees”, with Authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing

c)         Launch of the New Town Website

d)         Authorization for the 4 Richmond Townhouse Road Septic Design Bid Award

 

2)         Police Chief’s Report: Elwood Johnson

a)         Training for CSI Records Management System

b)         Honor Patrol in Memory of Officer Ryan Bourque

 

3)         250th Commission Report:

a)         2026 Calendar of Events

 

I.          UNFINISHED 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)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Richmond Town Code of Ordinances Chapter 5.44, entitled “Entertainments”; with Authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing.

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to Richmond Town Code of Ordinances Chapter 5.20, entitled “Hawkers, Peddlers and Door to Door Salespersons”; with Authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing.

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Amendments to the Richmond Code of Ordinances Chapter 12, entitled “Streets, Sidewalks and Public Places; with Authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing.

 

J.         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 drafting an Ordinance requiring property owners in the General Business Zone and Shannock Village to clear snow/ice from adjacent sidewalks within a specified timeframe after accumulation.

 

2)         Discussion and Consideration of Proposed Addition to the District Use Table 18.16.010 entitled "Use Regulations", Section 18.16.010, Table 18.16.010; with authorization for the Town Clerk to Advertise for Public Hearing.

 

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)         Boards and Commissions Vacancies as of January 14, 2026

b)         Police Department Press Release – January 9, 2026

c)         Economic Development Commission 2025 End of Year Report

d)         RIPTA Services Changes Update

e)         Resilient Rhody 2025 – Public Comment Open 1/5-1/26

f)         Richmond Rural Preservation Land Trust responses regarding Richmond Comprehensive Community Plan

g)         DEM hosting Firefighter class

h)         Planning Board Annual Report – 2025

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Chariho Regional School District Committee in Support of Full Funding of Categorical Transportation Aid as Outlined in RIGL §16-7.2-i

b)         West Greenwich Resolution regarding Low- and Moderate-Income Housing

c)         Town of Exeter Resolution regarding the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns.

d)         Town of Charlestown Resolution Supporting Healthcare Advocacy and Fair Reimbursement to Preserve Local Access to Care

 

L.        EXECUTIVE SESSION

1)         Pursuant to R.I. General Laws §42-46-5(a)(2), Carlson v. Town of Richmond, WC-2025-0605

 

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 January 14, 2026 amended.

 

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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