RICHMOND TOWN COUNCIL

Special Town Council Meeting Agenda

Town Council Chambers

5 Richmond Townhouse Road, Wyoming, RI 02898

March 31, 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/96113062397     Meeting ID: 961 1306 2397

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 961 1306 2397 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.        BUDGET WORKSHOP

Please Note in Accordance with Section 42-46-6 (b) the Council May Review, Discuss and/or take Action on the following items:

1)         Town Council Consideration of the Fiscal Year 26/27 Municipal Budget

a)         Discussion and Consideration of Hours and Staffing related to FY 26/27 Budget

b)         Discussion and Consideration of the Town of Hopkinton’s Payment for Use of the Transfer Station for FY 26/27

c)         Discussion and Consideration of Setting the 2026 Summer Camp Fees

 

2)         Town Council Consideration of the Preliminary Capital Projects and Programs FY26/27

 

3)         Discussion and Consideration of Requesting that the Chariho Regional School District Apply Any Additional State Aid Received in FY 2026/2027 Toward Reducing the Municipal Local Contribution

 

E.        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)         Request of Vice President Reynolds for Discussion and Consideration of Resolution in Support of House Bill H7446 and Senate Bill S2697 regarding Low and Moderate Income Housing

 

F.         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 Proposed Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 18.20 “Dimensional Regulations”: Continued from March 17, 2026

 

G.        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 Appointing a Deputy Town Clerk – Lauren Souza

 

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)         March 17, 2026 (Regular Minutes)

 

2)         Approval of Rhode Island Energy/ Narragansett Electric-Verizon New England Inc. Joint Pole Placement Request on Switch Road WR#14784557 for Mid-span P132 to Install RIE Protective Equipment

 

I.          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.

 

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)         Police Chief’s Report: Elwood Johnson

a)         Response to a Medical Emergency by Lt. John Arnold

 

2)         Recreation Director’s Report: Robin Woodmansee

a)         Discussion and Consideration of a Memorandum of Understanding Between USTA New England Inc. and the Town of Richmond Recreation, with Authorization for the Town Administrator to Sign

 

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 Commissions Vacancy List

b)         Richmond Police Department Press Release – March 19, 2026

c)         Public Notice from RI Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation Regarding Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act Review of Proposed Programmatic Agreement for FY2025 Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Grant Program

d)         Letter from the Town of Charlestown Regarding the Convening of a Tri-Town Council

 

2)         Resolutions Received:

a)         Town of Smithfield Resolution in Support of Municipalities Collaborating in Reviewing, Analyzing, and Responding to the 2024 and 2025 Affordable Housing Laws

b)         Town of Smithfield Resolution in Support of Senate Bill S2917 and House Bill H8015 Relating to Towns and Cities – Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1988

c)         Town of Lincoln Resolution related to Low- and Moderate- Income Housing

d)         Town of Lincoln Resolution in Support of Municipalities Collaborating in Reviewing, Analyzing, and Responding to the 2024 and 2025 Affordable Housing Laws

e)         Town of Lincoln Resolution to the General Assembly Regarding an Amendment to Title 44 Chapter 3 of the Rhode Island General Laws to Enable the Lincoln Town Council to Enact a Tax Credit for Veterans

f)         Town of Lincoln Resolution Congratulating Enrico Caruso Society on the 100th Anniversary of its Founding

g)         Town of Lincoln Resolution to the General Assembly in Opposition of House Bill H8073 and Senate Bill 2710

h)         Town of Lincoln Resolution to the General Assembly in Support of House Bill H7971

i)          Town of Lincoln Resolution to the General Assembly in Support of Joint Resolution 7678

j)          Town of East Greenwich Resolution Supporting the Implementation of the Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Commission on Education Funding Recommendations

k)         Town of East Greenwich Resolution Regarding Low- and Moderate- Income Housing

 

L.        EXECUTIVE SESSION

1)         Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 42-46-5 (a)(2)- Pending Litigation: Hawkins v. Town of Richmond, RIPF25100090-00001.

 

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 26, 2026.

 

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.