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For informational purposes only
Posted 2.10.26
TOWN OF SCITUATE
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, February 12, 2026 @ 6:30 P.M.
Scituate High School
94 Trimtown Road
N. Scituate, RI 02857
The Town has set up the following internet video conference and telephonic access capabilities for remote public participation for items other than public hearings:
By internet/Zoom at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81243292388?pwd=aUU3aHg4cmRaME5jaE83R1pyTlQ5dz09
Dial via telephone:
888 788 0099 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 812 4329 2388
Passcode: 132310
The above virtual access option is being provided only as a convenience and is not an official “location” where meeting access is guaranteed. The only way to guarantee complete access to the meeting is to attend physically, in-person at the physical location listed above
AGENDA
Attachments are available to view on our website www.scituateri.org
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Call to order – Town Council President
3. Roll Call – Town Clerk
4. Possible Motion(s) to convene into Closed/Executive Session:
A. The Town Council may convene into Executive/Closed session pursuant to R.I.G.L. § 42-46-5 (a)(2) Pending Litigation (Finnegan v. Przybyla, PC-2020-06563). Discussion and/or Potential action, announcement and/or vote(s) from Executive Session and/or Open Session concerning pending litigation regarding Finnegan v. Przybyla, PC-2020-06563.
5. Motion to close Executive Session / Motion to seal Executive Session minutes / Announcement of Vote(s) in Executive Session, if any.
6. Regular Meeting call to order – Council President – Beginning no earlier than 7:00 P.M.
7. Proclamations, Presentations and Acknowledgements—Review, Discussion and/or Potential action and/or Vote:
A. Sustainability Committee Yearly Report
8. Public Hearings—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote (Note: No virtual participation on these public hearing items):
A. Second Reading of Ordinance 26-01, amending Section 34 of Article II, Sections 60 & 61 of Article IV of Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances and adding a new Section 62 to Article IV of Chapter 3 of the Code of Ordinances: Proposed amendments to the Animal Control violation/citation penalties and adding a new fee schedule to cover the administrative costs for the care of shelter animals as recommended by the Animal Control Director and Police Chief.
B. Second Reading of Ordinance 26-02, amending Section 4 of Article I of Chapter 6 of the Code of Ordinances: Proposed amendment to increase the BV (Beverage Victualing) Liquor License limit as requested by Michael DiFazio, owner of DiFazio Farm & Winery.
C. First Reading of Ordinance 26-03, establishing Chapter 18 of the Code of Ordinances: Proposed creation of a private family burial ordinance governing family burial plots on private property.
9. Public comment for items not on the agenda
10. Consent Items—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:
A. Approval of Town Council meeting minutes:
i. Regular Meeting – January 8, 2026
ii. Closed Session – January 8, 2026
i. Town Clerk
ii. Public Works
iii. Building Official/Zoning
iv. Police
v. Treasurer
vi. Senior Services
vii. Human Services
viii. EMA
ix. Recreation
x. Conservation Commission/Land Trust
xi. American Rescue Plan Act (“ARPA”) Funds
C. Abatements and Additions: See attached
D. Correspondence: None
E. Joint Pole Location(s):
i. Countryside Lane – Install One 35/3 JO Pole
F. Re-Appointments
i. Housing Authority
a. Brenda Frederickson – term expiring 12/31/2029
b. Theodore Richard, III – term expiring 12/31/2030
G. Resignations & Retirements:
i. Tracy Hilton – Police Dispatcher
H. Authorization to post for open positions:
i. Police Dispatcher – full-time position
I. Licenses—subject to receipt of all required paperwork, all State and Local permits, and compliance with all stipulations, rules and regulations as previously required by the Town Council:
i. Hawker and Peddler – Robert Baumann D/B/A Big Bobby’s Q, LLC, expiring 12/31/2026
ii. Private Investigator, expiring 12/31/2026
a. David Ellingwood, Jr.
b. Peter Costello
| i. | Early Town Expenses | $ 324,144.86 |
| ii. | Regular Town Expenses | $ 240,479.78 |
| iii. | GOB RUN | $ 2,840.12 |
11. Appointments—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:
A. Correction – Land Trust – Michael Carpenter was appointed in November 2025 with a term expiring 12/31/2026, the term expiring should be 11/30/2029.
B. David Gaiewski - Fire Suppression Committee- term expiring 12/31/26
12. Resolutions—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:
A. Resolution 26-01 related to legal authorization to add a Third Class A Liquor License
13. Town Business—Review, Discussion and/or Potential Action and/or Vote:
A. Authorization to hire Stephen Mattscheck as Director of Public Works with a start date of February 13, 2026. The starting annual base salary of $100,000.00 ($3,846.15 bi-weekly) for six months. After six-months increase to annual base salary of $105,000.00 ($4,038.46 bi-weekly). Benefits per the Scituate Employee Handbook with the following exception of vacation time starts at three weeks per calendar year.
B. Authorization to compensate John Lomastro for the period January 11, 2026 – February 12, 2026, as DPW Director. The variance between DPW Director and Deputy Director, adjusted for years of service, for 24 working days totals $1,530.96
C. Recommendation from the Land Trust and Conservation Commission to assign the Town Engineer to follow up with an environmental review with RIDEM and work with RIIB to allow for an informed decision to be make on the following bid proposals:
| Bidder | Total Proposed |
| Pare Corporation | $67,500.00 |
| James J. Geremia & Associates, Inc. | $22,762.00 |
D. Recommendation from the Land Trust to award the bid for Land Trust Management Plan Updates See attached recommendation
Bids received from:
| Bidder | Project A Lawton Farm | Project B Esek Hopkins Park | Project C Westconnaug Meadows | Project D Tasca Field |
| Echo Woods Farm | $1,400.00 | $2,200.00 | $1,200.00 | - |
| Heritage Habitat & Forestry | $5,950.00 | 10,340.00 | $2,750.00 | $5,940.00 |
| Land Management Services | $2,400.00 | $3,000.00 | $2,700.00 | - |