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REGULAR SESSION
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
At a REGULAR SESSION of the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown, County of Washington, in the State of Rhode Island, held at the Town Hall, in and for said Town on the 1st day of February A.D., 2017 at 6:30 PM.
PRESENT: Margaret M. Healy, President
Abel G. Collins, Vice President
Bryant DaCruz
Liz Gledhill
Joe Viele
The Pledge of Allegiance to the flag is given.
Roll Call is taken and all members are present.
Heidi Driscoll, Executive Director, Partnership For Prevention introduces Joee Lindbeck, Assistant Attorney General.
Joee Lindbeck, Assistant Attorney General, Legislation and Policy Unit, State of Rhode Island gives a presentation in regard to Marijuana in Rhode Island. The Attorney General has tasked the Legislation and Policy Unit to go to the local cities and towns and give an educational summary of the Medical Marijuana Program since its inception and to share lessons learned from the western states. She distributes packets that include municipal ordinances from cities and towns across the state in regards to zoning.
Mike Cerullo, Psychotherapist, advocating for an evidence based marijuana policy speaks in regard to “What’s The Rush, RI?”, Legalization of Marijuana for Recreational Use, Youth Use Prevalence, Mental Health & Suicide, Homelessness & Socio-Economic Impacts.
Sarah Dinklage is a resident and Executive Director, Rhode Island Student Assistance Services which provides substance abuse prevention services to schools. She speaks to the myth of marijuana being a harmless drug and urges the Council to examine the statistics.
Chris Sands, a resident of South Kingstown believes in medical cannabis for people and urges the Town Council to do their own research.
Ron DiMatteo, a resident and retired pharmacist speaks in opposition to legalization of marijuana.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to recess to Closed Executive Session at 7:35 PM pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(5) to discuss matters related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public.
Healy – aye Collins – aye DaCruz – aye Gledhill – aye Viele - aye
Reconvened to Regular Session at 8:35 PM.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Town Solicitor’s office to forward to the attorney for Hang Ten, LLC a purchase and sales agreement for the purchase of two lots designated as Tax Assessor’s Plat 92-3, Lot 1 and 92-2, Lot 47.
Discussion ensues relative to an offer by the attorney for the Estate of Judith Defeo to the Town of South Kingstown of the option to purchase a conservation easement or deed to development rights for property located at 607 Curtis Corner Road consisting of approximately 25 acres with an appraisal value of $980,000. A build-out analysis was conducted by the Planning Department several years ago and it was estimated that approximately 17 lots could be created. Assuming there is no federal or private money available for such a purchase, the entire cost would have to be supported by the Town and is not in accordance with the existing Capital Improvement Program. The recommendation is to decline the offer for the Town to purchase for sole acquisition, however if the South Kingstown Land Trust were to put a deal together it would be brought back for Council consideration.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to authorize the Town Manager to send a letter to the Attorney for the Estate of Judith Defeo declining an offer for the Town of South Kingstown to purchase a conservation easement or deed to development rights to property located at 607 Curtis Corner Road consisting of approximately 25 acres with an appraisal value of $980,000, however if the South Kingstown Land Trust were to put a deal together it would be brought back for Council consideration.
UNANIMOUSLY VOTED: to adjourn at 8:40 PM.
ADJOURNED,
Dale S. Holberton, CMC
Town Clerk