AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

TOWN COUNCIL

 

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2022

 

WORK SESSION

7:00 PM

REGULAR SESSION

7:30 PM

 

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

180 HIGH STREET

WAKEFIELD, RI

 

 

Members of the public are welcome and encouraged to attend in person or view the meeting live on ClerkBase at https://clerkshq.com/SouthKingstown-ri or on your local Public Access Television Station. Standard COVID-19 protocols in town buildings apply to all meeting attendees. Masks are optional, but attendees are asked to maintain social distancing.

 

NOTE:  Individuals requesting American Sign Language interpreters or CART service must call the Town Clerk’s Office at 401-789-9331 seventy-two (72) hours in advance of the meeting date.

 

DATE POSTED: 6/9/2022

 

1.         A.        INTERVIEWS – 7:00 PM 

See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report.

 

B.        WORK SESSION – immediately following

All items listed on Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.

 

C.        REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM

Please be advised that the Council intends to discuss and/or act upon each and every item appearing on this agenda.

 

2.         A.        PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

 

            B.        LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

 

3.         ROLL CALL

 

4.         APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

            A.        Work Session – May 23, 2022

             

B.        Regular Sessions – May 23 and June 2, 2022

 

C.        Closed Executive Session – May 23, 2022

 

5.         CONSENT AGENDA

 

*     *     *     *     *     *     *     *     *      *      *      *      *     *     *     *     *

I.              Rule 10A.  for the conduct of the meetings of the South Kingstown Town Council:  Members of the public shall be entitled to speak at regular meetings during any period designated on the agenda for public comment, once, for a period of five minutes, or longer at the discretion of the President, and at other times when invited to do so by the President.  The public shall address their comments to the question under debate as indicated on the agenda. Pursuant to RI General Laws §42-46-6(b), public comment regarding subject matter not on the agenda but received during the public participation portion of a meeting shall be for information purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.

 

II.             Rule 11:  No item of business other than that of adjournment may be brought before the Town Council at any meeting unless such an item is introduced before 11:00 PM; provided, however, that this rule may be suspended by an affirmative vote of a majority of members present.

 

III.            Rule 13:  All items listed with a (CA) are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will be enacted by one motion.  There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda (CA) consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

 

Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

 

6.         LICENSES

 

            A.        A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License to the Southern RI Chamber of Commerce for the Taste of Southern Rhode Island event to be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 5 PM to 9 PM under a tent in the field at 2984 Commodore O.H. Perry Highway, Wakefield. Application by Joe Viele, Executive Director, 230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.

 

            B.        A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License to the Southern RI Chamber of Commerce for the Taste of Sugar event to be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 from 5 PM to 9 PM under a tent in the field at 2984 Commodore O.H. Perry Highway, Wakefield. Application by Joe Viele, Executive Director, 230 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879.

 

            C.        A resolution granting a Firearms and Ammunitions License to Freedom Sports and Arms, 232 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Leonard Cuoco, Owner; Renewal. License No. 59526.

 

(CA)    D.        A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

                        Baked Providence, RI Operators, LLC d/b/a Insomnia Cookies, 99 Fortin Road Unit 136, Kingston, RI  02881. Application by Terri Caramenico, Facilities Manager; License No. 65535.

 

                        Richard Paolo Realty d/b/a The Original Vanilla Bean, 757 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI  02879. Application by Richard Paolo, Owner; License No. 61740.

 

(CA)    E.         A resolution granting a Laundry License to Matunuck Laundry, 706 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Barbara Placido, Owner; Renewal. License No. 66592.

 

(CA)    F.         A resolution granting a Victualling License to Breakfast Nook Inc., II d/b/a Breakfast Nook II, 575 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI  02879 subject to submittal of Retail Sales Tax permit. Application by Richard Seddon, President; Renewal. License No. 59646.

 

(CA)    G.        A resolution granting a Tourist Accommodations License for three spaces/six persons to Sheppard’s Campus Bed & Breakfast, 16 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI  02881. Application by David Sheppard, Owner; Renewal. License No. 61883.

 

7.         PUBLIC HEARING

 

            A.        A Public Hearing relative to adoption of the FY2022-2023 Position Allocation to Pay Schedule, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.

 

 

8.         COMMUNICATIONS

 

            A.        A memorandum dated April 14, 2022 from Brian Wagner, Senior Planner submitting a request from the Historic District Commission to acknowledge the South Kingstown Preservation Award winners for 2022 selected by the HDC is continued from May 23, 2022, and the Town Council further directs ___________.

 

            B.        Emails dated May 11, 2022 from Councilwoman Deborah D. Bergner requesting recognition of South Kingstown Planning Board Chairwoman Maria Mack for her achievement in receiving the APA-RI President’s Award, and South Kingstown School Committee Vice Chairwoman Michelle Brousseau for her achievement in receiving the RIASC Howard Kay Award are received, placed on file and the Town Council further directs ________________________.

 

(CA)    C.        Emails from Lydia S., Ilana Rose, Chelsea Hudock, Ann Bisland, Heather Hopkins, Seamus Hearne and Jodi Tetelbaum, Kelly Harrington, Bob Mohr, Kim Reilly, Chris Hubbard, Pippa and Sean O’Rourke, and Elizabeth P. relative to the School Department’s elimination of the DLI Program are received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    D.        A letter dated May 18, 2022 from Luke Lehouiller concerning the condition of South Kingstown High School is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    E.         An email dated May 20, 2022 from Jenifer Madison, District Manager providing a copy of the Kingston Fire District’s 3^rd Quarterly Report for Fiscal Year 2021-2022 is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    F.         An email dated May 22, 2022 from Jill Misto concerning ongoing Sunday morning power outages in her neighborhood and a response from the Director of Public Services are received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    G.        Emails dated May 23 and May 24, 2022 from Sydney Cagnetta, Cathy Blaney, Mara Trachtenberg, Erica Martell, and Eliot Van Buskirk in opposition to budget cuts to the South Kingstown School District’s performing arts programs are received and placed on file.

 

            H.        An email dated May 25, 2022 from Kateri Collins tendering her resignation from the Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee, effective immediately is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ___________.

 

(CA)    I.          An email dated May 26, 2022 from Todd Estus extending an invitation to the Troop 1 Kingston Eagle Court of Honor on June 19^th is received and placed on file.

 

            J.         An email dated May 31, 2022 from Roxanne Beinart in opposition to the proximity of gun stores to South Kingstown Schools is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs                                    .

 

(CA)    K.        Emails from Lou Chrostowski and Sarah LeClair concerning flying the Pride Flag in recognition of LGBTQ Pride Month, and a response issued by the Town Solicitor are received, placed on file, and referred to the Town Solicitor’s Report.

 

(CA)    L.         A letter dated June 2, 2022 from Paul Roselli, President, RI Conservation Commission encouraging appointed officials in natural resources conservation or land preservation to attend the Land and Water Conservation Summit being held July 14 - July 16 is received and placed on file.

 

(CA)    M.        An email dated June 3, 2022 from Jerilyn DeLuca-Hawk in opposition to proposed budget cuts to South Kingstown High School personnel is received and placed on file.

 

            N.        Emails dated June 1 and June 8, 2022 from Bethany Sorrentino, Joseph Sorrentino III, and Jacy Northup concerning Representative Carol McEntee’s comments in regard to potential reuse of Wakefield Elementary School during the General Assembly’s discussion of House Bill 7943 An Act Relating to Towns and Cities -- Low and Moderate Income Housing is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ___________________.

 

            O.        An email dated June 8, 2022 from Stephanie Maass concerning property revaluations at Roy Carpenter’s Beach is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs                                               .

 

(CA)    P.         Any communication added to the Agenda subsequent to this is hereby added by majority vote, in accordance with RIGL §42-46-6 (b) Notice --…  “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

9.         COMMENTS FROM INTERESTED CITIZENS

 

10.       TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.        Report on Town Public Safety Departments.

Also see Attachment B for Town Manager’s Reports.

 

11.       TOWN SOLICITOR’S REPORT

 

                        A.        Presentation, discussion and potential adoption of proposed Town Flag Policy.

 

12.       APPOINTMENTS

 

A.           A resolution appointing ___________________________________ to the ______________________________ Board/Committee/Commission for a term to expire in _______________. (See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report)

 

B.        A resolution appointing                                                             to the Town’s 300^th Anniversary Steering Committee.

 

13.       NEW BUSINESS

 

            A.        A resolution authorizing the Tax Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $10,219.26, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 602.

 

            B.        A resolution authorizing an award of bid to StarNet Solutions Incorporated, 90 Main Street, Farmingdale, NJ 07727 for Server Infrastructure Hardware in an amount not to exceed $49,543, including a $2,000 contingency; as further described in a memorandum from the Information Technology Director to the Town Manager dated May 27, 2022 and entitled “Police Server Infrastructure Hardware.”

 

            C.        A resolution authorizing an award of bid to East Winds Dry Cleaners, Inc., 4619 Post Road, East Greenwich, RI 02818 for dry cleaning and laundry services at the unit prices bid, and as further negotiated, for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023, with the option to extend one additional year through June 30, 2024, inclusive, if mutually agreeable to both parties; and as further described in a memorandum from the Interim Police Chief to the Town Manager dated June 2, 2022 and entitled: "Bid Recommendation – Dry Cleaning & Laundry Services – FY 2022-2023 – SK0057PD."

 

            D.        A resolution formally adopting the employee benefits provided to non-union personnel, as presented in the Town Council’s FY 2022-2023 Budget adopted April 25, 2022, or as amended herein, including the Position Allocation to Pay Schedule, the Grade & Step Schedule, Longevity, and Healthcare Benefits effective July 1, 2022, and additional employee benefits provided to non-union personnel as presented in the Non-Union Employee Benefits Summary - July 1, 2022; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Administrative Services to the Town Manager dated June 2, 2022 and entitled “Non-Organized Municipal Personnel FY 2022-2023 Salary & Benefits.”

 

            E.         A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute an engagement letter with Vincent F. Ragosta, Jr., Esquire, 50 Park Row West,Suite 101, Providence, RI 02903 as special legal counsel to represent the Town with regard to public safety labor issues, as determined by the Town Manager and upon the terms set forth in the engagement letter.

 

(CA)    F.         A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to an application for transfer of a license to keep and sell alcoholic beverages in South Kingstown in accordance with the General Laws of 1956, as amended, as follows:

 

CLASS B TAVERN LIQUOR LICENSE

 

Transfer of a Class B Tavern Liquor License from Pamfilios, Inc. d/b/a Bistro by the Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 by Richard Paolo, President to Bravo by the Sea, LLC by Jeffrey Quinlan, Member, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the first floor restaurant, gazebo for intermission, tents on tennis court and 32’ x 50’ patio in accordance with Special Use Permits granted by the Zoning Board of Review on August 15, 2007 and March 17, 2010; as further defined in a site plan on file in the Town Clerk’s office.

 

            G.        A resolution extending the Town’s Declaration of Emergency adopted at an Emergency Session on March 15, 2020 and subsequently renewed on a monthly basis, as shown on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.

 

            H.        A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Narragansett Improvement Company, 223 Allens Avenue, Providence, RI 02903 for sidewalk improvements at the Senior Center including labor, supplies and all appurtenances in an amount not to exceed $39,545, including a contingency; and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Facilities Superintendent to the Town Manager dated June 3, 2022 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Sidewalk Improvements – Senior Center.”

 

            I.          A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Ochs, Inc. (Securian Financial/ Minnesota Life), 400 Robert Street North, Suite 1880, St. Paul, MN 55101 for a three-year Term Life and Accidental Death and Dismemberment contract for the period July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2025 in accordance with the rates as follows, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Administrative Services to the Town Manager dated June 8, 2022 entitled “Term Life Insurance & Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD & D) Insurance Bid Recommendation – BID #SK0032FD.”

 

 

(CA)    J.         A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Sertex Utility Services, 22 Center Parkway, Plainfield, CT 06374 for fiber installation at the Peace Dale Office Building in an amount not to  exceed $7,750  including  a  $1,000  contingency;  as  further described in  a  memorandum  from  the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 1, 2022 and entitled “Peace Dale Office Building – Fiber Installation & Network Equipment Recommendation.”

 

(CA)    K.        A  resolution  authorizing  an  award  of  purchase  to  TBNG  (Vancord),  500  Boston  Post  Road, Milford, CT 06460 for network equipment for the Peace Dale Office Building in an amount not to exceed $8,085; as further described in a memorandum from the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 1, 2022 and entitled “Peace Dale Office Building – Fiber Installation & Network Equipment Recommendation.”

 

(CA)    L.         Any New Business added to the Agenda subsequent to this is hereby added by majority vote, in accordance with RIGL §42-46-6 (b) Notice --…  “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 1

 

Non Union Employees Position Allocation to Pay Schedule FY 2022-2023⁶

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 2

 

 

Town of South Kingstown

Renewed Declaration of Emergency

 

 

On March 15, 2020, pursuant to Sec. 3214 of the South Kingstown Home Rule Charter, the Town Council declared the existence of an emergency. The basis for the Council’s emergency declaration was the danger to health and life posed by the novel coronavirus known as COVID-19, as set forth in Governor Gina Raimondo’s Executive Order 20-02 dated March 9, 2020 declaring a state of emergency, and Executive Order 20-03 dated March 13, 2020 containing a supplemental emergency declaration.  Governor Raimondo extended the state of emergency as set forth in Executive Order 20-23 on April 10, 2020, and it was further extended on May 7, June 4, July 3, July 31, September 2, October 2, November 2, December 2, December 22, 2020, January 19, and February 16, 2021. Governor Daniel McKee further extended the state of emergency on March 16, April 21, May 20, and June 10, July 9, August 6, and September 30, 2021.  The Town Council voted to extend the date of the local emergency declaration on April 13, 2020, and it was further extended on May 11, June 8, July 13, August 11, September 14, October 13, November 9, December 14, 2020, January 11, January 25, February 22, March 22, April 26, and May 24, June 28, July 26, August 10, September 13, 2021, October 25, 2021 (retroactive to October 12, 2021), November 8, 2021 and December 13, 2021, January 10, 2022, February 14, 2022,  March 14, 2022, April 11, 2022, and May 9, 2022.

 

Since the Council’s declaration of emergency, the Governor of the State of Rhode Island has issued 244 further supplemental emergency declarations (as of June 7, 2022) relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and circumstances continue to be of concern both locally, statewide, and nationwide. On June 7, 2022, Governor McKee issued Executive Order 22-27 further extending the state of emergency to July 7, 2022.  Therefore, the Town Council deems it prudent to declare that a state of emergency continues to exist in Town, and hereby extends the end date of its emergency declaration from June 13, 2022 to July 11, 2022. The substance of the Council’s declaration of emergency remains in full force and effect, except to the extent that it has been superseded by an Executive Order of the Governor of the State of Rhode Island.

 

The Council hereby delegates the authority to the Town Manager to take any and all actions deemed necessary to address the ongoing emergency. The Town Manager shall report actions taken pursuant to this emergency declaration to the Council and to the public as soon as practicable, including ongoing updates on the Town’s website.

 

This Ordinance shall remain in full force and effect until July 11, 2022 unless renewed, modified, or terminated by a subsequent ordinance. Provided, however, that if the statewide state of emergency is not extended by executive order of the Governor of the State of Rhode Island on or before July 7, 2022, this Ordinance shall expire on that date.

 

 

 

Attachment A

 

 

Boards and Commissions Appointments Report

 

 

The following information reflects the status of those Town boards, commissions and committees which have vacancies, members whose terms are expiring and are eligible for reappointment, and/or applications filed for consideration of appointment. The Town Council may make appointments at any meeting.

 

Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires August 2022 (Kenneth Burke resigned);

Reappointments for terms to expire in August 2021 and August 2022: (Alicia Johnson and Carol Babbitt Spears wish to be reappointed; awaiting responses from Christian Blaney, and George Helwig).

 

Assessment Board of Review (3 members, 1 alternate; 3 year term)

Vacancy: Alternate member term expires January 2024 (Bradford Hevenor appointed to full member to fill the term of William Salerno)

 

Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)

Vacancy: term expires July 2023 (Jenn Judge resigned)

 

Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term to expire September 2024 (Anne Heffron did not wish to be reappointed); Reappointments for terms to expire September 2022 (Christopher O’Connor does not wish to be reappointed; awaiting responses from Matthew Bradywood, and J. Vernon Wyman).

John J. McGinn (applied 2/20/2022; interviewed 3/14/2022)

 

Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)

Vacancies: 2 terms expire March 2023 and March 2025 (Marc Levitt resigned; Alex M. Petrucci did not wish to be reappointed)

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires December 2022 (Karen DaSilva resigned)

 

Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire in July 2022: (Mario Briccetti and Lindsay Madom wish to be reappointed) It is reported that Mr. Briccetti has attended 42 of 51 and Ms. Madom has attended 31 of 39 meetings held since their respective appointments.

 

Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires May 2025 (Josh Daly resigned)

Applicants: William Eden (applied 5/23/2022; to be interviewed 6/13/2022); Ellen Noordzy (applied 6/7/2022; to be interviewed 6/13/2022)

 

Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (7 members)

Vacancy: Route 1 business owner (Steve Wood resigned)

John J. McGinn (applied 2/20/2022; interviewed 3/14/2022)

 

Route 138 Reconstruction Project Area Committee (11 members; 2 year term)

Vacancies: terms expire May 2023 (Peter Maynard did not wish to be reappointed; James Garfield, Ex-officio member of Historic District Commission resigned; and URI representative)

 

Saugatucket Veterans’ Memorial Park Commission (5 members; 5 year term)

Vacancy: Vietnam Veteran term expires January 2025 (Mark Spangler deceased)

 

Statistical Modeling and Analytics Research Tools (SMART) Committee

Two vacancies: (Lauren Weinstock and Jonathan E. Daly-LaBelle resigned)

Applicant: Nathaniel H. Merrill (applied 8/11/2021)

 

300^th Anniversary Steering Committee

Applicant: Hilding Munson (applied 6/1/2022)

 

Sustainability Committee (7 members)

Three vacancies: (Hannah Morini, Angela Tuoni, and Chris Hubbard resigned)

Applicants: Jeanine Silversmith (applied: 6/6/2022); Pamela F. Lezaeta (applied 6/21/2021)

 

Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)

Vacancy: term expires June 2022 (Carol Vetter resigned due to appointment to the School Committee)

 

Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire in June 2022: (Barry Ennis does not wish to be reappointed) Samuel Grimley (to be interviewed 6/13/2022) wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that, Mr. Grimley has attended 20 of 23 meetings held since their respective appointments.

 

Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 2 alternates; 3 year term)

Vacancy: Alternate #2 for a term expiring March 2023 

John J. McGinn (applied 2/20/2022; interviewed 3/14/2022)

 

 

 

 

Attachment B

 

1.    Manager’s Report dated May 26, 2022

2.    Manager’s Report dated June 2, 2022

3.    Manager’s Report dated June 9, 2022