TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

MONDAY, MAY 22, 2023

 

WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM

REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM

 

TOWN COUNCIL CHAMBERS

180 HIGH STREET

WAKEFIELD, RI

 

TOWN COUNCIL

Rory H. McEntee, President

Michael K. Marran, Vice President

Patricia A. Alley

Deborah D. Bergner

Jessica L. Rose

 

James M. Manni, Town Manager

Michael A. Ursillo, Esquire, Town Solicitor

Susan M. Flynn, CMC, Town Clerk

 

 

 

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.

 

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: 5/18/2023

 

1.         A.        WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM

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

 

            B.        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 8, 2023

 

B.        Regular Session – May 8, 2023

 

5.         CONSENT AGENDA

 

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.

 

LICENSES

 

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

 

Sumo Sushi, Inc. d/b/a Sumo Sushi, 99 Fortin Road, Unit 104, Kingston, RI  02881.  Application by James Towers, Accountant; Renewal.  License No. 69836.

 

The Rhode House RI, LLC d/b/a The Rhode House, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI  02881. Application by Katia Erika Cuevas, Member; Renewal.  License No. 79708.

 

                        NEW BUSINESS

 

(CA)    B.        A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise by reference for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to adoption of the FY 2023-2024 Position Allocation to Pay Schedule.

 

(CA)    C.        A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $6,011.88, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 618.

 

(CA)    D.        A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $6,450.00, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 619.

 

 

6.         LICENSES

 

A.           A resolution granting a Victualling License to Butterhead, LLC d/b/a Purslane, 318 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Matthew Brown, Managing Member, 1390A Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879; New. License No. 79386.

 

B.           A resolution granting a Special Events Permit to conduct the 300^th Anniversary Post Parade Picnic at Saugatucket Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM to the 300^th Anniversary Steering Committee subject to administrative approvals. Application by Theresa L. Murphy, Leisure Services Director; New. License No. 79821.

 

C.           A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License for the 300^th Anniversary Post Parade Picnic at Saugatucket Park on Saturday, June 17, 2023 from 12:00 PM to 4:30 PM to the 300^th Anniversary Steering Committee subject to administrative approvals. Application by Theresa L. Murphy, Leisure Services Director; New. License No. 79837.

 

D.           A resolution granting a Miscellaneous Permit to conduct a Car Parade on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM to The Never Dunne Foundation,17 Fairport Avenue, Narragansett, RI 02882 subject to the execution of a hold harmless agreement indemnifying the Town and issuance of a certificate of insurance naming the Town as an additional insured in the amounts specified by the Finance Director. Proceeds to benefit the Never Dunne Foundation for glioblastoma brain cancer. Application by Reagan Dunne, Member; Renewal. License No. 77996.

 

E.            A resolution granting a Victualling License to Calaveras LLC d/b/a Maiz, 58 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 subject to approval by the Fire Chief, Wastewater Superintendent and RI Department of Health. Application by Ilyana Borisora, Member; New. License No. 79353.

 

7.         PUBLIC HEARING

 

            A.        A Public Hearing relative to an application for 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 VICTUALLER LIQUOR LICENSE

 

Application for a Class B Victualler Liquor License by Butterhead, LLC d/b/a Purslane, 318 Main Street, Wakefield, RI by Matthew Brown, Managing Member for the indoor dining area and 14 seats on the patio in accordance with a Special Use Permit granted by the Zoning Board of Review on March 22, 2023; and as further defined in a site plan on file in the Town Clerk’s office.

 

Said license is contingent upon the issuance of a Certificate of Good Standing from the Rhode Island Division of Taxation, issuance of a Certificate of Insurance evidencing required liability coverage, compliance with all Town Ordinances and regulations, the payment of any municipal taxes, user fees and lease payments in arrears to the Town, and the correction of any fire code violations.

 

8.         NEW BUSINESS

 

            A.        A resolution affirming or amending the Town’s Liquor License Rules and Regulations, Section I. The current number of licenses for each class shall be authorized as indicated below, unless changed by a majority vote of the Town Council:

 

Class                                                   Number

 

A – Retail                                            4 maximum

B – Victualler                                       29

B – Tavern                                          2

B – Limited                                          5

B – Hotel                                             1

B – M                                                  0

C                                                         0

D – Club Full Privilege                        1

D – Limited                                          0

F                                                          Five per year per organization

F – 1                                                    Five per year per organization

J – Limited                                          1

T – Legitimate Theater                        3

 

 

            B.        A resolution authorizing an award of purchase to Advantage Preservation, 1035 33rd Avenue SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404 for newspaper digitization and digital archives services in an amount not to exceed $20,975; as further described in a memorandum from the Library Director to the Town Manager dated May 17, 2023 and entitled “Newspaper Digitization and Digital Archives.”

 

 

9.         TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.        Report on Town Budget Referendum.

 

B.        Update on School Building Committee.

 

10.       PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

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.

 

 

11.       COMMUNICATIONS

 

            A.        A letter dated April 27, 2023 from Deb Carney, Charlestown Town Council President and Jeff Broadhead, Volunteer requesting the appointment of a Town Council member to the Washington County Regional Planning Council is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ____________________.

 

            B.        An email dated May 10, 2023 from School Superintendent Mark Prince regarding Dorald Beasley’s calculations that the School budget has $2 million in excess funds is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ______________.

 

            C.        A resolution adopted May 8, 2023 by the Tiverton Town Council seeking support for their request that the General Assembly and the Governor reinstate General Revenue Sharing for RI municipalities is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ____________________.

 

 

Rule 18:  Correspondence to the Town Council shall be placed on the Council agenda only where action by the Council is requested.  Correspondence relating to personnel issues or personal matters shall not be placed on the agenda.  The Town Clerk shall confer with the Town Manager and/or Town Solicitor where the intent of the correspondence may be unclear.  Correspondence not placed on the agenda may be available for public review pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act.

 

 

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)

 

 

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.

 

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.”

 

 

 

 

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 2025 (Christian Blaney resigned)

 

Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Applicant: Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023); Margaret Clune (applied 5/15/2023)

 

Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires in March 2026 (Joanne Esposito resigned)

Applicant: Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023)

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires December 2025 (Shantia Anderheggen did not wish to be reappointed)

 

Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)

Applicants: William Eden (applied 5/23/2022; interviewed 6/13/2022); and Ellen Noordzy (applied 6/7/2022; interviewed 6/13/2022); Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023)

 

Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire in June 2023: Sean Johnson wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting a response from John Biafore.

 

Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (7 members)

Vacancy: Route 1 business owner (Steve Wood resigned)

 

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

Reappointments for terms to expire in May 2023: Susan Spranger Axelrod, Dorald Beasley, Gail Faris, Thomas Marcello and William Rosen wish to be reappointed. Awaiting a response from Diane Johnson.

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)

Applicant: Joseph Nuzzolillo (applied 9/28/2022; interviewed 10/24/2022 and appointed to WAC)

 

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 (9 members)

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

 

Sustainability Committee (7 members)

Vacancy: (Chris Hubbard resigned)

 

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

Reappointment for a term to expire in June 2023: Awaiting response from Leslie Pierini. It is reported that Ms. Pierini has attended all meetings held since her appointment in January 2019.

Vacancy: term expires June 2027 (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 2023: Connor Duckworth and Sarah Lindley Smith wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Duckworth has attended 9 of 10 meetings and Ms. Smith has attended 17 of 23 meetings held since their respective appointments.

 

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

Vacancies: Alternate #2 for a term expiring March 2026; Alternate #3 for a term expiring March 2024.

Applicants: Geoff Elia (applied 11/4/2022; to be interviewed at a future meeting); Joshua W. Gilman (applied 2/2/2023; interviewed 2/13/2023 and appointed to EDC); Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023)