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TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, APRIL 22, 2024
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM
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
Charles Gregory Sweet
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 4/18/2024
1. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM
2. A. INTERVIEWS – 7:00 PM 
1. Carol Craig for appointment to the Conservation Commission
2. Joanne Blessing for reappointment to the Recreation Commission
3. William Rosen for reappointment to the Zoning Board of Review
See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report.
B. WORK SESSION – immediately following
All items listed on the Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.
3. 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.
A. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
B. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
4. ROLL CALL
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
A. Work Session – April 8, 2024
B. Regular Session – April 8, 2024
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) B. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Del’s Mon, LLC d/b/a Del’s of South County, 49 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Emily Buonanno, Member. Renewal; License No.78761.
(CA) C. A resolution granting a Holiday Sales License to The Purple Cow Co. d/b/a The Purple Cow, 205 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Melinda Witham, President. Renewal; License No.83170.
(CA) D. A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $2,565.53, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 635.
(CA) E. A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice 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 Hannah’s Bistro, LLC d/b/a Bistro by the Sea, 358A Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI by Alicia Bryson, Member for the first floor of the restaurant, gazebo for intermissions, tents on tennis courts 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; and as further defined in a site plan on file in the Town Clerk’s office.
(CA) F. A resolution authorizing an award to CDW-G, 75 Remittance Drive, Suite 1515, Chicago, IL 60675-1515 for the purchase of computer tablets and allied accessories for 2 police vehicles, per Sourcewell cooperative procurement contract 081419-CDW, in an amount not to exceed $8,115; and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated April 16, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Computer Tablets.”
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.
7. LICENSES
A. A resolution granting a Miscellaneous Permit to conduct the annual Run4Kerri 4 Mile Memorial Road Race on Sunday, August 4, 2024 at 9:00 AM to The Kerri Lynn Bessette Run4Kerri Scholarship Fund, Inc., 78 Bedford Drive, Wakefield, RI 02879 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. Application by Kathy Bessette, Director; Renewal. License No. 83760.
B. A resolution granting a Temporary Mass Gathering Permit to conduct the Wakefield Music Festival on Saturday, May 25, 2024 (rain date Sunday, May 26, 2024) from 2:00 PM to 10:30 PM to the Contemporary Theater Company, 327 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Christopher J. Simpson, President; Renewal. License No. TMG-24-2.
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution in support of funding for permanent safety barriers on Rhode Island’s bridges over Narragansett Bay, as follows:
RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF FUNDING FOR PERMANENT SAFETY BARRIERS ON RHODE ISLAND’S BRIDGES OVER NARRAGANSETT BAY
WHEREAS, the Town of South Kingstown recognizes that suicides are devasting and extend our sympathies to those affected by the loss; and
WHEREAS, suicides from our state’s bridges over Narragansett Bay have affected our community since the time the bridges were built, and we seek ways to make our bridges safe from potential suicides; and
WHEREAS, the barriers erected by the Army Corps of Engineers on the Bourne and Sagamore Bridges have been shown to greatly reduce access to the bridge railings as a means for suicide; and
WHEREAS, most recently safety netting installed on Florida’s Skyway Bridge is showing great promise for reducing suicides from that bridge; and
WHEREAS, we recognize the railings on the bridges over Narragansett Bay, including the Jamestown, Pell, Sakonnet and Mount Hope bridges do not exceed approximately 42 inches and are not tall enough or designed to keep persons from going over the bridge railing as a means to suicide; and
WHEREAS, according to statistics from the RI Department of Health, from 2012 – 2021 there were 1,199 suicides in Rhode Island of which 54 were bridge-related, many of which were from bridges located in Bristol, Kent, Newport and Washington Counties; and
WHEREAS, in recent years the RI General Assembly appropriated funding to the RI Turnpike and Bridge Authority for engineering studies for the Jamestown, Mount Hope, Pell and Sakonnet bridges but we need to make the installation of safety barriers a reality on all four bridges.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council of the Town of South Kingstown urges the RI Senate and House Finance Committees and the RI General Assembly to support the legislative efforts to install suicide prevention safety barriers on Rhode Island’s bridges over Narragansett Bay; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Town Clerk is hereby authorized to send a copy of this resolution to Hon. K. Joseph Shekarchi, Speaker of the RI House of Representatives, Hon. Dominick J. Ruggerio, President of the RI Senate, and the members of the RI General Assembly representing the Town of South Kingstown.
B. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to DiStefano Brothers Concrete Coatings, 433 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the procurement and installation of epoxy (Penntek Coating) flooring at the Highway Garage in accordance with all bid specifications in an amount not to exceed $47,000, including a contingency; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated April 12, 2024 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Epoxy Flooring Installation.”
C. A resolution authorizing an award to McGovern Municipal HQ, 1200 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702 for the purchase of two (2) 2023 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD vehicles, in accordance with pricing per the Greater Boston Police Council (GBPC) contract, in an amount not to exceed $89,655; as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated April 16, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Police Vehicles.”
D. A resolution authorizing an award to Strobes N More, 81 Tom Harvey Road, Westerly, RI 02891 for the installation of emergency lights and accessories, in accordance with RI MPA #566, in an amount not to exceed $45,000, including contingency; and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated April 16, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Police Vehicle Emergency Lighting and Accessories.”
E. Review of the debt service and property tax implications of the $150 million School Bond Referendum, as requested by Council Member Bergner.
9. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Update on School Building Committee, School Facilities Project and School Bond Referendum.
B. Update on the Town’s Property Revaluation Program.
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 March 11, 2024 from Bill McCusker, President, Friends of the Saugatucket requesting that signage be installed with the names of rivers and streams that town roads cross over is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ____________________.
B. An email dated April 12, 2024 from Mark DeMoranville, Chairman, Sustainability Committee requesting support for passage of the 2024 Building Decarbonization Act (House Bill H-7617 and Senate Bill S-2952) is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ____________________.
C. An email dated April 13, 2024 from Stephen J. Elmasian, Co-Chair, Armenian National Committee of RI requesting that the Town fly the Armenian flag on April 24th to commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day 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. The Town reserves the right to make correspondence public by posting it on the Town Council agenda or otherwise.
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: one term to expire August 2025 (George Helwig resigned)
Applicant: Darryl Geissler (applied 8/29/2023; interviewed 10/23/2023).
Assessment Board of Review (3 members, 1 alternate; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term expired January 2024: David Baud wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Baud has attended 10 of 15 meetings held during their current term.
Building Code/Minimum Housing Code Boards of Appeals (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire June 2024: Paul Schurman does not wish to be reappointed.
Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)
Vacancies: 3 terms expired July 2023 (David Hamel and James Vogel did not wish to be reappointed; one open position).
Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancy: one term expires September 2026 (Lorraine Joubert did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicants: Carol Craig (applied 3/4/2024; to be interviewed 4/22/2024).
Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired March 2024: Josh Gilman wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting a response from Larry Fish. It is reported that Mr. Gilman has attended 3 of 5 meetings and Mr. Fish has attended 26 of 29 meetings held during their current term.
Vacancies: two terms to expire March 2027 (Dan Kimber and John McGinn did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: Randy David Apuzzo (applied 4/3/2024)
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term expired December 2023: William Murray Gates to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Gates has attended 27 of 29 meetings held during the current term (attendance as of 9/15/2023).
Vacancy: term to expire December 2026 (Andrew Martinez resigned)
Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)
Applicants: Lucienne Andrew (applied 10/23/2023; did not attend interview 2/12/2024); Gregory Jones (applied 10/27/2023; interviewed 2/12/2024); Peter Swain (applied 1/12/2024; interviewed 2/12/2024)
Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)
Applicant: Lisa Wholey (applied 2/23/2024)
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire May 2024: Robyn Pothier wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Pothier has attended 62 of 73 meetings held during the current term.
Applicants: William Green (applied 2/12/2024; interviewed 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; to be interviewed 4/8/2024)
Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired in March 2024: Joanne Blessing (to be interviewed 4/22/2024) and William Litvin wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Blessing has attended 31 of 35 meetings and Mr. Litvin has attended 33 of 35 meetings held during their current term.
Applicant: Robert Warren (applied 9/18/2023; interviewed 9/25/2023 and appointed to Library Board of Trustees)
Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (8 members)
Vacancies: Economic Development Committee Ex-Officio Member and public member (Larry Fish does not wish to continue serving; Leslie Chouinard resigned)
Route 138 Reconstruction Project Area Committee (11 members; 2 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired 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 expired in 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 (9 members)
Two vacancies: (Lauren Weinstock and Jonathan E. Daly-LaBelle resigned)
Sustainability Committee (7 members)
Two vacancies (Tony Silbert and Mark Kravatz resigned)
Applicants: Christine Muller (applied 1/25/2024)
Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire June 2024: awaiting response from Terrence Simpson.
Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire June 2024: Barry Gross and Nathaniel Merrill wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Gross has attended 19 of 21 meetings and Mr. Merrill has attended 17 of 20 meetings held during their current term.
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term expired March 2024. William Rosen (to be interviewed 4/22/2024) wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Rosen has attended 76 of 77 meetings held during the current term.
Applicants: Robert Fetzer (applied 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)