TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2024

 

CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM

WORK SESSION – 6:45 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 2/8/2024

 

1.            CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM

 

A.        A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(5) to discuss matters related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes; and pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(1) to discuss matters pertaining to personnel.

 

2.            A.        INTERVIEWS – 6:45 PM

1. Susan Jacobsen for reappointment to the Housing Authority

2. Lucienne Andrew for appointment to the Housing Authority

3. Gregory Jones for appointment to the Housing Authority

4. Peter Swain for appointment to the Housing Authority

See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report.

 

B.        WORK SESSION WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING COLLABORATIVE COMMITTEE

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 AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW COUNCIL MEMBER

 

5.            APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

            A.        Work Session – January 22, 2024

             

B.        Regular Session – January 22, 2024

 

C.        Closed Executive Session – January 22, 2024

 

6.            CONSENT AGENDA

 

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

 

Albie’s Place, Inc. d/b/a Albie’s Place, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Jason Wichert, President. License No. 59653.

 

Calaveras, LLC d/b/a Maiz, 58 High Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Iliyana Borisova, Member. License No. 79353.

 

Daisey Beckham, LLC d/b/a Pokemoto, 26 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Timothy O’Connor, Member. License No. 77592.

 

Howley Bread Group d/b/a Panera Bread, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Lindsey Broderick, Accounting. License No. 73475.

 

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

 

Bagels of Wakefield, Inc. d/b/a Bagelz, 90 Pershing Avenue, Wakefield, RI  02879. Application by Scott Lieberman, President. License No. 59135.

 

RI Guys Donuts, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Ryan Zeolla, Owner. License No. 72237

 

Southern Rhode Island Hospitality, LLC d/b/a Fairfield by Marriott South Kingstown RI/Newport Area, 3 Fairfield Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Bonnie Brake, Manager. License No. 62539.

 

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

 

HNS, Inc. d/b/a Healy’s News Store, 231 Robinson Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.  Application by Sally Minetti, President.  License No. 61260.         

 

Kosmic Kitty, LLC d/b/a Kosmic Kitty, 329 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879.  Application by Catherine Hanson, Owner.  License No. 78612.

 

Point Judith Marina, LLC d/b/a Point Judith Marina, 392D Gooseberry Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Anne Killeen, Accounting. License No. 60136.

 

(CA)    D.        A resolution granting a Tourist Accommodation Trailer Park – Campground License to Blackbeard Homeowner’s Association, 836 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Sabrina Courville, Treasurer; Renewal. License 82430.

 

(CA)    E.         A resolution granting a Miscellaneous Peddlers License to Allume Chocolate, 370 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Marissa Kervin, Owner; Renewal. License No. 79527.

 

(CA)    F.         A resolution granting a Private Detective License to Keara Wolstencroft, 1183 Kingstown Road, Unit 2R, Wakefield, RI 02879. Renewal; License No. 60170.

 

(CA)    G.        A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Laundry Licenses to Kingston Cleaners, Inc. d/b/a Pier Cleaners, 50 High Street, Wakefield, RI  02879.  Application by Larry Fish, President; Renewal. License No. 78304.

 

(CA)    H.        A resolution authorizing the Tax Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $3,006.00, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 633.

 

(CA)    I.          A resolution authorizing an award of purchase to Ricoh USA Incorporated, PO Box 41564, Philadelphia, PA 19101-1564 for a multifunction copier for the Tax Assessor’s Office in the total amount not to exceed $7,123; as further described in a memorandum from the Town Assessor to the Town Manager dated January 31, 2024 and entitled “Multi-Functional Copy Machine Recommendation.”

 

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 Holiday Sales License to South County Supplements, 560 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Michael Evangelista, Owner; New. License No. 82543.

             

8.            NEW BUSINESS

 

A.           A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a new lease agreement with DISH Wireless, LLC, 9601 S. Meridian Boulevard, Englewood, CO 80112 for cellular antenna placement at the Town’s DPS Communications Tower at 509 Commodore Perry Highway, Wakefield, RI in accordance with terms of the lease agreement as approved by the Town Solicitor; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated January 29, 2024 and entitled “DISH Wireless, LLC – DPS Communications Tower – Lease.”

 

B.           A resolution authorizing the purchase from Turf Products Corporation, 157 Moody Road, Enfield, CT 06082 of one Toro Groundsmaster 4000-D wide area mower in accordance with all specifications detailed in RI MPA #562, in an amount not to exceed $94,011; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated February 5, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation to Purchase – Wide Area Mower Replacement.”

 

C.           A resolution to support the Town’s application to the Bay and Watershed Restoration Fund for Stormwater & Riparian Buffer Improvements at the Neighborhood Guild Parking Lot; as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/ DOAS to the Town Manager dated February 6, 2024 and entitled “Request for support of BWRF Grant Submission for Stormwater & Riparian Buffer Improvements at the Neighborhood Guild Parking Lot.”

 

D.           Discussion and potential appointment of a Town Council member to the School Building Committee.

 

9.            TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.           Progress report on South Road School and Wakefield Elementary School properties.

B.           Update on Saugatucket Park Project.

C.           Update on Woodruff Avenue and Middlebridge Road traffic.  

D.           Update on Hazard Mitigation Plan.

 

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 December 15, 2023 from Casey Merkle, Coordinator, Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Program requesting the appointment of a Town representative and alternate to their Stewardship Council is continued from January 22, 2024, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs __________________.

 

            B.        A resolution adopted January 2, 2024 by the Town of Jamestown Water and Sewer Commission requesting the General Assembly amend Title 46, Chapter 15 of the RI General Laws to specifically limit a public water system’s obligation to supply water only to those applicants who reside within its designated and described service area is continued from January 22, 2024, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs __________________________.

 

            C.        A resolution adopted January 3, 2024 by the Warren Town Council requesting the General Assembly amend Title 44, Chapter 18, Section 18.1 of the RI General Laws to include a sales tax on beer and malt beverages at 1% tax on gross receipts is continued from January 22, 2024, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.

 

            D.        An email dated January 17, 2024 from Tony Silbert submitting his resignation from the Sustainability Committee as of December 31, 2023 is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _________________________.

 

            E.         A resolution adopted January 22, 2024 by the Charlestown Town Council requesting the General Assembly to fully fund the Transportation Categorical Aid between state and regional school districts pursuant to RIGL §16-7.2-6(e) is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.

 

            F.         An email dated February 6, 2024 from Kevin Finnegan, President, Matunuck Group requesting that the parking situation in Matunuck be addressed by the Town 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)

Reappointments for terms expired January 2024: Alyce Kleczek and David Baud wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Kleczek has attended 6 of 15 meetings and Mr. Baud has attended 10 of 15 meetings held during their current term.

 

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

Reappointments for terms expired July 2023: Kenneth Burke, Dorothy Hill, Christopher Ryan Moore, Thomas Hogan, and Lisa-Beth Sanford wish to be reappointed. Awaiting response from James Vogel.

Vacancies: 2 terms expired July 2023 (David Hamel 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: Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023; interviewed 6/26/2023 and appointed to ZBR)

 

Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire March 2024: Josh Gilman wishes to be reappointed. Dan Kimber and John McGinn do not wish 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.

Applicant: Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023; interviewed 6/26/2023 and appointed to ZBR)

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired December 2023: William Murray Gates wishes 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).

Vacancies: terms expire December 2025 and December 2026 (Andrew Martinez resigned; Shantia Anderheggen did not wish to be reappointed)

 

Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired October 2023: Susan Jacobsen wishes to be considered for reappointment (to be interviewed 2/12/2024). It is reported that Ms. Jacobsen has attended 48 of 65 meetings held during the current term (attendance as of 2/8/2024).

Applicants: Lucienne Andrew (applied 10/23/2023; to be interviewed 2/12/2024); Gregory Jones (applied 10/27/2023; to be interviewed 2/12/2024); Peter Swain (applied 1/12/2024; to be interviewed 2/12/2024)

 

Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: term expires May 2024 (Paul Jordan resigned)

Applicant: Kevin C. Pelissier (applied 4/26/2023; interviewed 6/26/2023 and appointed to ZBR)

 

Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year 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)

Vacancy (James Normann resigned)

Applicants: Gail Meisner (applied 1/9/2024); Christine Muller (applied 1/25/2024)

 

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

Vacancy: one term expires June 2025 (James Lathrop resigned)

Applicant: Benedict Ingegneri (applied 1/30/2024)

 

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

Reappointment for a term to expire March 2024. William Rosen wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Rosen has attended 76 of 77 meetings held during the current term.

Vacancy: Alternate #3 for a term to expire March 2024.