MEETING CANCELLED
TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, JANUARY 8, 2024
CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM
WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM
REGULAR SESSION – 7:30 PM
MEETING CANCELLED
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 1/4/2024
1. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM
A. A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(2) to discuss matters pertaining to litigation re: Beswick, et al. v. SK Tax Assessor, WC-2023-0332.
2. A. WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM
Discussion 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
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
A. Work Session – December 11, 2023
B. Regular Sessions – December 11 and December 20, 2023
C. Closed Executive Session – December 11, 2023
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution granting Victualling Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Daddy’s Bread, 805 Moonstone Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jennifer H. Manzo, Owner. License No. 59125.
New Wave Kitchen, LLC, 357 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Matthew Reagan, Member. License No. 81749.
Wanida Corporation d/b/a The Boss, 682 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Narisara Kong In, President. License No. 75939.
(CA) B. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Belmont Marketplace, Inc. d/b/a Belmont Marketplace, 600 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Vincent Siravo, President. License No. 59664.
Elite Huevos, Inc. d/b/a Bluebird Café, 554 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Howard M. Raitano, Jr., President. License No. 60900.
(CA) C. A resolution granting Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Island Outfitters, Inc. d/b/a Island Outfitters, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jane Fleming, Accounting. License No. 78384.
Matunuck Surf Shop, Inc. d/b/a Matunuck Surf Shop, 920 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Kevin Finnegan, President. License No. 71044.
RL Auto Group, Inc. d/b/a Speedcraft Volkswagen, 104 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Laurie Bechard, Controller. License No. 73741.
(CA) D. A resolution granting Farm Retail Sales and Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Clark Farms, Inc. d/b/a Clark Farms, 2984 Commodore O.H. Perry Highway, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Richard Clark, President. License No. 78455.
Lavender Waves Farm, LLC d/b/a Lavender Waves Farm, 3814 Commodore O.H. Perry Highway, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Henry Cabrera, Member. License No. 71198.
(CA) E. A resolution granting Tourist Accommodations Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Mooresfield Estate LLC d/b/a Historic Mooresfield, 782 Mooresfield Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jeffrey Greene, Member. License No 69709.
Point Break Realty d/b/a Point Break Cottages, 895 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Kevin Finnegan, President. License No. 73459.
Sheppard’s Campus Bed & Breakfast, 16 Campus Avenue, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by David and Patricia Sheppard, Owners. License No. 61883.
(CA) F. A resolution granting a Junkyard License to Pitchers Garage, Inc. d/b/a Pitcher’s Garage, 2210 Post Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Paul Pitcher, President; Renewal. License No. 59744.
(CA) G. A resolution authorizing the Tax Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $5,486.48, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 632.
(CA) H. A resolution that a letter of demand filed by Peter Garvey, Esquire on behalf of his client, Jonathan Garvey relative to alleged HIPAA violations be referred to the Town Solicitor and the Town’s insurance carrier.
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 Special Events License to Rhode Races & Events, Inc. to conduct a portion of the Ocean State Rhode Race Marathon & Half Marathon on October 27, 2024 at 7:30 a.m. Subject to approval by the Police, Department of Transportation and the execution of a Hold Harmless Agreement Indemnifying the Town and Certificate of Insurance naming the Town as an additional insured for the event. Application by Karen Zyons. Renewal; License No. 82132.
B. A resolution granting a Special Events License to YMCA of Greater Providence/South County to conduct the South County YMCA 5K on October 5, 2024 at 8:30 p.m. Subject to all Departmental Approvals and the execution of a Hold Harmless Agreement Indemnifying the Town and Certificate of Insurance naming the Town as an additional insured for the event. Application by Karen Zyons, Organizer; Renewal. License No. 82489.
C. A resolution granting a Class F 19-Hour Beverage License to Hera Gallery and Educational Foundation for the Annual Spring Bash to be held on Saturday, March 30, 2024 from 6 PM to 9 PM at 10 High Street, Wakefield, RI. Application by Sonja Czekalski; Renewal. License No. 82500.
8. 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.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution authorizing an award to Navistar, Inc. d/b/a Allegiance Truck, 17 O’Keefe Lane, Warwick, RI 02888 for the purchase of a 2024 International CV515 4x4 light dump truck with plow and pre-wet sander through SourceWell cooperative purchasing contracts in an amount not to exceed $140,421; as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Public Services to the Town Manager dated December 22, 2023 and entitled “Award of Purchase Recommendation, 2024 International CV515 4x4 Light Dump Truck with Plow and Pre-wet Sander Installation.”
B. A resolution acknowledging the successful completion of the South Kingstown 300th Anniversary Committee charge, and the fulfillment of all committee members’ terms effective December 31, 2023, and recognition of every committee member for their dedication, time, and enthusiasm in demonstrating all that makes South Kingstown special throughout 2023; and as further described in a memorandum from the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager dated December 29, 2023 and entitled 300th Anniversary Steering Committee – Charge Complete.”
C. A resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the 2024 RI Department of Environmental Management (RIDEM) Bay and Watershed Fund Grant for the treatment and management of hydrilla at Indian Lake, and to the Federal Non-Point Source Pollution Implementation Grant for the purchase and installation of a boat washing station at Worden Pond; as further described in a memorandum from the NRO/Harbormaster to the Town Manager dated January 2, 2024 and entitled “Request to Submit Grants for Hydrilla Prevention, Treatment, and Management.”
D. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Dover and Kohl and Partners, 1517 Sunset Drive, Coral Gables, FL 33143 to prepare a plan for the redevelopment of the Town’s existing Commercial Downtown and Highway Commercial District in an amount not to exceed $130,000; as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated January 3, 2024 and entitled “Old Tower Hill Road Neighborhood Plan, 2024 – Recommendation.”
E. A resolution authorizing that a letter as prepared by the Town Solicitor be sent to the General Assembly requesting that the effective date of the new state regulations governing land use matters that took effect on January 1, 2024 be extended to at least July 1, 2024.
10. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Update on Saugatucket Park Project.
B. Update on progress with Multi-Use Zoning ordinance consultant.
C. Update on Woodruff Avenue and Middlebridge Road traffic.
D. Progress report on South Road School and Wakefield Elementary School properties.
E. Update on School Facilities Project.
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 received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs __________________.
B. A letter dated December 27, 2023 from Christopher H. Little, Chair, South Kingstown Housing Authority seeking a letter of support for their application to RI Housing for funding of Phase I proposed redevelopment of their housing facilities at Champagne Heights 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)
B. A resolution appointing _____________________________ as the Tree Warden for the Town of South Kingstown for the year 2024.
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 to expire 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 to expire 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 2023 and December 2025 (Andrew Martinez resigned; Shantia Anderheggen did not wish to be reappointed)
Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire October 2023: Susan Jacobsen wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Jacobsen has attended 46 of 62 meetings held during the current term (attendance as of 9/21/2023).
Applicants: Lucienne Andrew (applied 10/23/2023); Gregory Jones (applied 10/27/2023)
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
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)
Vacancy: Economic Development Committee Ex-Officio Member (Larry Fish does not wish to continue serving).
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)
Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)
Vacancy: one term expires June 2025 (James Lathrop resigned)
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.
Vacancies: Alternate #3 for a term to expire March 2024.
Applicant: Joshua W. Gilman (applied 2/2/2023; interviewed 2/13/2023 and appointed to EDC).