Click 
to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, JUNE 10, 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 6/6/2024
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 collective bargaining re: International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) Local 3365 AFL-CIO, RI Council 94 AFSCME, AFL-CIO Local 3215, and South Kingstown Municipal Employees Association (SKMEA) local NEARI.
2. A. INTERVIEWS – 7:00 pm 
1. Ian Clark for appointment to the Economic Development Committee
2. Josh Gilman for reappointment to the Economic Development Committee
3. William Murray Gates for reappointment to the Historic District Commission
4. Robyn Pothier for reappointment to the Planning Board
5. William Litvin for reappointment to the Recreation Commission
6. Christine Muller for appointment to the Sustainability Committee
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 – May 28, 2024
B. Regular Session – May 28, 2024
C. Closed Executive Session – May 28, 2024
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Nitaya Eakapon LLC d/b/a Luk Thai Cuisine, 249 Main Street, Wakefield RI 02879. Application by Wongphajan Phothisen, Owner; Renewal. License No.61915.
(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 2024-2025 Position Allocation to Pay Schedule.
(CA) C. A resolution authorizing the Tax Collector to complete the annual abatement of “small balance” receivables for 2023 in the total amount of $29.02 in preparation for the certification and issuance of the upcoming 2024 Tax Roll; as further described in a memorandum from the Finance Director to the Town Manager dated May 31, 2024 and entitled “Abatement of Year-End Remaining Small Balances.”
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
8. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution authorizing the abatement of uncollectible tangible personal property taxes for 2013 in the amount of $6,601.11; uncollectible motor vehicle taxes for 2013 in the amount of $23,304.15; and uncollectible real estate taxes for 2013 in the amount of $866.32, for a combined total of uncollectible taxes in the amount of $30,771.58; as further described in a memorandum from the Finance Director to the Town Manager dated May 31, 2024 and entitled “Abatement of Uncollectible 2013 Motor Vehicle, Tangible, and Real Estate Taxes.”
B. A resolution authorizing tax collection procedures, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto; and as further described in a memorandum from the Finance Director to the Town Manager dated June 3, 2024 and entitled “Fiscal Year 2024-2025 Tax Resolutions.”
C. A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the amount of $452,352.01 as a result of the settlement for Roy Carpenter’s Beach Association, et al. v. SK Tax Assessor PC-2023-03895; $2,005 as a result of an elderly late filer; and $2011.10 for change/continuance in ownership under the Farm, Forest and Open Space (FFOS) Program, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 637.
D. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Model 1 Commercial Vehicles, Inc., 13 Rebel Road, Hudson, NH 03051 for the purchase of a 2025 Ford E450 Champion bus in an amount not to exceed $135,048; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation for Award of Bid – 18 Passenger, Wheelchair Accessible Van.”
E. A resolution authorizing an award to Singer Kittredge, 100 Bowles Road, Agawam, MA 01001 for the purchase of a commercial dishwasher for the Senior Center kitchen, as specified under RI State Master Price Agreement contract 618 in an amount not to exceed $12,502; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation to Purchase New Dishwasher for Senior Center Kitchen.”
F. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Axon Enterprise, Inc., 17800 N. 85th Street, Scottsdale, AZ 85255 for the Taser program, in accordance with pricing per the Sourcewell Cooperative Purchase Agreement, in an amount not to exceed $240,374; as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation of Award of Contract – Taser.”
G. A resolution approving the Town Manager’s Employment Agreement, and authorizing the Town Council President to execute the agreement and all personnel action documents.
9. 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.
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.
10. 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.”
Exhibit 1
TAX RESOLUTIONS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby orders the assessment and collection of a tax on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property in a sum not more than $77,500,000; said tax is for the ordinary expenses and charges, for the payment of interest and indebtedness, in whole or in part of said Town, and for other purposes authorized by law. The Tax Assessor shall assess and apportion said tax on the inhabitants and ratable property of said Town as of the 31st day of December, A.D. 2023 at Twelve o’clock midnight, according to law (the date of assessment) and shall, on completion of said assessment, date, certify, and sign the same and deliver to and deposit the same in the office of the Town Clerk on or before the 15th day of August, A.D. 2024;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Town taxes shall be due and payable on and between August 1, 2024, and August 31, 2024, and all taxes remaining unpaid after August 31, 2024, shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum upon such unpaid tax, with the exception of taxes being paid under the quarterly installment law. For purposes of calculating the appeal period for relief from the tax assessment, said appeal period shall run from August 1, 2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that said taxes, if levied in excess of One Hundred dollars ($100.00), may be paid in quarterly installments, the first installment of twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of August 2024 and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of November 2024; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of February 2025; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of May 2025. Each installment of taxes, if paid on or before the last day of each installment period successively and in order, shall be free from any charge for interest.
If the first installment or any succeeding installment of taxes is not paid prior to the first (1st) day of the next calendar month following the last date of the respective installment period or periods as they occur, then the whole tax or remaining unpaid balance of the tax as the case may be, shall immediately become due and payable and shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from August 1, 2024 for real and personal property taxes, and motor vehicle excise tax as allowed by the laws of the State of Rhode Island. Upon payment of any and all delinquent quarterly installments together with interest accrued on the full unpaid balance of the tax, the right to pay the remaining taxes on the installment basis will be reinstated. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 44-5-8.1, per Chapter 17, Article VIII of the Town of South Kingstown’s Code of Ordinances, the Town is authorized to permit a waiver of interest on one quarter’s overdue real estate property tax payment. To receive a waiver on a penalty charge, a tax account must satisfy all conditions specified and adopted in the Town of South Kingstown’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 17, Article VIII;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Tax Collector is ordered and directed to make levy or levies on all property or properties and persons. Taxes assessed December 31, 2023, for 2024 taxes on Real Estate for which remain unpaid on the First Monday in March A.D. 2025, shall cause said Tax Collector to proceed according to law to collect said tax or taxes so delinquent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance of this Town be and is hereby instructed and empowered to hire all necessary funds for the use of the Town for the year ensuing, and to renew all notes against the Town outstanding as may be found necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance be and is hereby authorized to issue from time-to-time notes of the Town of South Kingstown, subject to the approval of the Town Council, in anticipation of the receipt of taxes assessed as of December 31, 2023. Said borrowed moneys shall be used and expended for the payment of current liabilities and expenses of said Town of South Kingstown and shall be issued under the authority of Title 45-12-4 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956 as amended.
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)
Reappointments for terms to expire August 2024. Amy Crawford, Joshua White Port and Meghann Sparks wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Crawford and Mr. Port have attended 12 of 12 meetings, and Ms. Sparks has attended 18 of 21 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 4/23/2024).
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 his current term (attendance as of 12/4/2023).
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)
Reappointments for terms to expire September 2024. Margaret Clune wishes to be reappointed. Dennis John Bowman does not wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Clune has attended 6 of 6 meetings held during her current term (attendance as of 4/23/2024).
Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms expired March 2024: Josh Gilman wishes to be reappointed (to be interviewed 6/10/2024). It is reported that Mr. Gilman has attended 3 of 5 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 12/15/2023).
Vacancies: three terms to expire March 2027 (Dan Kimber and John McGinn did not wish to be reappointed; Larry Fish resigned).
Applicant: Randy David Apuzzo (applied 4/3/2024); Ian Clark (applied 5/20/2024; to be interviewed 6/10/2024)
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term expired December 2023: William Murray Gates wishes to be reappointed (to be interviewed 6/10/2024). 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)
Reappointments for terms to expire July 2024: Hilary Carlson and Timothy Murphy wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Carlson has attended 50 and Mr. Murphy has attended 59 of 60 meetings held during their current term (as of 4/23/2024).
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 (to be interviewed 6/10/2024). It is reported that Ms. Pothier has attended 62 of 73 meetings held during her current term (attendance as of 2/29/2024).
Applicants: William Green (applied 2/12/2024; interviewed 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)
Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term expired in March 2024: William Litvin wishes to be reappointed (to be interviewed 6/10/2024). It is reported that Mr. Litvin has attended 33 of 35 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 2/9/2024).
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; to be interviewed 6/10/2024)
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 (attendance as of 2/8/2024).
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Applicants: Robert Fetzer (applied 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)