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, MARCH 11, 2024
WORK SESSION – 6:30 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 3/7/2024
1. A. INTERVIEWS – 6:30 PM 
1. Benedict Ingegneri for appointment to the Trustees of the School Funds
2. William Green for appointment to the Planning Board
3. Paul Plotkin for appointment to the Planning Board or Conservation Commission
4. Kenneth Burke, Dorothy Hill, Thomas Hogan, Christopher Ryan Moore, and Lisa-Beth Sanford for reappointment to the Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee
See Attachment A for Boards and Commissions Appointments Report.
B. WORK SESSION – 7:00 PM
Work Session with Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee
All items listed on the Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.
2. 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
3. ROLL CALL
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
A. Work Session – February 26, 2024
B. Regular Session – February 26, 2024
5. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Jennifer Dowell d/b/a Jennifer’s Chocolates, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jennifer Dowell, Owner. Renewal; License No. 61338.
(CA) B. A resolution granting Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Graphic Expressions Inc. d/b/a Graphic Expressions, 254 Robinson Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Wayne Cahoone, Owner. License No. 59796.
Main Street Candy LLC d/b/a Main Street Candy, 324 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Wayne Cahoone, Owner. License No. 59795.
Narragansett Pest Control Inc. d/b/a All Outdoors Power Equipment, 4060 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Margaret Siligato, President. License No. 61388.
(CA) C. A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Theater Licenses to Matunuck Live Theatre, Inc. d/b/a Theater By The Sea, 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Karen Gail Kessler, Vice President & Secretary. Renewal; License No.79832.
(CA) D. A resolution granting a Private Detective License to Hill Investigations, LLC d/b/a Hill Investigations, 96 Parson Lane, West Kingston, RI 02892. Application by Kimberly A. Hill, Investigator. Renewal; License No. 62049.
(CA) E. A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $2,994.67, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 634.
(CA) F. A resolution that Civil Action File Number WS-2024-0112 filed in Washington County Superior Court by Mark A. Pogue, Esquire on behalf of his clients, Paul and Judith Beswick et al seeking relief from assessments of property value established by the Tax Assessor 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.
6. LICENSES
A. A resolution granting a Victualling License to JGKG Enterprises, LLC d/b/a The Fresh Monkee, 540 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 subject to approval by the Wastewater Superintendent. Application by Joe Gulino, Owner. New; License No.82879.
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution recognizing March 10 – 16, 2024 as Girl Scout Week in South Kingstown, as follows:
GIRL SCOUT WEEK
MARCH 10 – MARCH 16, 2024
WHEREAS, Tuesday, March 12, 2024 marks the 112th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., founded by Juliette Gordon Low in 1912 in Savannah, Georgia; and
WHEREAS, through Girl Scouting, girls grow in courage, confidence, character, and learn to make the world a better place; and
WHEREAS, throughout its long and distinguished history, Girl Scouts – the pre-eminent organization for girls – has inspired millions of girls and women with the highest ideals of character, conduct and patriotism; and
WHEREAS, Girl Scouting takes an active role in increasing the interest and skill levels of today’s youth in math, science and technology careers and to fulfill our country’s economic needs; and
WHEREAS, through participation in Project Undercover, a council wide community service project, every girl will learn that she can make a change for the better in her community; and
WHEREAS, the Girl Scout cookie sale is the world’s largest girl-led business, teaching financial literacy to girls of all ages; and
WHEREAS, the Girl Scouts of Southeastern New England which serves 3,264 girls in the Rhode Island area will be celebrating 112 years of an American tradition with more than 1.5 million current Girl Scout members nationwide.
NOW THEREFORE, WE THE TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN do hereby proclaim the week of March 10-16, 2024 as Girl Scout Week in the Town of South Kingstown and urge our citizens to support Girls Scouts in their endeavors.
B. A resolution requesting the Secretary of State to place a municipal bond authorization referendum question on a ballot for the following:
“Shall An Act authorizing the Town of South Kingstown to issue not to exceed $150 million general obligation bonds and notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of a new high school, athletic facility, and other school facilities in the town and all expenses incident thereto, including, but not limited to, costs of design, demolition, athletic fields, landscaping and parking and all attendant expenses, including engineering, architectural and other project-related consulting costs be approved?”
Said question to be placed before the voters at an election to be held on May 7, 2024. This question is in accordance with enabling legislation pending before the RI General Assembly.
C. A resolution authorizing an amendment to an existing contract originally granted on April 12, 2021 and amended on July 11, 2022 to GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc., 188 Valley Street, Providence, RI 02909 for Design, Permitting and Construction Inspection Services for the Marina Park Boat Ramp and Town Dock from an amount not to exceed $119,600 to an amount not to exceed $128,000 in accordance with the amended specified scope of work; as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated February 22, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation for Amended Engineering Contract – Marina Park Boat Ramp and Town Dock (SK0097RD).”
D. A resolution authorizing an extension of an award of bid originally granted on April 10, 2023 to George Sherman Sand & Gravel Co., Inc., 881 Curtis Corner Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the purchase and delivery of beach replenishment sand in accordance with all bid specifications in an amount not to exceed $20,000; as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated February 28, 2024 and entitled “Bid Award Extension, Beach Replenishment Sand.”
E. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to DiPrete Engineering, Two Stafford Court, Cranston, RI 02920 for land surveying services at Old Mountain Field as specified, in an amount not to exceed $22,300, including a contingency; as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated March 1, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation – Award of Contract for Land Surveying Services for Old Mountain Field Improvement Project.”
F. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Safety Marking, Inc., 255 Hancock Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605 to remove existing centerline striping on Main Street and High Street and re-paint with double-yellow striping, in an amount not to exceed $11,496 to be paid from existing 300th Anniversary Committee funding; as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated March 1, 2024 and entitled “Main Street and High Street Centerline Re-striping.”
G. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to C3ND Environmental Consulting, 14 Old Route 199, Red Hook, NY 12571 to provide four (4) wastewater mixers in an amount not to exceed $16,800 including a $1,000 contingency, to be paid from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund’s unassigned net assets with a portion to be reimbursed by URI; as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated March 1, 2024 and entitled “Bid Recommendation, Pump Station Mixers.”
H. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Vision Government Solutions, 1 Cabot Road, Hudson, MA 01749 for the development and implementation of the Statistical Revaluation Program in an amount not to exceed $228,000 including a contingency; and as further described in a memorandum from the Town Assessor to the Town Manager dated March 5, 2024 and entitled “Award of Contract – Development and Implementation of Statistical Revaluation.”
I. Discussion regarding information requested from the School Building Committee, as requested by Councilman Sweet.
J. A resolution in support of House Bill H 7688 and Senate Bill S2343 entitled An Act Relating to State Affairs and Government – Tourism and Development pending in the General Assembly that would redirect hotel tax revenues for the benefit of South County Tourism Council, as requested by Council Vice President Marran.
K. Discussion and potential action on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding for the Main Street Revitalization Program, as requested by Councilwoman Bergner.
L. A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to the Town Code, Chapter 10 Motor Vehicles and Traffic, as follows:
Chapter 10 Motor Vehicles and Traffic
Article I. In General
* * *
Sec. 10-12. Boulevard and street stop signs designated.
Add:
Woodruff Avenue at Silver Lake Avenue: Vehicles traveling both northbound and southbound must stop at the Silver Lake Avenue intersection.
8. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Update on School Building Committee and School Facilities Project
B. Update on Old Tower Hill Road Neighborhood Plan
C. Update on pending applications for Zoning map and text amendments
D. Overview of the Historic District Commission’s submission to the RI Historical Preservation & Heritage Commission Certified Local Government (CLG) Grant Program on behalf of the South County History Center
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.
10. COMMUNICATIONS
A. A resolution adopted February 20, 2024 by the Hopkinton Town Council in opposition to House Bill 2024 H 7062 that would amend several sections of law relating to zoning ordinances to provide uniform zoning standards for accessory dwelling units is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ____________________.
B. A resolution adopted February 20, 2024 by the Narragansett Town Council in opposition to House Bill 2024 H 7382 that would provide that the maximum number of unrelated persons living together that could be designated by a local zoning ordinance as constituting an individual household could not be less than one person per bedroom and would not exceed five unrelated persons per dwelling is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.
C. A resolution adopted February 20, 2024 by the Narragansett Town Council in opposition to House Bill 2024 H 7324 that would remove the floor area ratio requirement from local zoning ordinances, and requesting that municipal authority regulating land use be maintained is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs ___________________.
D. A resolution adopted February 27, 2024 by the South Kingstown School Committee relative to State funding for Education is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs __________________.
E. A letter dated March 1, 2024 from Donald A. Fox, President, Burrillville Town Council proposing a coalition of communities to develop a joint resolution to address inconsistencies with the state’s school funding formula 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.
11. 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 promoting the following members of the Zoning Board of Review: Kevin C. Pelissier from Alternate #1 to full member to fill a term to expire in March 2025; and Geoff Elia from Alternate #2 to Alternate #1 to fill a term to expire in March 2025; as further described in a memorandum from the Building Official to the Town Manager dated February 28, 2024 and entitled “Zoning Board Member Appointments.”
12. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION
A. A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(2) to discuss and/or act upon matters pertaining to litigation re: WM-2023-0578 in re: Jonathan Garvey (Petition for Pre-Suit Discovery); and WC-2020-0145 / WC-2021-0564 / WC-2021-0171 / WC-2023-0393 Harbor Village Apartments v. Duarte (tax appeal).
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.
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)
Reappointments for terms expired July 2023: Kenneth Burke, Dorothy Hill, Thomas Hogan, Christopher Ryan Moore, and Lisa-Beth Sanford wish to be reappointed (to be interviewed 3/11/2024).
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: Paul Plotkin (applied 3/4/2024; to be interviewed 3/11/2024); Carol Craig (applied 3/4/2024).
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.
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)
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.
Vacancy: term expires May 2024 (Paul Jordan resigned)
Applicants: William Green (applied 2/12/2024; to be interviewed 3/11/2024); Paul Plotkin (applied 3/4/2024; to be interviewed 3/11/2024); Anne Kaiper Wilson (applied 3/6/2024)
Recreation Commission (5 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire March 2024: William Litvin wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Joanne Blessing. It is reported that Mr. Litvin has attended 33 of 35 meetings and Ms. Blessing has attended 31 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 (James Normann and Tony Silbert 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)
Reappointment for a term to expire June 2024: awaiting response from Terrence Simpson.
Vacancy: one term expires June 2025 (James Lathrop resigned)
Applicant: Benedict Ingegneri (applied 1/30/2024; to be interviewed 3/11/2024)
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 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: Full member term expires 3/2025 (Kevin Diamond resigned); Alternate #3 for a term to expire March 2024.