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TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 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
Nichole C. Romane, 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 10/10/2024
A. A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(2) to discuss matters pertaining to litigation regarding short-term rental registration.
Discussion with the Historic District Commission.
All items listed on the Town Council agenda are subject to discussion.
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
A. Work Session – September 9, 2024
B. Regular Session – September 9, 2024
C. Closed Executive Session – September 9, 2024
(CA) A. A resolution granting Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
RL Auto Group Inc., d/b/a Speed craft, 104 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Laurie Bechard, Controller. License No. 73741.
Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy, LLC. d/b/a CVS Pharmacy #2065, 11 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by CVS Licensing Team, Licensing Coordinator. License No. 85957.
Eloquence Jewelers, LLC d/b/a Eloquence Jewelers, 36 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jennifer Lantz, Co-Owner. License No. 59223.
Wakefield Music Co d/b/a Wakefield Music, 58 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Dennis Costa, Owner. License No. 59770.
(CA) B. A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Ocean Catch Seafood LLC d/b/a Ocean Catch Seafood, 566 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jane Karako, Managing Member. License No. 65417.
Seaview Marketplace Inc d/b/a Seaview Marketplace Inc, 682 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Dan Saber, President. License No. 59713.
(CA) C. A resolution granting Victualling, Holiday Sales, and Additional Hours Licenses to the following; Renewals:
Tower Hill Donuts, Inc d/b/a Dunkin Donuts, 3045 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Courtney Nelson, Accountant. License No. 86019.
Baked Kingston RI Operators LLC d/b/a Insomnia Cookies, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Lou Smookler, Owner. License No. 65535.
(CA) D. A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Farm Produce Licenses to Sosnowski Farm, 3 Waites Corner Road, West Kingstown RI 02879. Application by Susan Sosnowski, Co-Owner; Renewal. License No. 60598.
(CA) E. A resolution granting a Victualling License to JGKG Enterprises LLC d/b/a The Fresh Monkee, 540 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Joe Gulino, Owner; Renewal. License No. 82879.
(CA) F. A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to an application for renewal of an Indoor Shooting Range License in accordance with the South Kingstown Town Code, Chapter 9 Licenses and Miscellaneous Business Regulation, Article VI Indoor Shooting Ranges, Sec. 9-158 Term of License, Renewal. Application by IDGR15, LLC d/b/a Elite Indoor Gun Range, by Mark A. Fay, Member for property located at 371 Rose Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 and designated as Assessor’s Plat 33, Lot 30, consisting of 121.57 acres.
(CA) G. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Marcus Communications, 33 Mitchell Drive, Manchester, CT 06045 for a new Viking TRI-BAND radio, including installation in an amount not to exceed $8,322 of allocated ARPA funds, in accordance with State of Massachusetts COMMBUYS PSE01, and as further described in a memorandum from the Fire Alarm Superintendent to the Town Manager dated September 30, 2024, entitled “Award of Contract – Radio and Installation- New Pickup Truck.”
(CA) H. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Marcus Communications, 33 Mitchell Drive Manchester CT 06045, for a new Viking TRI-BAND radio for the Harbormaster boat, including installation by boat manufacturer in an amount not to exceed $6,125, in accordance with State of Massachusetts COMMBUYS PSE01, and as further described in a memorandum from the Harbormaster / Natural Resource Officer to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation to Purchase – Harbormaster Boat Radio.”
(CA) I. A resolution authorizing an award to Ricoh USA Incorporated, PO Box 41564, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19101-1564 for the purchase of a multi-function copier in an amount not to exceed $5,626.60 as described in a memorandum from the Director of Public Services to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024, and entitled “Multi-Functional Copy Machine – Recommendation.”
(CA) J. A resolution that a claim filed by Ralph R. Liguori, Esq. on behalf of his client Carl Marchand relative to an incident that occurred on or about June 6, 2024 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.
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.
A. A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the total amount of $12,267.99, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 642.
B. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Runyon Heritage Associates, 9 Hollywood Road, Providence, RI 02909 for preservation services to survey areas of Matunuck subject to adverse impacts from sea level rise in a total amount not to exceed $20,000, as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated September 24, 2024, and entitled “Planning/Preservation Consultant Services (Surveying Historic Resources in Areas Subject to Adverse Impacts from Sea Level Rise) Recommendation.”
C. A resolution authorizing reallocation of ARPA funds awarded to the Jonnycake Center for Hope in the amount of $200,000 from 54/56 Kersey Road to 44/46 Kersey Road predicated on the creation of two deed restricted affordable housing units (rental) meeting the definitions of affordable units under Rhode Island State Law, and as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated October 5, 2024, entitled “Jonnycake Cener for Hope (Grant funding).”
D. A resolution awarding a grant to Keen Architects associated with improvements to the property located at 74 Main Street in an amount not to exceed $100,000 of allocated ARPA funds, which shall be based on refined project scope and materials detail associated with the grant application as well as structured to reimburse the property owner upon successful completion and inspection of their project in compliance with the Main Street Façade Improvement Program requirements; as further described in memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated October 5, 2024 and entitled “ARPA – Façade Grant Program.”
E. A resolution awarding a grant to John Virgilio associated with improvements to the property located at 148 Main Street in an amount not to exceed $25,375 of allocated ARPA funds, which shall be based on refined project scope and materials detail associated with the grant application as well as structured to reimburse the property owner upon successful completion and inspection of their project in compliance with the Main Street Façade Improvement Program requirements; as further described in memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated October 5, 2024 and entitled “ARPA – Façade Grant Program.”
F. A resolution awarding a grant to the Jonnycake Center associated with improvements to the property located at 1231 Kingstown Road in an amount not to exceed $100,000 of allocated ARPA funds, which shall be based on refined project scope and materials detail associated with the grant application as well as structured to reimburse the property owner upon successful completion and inspection of their project in compliance with the Main Street Façade Improvement Program requirements; as further described in memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated October 5, 2024 and entitled “ARPA – Façade Grant Program.”
G. A resolution awarding a grant from the Affordable Housing Fund (AHF) in an amount not to exceed $75,000 to support the South Kingstown Housing Authority public housing project at 364 Curtis Corner Road (Champagne Heights) as further described in memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated October 8, 2024 and entitled “Grant Distribution SKHA ($75,000).”
H. A resolution authorizing a contract extension to an award of bid, originally granted on June 12, 2023, to Shanix Technology, 40 Worthington Road, Cranston, RI 02920 for wireless handheld microphones, cooling rack and equipment move in an amount not to exceed $18,349 using allocated ARPA funds, in accordance with the State of Rhode Island Master Purchase Agreement (MPA) #416, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Technology to the Town Manager dated October 7, 2024, entitled “Award of Purchase-Wireless Microphones, Cooling Rack & Equipment Relocation.”
I. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Marcus Communications, 55 Mitchell Road, Manchester, CT 06042 for a 30KW LPG Generator, as specified, in an amount not to exceed $54,628.34 including a contingency, with funding from the ARPA Fund, and as further described in a memorandum from the Fire Alarm Superintendent to the Town Manager dated September 25, 2024 and entitled “Bid Recommendation – 30KW Commercial Generator.”
J. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Liberty Chevrolet, Inc., 90 Bay State Road, Wakefield, MA, 01880, for a 2024 Chevrolet Utility Body 4X4 Pickup Truck in an amount not to exceed $70,472 using allocated ARPA funds, and in accordance with State of RI MPA #563; as further described in a memorandum from the Fire Alarm Superintendent to the Town Manager dated September 30, 2024, and entitled “Award Recommendation – One Ton Utility Body Pickup Truck.”
K. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Liberty Chevrolet, Inc., 90 Bay State Road, Wakefield, MA., 01880 for a 2024 ¾ ton Chevrolet Express Cargo Van in the amount not to exceed $54,237.25 using allocated ARPA funds, and in accordance with State of RI MPA 559; as further described in a memorandum from the Facilities Director to the Town Manager dated October 1, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Express Cargo Van.”
L. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Energy Conservation Inc., PO Box 726, 1150 Main Street, Hanson, MA 02341 for the retrofitting of the lighting fixtures at the South Kingstown Recreation Center in an amount not to exceed $11,693 and as further described in a memorandum from the Facilities Director to the Town Manager dated October 2, 2024 and entitled “Award of Contract-Recreation Center Lighting.”
M. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Hurd Auto Mall, 1705 Hartford Ave., Johnston, RI 02919 for a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, one ton, four wheel drive utility body truck with lift gate, in an amount not to exceed $75,185 using allocated ARPA funds; and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated October 3, 2024 and entitled “Purchase Recommendation, One Ton Utility Body Truck with Lift Gate.”
N. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to M.E. O’Brien & Sons, Inc., 17 Trotter Drive, Medway MA 02053 for the design, purchase, and installation of new playground structures at Tuckertown Park and Fagan Park in accordance with MHEC Purchasing Consortium Contract MC16-B14 pricing in an amount not to exceed $295,000 using allocated ARPA funds, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024 and entitled “Recommendation for Award of Contract for Tuckertown and Fagan Park Playground Structures.”
O. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to McGovern Municipal HQ, Inc., 401 Elm Street, Marlborough, MA 01752, for a 2024 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD SUV in an amount not to exceed $29,554, and as further described in a memorandum from the Building Official to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024, and entitled “Award Recommendation – Replacement Vehicle”.
P. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to SAFE Boats International, 8800 SW Barney White Road, Bremerton, WA 98312 for the purchase of one (1) SAFE 27 Center Console Hard Top boat and equipment specified, through GSA cooperative purchasing program, contract # 47QSWA18D005J, in an amount not to exceed $502,712.06 using allocated ARPA funds, and as further described in a memorandum from the Harbormaster / Natural Resource Officer to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024 entitled Recommendation to Purchase – Harbormaster Boat.”
Q. A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a Local Public Agency Agreement with the State of Rhode Island for the Municipal Road and Bridge Program, in accordance with terms of the agreement as approved by the Town Solicitor and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated October 4, 2024, and entitled “2025 Municipal Road and Bridge Program, Local Public Agency Agreement.”
R. A resolution authorizing an award to Tyler Equipment Corporation, 1980 Berlin Turnpike, Berlin, CT 06037 for the purchase of an asphalt hot box trailer in an amount not to exceed $36,797.00 using allocated ARPA funds, and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated October 8, 2024 and entitled “Award of Purchase Recommendation – Asphalt Hot Box Trailer.”
S. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Tighe & Bond, Inc., One Cedar Street, Suite 300, Providence, RI 02903 for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Services at South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Middle School in an amount not to exceed $14,000, including an $850 contingency, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated October 8, 2024, entitled “Authorization to Award a Contract for Phase I Environmental Site Assessment Services at South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Middle School (Ref # SK0007TM).”
T. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Cromwell Public Affairs, 649 Hope Street, Bristol, RI 02908, for traffic safety communications and media relations consulting services in an amount not to exceed $37,950, subject to the availability of grant funding; and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated October 8, 2024, and entitled "Award Recommendation – Media Consulting Services – Cromwell Public Affairs."
U. A resolution authorizing an award to Thermo Scientific Portable Analytical Instruments Inc., 2 Radcliff Road, Tewksbury, MA 01876, for the purchase of a TruNarc Device, Solution Kit, Training, and Extended Warranty in an amount not to exceed $31,093; and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated October 8, 2024 and entitled “Award Recommendation - Purchase of TruNarc Device and Solution Kit.”
V. A resolution authorizing an award to Brewster Thorton Group Architects, 317 Iron Horse Way, Suite 202, Providence, RI 02908 for architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, and construction administration services (Bid #SK008TM), in the amount not to exceed $335,652 which includes a base proposal fee of $323,652 and a contingency of $10,000; as further described in a memorandum from the Library Director to the Town Manager dated October 9, 2024, entitled “Request for Award of Contract for Architecture, Engineering, Landscape Architecture, & Construction Administration Services - Capital Projects Fund Community Learning Center (SK008TM).”
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.
A. Update on SBC and School Facilities Project.
B. Report on Municipal and Housing Court.
C. Old Tower Hill Road Neighborhood Plan / Able City East Update.
A. An email dated October 8, 2024 from Carol Babbit Spears tendering her resignation from the Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.
B. A letter dated August 25, 2024 from Meghann Sparks requesting the Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee membership be reduced from seven members to five is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.
C. An email dated October 8, 2024 from Council Member Alley requesting a Work Session regarding affordable and workforce housing is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.
D. An email dated October 8, 2024 from Michael Sherry, Chair of the Waterfront Advisory Commission concerning the purchase of a new boat for the Harbormaster is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs _______________.
E. An email dated October 8, 2024 from Dorald Beasley concerning the proposed Athletic Field Complex location 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.
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.”
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).
Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)
Vacancies: five terms to expire in July 2025 (David Hamel and James Vogel did not wish to be reappointed; Christopher Moore resigned; two additional open positions).
Applicant: David R. Stone (applied 7/16/2024); Neil Murray (applied 9/3/2024).
Building Code/Minimum Housing Code Boards of Appeals (5 members; 5 year term)
Vacancy: one term to expire in June 2029 (Paul Schurman did not wish to be reappointed).
Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire in 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)
Vacancy: one term to expire in March 2027 (Larry Fish resigned).
Applicant: Jack Cadman (applied 8/21/2024)
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire in December 2024. Awaiting response from David Nedwidek. Linda Stedman does not wish to be reappointed.
Vacancy: one term to expire in December 2026 (Andrew Martinez resigned)
Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire in October 2024. Awaiting response from Susana Vazquez McCoy.
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)
Reappointment for a term to expire in July 2024: Hilary Carlson wishes to be reappointed (to be interviewed at a future meeting). It is reported that Ms. Carlson has attended 25 of 32 meetings held during her current term (attendance as of 7/15/2024).
Applicant: Lisa Wholey (applied 2/23/2024); Applicant: David R. Stone (applied 7/16/2024)
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
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)
Vacancy: one term to expire June 2025 (David Palazzetti resigned)
Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee (8 members)
Vacancy: Economic Development Committee Ex-Officio Member (Larry Fish resigned)
Applicants: Jenn Judge (applied 9/30/2024); William Green (applied 10/1/2024); Maureen White (applied 10/8/2024).
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 in 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 (Mark Kravatz resigned)
Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire in June 2024: Barry Gross wishes to be reappointed (to be interviewed at a future meeting. It is reported that Mr. Gross has attended 19 of 21 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 2/8/2024).
Vacancy: one term to expire June 2026 (Sarah Smith resigned)
Applicant: Sara Mariani (applied 9/6/2024).
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Vacancy: Alternate #3 term to expire in March 2027 (William MacDonald promoted to Alt. #2)
Applicants: Robert Fetzer (applied 3/11/2024); Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)
Upcoming Meetings Report
Listed below are the scheduled Town Council/Board/Committee meetings for the next two weeks:
· Planning Board Special Meeting
Thursday, October 10 at 6:30pm
Council Chambers
· Town Council
Tuesday, October 15 at 7:00pm
Council Chambers
· School Building Committee
Wednesday, October 16 from 6-8pm
Location TBD
· Zoning Board of Review
Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00pm
Council Chambers
· Probate Court
Thursday, October 17 at 9:30am
Council Chambers
· Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee
Thursday, October 17 at 6:00pm
Council Chambers