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TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2025
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
Jay G. Wegimont
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 8/7/2025
1. CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 6:30 PM
A. A Closed Executive Session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(5) related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes, or of the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public, pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(5) to discuss and consider the disposition of publicly held property wherein advanced public information would be detrimental to the interest of the public – South Road School property, and pursuant to RIGL 42-46-5(a)(2) to discuss and/or act upon matters pertaining to collective bargaining re: the International Brotherhood of Police Officers (IBPO) Local 489 labor contract.
2. A. INTERVIEWS – 7:00 PM 
1. John Desmond relative to his interest in the Historic District Commission.
B. WORK SESSION – immediately following
1. Discussion, continued from July 28, 2025 relative to amending the Rules of Conduct and the Rules of Commission, Committee and Board Appointments.
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 – July 28, 2025
B. Regular Session – July 28, 2025
C. Closed Executive Session – July 28, 2025
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution that a claim filed by Stephen Ryan, Esq. on behalf of their client Deborah Yurof relative to an incident that occurred on or about October 10, 2024 be referred to the Town Solicitor and Town’s insurance carrier.
(CA) B. A resolution granting the Petition #13934316 of Rhode Island Energy and Verizon New England to install 4 SO new poles along Worden’s Pond Road (Poles P22-84, P37-84, P41-84 and P47-84) and install 7 JO new poles along Worden’s Pond Road (Poles P29-50, P30-50, P32-50, P33-50, P35-50, P46-50 and P53-50), and to use the public ways named for the purposes stated in said petition, that the work be done to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Services and notification to Town for municipal utility mark-out prior to pole setting, and that this approval is conditioned upon the removal of all existing double poles along the entire length of Worden’s Pond Road prior to new pole(s) placement; and any new double poles created as part of this request be removed within sixty (60) calendar days of new pole(s) placement. Said petition is further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated July 25, 2025, and entitled “Rhode Island Energy Pole Setting Request – Multiples Poles along Worden’s Pond Road”.
(CA) C. A resolution granting the Petition #13934316 of Rhode Island Energy and Verizon New England to install Joint Poles P.1/2 and P.1 the east side of Oak Street to service 117/115 Oak Street (Duplex - AP 57-1, Lot 226) and 107/105 Oak Street (Duplex - AP 57-1, Lot 241) and to use the public ways named for the purposes stated in said petition, that the work be done to the satisfaction of the Director of Public Services and notification to Town for municipal utility mark-out prior to pole setting, and that this approval is conditioned upon the removal of all existing double poles along the entire length of Oak Street prior to new pole(s) placement; and any new double poles created as part of this request be removed within sixty (60) calendar days of new pole(s) placement. Said petition is further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated July 25, 2025 and entitled “Rhode Island Energy Pole Setting Request – Poles P.1/2 and P.1 Oak Street”.
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 – None
8. TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT
A. Update on SBC and School Facilities Project (OPM Update)
B. Discuss date for a Work Session on a Homestead Exemption Program
C. Update on Main Street site furnishing installations
D. Announcement of CivicPlus Agenda Management rollout
9. PUBLIC COMMENTS – 30 Minutes
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. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution authorizing the use of the Neighborhood Guild Income Accumulation Fund for Neighborhood Guild Infrastructure Improvement Projects in an amount not to exceed $947,249, as supported by the Trustees of South Kingstown School Funds, and as further described in a memorandum from the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager dated August 4, 2025 entitled “Recommendation for Allocation of Neighborhood Guild Income Accumulation Funds for Guild Infrastructure Improvement Projects."
B. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Duban Masonry Construction LLC, 55 Forest Lane, East Greenwich, RI 02818, for the Neighborhood Guild Rehabilitation Project in an amount not to exceed $1,532,300 including contingency, and as further described in memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated August 5, 2025 entitled “Recommendation for Award of Contract: Neighborhood Guild Rehabilitation Project.”
C. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Ahlborg Construction Corporation, 355 Centerville Road, Warwick, RI 02886 for the Renovation of the Peace Dale Library and Creation of the Community Learning Center in an amount not to exceed $2,686,200 including contingency, and as further described in memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated August 5, 2025 entitled Recommendation for Award of Contract: Renovation of the Peace Dale Library & Creation of the Community Learning Center (SK0018PL).”
D. A resolution to authorize the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the amount of $47,121.12, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 649.
E. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to McGovern Municipal Headquarters, Inc., 420-2 Boston Turnpike, Shrewsbury, MA 01545, for a 2026 Chevrolet Equinox LT AWD SUV in an amount not to exceed $35,000, in accordance with the Greater Boston Police Council Contract Cooperative, and as further described in a memorandum from the Town Assessor to the Town Manager dated August 1, 2025, and entitled “Award Recommendation – Assessment Department Replacement Vehicle.”
F. Discussion and potential action relative to property tax exemptions.
G. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Atlantic Control Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 313, Exeter, RI, 02822 for a two (2) year contract for the period September 1, 2025 thru June 30, 2027 for municipal utility excavating services at the unit prices bid, and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated August 1, 2025 entitled “Bid Recommendation, Municipal Utility Excavation Services.”
H. Discussion and potential action relating to notifying abutters for minor land development projects, as requested by Council Member Alley.
I. Discussion and potential action relative to establishing a process for Open Meetings Act training for Boards and Commissions, as requested by the Council Member Bergner.
J. A resolution authorizing an award to McGovern Municipal HQ, 1200 Worcester Road, Framingham, MA 01702, for the purchase of one (1) 2025 Ford Police Interceptor Utility AWD vehicle and one (1) 2025 Ford Explorer 4WD vehicle in an amount not to exceed $91,269.00 per the Greater Boston Police Council (GBPC) contract, as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated August 4, 2025 and entitled “Award Recommendation – Police Vehicle Purchase.”
K. A resolution authorizing an award to Strobes N More, 81 Tom Harvey Road, Westerly, RI 02891, for the purchase and installation of emergency lighting and accessories for two new police vehicles in an amount not to exceed $28,450.00 including contingency and in accordance with Rhode Island Master Price Agreement (MPA) #566; as further detailed in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated August 4, 2025, entitled “Award Recommendation – Police Vehicle Emergency Lighting and Accessories.”
L. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Marcus Communications, 33 Mitchell Drive, Manchester, CT 06045, for the purchase of two (2) Viking dual-band radios for two new police vehicles in an amount not to exceed $11,339.04 in accordance with the State of Massachusetts COMMBUYS Contract PSE01; and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated August 4, 2025, entitled " Award Recommendation – Radio Equipment for Police Vehicles.”
M. A resolution authorizing an award to All Traffic Solutions, PO Box 221410, Chantilly, VA 20153, for the purchase of three (3) SpeedAlert 18 Radar Message Signs with solar kits and associated equipment in an amount not to exceed $20,000, in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts COMMBUYS Contract MA SP22-TRAILER-Q66, and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated August 6, 2025 entitled “Award Recommendation – SpeedAlert 18 Radar Message Signs.”
N. A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute an amendment to the AIA A133-2019 Contract for Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement #1 with Gilbane Building Company, 7 Jackson Walkway, Suite 2 Providence, RI 02903 for Early Bid Package #1 at South Kingstown High School for a price not to exceed $23,887,771, as further detailed in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated August 7, 2025, entitled “Authorization to Execute a Guaranteed Maximum Price Agreement #1 for South Kingstown High School (Ref # SK0005TM).”
11. PUBLIC COMMENTS – Continued
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.
12. COMMUNICATIONS
A. An email dated July 29, 2025 from Joshua Port requesting the Town Code be revised to allow use of the South County Bike Path after dark is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
B. Emails from Melinda Lemos-Jackson, Lauren Roth, Avi Goldstein, and Robert Hackey, and a resolution of support submitted by Council Vice President Marran requesting the Town address proposed service cuts by the RI Public Transportation Agency are received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
C. An email dated August 1, 2025 from Amy Dunkle requesting additional traffic safety methods on Green Hill Beach Road 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.
13. 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 to serve on the South Kingstown USA 250th Ad-Hoc Committee.
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)
Reappointments for terms to expire August 2025. Richard Morrissey, Peter Swain, and Susan Mittendorf wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Morrissey has attended 3 of 3 meetings, Mr. Swain has attended 2 of 2 meetings, and Ms. Mittendorf has attended 3 of 3 meetings held during their current term.
Vacancy: term to expire August 2027 (Bethany Sorrentino resigned)
Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire July 2025. Kenneth Burke wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Dorothy Hill, Neil Murray, Lisa-Beth Sanford, and Joshua Saunders.
Vacancies: two terms to expire in July 2025 (David Hamel and James Vogel did not wish to be reappointed; Christopher Moore resigned; two additional open positions).
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).
Canvassing Authority (3 members, 2 alternates; 6 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire March 2025: John Rose wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Helen Rose DiSanto and Roland Benjamin. Margaret Healy does not wish to be reappointed.
Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for one term to expire September 2025. Melissa Hughes wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Matthew Bradywood and Vernon Wyman.
Vacancies: one term to expire September 2027 (Margaret Clune did not wish to be reappointed).
Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)
Vacancy: 1 term to expire March 2028 (Henry Thayer did not wish to be reappointed).
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancies (3): one term to expire in December 2025 and two terms to expire December 2027 (David Hill resigned and Linda Stedman and David Nedwidek did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: John Desmond (applied 3/25/2025; to be interviewed 8/12/2025); Elle Noordzy (applied 6/18/2025).
Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointments for two terms to expire July 2025: Lindsay Madom (interviewed 7/14/25) wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Madom has attended 18 of 30 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 4/28/2025). Mario Briccetti does not wish to be reappointed.
Applicant: David R. Stone (applied 7/16/2024); Kim Salisbury-Keith (applied 5/28/2025).
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire May 2025. Elizabeth Karp (interviewed 7/14/2025) wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Ms. Karp has attended 50 of 61 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 2/5/2025).
Applicants: William Green (reapplied 3/25/2025; interviewed 3/11/2024); Richard Jurczak (applied 6/30/2025; interviewed 7/28/2025); Armand Monaco (applied 7/3/2025; interviewed 7/28/2025).
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)
Reappointments for terms to expire January 2025: Stephen Stewart and Richard Pike wish to be reappointed. Awaiting responses from Thomas Browning and Judith Ann Munson.
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)
Trustees of the South Kingstown School Funds (5 members; 5 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire June 2025. William Rosen wishes to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Benedict Ingegneri.
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Vacancies: Alternate # 2 term to expire March 2026 and Alternate #3 term to expire in March 2027 (Brian Dupont deceased; William MacDonald promoted to Alt. #1)