TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 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 2/6/2025

 

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 regarding notice of claim filed on behalf of Jonathan Garvey, and pursuant to RIGL §42-46-5(a)(5) to discuss matters related to the acquisition or lease of real property for public purposes.

 

2.            A.        INTERVIEWS – 7:00 PM

1. Peter Swain for appointment to the Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee.

2.   Bradford Hevenor for reappointment to the Assessment Board of Review.

3.   Sara Mariani for appointment to the Waterfront Advisory Commission.

 

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 – October 28, 2024

             

B.        Regular Session – October 28, 2024

 

C.        Closed Executive Session – October 28, 2024

 

6.            CONSENT AGENDA

 

(CA)    A.        A resolution granting Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

Office Superstore East, LLC d/b/a Staples the Office Superstore, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Donna King, Senior Analyst. License No. 87368.

 

Extreme Airsoft Inc d/b/a Extreme Airsoft, 1425 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Danielle Martin, Owner. License No. 87305.

 

(CA)    B.        A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

Sweet Althea’s LLC d/b/a Sweet Althea’s, 542 Kingston Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Kim Curtis, Owner. License No. 87352.

 

Desiree Fournier d/b/a Nutrition Dynamix, 593 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Beverly Fournier, Owner. License No. 79918.

 

(CA)    C.        A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Farm Retail Sales Licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

Clark Farm d/b/a/ Clark Farm, 2984 Commodore Perry Highway, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Richard Clark, President. License No. 78455.

 

Highland Farm d/b/a Highland Farm, 4235 Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Martha Bradley, President. License No. 60890.

 

(CA)    D.        A resolution granting Victualling Licenses to the following; Renewals:

 

Albie’s Place Inc d/b/a Albie’s Place, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Jason Wichert, Owner. License No. 59653.

 

Green Tea Eatery Inc d/b/a Peking Tokyo, 120 Fortin Road, Kingstown, RI 02881. Application by Zongdong Zhu, President. License No. 60677.

 

(CA)    E.         A resolution granting Tourist Accommodations, Holiday Sales and Victualling Licenses to Southern Rhode Island Hospitality LLC d/b/a Fairfield by Marriott South Kingstown RI and Newport Area, 3 Fairfield Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Bonnie Brake, Director of Hotel Operations. Renewal; License No. 62539.

 

(CA)    F.         A resolution that a claim filed by Richard A. Sinapi, Esq. and Joshua D. Xavier, Esq. on behalf of their client Meghan Povall relative to various employment law claims be referred to the Town Solicitor and Town’s insurance carrier.

 

(CA)    G.        A resolution that a claim filed by Clerkin, Sinclair & Mahfouz, LLP on behalf of their client Michael Booth relative to an incident that occurred on or about November 17, 2024 be referred to the Town Solicitor and Town’s insurance carrier.

 

(CA)    H.        A resolution granting a Victualling License to Daddy’s Bread d/b/a Daddy’s Bread, 805 Moonstone Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jennifer Manzo, Owner. Renewal; License No. 59125.

 

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.            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.

 

9.            PUBLIC HEARING

 

            A.        A Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance, Article 8 Signs, Section 802 Signs Permitted in Any Zoning District Without Permits, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.

 

10.          NEW BUSINESS

 

A.           A resolution adopting a proclamation in recognition of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 916 Auxiliary 100^th anniversary.

 

B.           A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Alliance Restoration, 2158 Plainfield Pike, Cranston, RI 02921, for property cleanup at 163 Oakwoods Drive in an amount not to exceed $10,485.76 and as further described in a memorandum from the Building Official to the Town Manager dated January 6, 2025, and entitled “Award of Contract – Private Property Remediation.”

 

C.           A resolution authorizing the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee to plan for South Kingstown to recognize the Nation’s 250^th Anniversary in 2026; and authorizing recruitment of interested individuals to serve on this ad hoc committee, as further described in a memorandum dated February 3, 2025, from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager entitled “Proposal for Ad Hoc Committee to Plan South Kingstown’s Recognition of the Nation’s Semi-Quincentennial Celebration.”

 

D.           A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Indiana Printing & Publishing Company, 775 Indiana Springs Road, Indiana, PA 15701, to provide brochure printing services, in accordance with all bidding specifications, for an amount not to exceed $14,356 per year for a term of three years, from FY2024-2025 through FY2026-2027 and as further described in a Memorandum from the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager dated February 4, 2025, “Bid Recommendation-Recreation Brochure Printing – SK0143RD”.

 

E.            A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Atlantic Control Systems, Inc., P.O. Box 313, Exeter, RI 02822, for the installation of a water meter, piping, valves, by-pass and all incidentals at the Wastewater Treatment Plant, 275 Westmoreland Street, Narragansett in an amount not to exceed $14,296.20, which includes a $2,000.00 contingency, and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated January 31, 2025, entitled “Contract Authorization – Wastewater Treatment Plant Meter Replacement – Atlantic Control.”

 

F.            A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to proposed amendments to Standing Orders 210.06 Fitness for Duty Evaluations, 230.01 Light Duty, 410.04 Conducted Electrical Weapon, 420.01 Vehicular Pursuits, 430.01 Limits of Authority, 430.23 Evidence Property Collection & Preservation, 440.02 Strip & Body Cavity Searches, and 700.01 Rules and Regulations, as further described in a memorandum dated February 5, 2025 from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager entitled “ Submission of Updated Standing Orders for Town Council Approval.”

 

G.           Discussion and potential action relative to implementing a summer music series at the South Kingstown Town Beach, as requested by Council Member Wegimont .

 

H.           Discussion, tabled from December 18, 2024 and continued from January 13 and January 27, 2025, regarding the impact of using American Rescue Plan Act funds to advance planned Capital Improvement Program purchases, as requested by Council Member Bergner.

 

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.          TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.           Update on SBC and School Facilities Project

B.           Update continued from January 27, 2025, on the Noyes Farm Park Open Space Management Plan, as requested by Council Member Bergner.

C.           Update continued from January 27, 2025, on mixed use zoning on Old Tower Hill Road.

D.           Review of the Year-to-Date Budget Report, as requested by Council Member Bergner.

E.            Discussion regarding Town Council Goals and Objectives for the 2024-2026 Term.

 

13.          COMMUNICATIONS

 

            A.        An email, continued from January 27, 2025, dated January 14, 2025 from Council Member Wegimont requesting a citation recognizing Jayd Bun Restaurant for its outstanding achievement and invaluable contribution as a small business is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs                                                 .

 

            B.        An email dated January 25, 2025 from Council Member Alley concerning billing for the SKEMS Community Paramedicine Program 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.

 

14.          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

 

 

 

Proposed Amendments to the South Kingstown Zoning Ordinance

Appendix A – Zoning Ordinance

* * *

Article 8. – Signs.

* * *

Sec. 802. Signs permitted in any zoning district without permits.

The following signs are permitted without permits issued by the building official, and shall not be counted when calculating the quantity of signs permitted and the total allowable sign area; provided, however, that such signs shall conform to all other applicable regulations, and further provided that such signs shall conform to all other applicable regulations, and further provided that such signs shall be neither illuminated nor indirectly illuminated, except as otherwise specified herein:

* * *

I. Election signs or political signs. Political signs are nonilluminated and must be incidental to a town, state, or federal election or referendum. Such signs shall be constructed of durable material, and shall not be affixed or attached to trees, traffic signs or utility poles, and shall not be located upon any public right-of-way nor upon any public property. Such signs shall be erected not more than sixty (60) days prior to such election or referendum. No premises shall have a sign erected for more than one hundred twenty (120) days in any calendar year. Political signs relating to any election or referendum shall be removed within fourteen (14) days after said election or referendum. In all districts, such signs shall not to exceed sixteen (16) square feet in area per side.

 

 

 

 

 

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)

Vacancies: three terms to expire August 2025 (George Helwig, Leslie Kennedy, and Carol Babbitt Spears resigned)

Applicant: Peter Swain (applied 12/30/2024; to be interviewed 2/10/2025); Richard Morrissey (applied 10/29/2024; interviewed 1/27/2025); Susan Mittendorf (applied 1/3/2025; interviewed 1/27/2025); Brian Smith (applied 1/10/2025; interviewed 1/27/2025).

 

Assessment Board of Review (3 members, 1 alternate; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire January 2025: Bradford Hevenor (to be interviewed 2/10/2025) and Ken Munroe wish to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Hevenor has attended 16 of 16 meetings and Mr. Munroe has attended 14 of 16 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 11/4/2024).

 

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; interviewed 1/27/2025).

 

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, Roland Benjamin, and Margaret Healy.

 

Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term expired in September 2024. Margaret Clune wishes to be reappointed. Vacancy: for a term to expire September 2027 (Dennis John Bowman did 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 to expire March 2025: Michael Gagas and Susan Marcus wish to be reappointed. Brian Smith and Henry Thayer do not wish to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Kenneth Tetzner. It is reported that Mr. Gagas has attended 21 of 22 meetings, Ms. Marcus has attended 22 of 27 meetings, and Mr. Tetzner has attended 9 of 27 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 11/5/2024).

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms to expire in December 2024. Awaiting response from David Nedwidek. It is reported that Mr. Nedwidek has attended 17 of 26 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 8/9/2024).

Vacancies: two terms to expire in December 2026 and December 2027 (Andrew Martinez resigned; Linda Stedman did not wish to be reappointed)

 

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 (interviewed 1/27/2025) 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)

Applicant: Matthew Fraza (applied 11/22/2024)

 

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)

 

Sustainability Committee (7 members)

Vacancy (Mark Kravatz resigned)

Application: Kim Falcone (applied 1/3/2025; interviewed 1/27/2025))

 

Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointment for a term to expire in June 2024: Barry Gross wishes to be reappointed (available for interview 2/24/2025)). 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; to be interviewed 2/10/2025).

 

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)

 

 

 

Attachment B

 

 

Upcoming Meetings Report

 

·         Library Board of Trustees

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Peace Dale Library

 

·         Planning Board Work Session

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 at 6:30 PM

Council Chambers

 

·         Technical Review Committee

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Council Chambers

 

·         Trustees South Kingstown School Funds

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 9:00 AM

2^nd Floor Conference Room, Town Hall

 

·         Municipal Court

Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Council Chambers

 

·         Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee

Thursday, February 13, 2025 at 6:00 PM

Council Chambers

 

·         Housing Court

Tuesday, February 18, 2025 at 5:30 PM

Council Chambers

 

·         Zoning Board of Review

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM

Council Chambers

 

·         Probate Court

Thursday, February 20, 2025 at 9:30 AM

Council Chambers

 

·         School Building Committee

Thursday, February 20, 2025 Time TBD

Council Chambers