TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

MONDAY, JULY 14, 2025

 

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 7/10/2025

 

 

1.            A.        INTERVIEWS – 7:00 PM

1.            Liz Karp for reappointment to the Planning Board.

 

B.        WORK SESSION – immediately following

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 – May 27 and June 9, 2025

             

B.        Regular Session – May 27, June 9, and June 16, 2025

 

C.        Closed Executive Session – May 27, 2025

 

5.            CONSENT AGENDA

 

(CA)    A.        A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Cakelicious Cafeteria, LLC d/b/a Cakelicious, 1227 Kingstown Road, Peace Dale, RI 02879. Application by Lilibeth Vasquez, Owner. Renewal; License No. 89218.

 

(CA)    B.        A resolution granting the Petition #13794781 of Rhode Island Energy to install Pole 23-84 with anchor on the west side of Glen Rock Road 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 Glen Rock 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 June 20, 2025 and entitled “Rhode Island Energy Pole Setting Request – Pole 23-84 Glen Rock Road.”

 

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 - None

 

7.            TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.           Update on SBC and School Facilities Project

B.           Update on the Saugatucket Road Culvert

C.           Announce the launch of the new GIS program

 

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.            NEW BUSINESS

 

A.           A resolution, tabled from June 9 and June 16, 2025, authorizing the Town Manager to finalize and release the draft Request for Proposals (RFP) in order to solicit proposals to develop workforce housing at the vacant South Road Elementary School, and a recommendation to table action on the South Kingstown Housing Initiative – South Road School RFP in order to allow the Town to meet with the  Rhode Island Secretary of Housing, and future evaluated potential funding sources as identified by the State as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated July 14, 2025, entitled “South Road School – Draft RFP.”

 

B.           A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Electrical Installations, Inc., 397 Whittier Highway, Moultonboro, NH 03254 for SCADA upgrades and all associated programming, labor and testing, in an amount not to exceed $83,620 which includes a $4,000 contingency, and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager, dated June 25, 2025, entitled “2025 Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility, SCADA Upgrades.”

 

C.           A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Rarestep, Inc. dba Fleetio, 1900 2nd Avenue North, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35203, for their Fleetio fleet management software subscription, with data integration and implementation, for a term of twelve months (12) months in an amount not to exceed $15,750.00 through the Government Services Administration, contract number 47QTCA20D0044, as further detailed in a memorandum from the Director of Public Services to the Town Manager dated July 7, 2025 entitled “Recommendation for Purchase Award, Fleetio Fleet Management Software.”

 

D.           A resolution authorizing an award of contract to BETA Group, Inc., 701 George Washington Highway, Lincoln, RI 02865 for Pavement Management Services, in an amount not to exceed $46,955 with funding from the Department of Public Services, Capital Reserve, as further detailed in a memorandum dated July 8, 2025, from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager entitled “Pavement Management Program, Contract Award.”

 

E.            A resolution authorizing an amendment to an award of bid, originally granted on December 5, 2024 to JH Lynch & Sons, Inc., 50 Lynch Place, Cumberland, RI 02864, to include paving of a section of Old North Road from Flagg Road to Stoney Fort Road, from an amount not to exceed $859,918.20 to an amount not to exceed $1,445,912.85 which includes a $30,000 contingency; and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated July 8, 2025 and entitled, “2025 Pavement Reclamation & Overlay Program, Contract Amendment.”

 

F.            A resolution ratifying the contract the Town Manager signed and to execute an agreement with Power Options, 129 South Street, 5^th Floor, Boston, MA, 02111 and Constellation New Energy, 116 Huntington Ave Suite 700, Boston, MA 02116 for the purchase of electricity under the RI Energy Aggregate Program as participating member of the RI League of Cities and Towns for the period of December 2025 to December 2028, and as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Facilities to the Town Manager dated July 7, 2025 and entitled “Ratify the electricity agreement on behalf of the Town.”

 

G.           A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute easement agreements, approve construction documents, and sign all other documentation required by Rhode Island Energy, 280 Melrose Street, Providence, RI 02907 for the installation of a temporary power line from School Street to the existing South Kingstown High School facility, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated July 9, 2025 entitled “Authorization to Execute Documents Related to the Installation of a Temporary Powerline at South Kingstown High School.”

 

H.           A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a service agreement with Rhode Island Energy, 280 Melrose Street, Providence, RI 02907 for the installation of a temporary power line from School Street to the existing South Kingstown High School facility in an amount not to exceed $100,000, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated July 9, 2025 entitled “Authorization for Contract Award - Temporary Powerline at South Kingstown High School.”

 

I.              A resolution authorizing Gilbane Building Company to enter into a subcontract with Testing Evaluation Research International, LLC (TER), 88 Trap Falls Road, Shelton, CT 06484 for a precondition survey at South Kingstown High School for a price not to exceed $77,512, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated July 10, 2025, entitled “Authorization to Award a Subcontract for a Precondition Survey at South Kingstown High School”

 

J.            A resolution authorizing Gilbane Building Company to enter into a subcontract with J.R. Vinagro Corporation, 2208 Plainfield Pike, Johnston, RI 02919 for temporary sitework enabling services at South Kingstown High School for a price not to exceed $433,326, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated July 10, 2025, entitled “Authorization to Award a Subcontract for Temporary Sitework Enabling Services at South Kingstown High School.”

 

K.           Discussion relative to an email dated July 7, 2025 from Dorald Beasley concerning enrollment calculations and geothermal energy use for the proposed South Kingstown High School, as requested by Council Member Bergner.

 

10.          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.

 

11.          COMMUNICATIONS

 

            A.        An email dated June 18, 2025 from Mary Lynn Williams requesting the Town to enact a dog barking ordinance is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs                                     .

 

B.           An email dated June 24, 2025 from Peter DiStefano tendering his resignation from the Planning Board, effective immediately 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.

 

12.          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

 

 

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: term to expire August 2027 (Bethany Sorrentino resigned)

 

Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee (Minimum 5, maximum 9 members; 2 year term)

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)

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)

 

Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for two terms to expire July 2025: Lindsay Madom 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 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; to be interviewed 7/28/2025); Armand Monaco (applied 7/3/2025; to be 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)

Applicant: Gerry Schaffert (applied 3/18/2025; interviewed 5/27/2025)