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TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, JUNE 9, 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 6/5/2025
1. Michael Joyce for reappointment to the Building Code/Minimum Housing Code Boards of Appeals
2. Bettina Monaco for appointment to the Historic District Commission
3. Kirk Brown for appointment to the Economic Development Committee
B. WORK SESSION – immediately following
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. A resolution supporting the submission of the Necessity of School Construction (NSC) Stage III design development package to the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) for the South Kingstown High School Building Project, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2025 entitled “RIDE SBA Stage III Design Development Package Submission.” (Presentation)
A. Work Session – April 28, 2025
B. Regular Session – April 15, April 17, and April 28, 2025
(CA) A. A resolution granting a Victualling License to The Stackhouse LLC d/b/a Stack House, 99 Fortin Road, Unit 108, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Edmund Addai, Owner. Renewal; License No. 77285.
(CA) B. A resolution authorizing the abatement of remaining small-balance accounts, under $4.00 for tangible and real estate taxes for the 2024 tax year, in the amount of $17.88 as further described in a memorandum from the Finance Director to the Town Manager dated June 3, 2025 entitled “2024 Small-Balance Adjustment “Under $4.00” Abatement of Taxes.”
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.
A. A resolution granting a Miscellaneous Permit to conduct the RiverFire event on Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to the Wakefield Village Association, PO Box 174, Wakefield, RI 02880 subject to the execution of a hold harmless agreement indemnifying the Town. Application by Peg Gregoire, Member. New; License No. 89087.
B. A resolution granting a Miscellaneous Permit to conduct the RiverFire event on Thursday, July 17, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM to the Wakefield Village Association, PO Box 174, Wakefield, RI 02880 subject to the execution of a hold harmless agreement indemnifying the Town and issuance of a certificate of insurance naming the Town as an additional insured in the amounts specified by the Finance Director. Application by Peg Gregoire, Member. New; License No. 89088.
C. A resolution granting a Holiday Sales License to MW of Wakefield LLC d/b/a Mattress Warehouse, 26 South County Commons Way, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Nikita Bhatti, Licensing Manager. New; License No. 89145.
A. Update on SBC and School Facilities Project
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 adopting the Town Council’s Goals and Objectives for the 2024-2026 Term.
B. A resolution authorizing an award of bid for miscellaneous road building materials to the following bidders at the unit prices, and as further described in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated May 23, 2025, and entitled “Bid Recommendation – FY 2025-26 Road Building Materials.”
VENDOR | PRODUCT |
Richmond Sand & Stone, Inc. 35 Stilson Road Richmond, RI 02898 | Concrete Sand – Picked Up & Delivered Crushed Stone - 3/8” - Picked Up & Delivered Crushed Stone - 1/2”- Picked Up & Delivered Processed Gravel - Delivered Rip Rap NSA # R-8 – Picked Up Screened Loam – Picked Up & Delivered |
D’Ambra Construction Co. Inc 80 Centre of New England Blvd Coventry, RI 02816 | Cold Emulsion Patching Mix – Picked Up |
Johnston Asphalt 100 Allendale Rd. Johnston, RI 02919 | Cold Patch – Picked Up & Delivered Permanent Cold Patch – Picked Up & Delivered |
South County Sand & Gravel 145 Fiore Industrial Dr. Wakefield, RI 02879 | Rip Rap NSA # R-8 – Picked Up & Delivered |
JR Vinagro Corp 2208 Plainfield Pike Johnston, RI 02919 | Winter Sand – Picked Up & Delivered Stone Dust – Picked Up & Delivered Processed Gravel – Picked Up Crushed Stone - 3/4”- Picked Up & Delivered Crushed Stone-1”-11/2”- Picked Up & Delivered Crushed Stone 2”-3” – Picked Up & Delivered Rip Rap NSA #R-3 – Picked Up & Delivered Rip Rap NSA #R-6 – Picked Up & Delivered Armor Stone 1,2,3 & 4 CY- Picked Up & Delivered Concrete 4000psi – 2,3 CY * See Below Flowable Fill under 5 CY |
J. H. Lynch & Son, Inc. 270 North Road P.O. Box 3700 Peace Dale RI 02879 | Bituminous Concrete (Hot) - Picked Up & Delivered Bituminous Concrete (Hot) – Winter Use **See Attached Spreadsheet for Additional Cost Breakdowns for Trucking and Travel |
Cullion Concrete Corp P.O. Box 8979 Cranston, RI 02920 | Concrete 4000psi – 1 CY – 4,5 & 6 or more CY Flowable Fill 5 CY & greater * See Below |
* - Calcium, Hot Water, Re-enforcing Fiber and Corrosion Inhibitor Additives though different form each vendor is specific to how much and which vendor is used for pricing. Cannot be separated out.
C. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to Aqua Solutions, Inc., 154 West Grove Street, Middleboro, MA 02346 for two scum pumps in an amount not to exceed $49,520, to be paid from the Wastewater Enterprise Fund’s unassigned net assets, as further described in a memorandum dated May 27, 2025 from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager, entitled “Bid Recommendation, Chicago Pumps Replacement.”
D. A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a Land Lease Agreement with Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless at the Public Safety Complex for a five-year term with an automatic extension for four additional five-year terms, Wakefield, RI, in accordance with terms of the lease agreement as approved by the Town Solicitor and as further detailed in a memorandum from the Public Services Director to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2025, entitled “Verizon Land Lease Agreement – Public Safety Complex.”
E. A resolution authorizing an award of bid to JWC Environmental, 2600 S. Garney Street, Santa Ana CA, 92707 to provide three (3) wastewater Electric Channel Grinders in an amount not to exceed $62,132.21, 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 June 4, 2025 and entitled “Bid Recommendation, Electric Channel Grinder Replacement.”
F. A resolution authorizing the abatement of 2014 uncollectable taxes as follows: Uncollectable tangible personal property taxes for 2014 in the amount of $10,281.18, uncollectable motor vehicle taxes for 2014 in the amount of $22,188.11 and uncollectable real estate taxes for 2014 in the amount of $842.22, as further described in a memorandum from the Finance Director to the Town Manager dated June 3, 2025 entitled “Abatement of Uncollectable 2014, Motor Vehicle, Tangible & Real Estate Taxes.”
G. A resolution authorizing tax collection procedures, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
H. A resolution referring to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion proposed amendments to the Town’s Zoning Ordinance relative to rental dwellings, as shown on Exhibit 2 attached hereto.
I. A resolution referring to the Planning Board for an advisory opinion proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance relative to manufactured homes for review as further described in a memorandum from the Assistant Town Solicitor to the Town Council dated September 13, 2024 and entitled “Manufactured Homes – Existing Local Regulations & New State Law.”
J. A resolution authorizing an amendment to an award of contract, originally granted on April 14, 2025, to BL Companies New England, Inc., 355 Research Parkway, Meriden, CT 06450 for additional soil sampling and associated testing as part of the Phase II Environmental Site Assessment at South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Middle School from a price not to exceed $90,100 to an amended amount not to exceed $102,000 as further described in a memo from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated April 9, 2025, entitled “Amendment of Contract for Phase II Environmental Services.”
K. A resolution authorizing an amendment to an award of contract, originally granted on June 13, 2023, to Union Studio, 160 Mathewson Street, Suite 201, Providence, RI 02903 for additional architectural services related to the Perryville EMS Station from a price not to exceed $127,500 to an amended amount not to exceed $140,000, as further described in a memo from the Deputy Town Manager to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2025, entitled “Amendment of Contract for Phase II Environmental Services.”
L. A resolution 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, as further described in a memorandum from the Planning Director to the Town Manager dated June 4, 2025, entitled “South Road School – Draft RFP.”
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.
B. Discussion concerning the allocation of undesignated fund balance, as requested by Council Vice President Marran.
C. Recognize Summer Blair and Paul Williams for their community service work at the Rose Hill Free Library.
A. An email dated May 30, 2025 from Dorothy Hill, South Kingstown Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee requesting safety measures for pedestrians and bicyclists on Green Hill Beach Road is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
B. An email dated June 3, 2025 from Beth Noonan requesting support for legislation allowing food service establishments to provide temporary outdoor dining services after being affected by casualties such as fire or flooding 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)
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.”
TAX RESOLUTIONS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Town Council hereby orders the assessment and collection of a tax on the ratable real estate and tangible personal property in a sum not more than $79,250,000; said tax is for the ordinary expenses and charges, for the payment of interest and indebtedness, in whole or in part of said Town, and for other purposes authorized by law. The Tax Assessor shall assess and apportion said tax on the inhabitants and ratable property of said Town as of the 31st day of December, A.D. 2024 at Twelve o’clock midnight, according to law (the date of assessment) and shall, on completion of said assessment, date, certify, and sign the same and deliver to and deposit the same in the office of the Town Clerk on or before the 15th day of August, A.D. 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Town taxes shall be due and payable on and between August 1, 2025, and August 31, 2025, and all taxes remaining unpaid after August 31, 2025, shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum upon such unpaid tax, with the exception of taxes being paid under the quarterly installment law. For purposes of calculating the appeal period for relief from the tax assessment, said appeal period shall run from August 1, 2025.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that said taxes, if levied in excess of One Hundred dollars ($100.00), may be paid in quarterly installments, the first installment of twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of August 2025 and the remaining installments as follows: twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of November 2025; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of February 2026; twenty-five percent (25%) on or before the 1st day of May 2026. Each installment of taxes, if paid on or before the last day of each installment period successively and in order, shall be free from any charge for interest.
If the first installment or any succeeding installment of taxes is not paid prior to the first (1st) day of the next calendar month following the last date of the respective installment period or periods as they occur, then the whole tax or remaining unpaid balance of the tax as the case may be, shall immediately become due and payable and shall carry until collected a penalty at the rate of twelve percent (12%) per annum from August 1, 2025 for real and personal property taxes, and motor vehicle excise tax as allowed by the laws of the State of Rhode Island. Upon payment of any and all delinquent quarterly installments together with interest accrued on the full unpaid balance of the tax, the right to pay the remaining taxes on the installment basis will be reinstated. Pursuant to R.I.G.L. 44-5-8.1, per Chapter 17 Article VIII of the Town of South Kingstown’s Code of Ordinances, the Town is authorized to permit a waiver of interest on one quarter’s overdue real estate property tax payment. To receive a waiver on a penalty charge, a tax account must satisfy all conditions specified and adopted in the Town of South Kingstown’s Code of Ordinances, Chapter 17, Article VIII.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Tax Collector is ordered and directed to make levy or levies on all property or properties and persons. Taxes assessed December 31, 2024, for 2025 taxes on Real Estate for which remain unpaid on the First Monday in March A.D. 2026, shall cause said Tax Collector to proceed according to law to collect said tax or taxes so delinquent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance of this Town be and is hereby instructed and empowered to hire all necessary funds for the use of the Town for the year ensuing, and to renew all notes against the Town outstanding as may be found necessary.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: that the Director of Finance be and is hereby authorized to issue from time-to-time notes of the Town of South Kingstown, subject to the approval of the Town Council, in anticipation of the receipt of taxes assessed as of December 31, 2024. Said borrowed moneys shall be used and expended for the payment of current liabilities and expenses of said Town of South Kingstown and shall be issued under the authority of Title 45-12-4 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, 1956 as amended.
Proposed Amendments to the Town Code Zoning Ordinance
Appendix A – Zoning Ordinance
ADD:
Article 5.5 - Rental Dwellings
Sec. 550. - Applicability.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all rental dwellings/units within the town except those such as hotels, motels and tourist homes which are licensed pursuant to Chapter 18. Institutional dormitories are exempt from the provisions of this article.
Sec. 551. - Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Record owner means the property owner of record, as identified by the town’s tax records.
Rental dwelling means any enclosed space which is wholly or partly used or intended to be used for occupants who are paying rent therefor.
Rental unit means any room or group of rooms located within a rental dwelling and forming a single habitable unit for living and sleeping by occupants who are paying rent therefor.
Sec. 552. - Registration.
(a) Required. No rental dwelling/unit shall be let, leased or otherwise permitted to be occupied, in whole or in part, by a tenant for residential and/or dwelling purposes unless and until the record owner has registered such property with the zoning official.
(b) Form. The rental registration form shall indicate the tax assessor's plat and lot number address of the rental dwelling/unit the number of rental dwelling units and bedrooms therein, the name and permanent mailing address of the record owner, and the maximum number of tenants at one time, and period of occupancy (summer, September to June, or other). All rental registration applications shall be signed and properly notarized by the record owner.
(c) Filing date; term. On or before December 31 of each year, the record owner of the rental dwelling/unit shall file the completed rental registration form with the zoning official, which registration shall be valid for a one-year period from January 1 to December 31 of the following year. If the property is registered during the calendar year, the registration shall be valid until December 31 of that same year.
Sec. 553. - Posting of notice by owner.
The record owner shall post in plain view, in a conspicuous place within the rental dwelling/unit, a notice containing the ordinances of the town with regard to the dog leash law, trash disposal, parking restrictions, dwelling occupancy limits, unruly gatherings, and any other pertinent ordinance or law which the council may deem appropriate from time to time. Such notices shall be available at the office of the zoning official. The record owner or any person in control or possession of said rental dwelling/unit subject to the provisions of this article, shall cause a copy of the current lease and registration form required by this article to be posted or affixed to the inside of the primary access door to said rental dwelling/unit so as to allow the lease and registration form to be readily available for inspection by police, zoning, building, or minimum housing officials of the Town of South Kingstown.
Sec. 554. - Fee.
To defray the cost of implementing and overseeing compliance with this article and to help defray the costs associated with the frequent use of town services, including, but not limited to public safety personnel, code compliance personnel and managerial personnel associated with the policing of rental dwellings, there shall be a registration fee of $100.00 for each rental unit covered under the provisions of this article. Any owner who is required to file the registration form on or before December 31 of each year, and who does not file on time, shall, in addition to any other applicable penalties provided for in Article 9, be required to pay a late fee of $300.00. Rental units owned by the South Kingstown Housing Authority and rental units that are deed restricted as affordable housing shall be exempt from the registration fee.
Secs. 555—599. - Reserved.
* * *
This Ordinance shall take effect upon passage.
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 (2): terms to expire August 2025 and August 2027 (Bethany Sorrentino and Meghann Sparks resigned)
Applicant: Brian Smith (applied 1/10/2025; interviewed 1/27/2025).
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)
Reappointment for a term to expire June 2025. Michael Joyce wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Joyce has attended 7 of 12 meetings held during their current term (attendance as of 2/3/2025).
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)
Vacancies: 2 terms to expire March 2028 (Brian Smith and Henry Thayer did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: Kirk Brown (applied 5/27/2025).
Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Vacancies (3): one term to expire in December 2026 and two terms to expire December 2027 (Andrew Martinez resigned, and Linda Stedman and David Nedwidek did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicants: John Desmond (applied 3/25/2025); Elizabeth “Bettina” Monaco (applied 6/3/2025).
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: 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; previously interviewed 3/11/2024)
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)
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).