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TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA
TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN
RHODE ISLAND
MONDAY, MARCH 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 3/6/2025
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 potential litigation 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. Ken Munroe for reappointment to the Assessment Board of Review
2. Joshua Saunders for appointment to the Bicycle – Pedestrian Advisory Committee
3. Kate Shorrock for appointment to the Conservation Commission
4. Michael Gagas for reappointment to the Economic Development Committee
5. Susan Marcus for reappointment to the Economic Development Committee
6. Barry Gross for reappointment to the Waterfront Advisory Commission
B. WORK SESSION – immediately following
Discussion regarding Town Council Goals and Objectives for the 2024-2026 Term
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 –January 6 and January 7, 2025
B. Regular Session – December 18, 2024
6. CONSENT AGENDA
(CA) A. A resolution granting Holiday Sales Licenses to Islands Resort Retail Group Inc. d/b/a Island Outfitters, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Jane Fleming, Bookkeeper. Renewal; License No.78384.
(CA) B. A resolution granting a Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to South Kingstown Little League, Inc d/b/a South Kingstown Little League, 71 Jennifer Drive, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Sean Deibler, Treasurer. Renewal; License No. 87528.
(CA) C. A resolution authorizing an amendment to an award of bid originally granted on January 23, 2023, to United Site Services Northeast, Inc., 118 Flanders Road, Westborough, MA 01581 for Portable Restroom Services, at the 2024 unit prices bid, for the 2025 season, in an amount not to exceed $10,000, as further described in a memorandum from the Leisure Services Director to the Town Manager and entitled “Bid Recommendation – Portable Restroom Services Contract Extension,’ dated March 3, 2025.”
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
A. A resolution granting a Holiday Sales License to Pow Science LLC d/b/a Pow Science, 160 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Hema Bulmer, Owner. New; License No. 87776.
B. A resolution granting Victualling, Holiday Sales Licenses and Additional Hours to S & L Pizza Inc. d/b/a Domino’s Pizza, 51 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Luis Brea, Director. New; License No. 84633.
C. A resolution granting a Victualling License to Chipotle Mexican Grill of Colorado, LLC d/b/a Chipotle Mexican Grill #5014, 60 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879 subject to approval from the Building Department, Union Fire District, and the RI Department of Health. Application by Heather Hutchison, Licensing Analyst. New; License No. 87555.
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, continued from February 24, 2025, to consider an application by South County Health Care System for a Zoning Map Amendment to re-zone property located at 11 Kenyon Avenue (A.P. 64-1, Lot 16) from its “R10 – Medium High Density Residential Zoning District” designation to “GI – Government and Institutional, as shown on Exhibit 1 attached hereto.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. A resolution recognizing March 9-15 as Girl Scout Week in South Kingstown.
B. A resolution adopting a citation congratulating May Jane Ostrouch Baranowski on her 100th birthday, as requested by Council Vice President Marran.
C. A resolution authorizing an award of contract for Commissioning Agent Services for the South Kingstown High School Building Project and associated Curtis Corner Athletic Field Project as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/DOAS to the Town Manager dated March 6, 2025, entitled “Authorization to Award a Contract for Commissioning Agent Services.”
D. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to GZA Geoenvironmental Inc., 188 Valley Street, Providence, RI, 02909 for surveying, conceptual and final designs of plans and specifications for the development of the Noyes Farm Land Management Plan, for an amount not to exceed $62,500 (including contingency); and as further described in the memorandum dated March 4, 2025, from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager entitled “Recommendation to Award Contract for Noyes Farm Engineering, Design, Permitting.”
E. A resolution authorizing an award of contract to Atlantic Tactical, 3319 Anvil Place, Raleigh, NC 27603 for four (4) Sig Sauer SBR Rifle Systems with allied accessories, in amount not to exceed $17,884, and as further described in a memorandum from the Chief of Police to the Town Manager dated March 3, 2025 and entitled “Award of Contract – Short Barrel Rifles & Allied Accessories.”
F. A resolution authorizing Comstar, LLC, 8 Turcotte Memorial Drive, Rowley, MA 01969 the emergency medical billing vendor to implement and charge EMS billing rates as further described in a memorandum dated February 28th, 2025 from the Chief of EMS to the Town Manager entitled “EMS Billing Transport Fee Review & Proposal.”
G. A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to an application to perform construction activities within twenty-five feet of an historic cemetery in accordance with the South Kingstown Town Code, Chapter 14 Planning, Article IV. Historical and Archaeological Cemeteries and Burial Sites, and in accordance with RIGL 45-24.1-4. Application by Kingston Farm Properties, LLC, for as-built approval of utility trenching within 25’ of South Kingstown Historic Cemetery #16, located at 262 Liberty Lane, Assessor’s Plat 24-2, Lot 67.
H. A resolution authorizing a waiver of fees related to Town building permits, planning applications, water fees, soil and erosion control permits and other similar fees related to the construction of the emergency medical services facility (EMS) located at the intersection of Ministerial Road (Rt. 108) and Post Road (Rt. 1A) (Assessors Plat 80-1, Lot 18) as further outlined in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/DOAS to the Town Manager dated March 5, 2025, entitled “Request to Waive Permit Fees – Perryville EMS Station.”
I. A resolution authorizing an amendment of a contract, originally granted on September 25, 2023 to Dowdell Engineering, P.O. Box 1684, Suite 200, 3949 Old Post Road, Charlestown, RI 02865 for engineering, survey and construction oversight services for the proposed Emergency Medical Services (EMS) facility planned for Ministerial Road in an amount not to exceed $13,000, as further described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/DOAS to the Town Manager dated March 5, 2025, entitled “Request for Contract Amendment – Dowdell Engineering.”
J. A resolution authorizing the Town Manager to sign state and local permitting and development review documents related to the construction of the proposed South Kingstown High School and Curtis Corner Athletic Facility as requested by the South Kingstown School Building Committee.
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. Summary of Reserve Funds, as requested by Council Member Bergner, continued from February 24, 2025.
C. Update on the proposed EMS Station located on Ministerial Road.
D. Request for upcoming meeting with Union Studios relative to three municipally owned properties (South Road School; Wakefield Elementary School; Oliver Watson House/Property).
13. COMMUNICATIONS
A. An email dated March 4, 2025 from Stephen J. Elmasian, Co-Chair, Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island requesting that the Town fly the Armenian flag on April 24th to commemorate Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
B. A letter dated March 5, 2025 from Team Sunshine Construction on behalf of Karlene Kelly property owner of 525 South Road requesting Town Council guidance and/or approval to remove deceased and rotted trees at the abutting historic cemetery is received, placed on file, and the Town Council further directs .
C. An email dated March 5, 2025 from Deirdre Murphy, Boys and Girls Clubs of Newport County requesting their application for Human Services and Outside Agency FY 2025-2026 grant funding be considered 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)
B. A resolution promoting William MacDonald from Alternate #2 to Alternate #1 on the Zoning Board of Review for a term to expire March 2025; as further described in a memorandum from the Building Official to the Town Manager dated February 21, 2025 and entitled “Zoning Board of Review - Member Appointment.”
C. 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.”
Exhibit 1 Proposed Zoning Map Amendment
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)
Applicant: 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 (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: four 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); Joshua Saunders (applied 11/6/2024).
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).
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)
Vacancies: two terms to expire September 2027 (Dennis John Bowman and Margaret Clune did not wish to be reappointed).
Applicant: Kate Shorrock (applied 1/21/2025)
Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)
Reappointments for terms to expire March 2025: Michael Gagas, Susan Marcus, and Kenneth Tetzner wish to be reappointed. Brian Smith and Henry Thayer do not wish to be reappointed. 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)
Reappointment for a term expired 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 and Linda Stedman did not wish to be reappointed)
Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)
Vacancy: Affordable Housing Resident term expires October 2029 (Susana Vazquez McCoy was no longer eligible)
Applicants: Peter Swain (applied 1/12/2024; interviewed 2/12/2024; appointed to Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee).
Library Board of Trustees (7 members; 3 year term)
Applicant: David R. Stone (applied 7/16/2024)
Planning Board (7 members; 3 year term)
Applicant: Michael Christy (applied 3/14/2024; interviewed 4/8/2024)
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)
Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)
Reappointment for a term to expire in June 2024: Barry Gross wishes to be reappointed. It is reported that Mr. Gross has attended 19 of 21 meetings held during his current term (attendance as of 2/8/2024).
Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)
Vacancies: Alternate # 1 term to expire March 2025 and Alternate #3 term to expire in March 2027 (Brian Dupont deceased; 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
| | | | | |
| Monday | March 10, 2025 | 6:30pm 7:00pm 7:30pm | Town Council | Council Chambers |
| | | | | |
| Tuesday | March 11, 2025 | 6:00pm | Library Board of Trustees | Peace Dale Library |
| | | | | |
| Tuesday | March 11, 2025 | 6:30pm | Planning Board | Council Chambers |
| | | | | |
| Wednesday | March 12, 2025 | 5:30pm | Municipal Court | Council Chambers |
| | | | | |
| Wednesday | March 12, 2025 | 6:00pm | Historic District Commission | 2nd Floor Conference Room |
| | | | | |
| Thursday | March 13, 2025 | 6:00pm | Route 1 Stewardship Plan Development Committee | 2nd Floor Conference Room |
| | | | | |
| Thursday | March 13, 2025 | 7:00pm | Town Council Budget WS with School Committee | Council Chambers |
| | | | | |
| Monday | March 17, 2025 | 6:30pm | Recreation Commission | Tri Pond Park Nature Center |
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| Monday | March 17, 2025 | 7:00pm | Town Council Preliminary Budget Adoption | Council Chambers |
| | | | | |
| Tuesday | March 18, 2025 | 5:30pm | Housing Court | Council Chambers |
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| Thursday | March 20, 2025 | 9:30am | Probate Court | Council Chambers |