TOWN COUNCIL AGENDA

 

TOWN OF SOUTH KINGSTOWN

 

RHODE ISLAND

 

 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025

 

CLOSED EXECUTIVE 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 11/6/2025

 

 

1.            CLOSED EXECUTIVE SESSION – 7:00 PM

 

A.        A Closed Executive Session 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.            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 Sessions – October 21, and October 23, 2025

 

5.            INTERVIEWS

 

A.           Neil Murray for reappointment to the Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee

B.           Nicholas Furcolo for appointment to the Affordable Housing Collaborative Committee

 

6.            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)

 

7.            CONSENT AGENDA

 

(CA)    A.        A resolution granting a Holiday Sales License to Bubba & Lolo’s Thrift LLC d/b/a Bubba & Lolo’s Thrift LLC, 119 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Lauren Chapin, Co-Owner. Renewal; License No. 85874.

 

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

 

Point Judith Marina LLC d/b/a Point Judith Marina, 392D Gooseberry Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Anne Killeen, General Manager. License No. 60136.

 

RPC Inc. d/b/a Rumford Pet, 20 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Lisa J. Vellucci, VP Finance. License No. 70144.

 

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

 

Snug Harbor Marina Inc d/b/a Snug Harbor Marina, 410 Gooseberry Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Elisa Cahill, Manager. License No. 79248.

 

Four Seasons Food Mart LLC d/b/a Four Seasons Food Mart, 99 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881. Application by Muhammad Zubair, Member. License No. 60778.

 

Mama Whats Cooking LLC d/b/a Mama Whats Cooking, 100 Fortin Road, Kingston, RI 02881.Application by Ihab Chamseddine, Owner. License No. 87050.

 

Del’s Lemonade of South County d/b/a Del’s of South County, 49 Old Tower Hill Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Emily Buonanno, Owner. License No. 78761.

 

(CA)    D.        A resolution granting Tourist Accommodations License to Admiral Dewey Inn LLC d/b/a Admiral Dewy Inn, 668 Matunuck Beach Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Nicole Duchesneau, Business Administrator. License No. 86665.

 

(CA)    E.         A resolution granting a Victualling License to China Garden Li d/b/a China Garden Li, 564 Kingstown Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Chaoying Li, Owner. License No. 59169.

 

(CA)    F.         A resolution granting a Peddler License to Allume Chocolate d/b/a Allume Chocolate, 473 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Marissa Kervin, Owner. License No. 79527.

 

(CA)    G.        A resolution granting Holiday Sales and Shellfish & Farm Produce Peddler Licenses to Sosnowski Farm d/b/a Sosnowski Farm, 680 Glen Rock Road, West Kingston, RI 02892. Application by Sue Sosnowski, co-owner. License No.60598.

 

(CA)    H.        A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to the renewal of Liquor Licenses for the year beginning December 1, 2025.

 

(CA)    I.          A resolution authorizing the Town Assessor to abate taxes in the amount of $4,574.06, as shown on Tax Abatement Request No. 654.

 

(CA)    J.         A resolution that Civil Action File Number WC-2025-0607 relative to declaring Sand Piper Drive a public road be referred to the Town Solicitor and the Town’s insurance carrier.

 

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.

 

8.            LICENSES

 

A.           A resolution granting Victualling and Holiday Sales Licenses to Justin Fontaine Restaurants LLC d/b/a Arabella’s Coffee House, 406 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879. Application by Justin Fontaine, Owner. New; License No. 91159.

 

B.           A resolution granting a Road Race License to Mews Tavern to conduct the Mews Tavern Gear N’ Beer 5K Road Race on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, to benefit South County Health with a $45,000 donation. Subject to execution of a Hold Harmless Agreement indemnifying the Town. Application by George McAuliffe, Business Manager. New; License No. 90862.

 

C.           A resolution granting a Class F 19 Hour Beverage License to South County Health, as the beneficiary of the event, 456 Main Street, Wakefield, RI 02879 for the Mews Tavern Gear N’ Beer 5K Road Race on Sunday, November 23, 2025, from 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Application by Jennifer Martin, South County Health. New; License No. 90891.

 

9.            PUBLIC COMMENTS

 

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 to approve, and authorize the Town Manager to sign, a three-year collective bargaining agreement with Town and International Brotherhood of Police Officers, Local 489 (IBPO), effective July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2028, as described in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/DOAS to the Town Council dated November 3, 2025, entitled “Request to Ratify SKPD, IBPO Local 489 Collective Bargaining Agreement.”

 

B.           A resolution adopting a proclamation recognizing Andrew Convey for attaining the Eagle Scout Award, as requested by Council Vice President Marran and Council Member Wegimont.

 

C.           A resolution supporting the Town’s submission of three 2026 RI DEM Outdoor Recreation Grant applications as specified, and authorizing the Town Manager to sign all required applications and supporting documents associated with these grants, as further described in a memorandum from the Director of Leisure Services to the Town Manager dated October 28, 2025, entitled “Recommendation to Submit RIDEM 2026 Outdoor Recreation Grant Applications.”

 

D.           A resolution amending the change order process and procedures for the South Kingstown High School Building Project, and associated athletic complex renovation, previously adopted by the Town Council on September 22, 2025, as outlined in a memorandum from the Deputy Town Manager/DOAS to the Town Manager dated November 3, 2025, entitled “Request to Amend Change Order Process and Procedures South Kingstown School Building Project.”

 

E.            A resolution authorizing the Town Clerk to advertise for Order of Notice a Public Hearing relative to an application for renewal and liquor service area expansion of a license to keep and sell alcoholic beverages in South Kingstown in accordance with the General Laws of 1956, as amended, as follows:

 

CLASS B VICTUALLER LIQUOR LICENSE

 

Application for renewal and liquor service area expansion filed by 323 Main Restaurant, LLC d/b/a Birch & Bay, 323 Main Street, Wakefield, RI by Shannon Brito, Owner. Applicant requests permission to expand the area in which alcoholic beverages may be served to include a modification to the second floor dining area by adding an additional 30 dining seats in accordance with the Special Use Permit granted by the Zoning Board of Review on September 17, 2025; and as further defined in site plans dated March 5, 2012 on file in the Town Clerk’s office.

 

11.          TOWN MANAGER’S REPORT

 

A.           Update on SBC and School Facilities Project.

B.           Good Energy Aggregation Program Update, as requested by Council Vice President Marran

 

12.          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.

 

13.          COMMUNICATIONS - None

 

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.          TOWN COUNCIL DISCUSSION ITEMS - None

 

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 expired 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: one 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. Neil Murray and Joshua Saunders wish to be reappointed.

Vacancies (2): 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).

 

Conservation Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancies (4): one term to expire September 2027 and three terms to expire September 2028 (Margaret Clune, Melissa Hughes, Matthew Bradywood, and Vernon Wyman did not wish to be reappointed).

 

Economic Development Committee (11 members, 3 year term)

Vacancy: one term to expire March 2028 (Henry Thayer did not wish to be reappointed).

 

Historic District Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Vacancy: one term to expire in December 2025 (David Nedwidek did not wish to be reappointed).

 

Housing Authority (5 members; 5 year term)

Reappointment for one term to expire October 2025. Christi Saurette does not wish to be reappointed

 

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

Vacancy: one term to expire July 2028 (Mario Briccetti did not wish to be reappointed).

Applicant: Kim Salisbury-Keith (applied 5/28/2025).

 

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)

Reappointment for a term expired June 2025. Awaiting response from Benedict Ingegneri.

 

Waterfront Advisory Commission (7 members; 3 year term)

Reappointments for terms expired June 2025. Samuel Grimley and Michael Sherry wish to be reappointed. Awaiting response from Joseph Nuzzolillo.

 

Zoning Board of Review (5 members, 3 alternates; 3 year term)

Vacancies (2): 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)