STATE OF RHODE ISLAND, COUNTY OF NEWPORT

The Town Council of the Town of Tiverton, County and State aforesaid held a Regular Council Meeting on

Monday, July 11, 2022, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Town Hall, 343 Highland Road.

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Council President deMedeiros called the meeting to order with the pledge of allegiance to the flag.

3. ROLL CALL

Present
Council President deMedeiros

Council Vice President Burk

Councilor Janick

Councilor Perry

Councilor Cook

 

Absent

Councilor Vieira

Council Edwards

 

Town Administrator Cotta, Solicitor Romano, Clerk Chabot and Deputy Clerk Veegh were also present.

 

TOWN COUNCIL ADMINISTERING OATH OF OFFICE TO NEW FIREFIGHTERS

 

ALEX BAK

BRANDON BOTELHO

NATHANIEL DAVIES

DANIEL GARDNER

IAN MACWHORTER

JEFFREY MOWRY

MATTHEW PIERCE

TYLER RUGGIERO

 

Council President deMedeiros administered the Oath of Office to the aforementioned new town firefighters. A brief recess was called to allow for photos and accolades.

BUSINESS BROUGHT BEFORE THE COUNCIL
Council President deMedeiros read the items on the Consent Agenda.

4. CONSENT AGENDA    

A. Approval of Town Council Minutes
     1. June 27, 2022 – Regular Meeting (Councilor Perry abstains, absent)

 

B.  Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
     1. Solar Ordinance Advisory Committee (4)

     2. Harbor & Coastal Waters Management Commission (1)

C. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
     1. Town Administrator – Departments’ Monthly Reports – June 2022

     2. Town Administrator – Police and Fire Department Overtime Reports – June 2022

 

D. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence

     1. Resident letter regarding new gas station at Main and Souza Roads

 

E. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – $ 15,623.39

 

Councilor Perry motioned to approve Consent Agenda items. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

5. PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING A COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM OR OTHER TOWN BUSINESS

                A. Comments received: None

 

6. PUBLIC HEARINGS (ADVERTISED) – Discussion and possible votes

                A. Restiv LLC dba Four Corners Grille, 3841 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878 – Requests Approval for

                   BVL Liquor License – Subject to meeting all legal requirements

                     1. Abutter Peggy Siebrandt letter in support

 

President deMedeiros opened the public hearing. No one came forward to speak. The public hearing was closed.

 

Councilor Perry motioned to approve the aforementioned BVL Liquor License. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.

 

7. BOARD OF LICENSING – Discussion and possible votes

A. Restiv LLC dba Four Corners Grille, 3841 Main Road, Tiverton, RI 02878 – Requests Approval for

     Victualing License – subject to meeting all legal requirements

 

Councilor Perry motioned to approve the aforementioned victualing license, subject to meeting all legal
requirements. Seconded by Councilor Cook, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Clerk Chabot requested a discussion of a sound variance application from Mark and Sharon Moore, 4375 Main Road, for a wedding. The item was properly advertised for a public hearing, however, inadvertently not included on the agenda.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to add the item to the agenda for discussion only. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

As the requestors were not present, it was decided to continue discussion to the next meeting.  

 

Councilor Burk motioned to continue discussion until the next meeting on July 25, 2022. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

 B. Philomena Santos-Higgins/Cystic Fibrosis Foundation MASS-RI Chapter, 220 N. Main Street,

     Natick, MA - Request approval of Special Event license for Cycle for Life Ride through Tiverton on

     September 17, 2022, from 7:00 am to 3:30 pm - subject to meeting all legal requirements

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the aforementioned special event license permit, subject to meeting all legal requirements. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to move item 9-D forward. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

D. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote regarding the appointment of Special Officers,

     Jacob Arruda and Julia Vieira, to serve as Community Service Officers

Administrator Cotta opened by explaining the potential appointment of Jacob Arruda and Julia Vieira to serve as special resource officers as recommended by Police Chief Jones. Officer John Leduc summarized the Pathfinder Program, which works to develop high school or college students interested in criminal justice careers. He explained the responsibilities of the part-time, seasonal position would include beach patrol, promoting public safety, providing public information, and enforcing town ordinances under his supervision.  

 

Councilor Perry motioned to appoint Jacob Arruda and Julia Vieira, to serve as Community Service Officers. Seconded by Councilor Cook, the motion passed unanimously.  

 

8. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS – Discussion and possible votes

                A. Juvenile Hearing Board - (5) Members (2) Alternates, (3) Year Terms, (1) Alt. Vacancy
                   1. Sabrina McCarty, 75 Laura Street - Request appointment, term ending 10/15/2024

 

Due to illness, Ms. McCarty was unable to attend the meeting.

 

Councilor Perry motioned to continue the item until the next meeting on 7/25/2022. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

9. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote to approve a partnership between the

     Tiverton Police Department and Newport County Mental Health

Administrator Cotta opened a discussion regarding the proposed Mobile Treatment Pilot Proposal which involves a partnership between the police department and Newport County Mental Health as a crisis prevention program to address unmet behavioral health needs. Community Policing Sergeant John Leduc and Sgt. Ryan Huber spoke extensively about the necessity of the program, sharing several personal accounts of situations/calls involving mental health and/or substance abuse matters.

Dayna Gladstein, Executive Vice President of Newport County Mental Health, explained the specialized program in depth, which included training for police and dispatchers. She highlighted many benefits of the partnership to the community, as well as officers.  Administrator Cotta added he would be working on the creation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) among the agencies, as well as ascertaining funding sources.    

Councilor Perry motioned to approve a partnership between the Tiverton Police Department and Newport County Mental Health. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously. Councilor Burk motioned to move item 9-E forward. Seconded by Councilor Cook, the motion passed unanimously.

 

E. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote to approve for the Police Chief to apply for a state
                   grant related to Body-Worn Cameras

 

Administrator Cotta noted the state grant had no funding match. Sergeant John Leduc detailed the grant and town responsibilities for the program. Councilor Cook questioned relative new policies and management responsibilities and expressed concern about potential costs.  

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the Police Chief’s request related to body-worn cameras. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed 4-1, with Councilor Cook opposed.  

 

B. Councilor Cook – Discussion and possible vote by the Council, Town Administrator and the Acting Fire

    Chief to approve a resolution in support of lifeguards becoming ‘Honorary Members’ of the Fire

    Department

 

Councilor Cook explained her idea of offering town lifeguards “honorary membership” in the Fire Department as a possible “portal to a new career” with the department.  Councilor deMedeiros raised concerns with the proposal related to expense and logistics. Acting Chief Committo expressed support for a potential program involving young people similar to the police Pathway program. He agreed to work on an alternative program with the high school.          

  

C. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote to approve funding to advertise for a

     Harbormaster Assistant

Councilor Burk motioned to approve funding to advertise for a Harbormaster Assistant. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously. 

 

F. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote to approve a two-year contract extension with

     Church Community Housing Corp for CDBG grant administrative services

 

Administrator Cotta explained that Church Community Housing Corp. previously managed all CDBG grants, despite not qualifying for grants since 2017. A change in criteria may allow the town to apply for future funds.

Councilor Cook cautioned that federal grants often come with strings attached that have potential negative impacts on zoning.     

 

Councilor Janick motioned to approve a two-year contract extension with Church Community Housing Corp. for CDBG grant administrative services. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed 4-1, with Councilor Cook opposed. 

 

G. Town Administrator – Discussion and possible vote to approve a process for the community to
     provide suggestions on civic-related uses for various unobligated funds

 

Administrator Cotta detailed a process he developed for the community to seek the use of unobligated funds that the Town Council has authority related to civic matters. The information/process would be accessible via the town website.    

    

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the process for the community to provide suggestions on civic-related uses for various unobligated funds. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

H. Councilor Burk - Discussion and possible vote to approve the proposed resolution regarding a ballot
                    question related to the licensure of “Cannabis Related Licenses’ within the Town of Tiverton pursuant
                     to the RI Cannabis Act

 

Councilor Burk explained the proposed resolution would let taxpayers decide whether they want marijuana-related businesses in town, following Rhode Island’s recent cannabis legalization statewide. If approved, the resolution would put the matter to a ballot question in November. He noted the R.I.G.L. citation number in the fifth paragraph should be amended to read § 21-28.11-13.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the resolution with the noted amendment correcting the citation number, moving it to a ballot question. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Council President deMedeiros took a moment to acknowledge the Tiverton’s All-Star girls softball league and their coaches on a tremendous win that evening and their successful season. She wished them good luck on their final games this week as they vie for the state title.   

 

10. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Perry motioned to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:25 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

ATTEST________________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk