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, June 27, 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

Council Edwards

Councilor Cook

Councilor Vieira

 

Absent

Councilor Perry

 

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

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 13, 2022 – Regular Meeting (Councilors Perry abstain, absent)

     2. June 13, 2022 – Executive Session (Councilors Perry abstain, absent)

 

B.  Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
     1. Economic Development Commission (1)

     2. Zoning Board of Appeals (1)
     3. Recreation Commission (1)
     4. Open Space (2)

C. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
     1. Treasurer Saurette – May 2022 Budget and Revenue Reports

 

D. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence

     1. Coastal Resources Management Council – Public Notice related to proposed changes to the
          Federally-approved Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Program (CRMP)

     2. Resident letter regarding Development of North End of Tiverton

 

Councilor Edwards 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. Coastal Roasters/Lisa Machado - Consideration of sound variance for Singing Out Against Hunger, 1791 Main Road on 8/28/2022 (rain date 9/11/2022), from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and request approval of special event permit

 

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

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the aforementioned sound variance and special event permit. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

B. Evelyn’s Nanaquaket Drive-In/Jane Bitto - Consideration of sound variance for Singing Out Against Hunger, 2335 Main Road on 8/26/2022, from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm and request approval of special event permit

 

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

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve the aforementioned sound variance and special event permit. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

7. APPOINTMENTS AND RESIGNATIONS – Discussion and possible votes

                A. Dog Park Advisory Committee - (11) Member Board (2) Year Terms (4) Vacancies

                   1. Kenneth Carlisle, 55 Margaret Street - Requests appointment, term ending 3/28/2024

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to appoint Kenneth Carlisle to the Dog Park Advisory Committee for a two-year term ending 3/28/2024. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

8. GENERAL BUSINESS

A. Councilor Burk – Discussion and possible vote to set a public hearing date on the proposed Charter
                   amendments for Article III Financial Town Referendum and to approve funds to advertise a public
                   hearing (cont. from 6/13/22)

 

Councilor Burk motioned to ask the Clerk to set a public hearing date for the proposed Charter amendments related to Article III Financial Town Referendum which are ballot questions 3 and 4 in the document provided and to approve funds to advertise such public hearing. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed 5-1, with Councilor Cook opposed.

 

The public hearing date is set for the council meeting on July 25, 2022.

 

B. DPW Director Rogers – Discussion and possible vote to revise wording and fee for recycling bins as
                    listed on “Resolution for Fines and Fees 2020”

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve the revised wording and fee for blue recycling bins as listed in “Resolution for Fines and Fees 2020”. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously. 

 

C. DPW Director Rogers – Discussion and possible vote   to approve budget transfers:

     1. $1,000 from Acct 5540-5101 DPW Maint Workers   to Acct 5540-7611 Gas, Oil, Fuel

     2. $7,000 from Acct 5540-5104 Overtime                         to Acct 5540-7611 Gas, Oil, Fuel

     3. $500 from Acct 5540-5150 Sick leave buy back         to Acct 5530-5150 Landfill sick leave buy back

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve the aforementioned budget transfers. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously. 

 

D. Administrator Cotta - Discussion and possible vote to approve budget transfers:

     1. $6,000 from Acct 3310-6968 Medical physical                           to Acct 3310-7640 Apparatus Maint.

     2. $3,000 from Acct 3310-6928 FF training                                       to Acct 3310-7640 Apparatus Maint.

     3. $3,000 from Acct 3310-6642 Radio Maint.                                  to Acct 3310-7640 Apparatus Maint.

     4. $5,400 from Acct 3310-5107 Holiday                                             to Acct 3310-7611 Fuel, oil, tires

     5. $3,900 from Acct 3310-5108 Longevity                                        to Acct 3310-6969 Medical supply

     6. $20,000.00 from Acct 2120-5268 Group Health Active          to Acct 2190-5269 Group Health Retiree

     7. $3,100.00 from Acct 2220-5266 ERSRI Pension 1538               to Acct 2220-5264 ERSRI Pension 1532

     8. $28,503.00 from Acct 2220-5266 ERSRI Pension 1538             to Acct 2300-5295 Unfunded liability

     9. $6,720.00 from Acct 1020-6890 TC Contingency                      to Acct 3330-5107 Police - Holiday Pay

   10. $16,691.00 from Acct 1020-6890 TC Contingency                   to Acct 3330-5108 Police - Longevity

   11. $2,222.00 from Acct 1050-7160 Prosecutions                           to Acct 1050-7154 Town Solicitor

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve the aforementioned budget transfers. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously.   

 

                E. Councilor Cook – Discussion and possible vote on an independent traffic study on the impact of four
                   major land developments on Main, Souza and Fish Roads

 

Councilor Burk motioned to authorize the Town Administrator to put forth an RFP for a comprehensive traffic study for this area, working with the Planning Board and RIDOT. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

F. Renee Jones/Economic Development Commission – Discussion on the allocation of Discover Newport
                    $7,000 grant funds received

 

Ms. Jones briefed the council on the possibility to apply some of the Discover Newport grant funds to renovate the Middle Road gazebo. She explained how the structure was in significant disrepair. She will meet with the Economic Development Committee to further vet the project.

 

G. Councilor Cook – Follow up discussion re: letters sent to Council by Town of Hopkinton re: Solar

     Energy Proposed Legislation HB 6676 relating to Taxation-Levy and Assessment of Local Taxes and
                    their opposition and include opposition to recent bills HB 8220 Sub A and SB 3027 Sub A

 

Councilor Cook motioned to direct the Town Administrator to send a letter to the Governor with the council resolution in opposition to HB 8220 Sub A and requesting the Governor veto the legislation. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

H. Administrator Cotta – Discussion and possible vote to renew the contract with West Place Animal

     Sanctuary for one year

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to renew the contract with West Place Animal Sanctuary for one year. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously.

 

I. Administrator Cotta – Discussion and possible vote to approve independent contractor agreement
                  with Thomas Lima for video services for Planning Board meetings

 

Councilor Edwards motioned to approve the independent contractor agreement with Thomas Lima for video services for Planning Board meetings. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

J. Discussion and possible votes on a proposed amendment to Tiverton Code of Ordinance Chapter 14
                  regarding Stonebridge Docks and to approve funds to advertise a public hearing as submitted by
                  Harbor Commission

 

Councilor Janick motioned to approve advertising a public hearing on the amendment to Tiverton Code of Ordinance Chapter 14 regarding Stonebridge Docks and to approve funds to advertise a public hearing for August 9, 2022. Seconded by Councilor Vieira, the motion passed unanimously.

 

K. Discussion and possible vote regarding Grinnell’s Beach and Nanaquaket Bridge areas related to
                   fishing, drinking, litter and other public nuisance

 

Council discussed the various issues at Grinnell’s Beach and Nanaquaket Bridge. The Town Administrator indicated that the seasonal resource officers should be coming on board soon and would be patrolling the beaches. Resident Mark Plympton of 12 Point View Drive offered some suggestions for Fogland and Grinnell’s beaches, including designated parking areas, blocking access to drive directly onto dunes/beach, providing more restroom facilities, not allowing grills/big tents and installing multi-lingual signage.

 

L. Administrator Cotta – Discussion and possible vote regarding authorization for a part-time

     Administrative Officer via contract with Weston & Sampson, Foxboro, MA

 

Councilor Cook motioned to authorize a part-time Administrative Officer via contract with Weston & Sampson, Foxboro, MA. Seconded by Councilor Edwards, the motion passed unanimously.

 

9. ANNOUNCEMENTS

                A. Town Clerk – update on important candidate deadlines

 

Clerk Chabot updated the Council on important candidate deadlines. Declaration of Candidacy period is June 27, June 28, and June 29 by 4:00 pm. June 30 is the deadline for endorsements to be filed for local and statewide candidates. July 1 is the deadline for endorsements to be filed for federal and statewide candidates. Nomination papers will be available for pickup on July 6 and will need to be returned with the required number of signatures by July 15 by 4:00 pm in the Clerk’s Office. Depending on the office, the number of signatures is different. For Town Council, the number is 50.

 

10. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Vieira motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Edwards seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.

 

A True Copy.

 

ATTEST________________________________

                 Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk