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, November 10, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Public Library, 34 Roosevelt Ave, Tiverton, Rhode Island 02878.

 

1. CALL TO ORDER

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG

Council President Edwards V called the meeting to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

3. ROLL CALL

Present

President John G. Edwards V	David Perry	Deborah G. Janick
Craig R. Committo	Denise M. deMedeiros	Michael S. Burk

 

Absent

Vice President David J. Paull

Solicitor Marcello, Administrator Jones, Town Clerk Chabot, and Deputy Town Clerk Veegh were also present.

 

 

Swearing in of Deputy Chief Michael Miguel

Recognition of recent promotions and positional changes
 within the Tiverton Police Department

Captain Michael Miguel was promoted to rank of Deputy Chief of Police

Lt Bryan Palagi was promoted to rank of Captain

Detective Sgt Stephen Parrillo to be promoted to rank of Lieutenant

Ptlm Nicholas Jamrog to be promoted to rank of Sergeant

Ptlm Nelson Moreira to be promoted to rank of Sergeant

Ptlm Michael Topazio to be promoted to rank of Corporal

Ptlm Jordan DaSilva to be promoted to rank of Corporal

Ptlm Lewis Walton to be promoted to rank of Corporal

Sgt Jason Kobelecki to be promoted to Detective Sergeant

 

 

A swearing-in ceremony commenced for Captain Michael Miguel’s promotion to rank of Deputy Chief of Police and other Tiverton Police Department member promotions as listed. All were formally recognized and administered the oath of office. Police Chief Costa thanked family members and colleagues for their support and noted the department now has mandatory supervisors on every shift.

 

 

4. CONSENT AGENDA

All items listed within the Consent Agenda are to be considered routine by Town Council and will ordinarily 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 and the Town Council President permits, in which event the item will be removed for separate consideration later on the agenda.

A. Approval of Town Council Minutes

     1. October 27, 2025 – Regular Meeting
     2. October 27, 2025 – Executive Session

 

B. Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
     1. Zoning Revision Committee (9)
     2. Personnel Board (8)

    

C. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
    1. Town Administrator – Departments’ Monthly Reports – October 2025

    2. Police and Fire Department Overtime Reports – October 2025

    3. School Department YTD Budget v. Actual Report – September 2025

 

                D. Approval of Narragansett Electric Pole Petition to install 1 new pole on Restful Valley Road

 

E. Treasurer Saurette - Approval of FY25 budget transfer
        1. $6,060.27 from Acct# 2220-5264 ERSRI – Pension 1532 to Acct# 2220-5262 Fire – Pension 1534
        2. $3,165.52 from Acct# 2220-5266 ERSRI – Pension 1538 to Acct# 2220-5262 Fire – Pension 1534

 

F. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – $330.00

 

G. Approval of Uncollectable Tax Abatements - $22,961.91

 

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

 

Without objection, President Edwards V moved forward items 8-D and 7-A forward.

 

8. GENERAL BUSINESS

                D. Police Chief Costa – Update on Food Drive

 

Police Chief Costa updated the council on the department’s food-drive program. He said the department will “be funding $1,000 at Thanksgiving to the Tiverton Food Pantry and $1,500 again at Christmas time,” and that he will meet with the pantry coordinator as the Thanksgiving delivery approaches. Chief Costa raised his concern that although SNAP benefits had been restored, the duration of the restoration was uncertain, prompting council questions about pantry capacity and more efficient purchasing via the Rhode Island Food Bank.

 

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

                A.  Approval of the proposed amendments to the Tiverton Code of Ordinances, Chapter 10 Animals,
      Article II Dogs. This proposed ordinance amendment will add a new Section 10-40 Dog Park Rules

                      and Regulations and Section 10-41 Dog Park Hours of Operation, which will establish rules for and

                      hours of operation of the Raymond F. Jones Memorial Dog Park

 

President Edwards V opened the public hearing. No one presented to speak. The hearing was closed.

 

Councilor Committo questioned items in the draft, including the age restriction and bans on pinch, choke and electronic collars and on bringing treats into the park.

 

Councilors discussed those questions as well as the notion of including an appeal process for owners banned from the park. Solicitor Marcello said the animal-control officer and Chief of Police modeled the ordinance on other communities’ rules. President Edwards V acknowledged Councilor Committos’ concerns, suggesting that after the bulk of the rules were in place, the council could make amendments to the ordinance at a future date.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve the proposed amendments as written. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed 4-2, with Councilors Committo and Perry opposed.

 

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

No one presented to speak.

 

6. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS– Discussion and possible votes

                A. Acknowledgement of resignation:

                     1. John Hardman from the Budget Committee, effective October 30, 2025

Mr. Hardman’s recent appointment to the Economic Development Commission had been contingent upon his resignation from the Budget Committee.

Councilor Perry motioned to accept the resignation with gratitude for his service. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                B. Semiquincentennial Commission - (9) Member Board (3) Electors of the Town (1) Vacancy
     1. Lewis A. Mutty, Sr., 55 A Muse Way - Requests appointment for term ending 12/31/2026

Mr. Mutty was interviewed by the council.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to waive policy and proceed with appointment. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Janick motioned to appoint Lewis A. Mutty, Sr. to the Semiquincentennial Commission with a term ending 12/31/2026. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                C. Juvenile Hearing Board - (7) Member Board (3) Year Terms (1) Vacancy
             1. Robert Sedoma, 19 Bayview Avenue - Requests appointment for term ending 10/15/2028
                  (currently alternate member since 2/14/2022)

 

Mr. Sedoma was interviewed by the council, noting that he currently served as an alternate member on the

board since February of 2022, and had attended all of the hearings. He explained that he wished to become a

full member. 

 

Councilor Perry motioned to waive policy and proceed with appointment. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.

 

Councilor Perry motioned to appoint Robert Sedoma to the Juvenile Hearing Board with a term ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Committo, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                D. Library Board of Trustees - (7) Member Board (3) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                     1. James Walter Forrest, 63 Mainsail Drive - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

 

Councilor Perry motioned to re-appoint James Walter Forrest to the Library Board of Trustees with a term ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                E. Litter Committee - (5) Member Board (4) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                     1. Diane Sunderland, 55 Riverscape Lane - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

 

Councilor Perry motioned to re-appoint Diane Sunderland to the Litter Committee with a term ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

8. GENERAL BUSINESS

                A. Administrator Jones – Presentation, discussion, and possible vote to authorize the Administrator to

                     enter into an agreement with the Town’s contract engineer (Pare Engineering) to conduct a feasibility

                     study for DPW, Recycling Center & Public Safety Complex, using prior appropriation.

 

Pare Engineering gave a presentation outlining a process for conducting a feasibility study for a new Public Safety Complex, DPW and a relocated Recycling Center.

 

Pare Senior Vice President, Tim Thies, told the council the firm would perform needs assessments, produce building and site concepts, and prepare order-of-magnitude cost estimates so the town can make informed decision as they move forward. The contract’s basic-services lump-sum fee was $113,400, broken down in the presentation as $48,900 for the public safety study, $46,800 for the DPW/recycling-center study, $5,600 for a response-time study option and $12,100 for cost estimating.

 

Councilors asked questions that included community meeting space, shared facilities for police and fire, and potential time frames. Administrator Jones confirmed funds are available from prior appropriations that included $50,000 for a public safety feasibility study and approximately $650,000 for the recycling center. The solicitor confirmed a subsequent resolution would follow to reallocate the existing appropriations.

 

Councilor Perry motioned to authorize the Administrator to enter into agreement with Pare Engineering to conduct the feasibility study for DPW, Recycling Center & Public Safety Complex. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                B. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to authorize payment of DaPonte’s Landscaping
                    Services invoice 0825334 for $3,028.00 using Municipal Capital Account 640

 

Administrator Jones requested to continue the item to the next meeting.

 

                C. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to award contract for Town Hall Asbestos

                     remediation

 

Administrator Jones recommended selecting of Statewide Asbestos for the asbestos remediation project. He confirmed six bids in total had been received. 

 

Councilor Perry motioned to approve engaging in a contract with Statewide Asbestos in the amount of $12,780. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                E. Councilor deMedeiros – Discussion and possible vote to approve Resolution 2025-0037 Advocating for

                    the Amendment of RIGL § 44-7-28

 

Solicitor Marcello explained that under current state classification, mobile homes are treated as residential personal property and municipalities lack authority to foreclose as liens must attach to real estate. The solicitor said research showed three other RI towns that have statutory authority under RIGL 44-7-28 to place long-term liens directly on mobile homes, which creates a municipal enforcement mechanism when taxes go unpaid. If approved, the town would have to request of the General Assembly to authorize Tiverton to use the lien mechanism.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve Resolution 2025-0037 Advocating for the Amendment of RIGL § 44-7-28. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                F. Assessor Robert – Discussion and possible vote on the clarification of the veteran exemption for

                    widows/widowers and possible adjustment to Division 3 Veteran’s exemption tax credits, and to

                    authorize advertisement of proposed amendments to Code of Ordinance

 

Assessor Robert explained his proposed amendments related to veterans tax exemptions, including clarifications on whether a 100% disabled-veteran exemption can transfer to a surviving spouse and consideration of raising the standard veteran exemption.

 

He noted further housekeeping items that included the need to correct where an earlier local amendment was placed in the wrong section of the municipal code. He presented comparative figures for neighboring towns and suggested $250 as a new standard for the basic veteran exemption as well as consideration to increase the Gold Star Parents exemption from $132 to the same $250 amount.

 

Councilor Committo asked to receive all other town and city exemption amounts in order to make an informed decision.      

 

It was agreed to target the January 12, 2026 meeting date for a public hearing. The solicitor would draft a resolution and letter to the state delegation about any statutory changes needed.

 

Councilor Burk motioned to approve clarification around the veterans’ exemptions for widows and widowers and possible adjustment to Division 3 Veteran’s exemption tax credits, and to advertisement the proposed amendments for a January 12 public hearing. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                G. Town Clerk Chabot - Discussion and possible vote to advertise a public hearing on Tiverton Code of
                     Ordinance - Chapter 7 Tobacco.  This proposed ordinance amendment will repeal Chapter 7 Tobacco
                     of the Code of Ordinances for the Town of Tiverton, Rhode Island       

 

Clerk Chabot explained that after consult with Solicitor Marcello, he had advised that the licensing piece needs to be removed.

 

It was agreed to target the January 12, 2026 meeting date for a public hearing.

 

Councilor Perry motioned to advertise a public hearing on Tiverton Code of Ordinance - Chapter 7 Tobacco, with the exception of the license sections, as noted by the solicitor. Seconded by Councilor Burk, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                H. Planning Board – Discussion and possible vote to advertise public hearing on proposed Code of

                     Ordinance Zoning amendments to include:

1. Article II, Definitions:  Amend definition of “Earth removal”; add definitions for “Agricultural

     composting” and “Backyard composting”;

2. Article III, Zoning Districts: Add Section 5. Transition Rules;

3. Article IV, District Use Regulations:

a. Amend Section 4, Public and Semipublic uses, Subsection (d) Membership athletic club, to permit the use by right in the Waterfront 1 and 2 Zones

b. Amend Section 16, Prohibited Uses (Manufactured Homes and Composting);

c. Amend Section 22. Adaptive Reuse;

d. Add Section 23. Accessory Dwelling Units

e. Add Section 24. Uses not listed in the table of uses;

4. Article V, District Dimensional Regulations: Amend Section 1. Dimensional regulations table as

     to the PFD and TMS zones;

5. Article VI, Other District Regulations:

a. Amend Section 1, Yard regulations and accessory structures;

b. Amend Section 2, Departures from yard requirements;

c. Add Section 11, Design Standards;

6. Article VII, Substandard Lots of Record:

a. Amend Section 1. Substandard original lots;

b. Amend Section 2. Merger of lots under single ownership;

c. Amend Section 4. Applicable dimensional requirements;

d. Delete Section 5. Special use permits;

7. Article X, Special Provisions: Amend Section 7. Modifications to dimensional requirements;

8. Article XIV, Nonconforming Development: Delete and replace Section 1 – 8;

9. Article XVI, Special Use Permits: Amend Sections 1 – 5;

10. Article XVIII, Enforcement and Administration:

a. Amend Section 1. Zoning officer;

b. Amend Section 4, Vested Rights.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to advertise a public hearing on the proposed amendments from the Planning Board. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

9. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Burk motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Janick seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

 

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST______________________________________

                        Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk