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, October 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM at the Tiverton Senior Center, 207 Canonicus Street, 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	Vice President David J. Paull	David Perry
Craig R. Committo	Denise M. deMedeiros	Michael S. Burk
Deborah G. Janick

 

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

 

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 14, 2025 – Regular Meeting
     2. October 14, 2025 – Executive Session

 

B. Acknowledge Receipt of Minutes from Boards/Commissions/Committees
1.       Historic Preservation Advisory Board (1)

2.       Economic Development Commission (1)

3.       Zoning Board of Review (3)

4.       Open Space and Land Preservation (1)

    

C. Acknowledge Receipt of Reports
    1. Treasurer Saurette – Budget and Revenue Reports – September 2025

 

                D. Acknowledge Receipt of Correspondence
                     1. RIDEM – Notice of application for Water Quality Certification re: new commercial marina located
                         at 167 Riverside Drive

 

E. Approval of Tax Assessor Abatements – $220.00

 

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

 

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

Pat Ford, a representative of the Coalition Radio Network, independent media company based in Providence, Rhode Island, noted his comments were related to what he called the controversy surrounding the expansion of the Longplex facility, which was to be discussed later in the agenda under item 8-P. He questioned the general permitting process, alleging that small town politics were obstructing the growth of a local business, which has already provided family-friendly sports and entertainment as well as property, sales, and meal taxes, youth employment, and entertainment dollars from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts. He directly asked the council to explain the holdup. Councilor Committo responded, noting that his agenda item was intended as a discussion item to get a clear understanding of the process and to understand why the permits were not yet in place.

 

Resident Jamie French stated she wished to address and warn against liquefaction, which she described as blasting in saturated soils and the potential unintended consequence of destruction of private properties. She suggested the town should hire a hydrologist to deal with saturated soils north of Bulgarmarsh.

 

 

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

 

9. EXECUTIVE SESSION

                A. Administrator Jones – RIGL § 42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation: Status update on IAFF Local 1703 vs Town of

                     Tiverton related to firefighter overtime (CA No. NC-2022-0252)

 

Councilor Committo announced that he was recusing from participating in Executive Session.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to enter into Executive Session for agenda item 9-A. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, the motion passed 6-0-1, with Councilor Committo recused.

 

The Council entered a closed executive session at approximately 7:15 p.m.

 

The Council returned to open session at approximately 7:29 p.m.

 

Councilor Paull motioned to seal the minutes of Executive Session. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-0-1, with Councilor Committo recused.

 

Council President Edwards reported that item 9-A, a vote was taken, but the disclosure of any such votes taken in executive session at this point would be detrimental to the interests of the town, and therefore, they will not be disclosed at this time.

 

6. APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS– Discussion and possible votes

                A. Municipal Court Judge – term expires 10/31/2025, two (2) year term ending 10/31/2027
                     1. Michael B. Forte, Jr. Esq. CFE – requests re-appointment

Councilor Burk motioned to re-appoint Michael B. Forte, Jr. Esq. CFE as Municipal Court Judge with a term ending 10/31/2027. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                B. Economic Development Commission - (5) Member Board (4) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                   1. John Hardman, 1886 Main Road - Requests appointment for term ending 7/15/2030
         (subject to resignation from Budget Committee)

 

Mr. Hardman was interviewed by the council.

 

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

 

Councilor Burk motioned to appoint John Hardman to the Economic Development Commission with a term ending 7/15/2030, subject to resignation from Budget Committee. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                C. Tax Assessment Board of Review - (3) Member Board (3) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                     1. Carol Guimond, 37 Neck Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to re-appoint Carol Guimond to the Tax Assessment Board of Review with a term ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                D. Personnel Board - (5) Member Board (4) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                     1. James Camara, 1221 Crandall Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2029

 

Councilor Janick motioned to re-appoint James Camara to the Personnel Board with a term ending 10/15/2029. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                E. Harbor and Coastal Waters Management - (9) Member Board (2) Year Terms (3) Vacancies

                     1. Deb A. Hagen, 540 Nanaquaket Road - Requests appointment for term ending 7/15/2027

 

Ms. Hagen was interviewed by the council. She noted she had been a member of the Harbor Commission from

2021 to 2023.

 

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

 

Councilor Burk motioned to appoint Deb A. Hagen to the Harbor and Coastal Waters Management with a term ending 7/15/2027. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                F. Library Board of Trustees - (7) Member Board (3) Year Terms (3) Vacancies

                     1. Amy Lewis King, 73 Watermark Drive - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

                     2. Maureen Anne Iwanski, 526 Highland Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

 

Councilor Paull motioned to re-appoint Amy Lewis King and Maureen Anne Iwanski to the Library Board of Trustees with terms ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                G.  Housing Authority - (5) Member Board (5) Year Terms (1) Vacancy

                     1. Jeannie-Mae Durfee, 2411 Main Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2030

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to re-appoint Jeannie-Mae Durfee to the Housing Authority with a term ending 10/15/2030. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                H. Juvenile Hearing Board - (7) Member Board (3) Year Terms (2) Vacancies

                     1. Eugene Raposa, 413 Hooper Street - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2028

 

Councilor Paull motioned to re-appoint Eugene Raposa to the Juvenile Hearing Board with a term ending 10/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed 6-1, with Councilor Committo opposed.

               

                I. Litter Committee - (5) Member Board (4) Year Terms (3) Vacancies

                     1. Victoria Revier, 258 Bridle Way - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2029

                     2. Jessica Cullinan, 21 S. Lake Road - Requests re-appointment for term ending 10/15/2029

 

Councilor Paull motioned to re-appoint Victoria Revier and Jessica Cullinan to the Litter Committee with terms ending 10/15/2029. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                J. Conservation Commission - (7) Member Board (3) Year Terms (3) Vacancies

                     1. Jamie Robin French, 48 Craig Avenue - Requests appointment for term ending 4/15/2028

 

Ms. French was interviewed by council.

 

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

 

Councilor Janick motioned to appoint Jamie Robin French to the Conservation Commission with a term ending 4/15/2028. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

8. GENERAL BUSINESS

                A. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to authorize Administrator to purchase two

                     storage containers at DPW, not to exceed $7,500

 

Councilor Paull motioned to authorize Administrator to purchase storage containers at DPW, not to exceed $7,500. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                B. Administrator Jones – Discussion and possible vote to increase the Town Hall furniture appropriation

                     request from $25,000 to $33,000

 

Councilor Burk motioned to increase the Town Hall furniture appropriation request from $25,000 to $33,000, with the amount above the $25,000 coming from municipal capital fund 640. Seconded by Councilor Paull, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                C. President Edwards V – Discussion and possible vote to approve FY 2025 Casino Revenue
                     Appropriation Resolution 2025-0034

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve FY 2025 Casino Revenue Appropriation Resolution 2025-0034. Seconded by Councilor Janick.

 

As a point of discussion, President Edwards V reading aloud a statement addressed to the residents and voters of Tiverton, in response to recent comments made by School Committee Chair Farnworth that questioned why the town chose to hold $1.9 million of funds that had already been received. He stated in part, “In addition to being allocated nearly 50 percent of the casino money to date, in the last fiscal year, the school saw fit to spend an additional $1.2 million more than they were allocated," referring to a high school lockers project which required additional casino revenue from the town council. He furthered that councilors did not say ‘No’ to the restroom and tennis court projects, but ‘Not yet.’

 

Council members, in agreement with the Presidents’ statements, expressed similar concerns about Ms. Farnworth’s statements. Councilor Burk described the decision to withhold the requested $1.1 million as a balanced decision, noting that councilors did not cut funding as the schools had never received it in the first place. Councilor deMedeiros reiterated Edwards' statement that the schools have historically received a majority of the funds from the casino revenue.

 

The motion passed unanimously.

 

                D. Tiverton Planning Board/William Gerlach – Discussion and possible vote to schedule and advertise
                     public hearing on proposed amendments to the Tiverton Code of Ordinances, Appendix A – Zoning
                     1. Article II, Definitions:  Add definition for “Commercial athletic recreation facility.”
                     2. Article IV, Section 6:  Adding to the District Use Table “Commercial athletic recreation facility”
                         (§6(h)).
                     3. Article VI, Other District Regulations: performance standards are proposed in Article VI, Section 10,
                          for: “Commercial athletic recreation facility” (§6(h)).

 

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

 

                E. Tiverton Planning Board/William Gerlach – Discussion and possible vote to schedule and advertise
                     public hearing on proposed text amendments to the Town of Tiverton Comprehensive Community
                     Plan
                     1. Chapter 3.0 Planning Concept, Section 3.1 The Nature of Tiverton: Issues and Opportunities, “A
                          Location of Business Opportunities” and
                     2. Chapter 5.0 Land Use Plan, Section 5.5 Future Land Use, “Industrial / Technology.”

 

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

 

                F. Police Chief Costa - Discussion and possible vote to appoint Captain Michael Miguel as Deputy
                    Police Chief and approve contract/fiscal impact statement

 

Councilor Paull motioned to appoint Captain Michael Miguel as Deputy Police Chief and approve contract/fiscal impact statement. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                G. Police Chief Costa – Discussion and possible vote to approve Police Officer lateral hire under
                     Reimbursement RIGL 45-2-70 (2025 H-5950a and S-0849a) not to exceed $30,000.

 

Police Chief Costa briefed the council on the potential lateral hire, and clarified that the actual total to be $33,636.95, as received from Little Compton.

 

Councilor Paull motioned to approve Police Officer lateral hire under Reimbursement RIGL 45-2-70 in an amount of $33,636.95. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                H. DPW Director Silvia – Discussion and possible vote to award contract for Bituminous Concrete
                     Crusher Rental to A.J. Potter Jr. & Sons

 

Councilor Paull motioned to award contract for Bituminous Concrete Crusher Rental to A.J. Potter Jr. & Sons. Seconded by Councilor deMedeiros, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                I. Administrator Jones - Discussion and possible vote to ratify contract for #2 heating oil to
                    Casey’s Oil & Propane

 

Councilor Burk motioned to ratify contract for #2 heating oil to Casey’s Oil & Propane. Seconded by Councilor Committo, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                J. Administrator Jones – 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.

 

Administrator Jones reminded that $50,000.00 in gaming revenue had previously been set aside for a feasibility study for a future public safety complex as well as approximately $650,000 put aside for a recycling center. He requested to use the $50,000 and a portion of the $650,000 to start the feasibility study for DPW and recycling center. After continued discussion, the council requested sufficient backup to make a decision. It was agreed to continue the item until the next meeting.

 

Councilor Paull motioned to continue Item 8-J until the next meeting. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                K. President Edwards V – Discussion and possible vote to allocate an amount not to exceed $7,500 from
                     council contingency to pay for archaeologist study on town-owned property in the Planned
                     Development Park (PDP)

 

President Edwards V explained that during the master plan approval process for Mr. Long’s Iceplex project, it was entered into the record by someone who was not certified as an expert, that there may or may not be rocks present that may have significance to Native American heritage. He added that Mr. Long did not face this contingency with his initial Longplex build, nor the car barn and hotel permit process. He said he believed this would set a dangerous precedent and questioned how it was entered into the record at the planning board level and when the decision was made.

Councilor deMedeiros commented that the land was town-owned, but not open to the public. She objected to the fact that someone entered onto that land with a consultant, without the council’s knowledge. She added that previous sales and purchases on this land had not been subject to the same, agreeing that it was setting a bad precedent. 

 

President Edwards V added that the area’s terrain was rough, and persons walking through the area pose a safety hazard and expose the town to potential legal liability.  

 

Solicitor Romano confirmed that Susan Anderson, Chair of the Historic Preservation Advisory Board, had presented evidence to the planning board after she and whoever it was that she went out to this property to view these stone mounds. Interim Planner Sweet then included in her draft decision the potential condition for the board to consider based on its prior experience, in requiring other applicants to do similar PAL studies.

 

Councilor Edwards V motioned to approve an amount not to exceed $7,500 from council contingency to pay for archaeologist study on town-owned property in the Planned Development Park. Seconded by Councilor Committo, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                L. Councilor deMedeiros - Discussion and possible vote to approve Resolution 2025-0035 supporting
                      the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve Resolution 2025-0035 supporting the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                M.  Councilor deMedeiros - Discussion and possible vote to approve Resolution 2025-0036 in support of
                      Preserving the Name, Significance, and Observance of the Victory Day Holiday

 

Solicitor Romano noted a minor technical error within the text.

 

Councilor deMedeiros motioned to approve Resolution 2025-0036 in support of Preserving the Name, Significance, and Observance of the Victory Day Holiday, with the recommended text amendment. Seconded by Councilor Janick, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                N. Councilor Paull - Discussion and possible vote to advertise a public hearing on Tiverton Code of
                     Ordinance Chapter 78 TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES Section 78-37 (f) related to the installation of 4-way
                     stop sign at the intersection of Wampanoag and Gadsby Lanes – per Police Chief Costa’s
                    recommendation

               

Councilor Paull motioned to advertise a public hearing on Tiverton Code of Ordinance Chapter 78 TRAFFIC AND VEHICLES Section 78-37. Seconded by Councilor Perry, the motion passed unanimously.

 

                O. Councilor Janick – Schedule workshop with Historic Preservation Advisory Board to discuss
                     the demolition ordinance

 

As the ordinance was still under review at the state, Councilor Janick requested the item be continued to the November 24, 2025, meeting.

 

                P. Councilor Committo – Discussion and update on building permit for Longplex Car Barn and general
                     permitting process

 

Councilor Committo explained his call for the discussion, noting concerns he had received about the length of time it has taken for Mr. Long to get full approval. He requested clarification on the process and an update on the current permit as to what was stopping the permit from going forward.

 

Town Solicitor Romano explained the history of the project and declared there was no delay at the moment, stating there was a preliminary plan public meeting scheduled for November 6th, and that the planning board had just received items on October 22nd, giving it just enough time to issue the notice required.

 

Significant discussion continued over the permit process and timeframes. Councilor Committo expressed frustration stating “there has to be a better way to do this” and that “a lot of tax money is being tied up and it doesn't seem like we're business friendly.”

 

President Edwards V remarked that there was an opportunity for us to make sure that we're doing what we can to facilitate these projects, which may mean lobbying our delegation at the state level to find efficiencies.

 

Administrator Jones offered to give regular updates to the council on this and other major projects related to any potential planning board issues that arise. He added that having the permanent planner position filled, should alleviate any disconnect and help to coordinate with the attorneys, the public and developers.  

 

Councilor Burk cautioned that the council’s job was not to take the role of the planning board.

 

Mr. Long’s attorney, Daniel Reilly, disagreed with the Solicitor’s timeline and assessment of the history, offering a much different interpretation of events. He noted the importance of the council understanding the process, the issues they have faced and recognizing there were process improvements that can and should be made. He added that the major land development planning board checklist, used to guide applicants and board members as they work through the application, was unclear.

 

                Q. Administrator Jones – Announcement of new Town Hall business hours scheduled to commence on
                     November 10, 2025 – Monday through Friday 8:30 am to 4:00 pm

 

Administrator Jones announced the new Town Hall business hours scheduled to commence on November 10, 2025.

 

10. ADJOURNMENT

Councilor Paull motioned to adjourn the meeting. Councilor Perry seconded the motion. The motion unanimously passed. The meeting adjourned at9:12 p.m.

 

 

A True Copy.

 

 

ATTEST______________________________________

                        Joan B. Chabot, Town Clerk