OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting – January 14, 2026: Proclamations, License Transfers, Festival Traffic Plans, and Public Health Vending Machine Debate

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, January 14, 2026
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, January 14, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:41:21

Transcript — Verbatim
0:42

Happy 2026.

0:43

It's been a while.

0:45

So we'll start off.

0:46

Uh Madam Clerk, can you take a roll, please?

0:50

David Carlin.

0:51

Here.

0:53

Charlie Holder.

0:54

Here.

0:54

Side Council Varavan.

0:55

Here.

0:56

Jean Marie DePolitano.

0:58

Alan Pinnock.

0:59

Yeah.

0:59

Stephanie Smythe.

1:00

There is a quorum present, Mr.

1:02

Chair.

1:02

Thank you.

1:03

Please stand.

1:08

Legislature.

1:16

Under God.

1:19

Liberty justice for all.

1:28

Uh, Madam Clerk, uh, before we get to the citizens forum, um, I do have a uh some personal and also uh uh citywide item of business, uh, a proclamation that we're gonna read here uh tonight.

1:45

Uh on December twelfth, uh a great New Porter, a great Rhode Islander and the father of our well renowned councilman David Carlin, uh, passed away.

1:56

Um I knew Mr.

1:58

Carlin since I was a young kid growing up on Thurston Avenue, and they just grew up the uh street over from me, and I uh I remember him from days of uh Little League and running around the neighborhood and uh was always a well respected man.

2:11

Um great to the community, great to uh the kids in the community, and um what he did for for the city of Newport and the state of Rhode Island will won't be forgotten and shouldn't be forgotten.

2:24

Um so in that regard, I want to read this proclamation from the city of Newport.

2:30

Uh the city of Newport pays tribute and recognizes former state senator David R.

2:34

Carlin, Jr.

2:35

as a lifelong resident and devoted servant of the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island.

2:40

Mr.

2:40

Carlin was born on April 9th, 1938, in Petsucket, Rhode Island, and exemplified a lifelong commitment to learning, graduating from St.

2:48

Ray's Academy, Providence College, and earning an advanced degrees in philosophy and sociology from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rhode Island.

2:58

He dedicated more than four decades to higher education as a respected professor at the community college of Rhode Island, inspiring generations of students through his intellect, compassion, and unwavering belief in the power of education, retiring only after his eighty third day.

3:16

Mr.

3:16

Carlin served the public with distinction for more than three decades, beginning as a member of the Newport School Committee in 1975, later representing Newport and surrounding communities in the Rhode Island Senate, beginning in 1980, and elected as Senate Majority Leader from 1988 to 1990.

3:34

He continues dedication to Democratic ideals as a Democratic Party's nominee for the Rhode Island's first congressional district in 1992, and sub subsequently resumed public service through his tenure on the Newport School Committee from 2001 until 2009, where he was chair of the Newport Democratic City Committee from 1995 to 2005.

3:56

Guided by a deep and abiding Catholic faith, Mr.

3:58

Carlin devoted his public his life to public service and private action to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, consistently giving voice to those without one.

4:09

And he was an accomplished author and writer, publishing seven books and numerous articles, earning multiple writing awards, and leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful scholarship and discourse reflected in his extensive personal library.

4:22

But above all, Mr.

4:23

Carlin was a devout husband to his beloved wife of more than 55 years, Maureen, a loving father to his children, David Carlin, Joshua Carlin, and Margaret Carlin, and a proud grandfather whose family stood at the center of his life.

4:37

Now, therefore, be it that I, Charles Holder, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, as David R.

4:45

Carlin Jr.

4:46

Day in the city of Newport, and call upon the citizens to join me with my fellow city councillors.

5:00

Carlin's dedication, intellect, and compassion.

5:32

Thank you to my colleagues, the city administration, to the people of Newport.

5:47

Who here thinks of me as a person who is at a loss for words?

5:51

Probably nobody.

5:53

Certainly myself.

5:55

I learned uh something very powerful in the last four plus weeks.

6:02

Many people talked to me, my mother and my brother, my sister, about my father.

6:08

And they didn't say, boy, he was a powerful man.

6:13

They didn't say, boy, you know, he was a popular man.

6:17

And they didn't say, boy, he received accolades and awards.

6:21

Isn't that great?

6:22

Well, that all that is great, but they said to me and to my family members.

6:34

Your father was a good man.

6:38

Your father was a kind man.

6:43

Your father helped me.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health████████████████16%
Procedural███████████████15%
Public Engagement██████████████14%
Public Safety████████8%
Zoning and Land Use████████8%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Special Events██████6%
Transportation Safety██████6%
Voter Registration█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting – January 14, 2026: Proclamations, License Transfers, Festival Traffic Plans, and Public Health Vending Machine Debate

The Newport City Council met on January 14, 2026, to address a range of items including a proclamation honoring former State Senator David R. Carlin Jr., multiple liquor and entertainment license transfers, traffic management for the 2026 Newport Folk and Jazz Festivals, amendments to the two-tier tax classification program, and a resolution to establish a public health vending machine program. The meeting included public hearings and extensive debate.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved consent calendar for the Board of Licensed Commissioners in its entirety.
  • Approved the City Council consent calendar with the exception of item B1 (NAACP MLK Day program), which was discussed separately and approved.
  • Approved special events: Blue Horizon Racing's Newport Sprint Triathlon (June 14, 2026, 7 a.m. – 11 a.m. with partial road closure for bike course); Bailey's Beach Club Fireworks (July 3, 2026, 10‑minute display at 9 p.m.); Newport Folk Festival (July 24–26, 2026, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.) and Newport Jazz Festival (July 31 – August 2, 2026, 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.) – both continued from December 10, 2025, with conditions on traffic management.
  • Approved receipt of the 2025 annual report on Green and Complete Streets Policy, including a new roadway project evaluation and exceptions application.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jimmy Winters (NAACP Newport County) described the full‑day MLK Day program on January 19, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at multiple locations. Council approved.
  • Peter Regan (applicant) explained the transfer of Boru Noodles' VL license to a new BT license for the Bellevue Garden Hotel; the transfer is conditioned on passage of an ordinance change.
  • Matt Lyons (applicant) stated the Quencher Newport license transfer is a simple change of ownership with no operational changes.
  • Walter May (Blue Horizon Racing) confirmed state DEM and harbormaster approvals for the triathlon; bike course partial road closure from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Jennifer Reber and John Evans (Newport Festivals Foundation) presented transportation and safety plans for the Folk and Jazz Festivals: bike program (up to 1,700 daily for Folk), ferries (3,000–4,000 daily), on‑site parking (≈ 2,000 cars) needed for shelter‑in‑place during severe weather. Councilor Carlin expressed concern for the 157 affected residents in the third ward. Sergeant Jason (Newport Police Traffic Supervisor) outlined a new color‑coded resident notification system to improve traffic flow on Harrison Avenue.
  • Linda Stevenson (Dixon Street resident) objected to the Protective Club's entertainment license, requesting live music end by 10 p.m. due to noise; the club was not present and the matter was continued to the next meeting.
  • Finn Bar Murray (Fastnet Pub owner) requested an outdoor entertainment license for TVs and speakers on the rear patio. Jim Simmons and Sam Lazarus (Spring Street residents) objected, citing noise and lack of meaningful collaboration; the matter was continued to January 28, 2026.
  • Hugh Moran (Election Administrator) testified on voter registration laws, explaining that a 30‑day residency requirement and permissive registration rules could allow abuse of the two‑tier tax program. He supported removing voter registration as a proof of residency.
  • Sandra Flowers (Newport School Committee) and others spoke in support of the public health vending machine resolution. Christine Sullivan (resident) opposed, arguing that machines depersonalize care and that resources should be focused on human interaction.

Discussion Items

  • Liquor License Transfers: Approved transfer of Boru Noodles VL license to a new BT license for 181 Bellevue Avenue hotel, subject to an ordinance change increasing BT licenses by one and reducing BL licenses by one. Approved transfer of Quencher Newport license to Quench Opco LLC.
  • Entertainment Licenses:
    • Scales and Shells Restaurant: Approved second hearing with no opposition.
    • Joe's American Bistro: Approved.
    • Fastnet Pub: Continued to January 28, 2026, to allow owner and neighbors to negotiate. Council cited prior restraint concerns but encouraged compromise.
    • Quencher Newport: Approved indoor entertainment daily 12 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. and outdoor Saturday/Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
    • 2025‑26 victualing license renewals for A1 Pizza and Kilwyn's Chocolates approved.
  • Two‑Tier Tax Classification Amendment (Second Reading): The original proposal to shorten the application deadline from March 15 to the last business day in February was amended to take effect January 1, 2027 (fiscal year 2028). Councilor Carlin reversed his earlier support; Councilor Smythe proposed the amendment to delay implementation for better resident communication. Approved with amendment.
  • First Reading: Elimination of Voter Registration as Proof of Residency for Tax Program: Council voted to remove voter registration as an acceptable proof of residency, after Election Administrator Moran's testimony highlighted the potential for abuse due to the 30‑day residency requirement. Approved.
  • Resolution: Relocation of Carousel: Council directed the city manager to identify a location, obtain cost estimates, and identify legal mechanisms for private charitable funding. Councilor Smythe acknowledged previous lack of progress but expressed hope for a public‑private partnership. Approved.
  • Resolution: Regional Academic Integration Advisory Committee (AIAC): Council supported forming a 12‑member committee with Newport and Middletown to explore educational collaboration, with a report due by May 31, 2026. Approved.
  • Resolution: North End Appraisal: Authorized up to $25,000 for a land appraisal of designated north end parcels for potential city acquisition. Approved.
  • Resolution: Public Health Vending Machine Pilot Program: After extensive debate, council voted 5–2 to establish a pilot program. Items may include hygiene products, Narcan, fentanyl test strips, and educational materials; location and final item list to be determined collaboratively with the police and fire departments. Councilors Carlin and Napolitano opposed, arguing it sends the wrong message and may attract drug users.

Key Outcomes

  • Proclamation declared January 14, 2026 as David R. Carlin Jr. Day in the city of Newport.
  • Consent calendar approved with amendments.
  • All liquor license transfers and associated ordinance changes approved.
  • Entertainment license for Fastnet Pub continued to January 28, 2026.
  • Two‑tier tax application deadline change amended to take effect January 1, 2027; elimination of voter registration as proof of residency approved on first reading.
  • Resolutions on carousel relocation, academic integration, north end appraisal, and public health vending machine all approved (vending machine 5–2).
  • Next regular meeting scheduled for January 28, 2026.

Meeting Transcript

Happy 2026. It's been a while. So we'll start off. Uh Madam Clerk, can you take a roll, please? David Carlin. Here. Charlie Holder. Here. Side Council Varavan. Here. Jean Marie DePolitano. Alan Pinnock. Yeah. Stephanie Smythe. There is a quorum present, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Please stand. Legislature. Under God. Liberty justice for all. Uh, Madam Clerk, uh, before we get to the citizens forum, um, I do have a uh some personal and also uh uh citywide item of business, uh, a proclamation that we're gonna read here uh tonight. Uh on December twelfth, uh a great New Porter, a great Rhode Islander and the father of our well renowned councilman David Carlin, uh, passed away. Um I knew Mr. Carlin since I was a young kid growing up on Thurston Avenue, and they just grew up the uh street over from me, and I uh I remember him from days of uh Little League and running around the neighborhood and uh was always a well respected man. Um great to the community, great to uh the kids in the community, and um what he did for for the city of Newport and the state of Rhode Island will won't be forgotten and shouldn't be forgotten. Um so in that regard, I want to read this proclamation from the city of Newport. Uh the city of Newport pays tribute and recognizes former state senator David R. Carlin, Jr. as a lifelong resident and devoted servant of the city of Newport in the state of Rhode Island. Mr. Carlin was born on April 9th, 1938, in Petsucket, Rhode Island, and exemplified a lifelong commitment to learning, graduating from St. Ray's Academy, Providence College, and earning an advanced degrees in philosophy and sociology from the University of Notre Dame and the University of Rhode Island. He dedicated more than four decades to higher education as a respected professor at the community college of Rhode Island, inspiring generations of students through his intellect, compassion, and unwavering belief in the power of education, retiring only after his eighty third day. Mr. Carlin served the public with distinction for more than three decades, beginning as a member of the Newport School Committee in 1975, later representing Newport and surrounding communities in the Rhode Island Senate, beginning in 1980, and elected as Senate Majority Leader from 1988 to 1990. He continues dedication to Democratic ideals as a Democratic Party's nominee for the Rhode Island's first congressional district in 1992, and sub subsequently resumed public service through his tenure on the Newport School Committee from 2001 until 2009, where he was chair of the Newport Democratic City Committee from 1995 to 2005. Guided by a deep and abiding Catholic faith, Mr. Carlin devoted his public his life to public service and private action to advocating for the most vulnerable among us, consistently giving voice to those without one. And he was an accomplished author and writer, publishing seven books and numerous articles, earning multiple writing awards, and leaving behind a legacy of thoughtful scholarship and discourse reflected in his extensive personal library. But above all, Mr. Carlin was a devout husband to his beloved wife of more than 55 years, Maureen, a loving father to his children, David Carlin, Joshua Carlin, and Margaret Carlin, and a proud grandfather whose family stood at the center of his life. Now, therefore, be it that I, Charles Holder, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, January 14th, 2026, as David R. Carlin Jr. Day in the city of Newport, and call upon the citizens to join me with my fellow city councillors. Carlin's dedication, intellect, and compassion. Thank you to my colleagues, the city administration, to the people of Newport. Who here thinks of me as a person who is at a loss for words? Probably nobody. Certainly myself.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI
TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com