OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting - May 13, 2026: Acting Chair, Consent Calendar, Comprehensive Plan, Aquaculture Debate, Youth Basketball Fees, Stone Slide

Meeting Portal — Wednesday, May 13, 2026
BodyNewport, Rhode Island
SessionMeeting Portal
DateWednesday, May 13, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:09:25

Transcript — Verbatim
0:11

Stephanie Smythe here.

0:13

There's a quorum present.

0:15

Madam Clerk, before we officially pledge the flag and begin the meeting, I would like to move uh to elect councillor, former mayor, former chair, Gene Napolitano as the acting presiding officer, the acting chair.

0:30

And I would also like to move Councillor Stephanie Smythe as acting vice chair.

0:36

I'd like a second, please.

0:37

Second.

0:38

All in favor, say aye.

0:40

All opposed.

0:42

The ayes have it.

0:43

Madam Chair, the meeting is yours.

0:46

I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight.

0:49

Whoops.

0:50

Everybody here tonight.

0:51

Um I appreciate the fact that so many of our residents and also staff members are here to help us out.

1:02

Could we please stand for the pledge of allegiance?

1:07

I pledge to the flag of the United States of America.

1:12

And to the Republican.

1:16

Under God, individual.

1:25

Madam Chair.

1:26

Yes.

1:31

But our director of public services, Bill Riccio, has been named the nation's top ten public works leader by American Public Works Association.

1:40

And I just wanted to congratulate him and thank him for all of his hard work.

1:55

It does make us wonder why he stands in the corner every meeting.

2:02

Okay, first order of business.

2:06

Okay.

2:07

Um move to approve the consent calendar in its entirety, with the exception of items B5, D, F1.

2:16

Madam Vice Chair.

2:17

Yes.

2:18

May I add uh item one D to be pulled from the consent calendar?

2:24

One D.

2:25

One D, please.

2:26

Thank you.

2:28

Second.

2:29

There's a motion and second.

2:31

All in favor, please say aye.

2:32

Aye.

2:33

Aye.

2:33

Any opposed?

2:34

Ayes have it.

2:39

Okay.

2:40

Um B five, friends of Belmont Chapel and Island Cemetery doing business, Belmont Stakes, Race Day, fundraiser, 180 Narragansett Avenue, June 6, 2026, from 4 30 p.m.

2:56

to 7 30 p.m.

2:58

Motion to approve.

2:59

Second.

3:00

All in favor.

3:02

Aye.

3:02

Aye.

3:03

Any opposed?

3:04

Ayes have it.

3:05

I just wanted to make a notation.

3:08

Belmont Chapel recently, the person that worked hardest to redo Belmont Chapel, Pam Kelly, Pass.

3:20

And Pam was absolutely relentless in her efforts to look into grant funding and funding from almost every source.

3:30

She was a real champion of Belmont Chapel.

3:36

And I think people, if you haven't been there, it's in Fairwell Cemetery.

3:42

It is absolutely gorgeous inside.

3:45

You'd be shocked.

3:47

And many people that go there, and I've heard this a number of times, used to go there to drink as teenagers.

3:56

Can't do that anymore, and it is the most beautiful chapel inside.

4:01

And I'd like to acknowledge Pam and her efforts to bring people together and to make it happen.

4:08

So I hope some people do uh go over there and see it.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Community Engagement██████████████████18%
Youth Programs██████████████████18%
Parks and Recreation████████8%
Fiscal Sustainability████████8%
Economic Development████████8%
Zoning and Land Use███████7%
Active Transportation█████5%
Engineering And Infrastructure███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Newport City Council Meeting – May 13, 2026

On May 13, 2026, the Newport City Council met with Acting Chair Gene Napolitano presiding and Acting Vice Chair Stephanie Smythe. The evening included a consent calendar with several pulled items, a presentation on the comprehensive plan update, debates over a proposed aquaculture farm near Castle Hill, a vote to waive fees for Newport Youth Basketball, and authorization to explore restoration of the historic stone slide at Murphy Field. The council also approved multiple licenses, grants, and contracts.

Consent Calendar

  • Items Pulled for Separate Vote: B5 (Belmont Stakes Race Day fundraiser), D (park naming for fallen first responders), F1 (recusal due to conflict of interest).
  • B5 – Friends of Belmont Chapel: Approved unanimously. Acting Chair Napolitano noted the recent passing of Pam Kelly, a key volunteer in restoring Belmont Chapel, and encouraged residents to visit the chapel in Fairwell Cemetery.
  • 1D – Park Naming for First Responders: Communication from Tree and Open Space Commission Chair Maureen Cronin supporting the naming and dedication of a park on John Street to honor Newport's fallen first responders. Lieutenant Hoore explained the history: the first police line-of-duty death occurred on that site. The council received and referred the item to city administration for further planning.
  • F1 – Recusal: Approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Item 30 – Castle Hill Aquaculture (Continued): Three commercial fishermen spoke against the proposed aquaculture farm off Castle Hill. Robert Brayman (21 Ridgewood Road, Middletown, 51 years on the water) cited navigation hazards and lack of understanding of currents and tides. Harry Gould (38 years fishing, Middletown) argued the proposed buoy system would be a hazard and that cages would be vulnerable to storms. Patrick Heaney (career Newport fisherman) questioned why the resolution was being revisited after being denied by the council in December 2025. Councilor Carlin explained he was changing his vote due to Castle Hill's mistaken belief they didn't need to attend earlier meetings and the impact of a fire on employee income. Councilor Smythe supported a continuance to allow full council input and Coast Guard review. The item was continued to the next regular meeting on May 27, 2026.
  • Item 31 – Newport Youth Basketball Fees: Megan Biddlich and Steve Claire, volunteer parents, described the rapid growth of the program (from 7 to 100 kids) and the financial burden of $60/hour facility fees at the Hut (Newport Recreation Center). They noted the program was formerly run by the city and they are simply using time historically allocated. They requested a fee waiver and a sustainable long-term solution.

Discussion Items

  • Comprehensive Plan Update: Planning Director Trish Reynolds introduced the consulting team from Interface Studio. Lead planner Mindy Watts presented survey results (nearly 900 respondents) and 10 key takeaways. Top concerns: aging infrastructure, housing affordability, balancing preservation with development. The team is conducting focus groups this week and will return in July with draft strategies. A second round of public engagement is planned for August 27, 2026, with a final plan targeted for December 1, 2026.
  • Item 5 – Bittling License for Casamiya Catering (2D Potsi LLC): The applicant requested approval before a zoning board hearing on May 18, 2026, to be open for Memorial Day weekend. Councilor Carlin questioned the order of approvals. The council approved the license subject to zoning board approval.
  • Item 8 – Sidewalk Cafe License for Chomp Kitchen and Drinks: Councilor Carlin expressed concern that the sidewalk cafe design still obstructs pedestrian traffic, especially for strollers and elderly residents. The applicant agreed to ensure compliance with the 6-foot clearance. The license was approved 6–1 (Councilor Carlin opposed).
  • Item 21 – $500K RIDEM Grant for Chafee Boulevard Recreation Area: The council amended the resolution to move the required 25% match ($167,000) from FY28 to FY27, directing city administration to find the funds. The amendment passed 6–1 (Councilor Napolitano opposed due to concerns about horse-trading language). The original resolution as amended was then approved.
  • Item 22 – $100,000 Opioid Settlement Grant: Approved for the Newport-Middletown Situation Table.
  • Item 31 – Waiver of Fees for Newport Youth Basketball: Councilor Carlin moved to waive all fees for the current season (approximately $7,000) and instruct administration to negotiate a reasonable future fee schedule. Councilor Napolitano preferred a continuance to follow standard nonprofit process. After debate, the resolution passed (vote count not explicitly given, but appears to have carried).
  • Item 32 – Restoration of Stone Slide at Murphy Field: Councilor Carlin requested administration explore restoration options. Councilor Napolitano noted a 2018 estimate of nearly $800,000 and safety concerns. The resolution passed with a vote of 6–1 (Councilor Napolitano opposed).

Key Outcomes

  • Votes on Licenses & Permits: All approved, including special events license for AC Newport Home Matches, victualing renewals for Gooseberry Beach and Seaside Scoops, new licenses for 103 Bellevue and Chomp Kitchen & Drinks, and entertainment license for Chomp.
  • Appointments: Amy Arnmanger and Michelle Gallagher reappointed to the Sister City Commission (three-year terms).
  • Contracts & Grants Approved: Bike Newport license agreement (5-year with options), MLK Center food trailer lease, automated noise enforcement trailer ($21,708), parking ordinance correction, HVAC replacement at police station ($35,490), Martin Recreation Center exterior improvements ($47,500), Edward King House architectural services ($119,360), trench and sidewalk restoration ($132,064), borrowing for primary clarifiers ($20 million), utility truck ($177,143), water treatment chemicals ($1.72 million bid), utility supplies ($986,013), and withdrawal of Caféology show cause hearing.
  • Item 30 Continued: The resolution supporting Castle Hill's CRMC application was continued to May 27, 2026, to allow full council participation and further input from stakeholders including the Coast Guard.
  • Item 21 Further Amended: The council approved an additional amendment authorizing the council chair to sign any grant agreements for the RIDEM grant.
  • Board of Licenses: Approved transfer of liquor licenses for Chomp Kitchen & Drinks (SWM Hospitality) and 103 Bellevue (103 Bellevue Opco LLC).

Meeting Transcript

Stephanie Smythe here. There's a quorum present. Madam Clerk, before we officially pledge the flag and begin the meeting, I would like to move uh to elect councillor, former mayor, former chair, Gene Napolitano as the acting presiding officer, the acting chair. And I would also like to move Councillor Stephanie Smythe as acting vice chair. I'd like a second, please. Second. All in favor, say aye. All opposed. The ayes have it. Madam Chair, the meeting is yours. I'd like to welcome everybody here tonight. Whoops. Everybody here tonight. Um I appreciate the fact that so many of our residents and also staff members are here to help us out. Could we please stand for the pledge of allegiance? I pledge to the flag of the United States of America. And to the Republican. Under God, individual. Madam Chair. Yes. But our director of public services, Bill Riccio, has been named the nation's top ten public works leader by American Public Works Association. And I just wanted to congratulate him and thank him for all of his hard work. It does make us wonder why he stands in the corner every meeting. Okay, first order of business. Okay. Um move to approve the consent calendar in its entirety, with the exception of items B5, D, F1. Madam Vice Chair. Yes. May I add uh item one D to be pulled from the consent calendar? One D. One D, please. Thank you. Second. There's a motion and second. All in favor, please say aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. Okay. Um B five, friends of Belmont Chapel and Island Cemetery doing business, Belmont Stakes, Race Day, fundraiser, 180 Narragansett Avenue, June 6, 2026, from 4 30 p.m. to 7 30 p.m. Motion to approve. Second. All in favor. Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Ayes have it. I just wanted to make a notation.

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