North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - April 25, 2022

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, April 25, 2022, at the Beechwood Senior Center. The meeting began with an executive session at 6:45 PM to discuss a Business/Industry PILOT Agreement, followed by the regular session at 7:00 PM. Key actions included approval of several license renewals, adoption of amendments to mobile food establishment and tax classification ordinances, appointment to the Quonset Development Corporation Board, and adoption of the Fiscal Year 2022/2023 budget.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from four prior meetings (March 14, 18, 21, 28, 2022)
• Accepted donations: $325 (general), $995 for Animal Shelter, and a storage shed for Recreation Department
• Accepted resignations: Kevin Doherty and Martin Mendelson from Groundwater Committee; Councilor Katie Anderson from Quonset Development Corporation Board of Directors
• Awarded bid for DPW utility body truck ($28,200) to Hartford Truck Equipment
• Awarded contract for town facilities maintenance (fire alarms, sprinklers, etc.) to Precision Alarm Corp. (various prices)
• Approved new entertainment license for NK School Department (May 24 outdoor concert)
• Approved Farmers Market permit for Casey Farm
• Approved two new Holiday Sales Licenses (The Narragansett, T's Vault Smoothie & Juice Bar)
• Approved Junkyard and Secondhand license renewals
• New Victualling License for T's Vault Smoothie & Juice Bar
• Exhibition License (no vendors) for Wickford Village Association Harbor Lights events (5 dates)

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Segoris (15 Boston Neck Road) urged the council to consider inflation when setting budget limits, noting state limits are not indexed to inflation.
• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road) proposed applying the FY22 surplus ($2 million) and $300,000 from the undesignated fund balance to the FY23 budget to avoid a property tax increase while maintaining a healthy fund balance.
• Susanna Tingley (750 Hatchery Road) asked the council to reject the proposed school budget, citing concerns over social activism, inappropriate books, co-ed bathrooms, and policies that undermine parent-child relationships.
• Kathleen Garino (139 Summit View Lane) urged the council to fully fund the school department budget, highlighting the mental health crisis among children. She also requested that QDC board members report back to the council monthly for transparency.
• Frank Telton (12 Summer Court) spoke in support of a license for a juice bar at Quonset Plaza (item 24 on consent agenda).
• Richard Wouch (Arrowane) opposed the school budget increase, citing combined surplus of nearly $28 million between town ($15M undesignated) and schools ($13M). He questioned public transparency on how surpluses are spent and asked about a vote on the proposed Rec building.

Discussion Items

Public Hearing 5: Class B-Full Alcoholic Beverage, Victualling, and Entertainment Licenses (Renewal) - S.A.T. Enterprises Inc., dba Wickford Tavern (Duffy's Tavern)

• No public opposition; one speaker (Richard Wouch) expressed support. Council approved unanimously.

Public Hearing 6: Second Reading - Amendment to Chapter 9, Article XVII (Mobile Food Establishments)

• The original proposal increased permits to 35; Council President Mancini moved to amend to 40 licenses due to high demand. The town solicitor confirmed no need for re-advertising. After closing the hearing, the council approved the amendment as amended (to 40 licenses).

Public Hearing 7: Second Reading - Amendment to Chapter 19, Article I, Section 19-6 (Compliance with State Law)

• Councilwoman Page read the amendment: it empowers the council to create a tiered tax classification plan under RIGL 44-5-11.8, to be adopted or amended annually as part of the budget. Approved unanimously.

Appointment to Quonset Development Corporation Board of Directors

• Councilor Katie Anderson resigned; the council debated whether to appoint a council member or a citizen. Councilor McKay advocated for a council seat, citing the importance of direct communication with the town manager. Councilor Brimer initially moved to appoint herself for the remainder of the term (7 months). After discussion, a competing motion was made to appoint Matthew McCoy (a Democrat) to fill the unexpired term of Councilor Anderson. The roll call vote was 3-2 in favor of McCoy: Anderson (yes), Brimer (no), McKay (no), Page (yes), Mancini (yes). Councilors McKay and Brimer voted no, with McKay calling it "one of the worst political votes" and stressing the loss of council engagement.

Adoption of Fiscal Year 2022/2023 Budget

• The council adopted each fund separately with unanimous votes (roll call not requested except for school fund). Key votes:
  • General Fund: $37,896,196
  • Debt Service Fund: $5,233,655
  • Allen Harbor: $418,664
  • Golf Course: $1,811,869
  • Water Fund: $4,214,516
  • Municipal Court Fund: $206,021
  • Sewer Fund: $2,606,290
  • Transfer Fund: $1,323,381
  • Library Fund: $1,601,414
  • School Fund (town portion): $68,542,231 (57,273,515 from town; 11,269,716 state aid) — a 2.5% increase in town funding; state aid increase was virtually zero (0.15%)
  • School Capital Fund: $500,000 (town manager's proposed contribution)
  • Total community budget: $124,354,637
  • Also approved $250,000 from undesignated fund balance to supplement the FY23 general fund budget (third year of plan)
  • Final school enterprise funds and restricted funds budgets were adopted.
• Discussion included town manager's report on utility work, road projects, recreation department awards, and an update on Eversource offshore wind farm tax agreement.
• Council President Mancini noted the budget strikes a balance given inflation and revaluation.

Key Outcomes

• Public Hearing 5: Approved renewal of licenses for Wickford Tavern (Duffy's Tavern) unanimously.
• Public Hearing 6: Approved amendment to Chapter 9 increasing mobile food establishment permits to 40 (amended from 35).
• Public Hearing 7: Approved amendment to Chapter 19 enabling a tiered tax classification plan.
• QDC Board Appointment: Matthew McCoy appointed to fill the unexpired term of Councilor Anderson (vote 3-2).
• FY2022/2023 Budget: Adopted all funds as presented, including a $250,000 draw from undesignated fund balance, with no property tax increase stated for town side (school portion has a 2.5% increase in town funding).
• Consent Agenda: Approved all items 9-25 without separate discussion.
• Correspondence: Read by Councilor Brimer, including concerns about the Wickford L appeal litigation; town manager expressed concern that delays could jeopardize the project, and solicitor noted a decision from the court likely in fall 2022.