North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – September 26, 2022

The North Kingstown Town Council held a regular meeting on Monday, September 26, 2022, at 7:00 PM in the newly restored Town Hall Council Chambers (80 Boston Neck Road). The agenda included executive session (potential litigation), four public hearings on fee schedules and a tax exemption, public comment, a consent agenda, reports from the town manager and water supply director, old business regarding the school committee's response to Judge McGuirl's report, and new business (correspondence). Several items were pulled from the consent agenda for discussion and separate votes.

Consent Calendar

• Items approved en bloc (11–13, 17–20, 23, 24, 26–28): Tax abatement list #861 ($12,062.29), donations ($1,025.00 + ballistic shield lights), acceptance of CDBG award, SNEP stormwater planning MOA, police mutual aid agreement, fire department large diameter hose bid ($28,888.00), exhibition licenses (Wickford Village Harbor Lights extension, VFW event, holiday sales license changes/renewals), and a new victualling license for Aramark at Electric Boat.
• Item 14 – Blue Bus Foundation contribution ($900.00): Approved after discussion. Councillor Brimer requested that funds be returned if the event (Harbor Lights) is canceled due to weather; the request was noted, but the event had already occurred.
• Items 15 & 16 – Fire department grants: Approved. Chief Cattell and Captain Lassard described a $102,000 regional training grant (fire instructor and officer certifications) and a $378,914 grant for a new key box system (including a code‑based key fob and residential boxes for elderly/shut‑ins). Both grants have a 10% local match (split with East Greenwich for training).
• Item 21 – Wilson Park walkway improvements: Awarded to Narragansett Improvements Company for $151,000 (funded from previously approved ARPA funds). The project replaces an existing walkway with a 6‑foot‑wide asphalt path, replaces timber bollards, and paves handicap spots. Two alternates (extension to bike path and paving splash pad parking lot) were deferred.
• Item 22 – Senior center bus and donations: Awarded bid to Don Brown Bus Sales for $108,895 and accepted a $31,895 donation from Tom Miozzi (plus $20,000 from North Kingstown Senior Association). The smaller bus (14–15 passengers) does not require a CDL, improving efficiency.
• Item 25 – TANK Book Festival exhibition license (1–10 vendors): Approved after public comment. Mr. Fisher raised concerns about content, but the council stated they would follow the Constitution.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kent Dresser (371 Glenhill Drive): Suggested the council review the town charter section on school committee appointments to address vagueness regarding the “next highest vote getter.” Also defended the integrity of the town’s elections and volunteer canvassers.
• Diane Izzo (62 Poplar Avenue): Thanked the council for approving the senior bus donation and praised the public works department for the town hall restoration.
• Dick Welch (8 Arrow Lane): Wished Town Clerk Janet a happy birthday, thanked Jim Grundy for volunteer service on the school facilities committee and planning commission, and recognized Tom Miozzi’s generosity. Requested more explicit descriptions in executive session agendas.
• Curtis Fisher (104 Phillips Street): Expressed frustration about the lack of warning signs and a lower speed limit on Phillips Street near a playground (a state road), warning of a potential child fatality. Also commented on the TANK Book Festival, urging the council to be cautious about the content presented to students.
• Tim Conlin (140 Clinton Drive): Discussed the school committee’s response to Judge McGuirl’s report. He stated that the committee’s described policies are not actually in effect (as verified online) and that counseling is not being provided to victims, especially those who have already graduated. He urged the council to take action.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Report (Ralph Mollis):
  • Negotiations with Revolution Wind: They will likely avoid Camp Avenue but still seek a personal property tax PILOT and host community agreement. A tentative agreement may be ready for the October 17 meeting.
  • Opioid litigation funds: Will be brought to council in October/November for discussion on allocation.
  • Town hall restoration: Dedication held; most municipal offices remain at 100 Fairway Drive except Recreation and some services at 80 Boston Neck.
  • Golf course restaurant: Current concessionaire is terminating (effective Dec. 31) due to staffing challenges; an RFP/RFQ will be issued for the 2023 season.
  • Cedar Point Historic District: Approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • Energy costs: Current contract expires December 2022; prices are 64% higher than current, well above the budgeted 25% increase. The town plans to lock in short‑term components and reassess in April 2023.
• PFAS Presentation (Tim Cranston, Water Supply Director):
  • Detailed testing for PFOS/PFOA chemicals (parts per trillion). Well #6 at Stony Lane/Old Baptist Road was taken offline proactively (before required) because test results were borderline. All water leaving the system has been well below state and federal standards.
  • The town is ahead of state regulations; continued monitoring will be done. Residents with private wells were advised to contact the water department for testing information.
• 2022 Sanitary Survey Report (Tim Cranston):
  • The state Department of Health inspection gave a favorable report; only a minor deficiency (brush trimming around fencing) was noted and has been corrected. Cranston credited the water department staff and council support.
• Old Business – School Committee Response to Judge McGuirl’s Report:
  • The council received and filed the committee’s letter. Councillors expressed concerns that policies cited in the letter may not be official and that counseling for victims (especially those no longer in the district) is insufficient.
  • A motion passed to send a follow‑up letter requesting explicit clarification on those two points (policies and third‑party counseling for past victims).
• Correspondence: The Town Clerk read a lengthy list of letters received, including support letters for school committee candidates, concerns about e‑bikes on the bike path, pedestrian safety, noise ordinance suggestions, and more.

Key Outcomes

• Votes on public hearings: All four ordinances (Allen Harbor fees, golf course fees, stop signs, tax exemption for Old and Ancient Rowers Society of Rhode Island) were approved unanimously after brief public hearings with no speakers.
• Consent agenda items: Approved with the exception of pulled items (10, 14, 15, 16, 21, 25, plus item 22 earlier). Item 10 (minutes) was continued to the next meeting.
• Item 14 (Blue Bus Foundation): Approved $900 contribution with condition (funds returned if event canceled) – noted event already held.
• Items 15 & 16 (fire grants): Approved unanimously.
• Item 21 (Wilson Park walkway): Awarded $151,000 contract.
• Item 22 (senior bus and donations): Bid awarded and both donations accepted.
• Item 25 (TANK Book Festival): Exhibition license approved.
• Motion regarding school committee: Council voted to send a letter requesting clarification on policies and counseling for victims.
• Receipt and file: PFAS report (Item 30), sanitary survey report (Item 31), and school committee response (Item 32) were all received and filed.
• Adjournment: Meeting adjourned after correspondence.