OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - January 23, 2023

Town Council — Monday, January 23, 2023
BodyNorth Kingstown, Rhode Island
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, January 23, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
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0:36

Okay, are we all set, uh Madam Clerk?

0:39

Okay.

0:43

Sorry for being late, everybody.

0:47

We are on, thank you.

0:48

I'd like to call this meeting to order for Monday, January 23rd, 2023.

0:53

Uh pursuant to Rowan Laws General 42-46C.

0:58

Notice of this meeting has been uh posted, excuse me, on the Secretary of State's website.

1:04

I'd ask everyone to stand and join with a salute to the flag.

1:07

Thanks.

1:27

Is everyone's microphone on?

1:31

Madam Clerk, do you have the list of who signed up?

1:34

Public comment.

1:37

Town Sergeant.

1:39

Okay, thank you.

1:41

While he's doing that, I'll take the liberty to make a couple comments.

1:46

Um this past spring, I had the opportunity to participate in a national study about violence and politics by the University of Illinois at Chicago.

1:56

The folk the focus, the study focused on negative, hostile, menacing, uh, and menacing communications between constituents and public officials.

2:09

It concluded that the constant personal and negative discourse fuels threats and abuse.

2:15

Experts had warned according to the article that this may get worse.

2:19

Unfortunately, this is a trend that has hit North Kingstown.

2:23

Two thousand nineteen resident made a post uh social media stating that the members of the town council deserve to be covered in stones or better still hanged in the village center.

2:34

Recently, school committee received a death threat via email.

2:40

Where are you on the political spectrum?

2:42

Death threats are unacceptable.

2:45

We have a great community, quality of life is superb.

2:49

Overall, North Kingstown is a great place to live.

3:00

And in fact, many times we get issues wrong.

3:03

However, none of us deserve death threats.

3:19

So let's work together to make our community better, not tear it down, not pure pu not tear people down, not have death threats.

3:28

We're better than that.

3:30

With that, I'll take uh public comment.

3:32

Thank you.

3:35

First person to speak a public comment is Mr.

3:37

George Brennan, two uh unrelated topics.

3:56

I'd like to congratulate uh the planning department, uh Ralph Mollis and his team, and uh I have a feeling uh the new economic development uh person, Ben uh had a big hand in having seventeen businesses decorated on the post road.

4:13

Um this program has been in effect for three or four years now with very low and slow participation.

4:20

Uh obviously it's difficult when you have uh owner operators or you have absentee landlords or people who are just renting buildings, they don't really get on board a lot of times because you have too many lays to go through.

4:35

But I do want to congratulate you, Ralph and and Ben, for doing an excellent job in getting 17 businesses and I expect 17 more next year.

4:44

Uh secondly, uh I'd like to uh uh stand in support of item number 23.

4:52

Uh we have uh the work for the advisory committee, which I am the vice chair of um and we have a person up uh nominated uh for membership, uh Suzanne Mancini.

5:04

Uh I've known Suzanne for six years in uh her professionalism and her dedication to the village and her business and the community is uh unbelievably strong, and I recommend that we appoint her to that position.

5:20

Thank you very much.

5:21

Thank you, George.

5:22

Um Mr.

5:23

Dick Welch.

5:32

Good evening and thank you.

5:34

Um I want to tell you that uh I myself and I'm sure other people in this room in this town uh look to the town council as being the head of our town government.

5:48

And as such, they were responsible for more than just the town uh and the municipality government itself.

5:57

They also need to be responsible for and oversee other departments in the town, and one of them being the school department.

6:08

The situation that came to light uh on the uh the meeting about the superintendent, I felt and others feel as an embarrassment to this town.

6:20

Two things that are very important when people look to to relocate in any town.

6:26

One is the tax rate and the other is the schools.

6:29

We have had exemplary schools for years, and the way the things have been handled by the school committee in the last two years has been nothing but laughing stock elsewhere in the state of Rhode Island.

6:42

And I will tell you that the way that was handled for the superintendent resigning and the way the school committee reacted was terrible.

6:52

We need a superintendent to be in for in force through the end of the school year, and that's what this interim superintendent was hired to be.

7:02

And because they couldn't get along with the superintendent and vice versa, we are now faced with a situation that is untenable for the children, for the the teaching staff, and the residents of this community.

7:16

It's up to you, the town council, to become more active in this situation and not let it just go by and saying it's not my responsibility.

7:27

Thank you.

7:28

Is anyone else here?

7:30

Uh which is the speak tonight.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation████████████████16%
Whistleblower Policy██████████10%
Education Funding█████████9%
Public Engagement█████████9%
Public Safety████████8%
Capital Improvement Planning███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis███████7%
Procedural██████6%
Public Works██████6%
Summary of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - January 23, 2023

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, January 23, 2023, at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included discussion of legislative priorities with the state delegation, receipt of a historical painting donation, a presentation on renovating the municipal office building, public hearings on liquor license renewals, approval of consent agenda items, and a detailed discussion on the whistleblower ordinance.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • George Brennan congratulated the planning department for involving 17 businesses in a decoration program on Post Road and supported the appointment of Suzanne Mancini to the Wickford Advisory Committee, citing her professionalism and community dedication.
  • Dick Welch criticized the School Committee's handling of the superintendent's resignation, calling it an embarrassment and urging the Town Council to become more active in school matters.
  • Rob Mallory (731 Anarquetucket Road) raised concerns about sidewalks and speeding on Anarquetucket Road, requesting increased police presence or traffic calming measures for school safety.
  • Mike Donneyu (Historic Wickford Incorporated) presented a donation of five framed original paintings and prints representing the historic marker project, which aims to celebrate local history.

Discussion Items

  • Legislative Priorities: The council discussed priorities with state delegation members Senator DeMario, Representative Casimiro, and Senator Valverde (absent due to family commitment). Key topics included: increasing state aid for education (noting a $44,000 decrease), supporting social worker/student ratios, improving mental health funding, universal pre-K, free lunch, and addressing the Route 4 traffic light problem. The harbor master presented a proposed amendment to RIGL 46-4-6.4 to regulate all houseboats (self-propelled or not). The council also discussed charter amendment ratification. The delegation committed to working on these issues.
  • Municipal Office Building Renovation: Town Manager Ralph Mollis presented a $2-2.5 million renovation plan for 100 Fairway Drive, funded 50% from ARPA funds and 50% from fund balance/capital funds to avoid bonding. The renovation includes new entrance, lobby, windows, siding, HVAC upgrades, and a small addition. After discussion, the council gave consensus to move forward with an RFQ/RFP process, with final approval required later.
  • Annex/Old Library Update: The town manager reported that the buyer of 55 Brown Street (Eve Clulo) faces increased project costs ($5.2 million) and will not meet the September 2023 deadline for certificate of occupancy. The council discussed extending the deadline contingent on the buyer obtaining financing commitments, or repurchasing the property. They agreed to invite Ms. Clulo to a February meeting and to seek financial assurances before considering an extension.
  • Whistleblower Ordinance: The audit committee recommended rescinding the current whistleblower ordinance, citing its ineffectiveness. Public comment (Sarah Lee Norton) argued for a more visible and accessible system, not elimination. The council agreed that the ordinance needs revision, not removal, and tabled the item to allow the town manager and legal counsel to develop a more transparent and effective alternative, including clear reporting channels.
  • National Gun Violence Survivors Week Proclamation: Approved unanimously, with council members expressing personal connections to gun violence and supporting recognition of survivors.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved items 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 as routine (donations, resignation acceptance, license renewal, charter amendment request). Item 10 (cemetery fund grant) was removed and approved separately. Item 13 (emergency water heater replacement) was approved after clarification on warranty. Item 17 (houseboat legislation request) was tabled pending further discussion.

Key Outcomes

  • Legislative priorities: Delegation will advance bills on school funding, social workers, and houseboat enabling legislation. Town will support with testimony if needed.
  • Municipal office renovation: Council consensus to proceed with design and bidding; no bonding required. Next step: issue RFQ/RFP, return for award approval.
  • Annex/Old Library: Invitation extended to buyer to appear at February meeting; council will seek proof of financing before considering deadline extension.
  • Whistleblower ordinance: Tabled; town manager directed to work with legal counsel to propose revised ordinance with improved visibility and multiple reporting channels, including for complaints against town manager/superintendent.
  • Appointments: David Feeney appointed to Groundwater Committee (through July 1, 2024); Suzanne Mancini appointed to Wickford Advisory Committee (through October 1, 2023), with Council President Mancini recused.
  • CRMC application: No substantive objection to William J. Sabo's dock project at 497 Shore Acres Avenue.
  • Proclamation: National Gun Violence Survivors Week proclaimed.
  • Budget update: Finance Director reported projected $1.2 million surplus for FY2023 (before fund balance use), with strong interest income and controlled expenses.
  • Web launch: New town website (northkingstownri.gov) launched.
  • Next meeting: February 6, 2023 (budget presentation; asset management priorities review).

Meeting Transcript

Okay, are we all set, uh Madam Clerk? Okay. Sorry for being late, everybody. We are on, thank you. I'd like to call this meeting to order for Monday, January 23rd, 2023. Uh pursuant to Rowan Laws General 42-46C. Notice of this meeting has been uh posted, excuse me, on the Secretary of State's website. I'd ask everyone to stand and join with a salute to the flag. Thanks. Is everyone's microphone on? Madam Clerk, do you have the list of who signed up? Public comment. Town Sergeant. Okay, thank you. While he's doing that, I'll take the liberty to make a couple comments. Um this past spring, I had the opportunity to participate in a national study about violence and politics by the University of Illinois at Chicago. The folk the focus, the study focused on negative, hostile, menacing, uh, and menacing communications between constituents and public officials. It concluded that the constant personal and negative discourse fuels threats and abuse. Experts had warned according to the article that this may get worse. Unfortunately, this is a trend that has hit North Kingstown. Two thousand nineteen resident made a post uh social media stating that the members of the town council deserve to be covered in stones or better still hanged in the village center. Recently, school committee received a death threat via email. Where are you on the political spectrum? Death threats are unacceptable. We have a great community, quality of life is superb. Overall, North Kingstown is a great place to live. And in fact, many times we get issues wrong. However, none of us deserve death threats. So let's work together to make our community better, not tear it down, not pure pu not tear people down, not have death threats. We're better than that. With that, I'll take uh public comment. Thank you. First person to speak a public comment is Mr. George Brennan, two uh unrelated topics. I'd like to congratulate uh the planning department, uh Ralph Mollis and his team, and uh I have a feeling uh the new economic development uh person, Ben uh had a big hand in having seventeen businesses decorated on the post road. Um this program has been in effect for three or four years now with very low and slow participation. Uh obviously it's difficult when you have uh owner operators or you have absentee landlords or people who are just renting buildings, they don't really get on board a lot of times because you have too many lays to go through. But I do want to congratulate you, Ralph and and Ben, for doing an excellent job in getting 17 businesses and I expect 17 more next year. Uh secondly, uh I'd like to uh uh stand in support of item number 23. Uh we have uh the work for the advisory committee, which I am the vice chair of um and we have a person up uh nominated uh for membership, uh Suzanne Mancini. Uh I've known Suzanne for six years in uh her professionalism and her dedication to the village and her business and the community is uh unbelievably strong, and I recommend that we appoint her to that position. Thank you very much. Thank you, George. Um Mr. Dick Welch. Good evening and thank you. Um I want to tell you that uh I myself and I'm sure other people in this room in this town uh look to the town council as being the head of our town government. And as such, they were responsible for more than just the town uh and the municipality government itself. They also need to be responsible for and oversee other departments in the town, and one of them being the school department. The situation that came to light uh on the uh the meeting about the superintendent, I felt and others feel as an embarrassment to this town.

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