North Kingstown Town Council Meeting

Date: Monday, April 24, 2023 | Location: Town Hall Council Chambers, 80 Boston Neck Road | Start Time: 7:00 PM | Presiding: Council President Gregory A. Mancini

The meeting covered a wide range of topics, including multiple public hearings on alcohol licenses and zoning amendments, adoption of the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 budget, and discussion of a carbon monoxide incident at Reynolds Farm. The council also approved numerous consent agenda items, including donations and contract awards.

Public Hearings

• Class B-Limited Alcoholic Beverage License (New): The application from Shayna's Place, LLC (45 Brown Street) was withdrawn. The council then approved a new Class B-Limited license for K&R II Enterprises, dba The Frozen Cow / Roy Boys Clam Shack, at 6710 Post Road. The motion passed unanimously.
• Wickford on the Water Expansion (JB on the Water, 85 Brown Street): A prolonged public hearing featured extensive testimony. Supporters, including neighboring business owners (Dan Goldman, Green River Silver Company; Jack Cleaver, Wickford Village Association; James Hawley; Mark Clinton; Holly Walsh; Carrie Colb; Rick Lavalette; Anahid Sardelli; Allie Hunt; Brian Barker; Natalie Colletta; Julie Beebe), argued that the restaurant is a vital economic anchor that brings visitors to Wickford, extends the business day, and fills a need for year-round dining. Opponents, primarily abutters Rick Moore (17 Main Street) and former Representative Larry Earhart (49 Main Street), raised concerns about parking availability, noise from a proposed second-floor outdoor deck, and the use of a church parking lot for employees. They requested that the council delay a decision on permanent outdoor seating pending the town's parking study (expected December 2023). The council voted 4-1 (Councilor Anderson dissenting) to approve the expansion of the premises for the full alcohol, victualing, and entertainment licenses. The motion included the 32 COVID-era outdoor patio seats (on the lower level) and the 49 additional seats on the second floor (indoor and outdoor deck), but subject to all necessary state and local land use approvals (CRMC, Design Review, etc.). Council President Mancini emphasized the need for collaboration between businesses and residents.
• Second Reading – Zoning Amendments (Recreational Marijuana, Tobacco, Alcohol, Parks): The council held public hearings on four zoning and ordinance amendments related to recreational marijuana, tobacco, alcohol in public places, and parks. No members of the public signed up to speak. All four second readings (Items 6-9) were closed and the ordinances were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Jennifer Lima (4 Hickory Drive East), co-president of Towards an Anti-Racist North Kingstown, announced the town’s first-ever Pride Parade, planned for June 3, 2023, at 10:00 AM, organized with Black Lives Matter RI PAC and Rhode Island Queer Pack. She requested the council’s support.
• Harrison Tuttle, president of Black Lives Matter RI PAC, echoed the announcement and confirmed coordination with Senator Bridget Valverde and the North Kingstown Police Department.
• Nancy White Sherman (64 Pleasant Street) urged the council to add an Olympic-sized swimming pool to the upcoming fall bond referendum, citing high demand at nearby pools (Kent Y, South County Y, URI) and the health benefits for all ages.

Adoption of Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Budget

• The council adopted the final budget totaling $129,833,966 across all funds. The general fund is $39,370,562; debt service is $5,365,110; water fund is $5,784,736; sewer fund is $2,568,684; and the town appropriation for schools is $59,526,442 with state aid of $11,557,376. Enterprise funds (school food service, athletics, etc.) total $1,245,000. Restricted funds (special revenue) are $6,098,500. The vote was unanimous.
• Councilor Mandel raised a concern about the town manager and finance director having read-only access to the school department’s financial records, given recent turnover. After discussion, the council approved the budget without a formal condition but agreed to request that the town manager follow up with the school committee on transparency.

Consent Agenda (Items 11-37)

• Items Removed for Discussion:
  • Item 11 (Minutes): Approved minutes for March 13 and March 16; continued the minutes from March 20.
  • Item 19 (Eco-Land Art Installation): Susan Fox and Marianne O’Hallor presented their proposal for “land art” installations (stone and plant mandalas) on town property. The first site will be on the bike/walking path near the boat launch on Intrepid Drive. The council approved the initial installation, with the understanding that future sites must come back for approval. A temporary demonstration piece during the Wickford Art Festival was allowed administratively.
  • Item 21 (Acuity Streetlight Subscription): A five-year subscription for streetlight monitoring and operations. Town Manager Ralph Mollis stated it was a sole-source agreement as it services existing equipment. The council approved.
  • Item 36 (Reynolds Farm Phase 2D Bond Reduction): The bond was reduced from $1,448,336.82 to $1,156,379.13 (a reduction of $291,957.69). Before voting, Fire Chief Scott Cattell provided a detailed report on a March 28 carbon monoxide incident caused by blasting. Carbon monoxide from blasting traveled through ledge into four homes, putting residents in hotels for three days. The chief explained that the developer’s actions were legal but that the town has limited authority. The council approved the bond reduction and noted that affected residents may have a civil claim.
• Items Not Removed (Approved En Bloc): Items 12-18, 20, 22-30, and 38 were approved as part of the consent agenda. Notable among them: acceptance of donations ($5,058.40 for a community center stove; materials for Little League field improvements; the Mill Cove footbridge from the Land Conservancy); approval of various licenses and permits (fireworks for July 3; entertainment for Ocean State Pops, NK Arts Council, Wickford Village Association, etc.); and contract awards (road striping, Ryan Park backstop, fire hydrants).

Reports

• Town Manager Ralph Mollis: Reported on the Boston Neck Road paving project (paused for summer); town beach opening (May 27-Sept 4) with parking pass sales starting May 1; a new one-year YMCA lifeguard contract for $97,660; the town’s recognition by RI Office of Energy Resources for clean energy projects; and the upcoming upgrade to the town’s financial software (payment system down April 25-27, late fee extension to May 5). He also highlighted the AED installation program (71 units across parks and fields), the street sweeping schedule, and an Amtrak project near Davisville (overnight work through May 5).
• Finance Director Jim Lathrop: Reported a projected surplus of over $1.5 million for FY2023, driven by higher interest income ($800,000) and police detail revenue. He noted a large projected surplus in Public Works ($600,000) due to vacant positions and a mild snow season, which may be transferred to capital. Recreation is projecting a deficit; a detailed breakdown will be provided. Cash on hand is approximately $45 million.

New Business

• Audit Committee Appointment: The council approved Rachael Suvari as an Accounting Representative for a term to March 1, 2027. It was noted that two other members (Sarah Lee Norton and Richard August) have left the committee.
• Resolution for Rhode Island Day at Vicksburg National Military Park: Councilor McCoy sponsored a resolution declaring November 18, 2023 as Rhode Island Day at Vicksburg in honor of Private George P. Rose of Company F, 7th Rhode Island Volunteers, who died in the Mississippi campaign. The resolution was adopted unanimously.

Key Outcomes

• Approved: Class B-Limited license for Roy Boys Clam Shack.
• Approved (4-1): Expansion of Wickford on the Water’s licenses, including second-floor seating and permanent outdoor patio (subject to permits and approvals).
• Approved Unanimously: Four zoning/ordinance amendments (recreational marijuana, tobacco, alcohol, parks).
• Adopted Unanimously: FY2023/2024 budget of $129,833,966.
• Approved: Eco-Land Art installation at Intrepid Drive bike path (first site), plus temporary demo at art festival.
• Approved: Acuity streetlight subscription; Reynolds Farm bond reduction; and remainder of consent agenda.
• Appointed: Rachael Suvari to Audit Committee.
• Adopted: Resolution for Rhode Island Day at Vicksburg.
• Received: Manager’s and Finance Director’s reports with noted updates.
• Next Steps: Town manager to follow up on school financial transparency; fire chief to meet with developer to prevent future CO incidents; parking study continues with public hearing expected in December 2023.