North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - June 26, 2023
North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - June 26, 2023
The Town Council of North Kingstown met on Monday, June 26, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered routine consent agenda items, public comments on the proposed middle school and other issues, reports from the Town Manager, Water Supply Director, and Recreation Department, updates on the public safety complex and school bond project, and new business including a Pride Month resolution and committee appointments.
Consent Calendar
- Approved all items 5-26 except item 11, which was removed for separate discussion. Items included: approval of minutes from April 24 and May 8, 2023; abatement of uncollectable taxes ($86,792.05); receipt and acceptance of donations ($25, 10 first aid kits, signage on marijuana use); purchase of two field mowers for the golf course ($140,000); award of contract for HVAC maintenance ($48,962); award of bids for liquid caustic soda and sodium hypochlorite; exhibition license for a sports card show; fireworks permits for Quidnessett Country Club and Plum Beach Club; holiday sales license renewals and transfers; victualling license transfer; laundry license renewals; peddler license; first readings of amendments to competitive bidding ordinance, police disability pensions, and zoning map for 70 and 84 Pleasant Valley Road.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Brian O'Dell (152 Salisbury Avenue) argued that the school committee should pay the $1.7 million architect pre-work fee from their own budget, citing a March 1 building subcommittee meeting where Mr. Mollis stated the school committee is responsible. He urged the council and school committee to work together.
- Steve Colucci (215 Pinecrest Drive) raised concerns about excessive noise from motorcycles and trucks on Route 4, noting that laws are not enforced. He provided an informational packet and suggested signage, cameras with sound meters, and speed detectors. He also mentioned dangerous driving at the West Allington traffic light.
- Pam Panero (710 Slocum Road) opposed the town paying the architect fee, expressed concern about wetlands implications at the Quidnesset site, and questioned whether the bond could be altered. She noted attending master planning sessions but found information inaccurate.
- Mary Crawford (61 Baker Way) opposed the town funding the architect fee, criticized the fifth through eighth grade model, and urged the school committee to maintain existing buildings. She argued the bond should not be on an off-election year and that the public safety complex and recreation center are needed.
- Cara Martone (73 Woodridge Drive) voiced concerns about the proposed middle school at Quidnesset, citing new information about wetlands reducing buildable land and eliminating athletic fields. She urged the council to recommend halting work on the project.
- Anne Horihan (243 Orchard Woods Drive) expressed concerns about the educational soundness of a large 5-8 school and questioned the site due to wetlands. She also noted the lack of information about the public safety complex, which is coupled with the school bond.
Reports and Presentations
- Town Manager Ralph Mollis reported: He reached out to Eve Clulow regarding a project; she will provide an update in July/August. The town is applying for Learn 365 RI grants (due June 30) for after-school counseling, tutoring, and summer programming. The Parks and Fields Department has made improvements at Wilson Park, Ryan Park, and town beach. The library projects a surplus that could erase its accumulated deficit. A new 15-passenger bus for the senior center will begin service tomorrow. The Post Road and West Main Street Sidewalk Project is under negotiation with DOT. Summer camp is sold out. The state passed tangible exemption legislation, but it presents challenges for North Kingstown. Preliminary plans for the Top Box property include a fast-food restaurant, car wash, bank, and possibly a fourth business. Tax bills go out next week; first payment due July 31. Annual fireworks display is July 3 at town beach with a shuttle from NK High School.
- Director of Water Supply Tim Cranston presented results of a satellite leak detection survey by Asterra. The survey found 18 leaks (14 town-owned, 4 homeowner-owned), saving an estimated 1.8 million gallons of water and $130,000 in lost revenue. The cost payback is less than eight months. The town has repaired 11 of 14 leaks; homeowners have fixed one. The department plans to contract for annual scans.
- Golf Course Superintendent Dan McDermott reviewed upgrades funded by green fees, including maintenance facility renovation, new driving range mats, parking lot charging stations, drainage improvements, tree removal, green expansions, and equipment purchases. Planned projects for 2023-24 include bridge replacements, bunker renovations, and tee expansions.
Leisure Services Advisory Committee Appointment (Item 30)
- The council approved the reappointment of Jeffrey Smith to a term ending July 1, 2026. Council President Mancini noted that Mr. Smith has expertise and is involved in the recreation project. The other applicant, Neil Labove, was informed and understood the decision.
Fire Chief Update on Public Safety Complex (Item 31)
- Chief Scott Cattell reported that the building committee is developing a website, video presentations, and plans for public tours. He noted deteriorating concrete in the apparatus floor and lower level, ongoing water leaks, and mold issues. He rejected claims of deferred maintenance, stating the buildings are past their useful life. He emphasized that modern fire apparatus cannot fit properly and that there are no women's facilities. The chief asked residents to educate themselves by touring the facility. Council members expressed support and rejected the notion of deferred maintenance.
Update on School Bond Project (Item 32) and School Committee Request for Architect Fee Funding (Item 33)
- Council President Mancini shared that the General Assembly extended the deadline for stage two application submission to February 15, 2024, due to a change in the state budget. He advocated for a pause to consider alternative sites.
- School Committee Chair Aaron Earl and COO Michael Waterman provided updates: The building subcommittee recently learned of expanded wetlands at the Quidnesset site, reducing usable space. The team is reviewing options to ensure adequate parking and athletic fields. Councilor Matt McCoy expressed that Quidnesset is not a good fit due to limited usable space and impact on athletics. Councilor Larry Mandel agreed, citing new information warranting a pause and site reconsideration. Councilor Katherine Anderson also supported exploring other options.
- On Item 33 (funding of architect fee), Dr. Earl requested a hold due to a preliminary surplus of $2.1 million for the school department. Council members expressed differing views; some believed the school committee should pay from its own funds. The council decided to defer action until the school department's audit is complete, noting the school committee has already committed $880,000 toward the work. The council directed the school committee to explore options and report back by the August meeting.
New Business
- Resolution Recognizing Pride Month (Item 34): Councilor Anderson introduced a resolution recognizing June 2023 as North Kingstown Pride Month. The resolution passed unanimously after a motion and second.
- Appointment to 350th Anniversary Committee (Item 35): The council appointed Councilors Matt McCoy and Larry Mandel to the 350th Anniversary Committee.
- Correspondence (Item 36): A list of correspondence received since the last meeting was read, primarily concerning the middle school project, school committee capital request, and other community issues.
Key Outcomes
- Consent agenda approved with item 11 removed and subsequently approved after discussion.
- Leisure Services Advisory Committee appointment of Jeffrey Smith approved.
- Pride Month resolution approved unanimously.
- School committee architect fee funding request deferred pending school department audit; council directed school committee to explore alternative sites and report back by August.
- Councilors McCoy and Mandel appointed to the 350th Anniversary Committee.
- The meeting adjourned after all business.
Meeting Transcript
I know from you I know. All right, you got enough room? Good evening, everybody. Welcome to the Monday, June 26, 2023 Town Council meeting for the town of North Kingstown. Let's call this meeting to order. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws 42-46-6C. Notice of this meeting has been posted on the Secretary of State's website. After uh we do that, I'd like to take a brief moment of silence. A long time uh North Kingstown resident Pam Dumas Brockwoven passed away this past week and uh she most people know her is uh Pam Dumas and she was uh she gave a uh significant contribution to the North Kingstown community and I'd like to honor her with a moment of silence after the Suther Flag. So join me in Susa Flag, thank you. Thank you, everybody. So uh public comment. Uh Mr. Brian O'Dell, uh you sign up first to come to the podium. Brian O'Dell, one fifty-two Salisbury Avenue. Again, the school committee is here tonight to ask you to pay the one point seven million dollar architect pre-work bill for the middle school project. Unless you do, they are threatening that other important projects will have to be sacrificed as if they had no choice. And again, I'll ask you to send them back to account for those fees from their own budget. The reasoning is simple. At the March 1st building subcommittee meeting before the school and town budgets were finalized, Mr. Mollis was asked who should be accounting for and paying any architect fees that accumulate before the school bond vote. His answer was clear and direct. He said the school committee is responsible for those fees, not the magic magic budget ferry, not Santa Claus, and certainly not you in the town. This is significant in that the school department COO, Michael Waterman was present at that meeting. Frank Pilata, the acting school superintendent, was present at that meeting, Robert Mezzalonezzalotti, the assistant superintendent was present at that meeting. Not one of them, not once. Also, let me ask this. Mollis is concerned about that from his position, and I understand why the school committee is concerned about that, because they don't want to take money that's already earmarked for various projects and put those off for what, two or three years. So I can understand both. It's a lot of money, no question. But I do have confidence that the people sitting here and the school committee can work together to figure something out, a good plan. Basically, the school committee, school department, is all part of the same town that the town council is in, and the planning commission, and all the rest of them. So there's that. I just want to say, figure it out, please. We need to do this. We need a new middle school period. The other thing I want to say is regarding the new middle school. This has been in the works for at least three years in the discussion phase. I am pretty sure there have been school committee members and town citizens working on this for at least two years, and I'm guessing. Those meetings were all public. And I'm sure the people on those committees have vetted all the various options. They have looked at it all. And they have tried to find the best option for the kids and for the town. And certainly they are looking for the not the cheapest, but the best and most economical school for our town. So I think it's a little late in the game for people to come forward and it's been all over social media, which is why I'm saying it, and say, oh, it shouldn't be equidness it for this reason, or it shouldn't have the fifth grade in there for this reason. All of that has been vetted for years. And the people who are complaining, I would say you should have been at the meetings. That's all. Thank you very much. Thank you, Kathleen.
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