North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - August 16, 2023

The Town Council met on Wednesday, August 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered special business on the appointment of a Finance Director, a consent agenda, extensive public comment and discussion on a proposed animal shelter lease, authorization of bond ballot questions for November 2023, and several other items.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7 through 11, 13, 15, 16, 19 through 31 were approved en bloc with no discussion.
• Items 6 (minutes), 12 (landfill closure engineering contract), 14 (Learn365 grant), and 18 (animal shelter lease) were pulled for separate discussion.
• Item 17 (food pantry lease extension) was pulled due to a recusal by Councilor Page.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Michael Dounoucos (141 West Main St.) expressed concerns about item 38, a request by Press LLC to increase its Class B full alcoholic beverage license limit, citing parking shortages and pedestrian safety in Wickford. He asked the council to consider the ongoing parking study before approving the increase.
• Alex Alenson (117 Austin Road), a volunteer at the North Kingstown Animal Shelter for two years, raised questions about the proposed shelter lease: who would handle unvaccinated or vicious animals, whether adoption fees would increase, and urged that paid animal control officers remain on site for animal welfare.
• Richard Lemere (50 Birchwood Drive) questioned the financial viability and liability of the animal shelter support foundation, noting difficulty finding information online. He asked who would be legally responsible for problems.
• Kurt Fisher (104 Phillips St.) urged the town to begin planning for mosquito abatement, citing worsening conditions and historical ditch maintenance.
• Amanda Nelson (53 Osc.), an employee at the South Kingstown Animal Shelter and former Narragansett animal control officer, expressed concerns about the shelter lease, noting that a part-time ACO had recently bid for a different position and questioning volunteer training and liability.
• Lenore Montanaro (252 Haver Hill Ave.), a lifelong resident with a background in animal welfare law, asked about the selection of the nonprofit, adherence to NACA standards, handling of narcotics, certification, and background checks.
• Kristen Clark (142 Cole Drive) stated the shelter lease issue needs a full separate meeting with thorough discussion, and she did not feel reassured by the town manager's piecemeal answers.

Discussion Items

• Item 5 – Appointment of Finance Director: Town Manager Ralph Mollis introduced Deborah Bridgam as his appointment for Finance Director. Bridgam has served the town since 2017, most recently as Interim Finance Director. Council members praised her work. The appointment was approved unanimously.
• Item 37 – Proposed Ballot Questions for Bonds: The council discussed placing three bond questions on the November 7, 2023 referendum: (1) up to $167,460,000 for school purposes including a new middle school; (2) up to $55,000,000 for a new public safety complex; and (3) up to $25,000,000 for an indoor recreation center/emergency shelter. Councilor Page provided an update on the school building committee's progress, noting the pivot from the Quonset site to Davisville and positive engagement with DEM. Councilor Anderson noted that the school building subcommittee has not taken Quonset off the table and that more public outreach is needed. Councilor Mandel cited the Marshall Plan analogy, urging action over hesitation. A motion to proceed passed on a roll call vote (5-0).
• Item 18 – Animal Shelter Lease with North Kingstown Animal Shelter Support Foundation: Extensive discussion followed public comments. Town Manager Mollis and Captain John McCoy explained the lease's benefits: it would allow the volunteer-run 501(c)(3) to manage the interior of the shelter, while the animal control officers (one full-time, one part-time) continue to handle exterior duties, 24-hour access, and direct animal control. The foundation's representatives (Joe D. and Kate Maloney) addressed concerns about training, background checks, scheduling, liability insurance, and handling of medications. Councilor McCoy initially expressed hesitation but after hearing the foundation's detailed answers, made a motion to approve, which passed unanimously (5-0).
• Item 12 – Landfill Closure Engineering Contract: Councilor Mandel noted the proposal includes engineering for a solar energy system on the landfill cap. Mollis clarified that previous deed restrictions prevented solar development but the town is working to remove them. The contract was approved.
• Item 14 – Learn365 Grant: Councilor Mandel highlighted the $305,000 state grant to advance learning beyond the 180-day school year and congratulated staff. Approved.
• Item 6 – Minutes Approval: Councilor Mandel moved to amend the June 26, 2023 minutes to add a clerk's note that bicycles and human-powered vehicles may travel on sidewalks unless prohibited, based on subsequent research. Approved. The July 17, 2023 minutes were approved as presented.
• Item 34 – Tide Gauge Installation: Council approved authorization to install, operate, and maintain a tide gauge at Brown Street in cooperation with USGS, at a total cost of $82,900 (Year 1 cost $30,000 from fund balance). Councilor Page supported it for educational and data purposes.
• Item 33 – Resolution Supporting RI Community Learning Center Compact: Adopted unanimously to access additional grant funds.
• Item 38 – Request for Increase in Liquor License Limit by Press LLC: The council voted to advertise an available Class B full alcoholic beverage license, which will then require a public hearing and separate application process. Approved.
• Town Manager Report (Item 32): Covered: facilities assessment capital improvement list; Route 4 traffic signal timing update; participation in State Municipal Road Fund program; offshore wind farm cable route update; police enforcement on Route 4 noise; no change to Allen Harbor rates; roundabout in Wickford scheduled for summer 2024; traffic signal at Hamilton Elementary expected by end of August; parking study public meeting August 30; cyber attack update – $470,000 in expenses paid to date, over 2,000 calls handled; Senator Whitehouse visit August 22; Wickford Harbor Lights rescheduled to August 17; appointment to Governor's Workforce Board.

Key Outcomes

• Finance Director Appointment: Approved unanimously (voice vote).
• Bond Ballot Questions: Approved for November 7, 2023 referendum (roll call 5-0).
• Animal Shelter Lease (Item 18): Approved unanimously (roll call 5-0).
• Landfill Closure Engineering Contract (Item 12): Approved (voice vote).
• Learn365 Grant Acceptance (Item 14): Approved (voice vote).
• Minutes (Item 6): June 26 minutes amended and approved; July 17 minutes approved.
• Tide Gauge Authorization (Item 34): Approved (roll call 5-0).
• Resolution on RI Community Learning Center Compact (Item 33): Adopted (voice vote).
• Liquor License Advertising (Item 38): Approved (voice vote).
• Lease Extension – Food Pantry (Item 17): Approved (voice vote, Councilor Page recused).
• Veterans Memorial Scholarship Fund Committee Appointment (Item 36): Approved (voice vote).
• Consent Agenda Items (Items 7-11,13,15,16,19-31): Approved en bloc (voice vote).