OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – September 25, 2023

Town Council — Monday, September 25, 2023
BodyNorth Kingstown, Rhode Island
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, September 25, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:05:53

Transcript — Verbatim
0:02

Okay, I started the video.

0:09

We didn't do times.

0:12

I don't know that I want it.

0:17

925 for the end of executive.

1:15

It's seven o'clock.

1:23

Thank you.

1:24

Welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown.

1:27

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

1:29

Uh pursuant to rile in general laws forty-two-46-6C.

1:33

Notice of this meeting has been posted on the Secretary of State's website.

1:37

I ask everyone to join me with a salute to the flag.

1:40

Thank you.

1:42

Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

1:58

Good evening, everybody.

2:00

Ton we have uh four public hearings.

2:05

And uh with I would ask the council uh if they would consider merging um those four hearings into two hearings only because the subject matter on two of them uh is exactly the same.

2:19

Uh so I would entertain a motion to open up a public hearing for the second reading of an amendment to the comprehensive plan and also an amendment to section 21-30 uh sorry 362.

2:33

Um for uh a public hearing.

2:39

So moved.

2:40

Second.

2:40

Well, those in favor say aye.

2:42

Aye.

2:43

Any opposed?

2:44

The ayes have it.

2:45

Uh Madam Clerk, has anyone signed up for this public hearing?

2:48

No.

2:49

Okay.

2:50

Thank you.

2:51

Uh staff, do you want to or we all set up, Nicole?

2:59

Make any comments.

3:04

Good evening, Nicole Lafuntain from the planning department.

3:08

Um, I think the only important thing I want to stress for both of these, so you've got two for two different properties.

3:14

Um, is that the there is a a reason for the way they are set up on your agenda.

3:21

Um the applicants are requesting comprehensive plan changes and zoning amendments.

3:25

That's because their current requests for zoning amendments don't conform with the existing comprehensive plan.

3:31

So you would have to amend that first for the zoning to be consistent with the comprehensive plan.

3:36

Um the staff reports I think outline the the Plenty Commission's positive recommendations for both of the properties.

3:44

Um I think it's important to know the difference between what you're doing for the comprehensive plan and what you're doing for the zoning ordinance.

3:50

For the comprehensive plan, you are uh looking at amendments to the future land use map.

3:55

And that's an overall vision for the area.

3:58

So while there are um the easiest way to explain it is in a zoning map you have like neighborhood business, general business, you have multiple different things and they're very specific as to the uses and what goes under in your future land use map, they're broader.

4:13

So you have a commercial area, you have industrial.

4:16

That's that's a a bigger picture vision, and then those those the zones go into that.

4:21

Um so you need to make that decision on these items before you make the decision on the zoning.

4:27

Another question that has been posed to us multiple times is both of these properties are within the the groundwater overlay.

4:34

Um this does not affect that.

4:36

Nothing you're doing tonight affects that.

4:38

The an overlay is just that.

4:40

It's an added layer of regulation over the the zoning, the base zoning, and that would still be in play.

4:47

No matter what what is proposed on these properties, they'd have to meet the zoning of that that zoning category, but they'd also have to meet the requirements of the zoning of the the groundwater overlay.

4:58

That does not change.

5:00

So nothing you do tonight affects anything within the groundwater.

5:02

I think that is right now all I have to say.

5:05

I don't know if you want me to introduce both of the applications.

5:11

Thank you.

5:12

And so are the applicants.

5:29

For the first application, that's correct.

5:31

They are looking to amend the future land use maps to what it used to be.

5:35

To light industrial to used to be.

6:08

So uh the only question I have is when um something like this abuts a neighboring municipality.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Historic Preservation██████████████████████████26%
Procedural██████████████████18%
Personnel Matters████████████12%
Comprehensive Planning█████████9%
Budget Equity Analysis████████8%
Public Works██████6%
Public Safety██████6%
Fire Department Operations█████5%
Community Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – September 25, 2023

This regular meeting of the North Kingstown Town Council included four public hearings on comprehensive plan and zoning amendments, a special business presentation on the historic Town Meeting House, action on the consent agenda, a report from the Town Manager, and appointments to multiple boards and commissions. The meeting concluded with an executive session for a personnel evaluation.

Public Hearings & Testimony

  • Frenchtown Investors (Assessor's Plat 177, Lots 29-30): The council held a combined public hearing for a second reading of an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan (Future Land Use Map) and a second reading of zoning map amendments to change the designation from Commercial (C) to Light Industrial (LI). No public testimony was offered. Planning Director Nicole LaFontaine explained that the zoning amendment requires the Comprehensive Plan change first for consistency. The property remains within the groundwater overlay district, which is unaffected. The council voted unanimously to approve both the Comprehensive Plan amendment (Item 4) and the zoning amendment (Item 5) as recommended by the Planning Commission.
  • 3760 Quaker Lane (Assessor's Plat 130, Lot 65): The council held a combined public hearing for a second reading of a Comprehensive Plan amendment (Future Land Use Map from Low Density Residential (LDR) and Commercial (C) to Commercial (C)) and a zoning map amendment. No public testimony was offered. Planning Director LaFontaine noted the property has a split zone and the owner offered to place a conservation easement over the wooded/wetland area. The council approved the Comprehensive Plan amendment (Item 6) and the zoning amendment (Item 7), with a separate motion to include a conservation easement condition.

Special Business

  • Old Town Meeting House Presentation: Historic Wickford Board members Michael Donohue and Robert Zimmer presented a plan to restore the 1807 Old Town Meeting House on Phillips Road, noting it is the fifth oldest extant building in Rhode Island built solely for public affairs. HistWick pledged up to $40,000 toward the estimated $500,000 total cost, contingent on a 1:1 private match and the town raising additional funds. The pledge included $18,500 already from their board. The town had previously authorized $130,000 (since expired) and the council expressed intent to reaffirm that commitment. Town Manager Ralph Mollis confirmed staff could lead grant applications, and the council supported making the restoration a priority for the town’s 350th anniversary in 2024. Council members raised questions about the building’s location, end use (proposed as home for a new North Kingstown Historical Society and community/veterans space), maintenance costs, and the need for a clear plan before moving forward.

Consent Agenda (Items 10-20)

Items 11, 12, 13, 16, and 17 were removed for separate discussion; the remainder (Items 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20) were approved by consent.

  • Item 10: Minutes of September 11, 2023 approved.
  • Item 14: Award of bid to South County Post & Beam for Town Beach bandstand roof replacement ($184,800 plus 15% contingency).
  • Item 15: Award of fuel bid to Peterson Oil Services, Inc.
  • Item 18: First reading of amendments to Chapter 3 (Animals) regarding impoundment fees and prohibited areas.
  • Item 19: First reading of amendment to recreation fee schedule for golf course.
  • Item 20: First reading of new article on Short-Term Rental Registration.

Discussion Items (Removed from Consent)

  • Item 11: Councilmember Anderson thanked the North Kingstown Flag Football League for donating a Whirlpool freezer for McGinn Park concession stand. Motion to accept passed.
  • Item 12: Councilmember Mandel supported applying for the 2023 RI Capital Projects Fund for a multipurpose community facility grant, but urged exploring parcel solutions (e.g., covering existing fields) if the grant fails. Motion to authorize application passed.
  • Item 13: Councilmember Mandel supported applying for a DEM Green Space Outdoor Recreation Grant for Yorktown Park renovation, reinforcing the budget pledge to improve the park regardless of grant outcome. Town Manager Mollis confirmed Yorktown Park remains a priority. Motion passed.
  • Items 16 & 17: Councilmember McCoy thanked Eric Wishart for his service on the Planning Commission and Quonset Development Corporation Board upon his resignation. Acceptances approved.

Town Manager Report

  • Public safety complex tours drew five attendees; additional tours scheduled Oct 14 and Oct 19.
  • First bond referendum forum (rec center, public safety complex, middle school) set for Sept 26 at NK High School; second forum Oct 12 at Town Hall.
  • Wilson Park splash pad closed for season; improvements planned.
  • Blood drive collected 24 donations (up to 72 lives saved).
  • Fire Department coordinating with US Coast Guard on shipboard firefighting training for car carrier ships at Port of Davisville.
  • RIDOT will build Wickford roundabout with raised traffic islands instead of stamped concrete; final design upcoming.
  • Moody’s issued A2 rating (positive report); Town Manager noted second-highest rating from S&P.
  • Submitted $460,000 in road work requests under new RI state grant program; goal up to $2 million through FY2025.
  • Update on Eve Clulow annex: July 2023 deadline extended; discussion planned for December/January.

Appointments

  • Audit Committee: No applicant; re-advertised.
  • Conservation Commission: Mary Kelly reappointed (unexpired term to Oct 1, 2026).
  • Economic Development Advisory Board: No applicant; re-advertised.
  • Information Technology Advisory Committee: Jason Covitz appointed as Alternate Expert Member (to March 1, 2024) – only applicant.
  • Library Board of Trustees: Thomas Sgouros and Varuna Abeywardane reappointed (to Oct 1, 2026).
  • Personnel Board: Ellen Balasco appointed (to March 1, 2024) to fill Lawrence Mandel’s unexpired term.
  • Sewer Appeals Board: Peter Healey, Dianne Izzo, Randy Wietman reappointed as members; Ahren Cohen and Patricia Siegmund reappointed as alternates (all to Oct 1, 2026).
  • Veterans Day & Memorial Day Parades Committee: No applicants; re-advertised.
  • Wickford Advisory Committee: Suzanne Mancini reappointed as business owner; remaining positions re-advertised.

Other Business

  • Item 31 – Quonset Development Corporation Board: Council President Mancini nominated Lawrence Mandel to fill the unexpired term of Eric Wishart. Motion passed 4-0 (Mandel recused).
  • Correspondence (Item 32): Various letters received (listed by Councilman McCoy) including support for North Kingstown Animal Shelter Support Foundation and a proposed banned book week resolution.

Executive Session

  • Council entered executive session under RIGL 42-46-5(a)(1) for personnel (Six Month Update - Town Manager Evaluation of March 2023). No votes taken other than to seal the minutes. Meeting adjourned after reconvening.

Key Outcomes

  • Public Hearings: Approved Comprehensive Plan and zoning changes for Frenchtown Investors (LI) and 3760 Quaker Lane (Commercial), the latter with a conservation easement condition.
  • Old Town Meeting House: Council expressed support for HistWick’s fundraising plan, agreed to reaffirm previous $130,000 town commitment, and directed staff to assist with grant applications.
  • Consent Agenda: Items 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 20 approved; separate votes passed on donations, grant applications, and accepting resignations.
  • Appointments: Eight appointments made to various boards; four positions re-advertised.
  • QDC Board: Lawrence Mandel appointed to fill vacancy.
  • Town Manager Report: No formal action; updates noted.

Meeting Transcript

Okay, I started the video. We didn't do times. I don't know that I want it. 925 for the end of executive. It's seven o'clock. Thank you. Welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Uh pursuant to rile in general laws forty-two-46-6C. Notice of this meeting has been posted on the Secretary of State's website. I ask everyone to join me with a salute to the flag. Thank you. Pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. Good evening, everybody. Ton we have uh four public hearings. And uh with I would ask the council uh if they would consider merging um those four hearings into two hearings only because the subject matter on two of them uh is exactly the same. Uh so I would entertain a motion to open up a public hearing for the second reading of an amendment to the comprehensive plan and also an amendment to section 21-30 uh sorry 362. Um for uh a public hearing. So moved. Second. Well, those in favor say aye. Aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Uh Madam Clerk, has anyone signed up for this public hearing? No. Okay. Thank you. Uh staff, do you want to or we all set up, Nicole? Make any comments. Good evening, Nicole Lafuntain from the planning department. Um, I think the only important thing I want to stress for both of these, so you've got two for two different properties. Um, is that the there is a a reason for the way they are set up on your agenda. Um the applicants are requesting comprehensive plan changes and zoning amendments. That's because their current requests for zoning amendments don't conform with the existing comprehensive plan. So you would have to amend that first for the zoning to be consistent with the comprehensive plan. Um the staff reports I think outline the the Plenty Commission's positive recommendations for both of the properties. Um I think it's important to know the difference between what you're doing for the comprehensive plan and what you're doing for the zoning ordinance. For the comprehensive plan, you are uh looking at amendments to the future land use map. And that's an overall vision for the area. So while there are um the easiest way to explain it is in a zoning map you have like neighborhood business, general business, you have multiple different things and they're very specific as to the uses and what goes under in your future land use map, they're broader. So you have a commercial area, you have industrial. That's that's a a bigger picture vision, and then those those the zones go into that. Um so you need to make that decision on these items before you make the decision on the zoning. Another question that has been posed to us multiple times is both of these properties are within the the groundwater overlay. Um this does not affect that. Nothing you're doing tonight affects that. The an overlay is just that. It's an added layer of regulation over the the zoning, the base zoning, and that would still be in play. No matter what what is proposed on these properties, they'd have to meet the zoning of that that zoning category, but they'd also have to meet the requirements of the zoning of the the groundwater overlay.

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