North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - October 16, 2023

The Town Council met on Monday, October 16, 2023, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings on license renewals, an animal ordinance amendment, golf course fees, and short-term rental registration; public comments on school bonds, beach access, and a Columbus Day controversy; consent agenda approvals with some items deferred; a town manager report; and new business including aquaculture expansions and schedule changes. Key votes included approval of short-term rental registration (unanimous), community choice energy aggregation consultant (4-1), and continuation of two CRMC applications (3-2).

Consent Calendar

• Items 10–13 and 18–20 approved without discussion: minutes, tax abatement list, donations, MOU with animal shelter foundation, entertainment license renewals, class F liquor license for Davisville Library, and bond reduction for Reynolds Farm.
• Item 14 (Municipal Road & Bridge Program) removed from consent, discussed, and approved after explanation by the Town Manager.
• Item 15 (ALPR Systems – Flock Group, Inc.) removed from consent and continued to the next meeting at Councilor McCoy's request for more information on other towns' practices.
• Item 16 (Fire Hydrant Replacement Project – Atlantic Control Systems) tabled (no vote) after Councilor Mandel requested it be tabled.
• Item 17 (Community Choice Energy Aggregation Consulting Services – Good Energy LP) removed from consent, discussed extensively, and approved 4-1 (Councilor Mandel dissenting). Multiple councilors cited potential savings and the opt-out nature of the program.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road) asked about school bond reimbursements from RIDE and whether demolition of Davisville Middle School would jeopardize state aid. Town Manager explained that state aid offsets bond costs similarly to a monthly rebate, and that RIDE conversations indicate no penalty for demolition.
• Richard Welch (8 Arrow Lane) opposed the $222 million school bond, arguing that Wickford Middle School is structurally sound and that the town has spent $7 million on upgrades at Davisville. He claimed the proposed 900-student capacity does not match the $130 million cost and that transportation from the south end would take over an hour. Council President Mancini noted a previous bond to renovate Wickford failed around 2012.
• Cindy Warren (17 Bay Street) requested an agenda item to revise the dog ban on town beaches, proposing off-season access with leash requirements. She stated the Leisure Services Committee has already agreed to a plan. Town Manager agreed to discuss with her.
• Jennifer Lima (Hickory Drive East, co-president of TANK – Towards an Anti-Racist North Kingstown) criticized the Parades Committee for placing Columbus Day flags, calling it offensive and outside the committee's charter. She requested the committee's flagging dates be made public, and that the town engage with Tomaquag Museum for Indigenous Peoples' Day next year. Councilor Katie Anderson made a statement acknowledging both Italian American contributions and indigenous suffering, and expressed hope for a better way forward.
• Art Hamilton (retired, riparian owner on C.B. Ave) spoke in favor of the two aquaculture expansion applications, citing water quality improvements. He noted the mooring field in the area provides no benefit to the town.
• George Brennan (70 Boone St) thanked town departments for sidewalk grinding and stump removal in Wickford, highlighting improved aesthetics and safety.

Discussion Items

• Item 4 – Alcoholic Beverage & Other License Renewals: Opened, no speakers, closed, and approved unanimously.
• Item 5 – Press LLC Class B-Full Liquor License: Opened, no speakers, closed, and approved unanimously.
• Item 6 – Second Reading – Animal Ordinance Amendment (Impoundment Fees, Prohibited Areas): Opened; three speakers (Melissa Marzelik, founder of Shelter to Sofa; Kathleen Garino, resident; Angela Yingling, volunteer) supported the foundation taking over shelter operations. Maria Cardi (founding member) provided background. Council members asked about finances, oversight, and a half-time ACO vacancy. Town Manager stated intention to fill the vacancy and that police oversight would continue. Ordinance approved unanimously.
• Item 7 – Second Reading – Golf Course Fee Schedule: Opened, no speakers. Council President Mancini proposed increasing resident discounts (from $7 to $10 for 18 holes, from $4 to $5 for other categories). Approved as amended.
• Item 8 – Second Reading – Short-Term Rental Registration Ordinance: Opened; three speakers expressed concerns: Curtis Fisher asked for justification; Arthur Hamilton noted the registry duplicates state requirements, raised fire and septic safety, and objected to the homestead exemption penalty without notice to owners; Lori Clark urged delay, noting she rents a room in her primary residence and the proposal could penalize owners like her. Town Manager and Planning Director Nicole LaFontaine explained the ordinance merely establishes a registry ($100 fee) to track rentals, consistent with a low-key approach recommended by state peers. They defended the homestead exemption change (previously passed separately) as appropriate for a business use. Council clarified the registry vote did not re-open the homestead issue. Ordinance approved unanimously.
• Item 22 & 23 – CRMC Applications for Aquaculture Expansions (Saltbox Sea Farm, 3.8 acres; Graham Watson, 1.72 acres): Discussed. Councilor Mandel expressed concerns from constituents about waterway obstruction and shoreline access. Councilor McCoy noted these are well-marked and Harbor Management Commission gave positive recommendations. Councilor Page asked about visibility for boaters. Motion to continue to October 30 failed via a 3-2 vote (Council President Mancini, Councilors McCoy and Page in favor; Councilors Anderson and Mandel opposed). The applications were then approved 3-2.
• Item 24 – Amendment to 2023 Council Meeting Schedule: Approved unanimously (change Nov 13 to Nov 20, Dec 4 to Dec 11, cancel Dec 18).
• Item 25 – Adoption of 2024 Council Meeting Schedule: Continued to next meeting due to unresolved conflicts.
• Item 26 – Adoption of Budget Policies and Procedures FY 24/25: Approved unanimously, with minor changes noted.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearings closed and ordinances approved on animal impoundment fees, golf course fees, and short-term rental registration.
• Short-term rental registry adopted (unanimous); the ordinance only requires registration, not inspections or bans. The separate homestead exemption disqualification remains in effect.
• Community Choice Energy Aggregation consulting contract awarded to Good Energy LP (4-1). Next steps include developing an aggregation plan, PUC approval, bidding, and council approval before any opt-out program for residents.
• Two CRMC aquaculture expansion applications approved 3-2 after a motion to continue failed. Residents concerned about navigational impacts were noted.
• Items 15 (ALPR systems) continued to next meeting; Item 16 (hydrant replacement) tabled; Item 25 (2024 schedule) continued.
• Town Manager authorized to issue a proclamation for National Veterans Small Business Week (October 30–November 3) and to send a letter of support.
• Council directed Town Manager to place a list of veteran-owned businesses on social media.
• Public comment on Columbus Day resulted in Councilor Anderson's statement acknowledging both Italian American and indigenous perspectives, and commitment to explore alternative observances.