OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - November 20, 2023

Town Council — Monday, November 20, 2023
BodyNorth Kingstown, Rhode Island
SessionTown Council
DateMonday, November 20, 2023
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 2:32:01

Transcript — Verbatim
0:08

Good evening.

0:11

Like to call this meeting to order.

0:14

For Monday, November 20th, 2023.

0:17

Welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown.

0:22

We have four councils here.

0:23

One counselor had a work-related emergency, and she will join us when that is resolved.

0:31

She's actually in the building also.

0:32

I'm sure many of you saw her.

0:34

Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws, 42-46-6C.

0:39

Notice of this meeting has been posted in the Secretary Secretary of State's website and ask you that everyone to stand up and join me with a salute to the flag.

0:48

Thank you.

1:08

So we have a number of people signed up tonight.

1:13

And so welcome.

1:22

We have a little timer here.

1:27

Yellow means you're you're nearing your end, and red means just please wrap it up.

1:32

So if you so before I go to the public, I do want to make a couple comments.

1:50

When did that what was the date of the Halloween?

1:54

So congratulations to Haley and Kyle.

1:59

And welcome the little baby daughter to our community.

2:13

And so this sports season for the fall just ended on Sunday, and I do want to make a couple of recognition, and I hope you can bear with me.

2:50

So I think that they should be commended, and I've told the superintendent that.

5:00

And I know that uh he'll be honored at a luncheon.

5:03

And Madam Clerk will do a citation for him, correct?

5:06

Thank you.

5:07

So let's go to uh the people signed up.

5:13

Public comment.

5:14

And the first person is Mia Thompson.

5:23

Hello.

5:24

Uh my name is Mia Thompson.

5:26

I am an art educator at the North Kingstown High School.

5:29

Thank you so much for having me this evening.

5:31

I'm here today because I am concerned about the verbiage I have heard that the Wickford Art Association, a nonprofit organization, also known as the WAA is being pressured to move the location of its self-funded event, the Wickford Art Festival, an event they pay for and receive grants for to appease for profit businesses.

5:50

It has been suggested that if the Wickford Art Festival does not return to its former location in town at the alliance of the WAA with local business communities would be severed.

6:01

I would hope that we all know this could not be further from the truth.

6:06

I think it is important for all of us to understand the intention of the festival first and foremost is to promote the arts and the artistic community to pay for the event itself and to leverage the income generated to fund scholarships for public school students of the arts.

6:22

In addition to scholarship opportunities, students are given space to display their work in art galleries.

6:28

This brings in families and dig dignitaries from all over the state and has put Wickford on the map for many out-of-town residents.

6:35

The WAA also uses festival funds to organize and endorse programs within North Kingstown School Department at all levels.

6:42

They provide artists and residents, professional learning opportunities for teachers, and gallery openings for students to celebrate National Youth Art Month.

6:51

The WAA provides all of the outreach and PR for these events and in some cases helping to promote NK art programs to the Rhode Island Department of Education.

7:02

This is amazing.

7:04

And I do not know of any other nonprofit in the state that is currently working so hard to promote quality art education programs for students, teachers, and departments alike.

7:14

The WAA is a powerful community member, without whom some of these programs would not be possible.

7:21

It is imperative that the WAA maintain a robust outcome during the festival in order to maintain these programs and help support our students.

7:30

We all have close ties to these merchants in Wickford Village, and your concerns about revenue on the whole are justified.

7:37

However, for two days only, the decision to move the festival to the field is not only a decision based on safety, traffic, etc., but also with more space, more income potential exists for the WAA to expand its programs, foster growth and development of community programs, and a more permanent art support system among our schools.

7:57

So I would strongly encourage those of you whom are requesting the WAA move back to town to please avoid the verbiage of the WAA not wanting to be a viable community member because they are choosing community outreach over the expansion uh community outreach and the expansion of community programs over businesses.

8:16

I would encourage our community members and the town council to come together without favoritism or prejudice and support our students, our schools, and quality art education programs through the WAA for many years to come.

8:28

Thank you.

8:41

So thank you for allowing me to speak.

8:44

I begin by reading two mission statements that I find relevant to our discussion tonight.

8:50

First, the purpose of the association shall be to educate, encourage, and inspire this membership, the local arts community, and the general public, and to promote fine arts in the community.

9:03

Second mission statement.

9:04

We envision a community where no one goes hungry.

9:08

Both of these mission statements are from two local nonprofit organizations that I have been involved with for many years.

9:15

Both organizations devote their time and money by providing essential needs, educational opportunities, volunteer opportunities, and community involvement.

9:24

Community involvement is what makes North Kingston stand out as a great place to live.

9:30

It what allows nonprofit organizations to sustain their mission.

9:34

Nonprofit organizations are small businesses.

9:38

They depend on community support and good business practice.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement████████████12%
Procedural███████████11%
Arts And Culture███████████11%
Public Safety███████████11%
Conservation████████8%
Education Funding███████7%
Public Comment██████6%
Personnel Matters██████6%
Budget Equity Analysis█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - November 20, 2023

The Town Council met on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered consent agenda items, a public hearing on license renewals, reports from the town manager, and extensive discussion on the Wickford Art Festival location, consolidation of the Groundwater Committee and Conservation Commission, and next steps for the failed bond projects. Multiple appointments to boards and commissions were also approved.

Consent Calendar

  • Items 5 through 20 were approved except items 13 and 14, which were removed for discussion.
  • Item 13 (Award of Bid - Fire Hydrant Replacement - Key Corporation, $89,000): Approved after explanation that only one bid was received due to re-bid circumstances and contractor licensing was verified.
  • Item 14 (Sole Source Purchase - Ford 550 Dump Truck - Tasca Ford, $84,070.80): Approved after explanation that the purchase utilized a State of Rhode Island Master Purchase Agreement, resulting in savings of approximately $30,000; the vehicle replaces a 12-year-old truck.
  • Items 5-12 and 15-20 were approved by one motion.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mia Thompson (art educator at NK High School): Expressed concern about pressure on the Wickford Art Association to move the festival back to the village; highlighted WAA's scholarships, student programs, and community outreach; urged support for the Wilson Park location.
  • Guy Cassidy (Wickford resident, WAA board member): Supported the park location citing safety, accessibility, and increased attendance; noted that merchants' concerns about loss of revenue are addressed by the festival bringing people to town.
  • Richard Welch (8 Arrow Lane): Thanked police for quick response to a business harassment issue; requested a public meeting solely to discuss the bond vote results and future steps.
  • Bill Panoyer (Parades Committee): Thanked community for Veterans Day Parade; encouraged residents to submit Pearl Harbor remembrances for a December 7 ceremony.
  • Kathleen Garino (139 Summit View Lane): Strongly objected to dissolving the Groundwater Committee; stated that staff did not engage committee members as directed by the Council on July 17; asked for a combined meeting with stakeholders and sharing of staff memo before any decision.
  • Jan McAleer (830 Tenrod Road, Conservation Commission member): Advocated retaining a dedicated Groundwater Committee due to the complexity of groundwater issues; noted that state law caps Conservation Commission at seven members, making a merged subcommittee challenging.
  • Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road): Commented on bond referendums; favored a more business-like approach and public input; supported schools, police, and fire but criticized the process.
  • Judy Salvador (Gilbert Stewart Road, former festival director): Emphasized safety hazards of the street festival (e.g., 2015 artist booth hit by truck, fire truck access issues); argued the park location is safer and more accessible; noted the festival has been ranked as high as #7 in the nation; urged permit approval for Wilson Park.
  • Kate Brown (22 Sharling Court, lifelong resident and artist): Supported the park location based on positive feedback from patrons; noted easier access for strollers and wheelchairs, more space, and ability to combine festival with downtown shopping; opposed return to village streets.
  • Lee Demazwick (334 School Street): Stressed importance of financial responsibility, community engagement, and transparency in future bond proposals; supported investment in schools and public safety.
  • Kara Martone (73 Woodridge Drive): Questioned the $130 million middle school design as excessive; advocated for scaling back and fiscal conservatism; suggested the high cost may have contributed to the bond failure.
  • A letter from Jerry Leonard (235 Essex Road) was read, thanking Engine 3 and Rescue 3 for saving his wife's life on October 10; the Council will schedule an official recognition.

Reports

  • Town Manager Ralph Mollis provided an extensive report including:
    • Revolution Wind offshore wind project updates: excavation continues, biweekly meetings, good public outreach.
    • RIDOT items: traffic signal at Hamilton Elementary activated (timing concerns), Route 4 signal timing follow-up meeting Nov 27, crosswalk at Boston Neck Road approved for 2025, town seeking to expedite.
    • Cyber attack claim: $623,585 in expenses submitted; $47,500 received from RI Interlocal Trust and $94,970 from insurance; remainder being pursued.
    • PFOS class action lawsuit: expected settlement may cover entire cost of Well 6; ratification by Council required.
    • Multi-purpose community facility grant withdrawn due to bond failure; federal appropriation requests remain.
    • New Engine 5 in service; new rescue ordered (delayed due to supply chain).
    • Tide gauge installed in Wickford Harbor; next step: educational signage.
    • Recreation department winter events: Polar Plunge Jan 1, babysitter training, wellness camp, video game workshop.
    • Park improvements recognized: Ryan Park, Lissio, Fuhrer, McGinn, Wilson Park, town beach.
    • Attended legislative commission on short-term rentals; emphasized local control.
    • Elm Grove Cemetery improvements underway.
    • Next School Building Subcommittee meeting Nov 27 at 6:30 PM.
    • Food pantry saw 36% increase in families; Christmas dinner deadline Dec 1.
    • Senior Center holiday program assisting 75 families (160+ children).
    • Pearl Harbor Remembrance Ceremony Dec 7 at 1 PM.
    • Wickford Holiday Celebration/Festival of Lights: Tree lighting Nov 30 at 6 PM at Updike Park.

Discussion Items

  • Item 23 - Wickford Art Festival Exhibition License (July 13-14, 2024): Council members expressed varied views. Mandel stated he could not support the park location but would not oppose; Page, McCoy, and Anderson supported the festival's choice of location, citing tradition of approving exhibition licenses and need for community cooperation. A motion to approve passed 3-0 with Mandel abstaining and Mancini abstaining.
  • Item 24 - Consolidation of Groundwater Committee and Conservation Commission: Town Manager Mollis explained that staff, with consultant Aaron Cohen, developed a plan to dissolve the Groundwater Committee and create a subcommittee under the Conservation Commission to improve efficiency and focus on education. Kathleen Garino and Jan McAleer opposed the dissolution. Council discussed the need for transparency and engaging current members. Consensus was to move forward with a first reading on December 11, requiring members to reapply. No formal vote taken.
  • Item 25 - Next Steps on Bond Projects: Council President Mancini recused himself due to prior advocacy. Council members discussed extending the state reimbursement deadline (55%) from June 30, 2024 to December 31, 2024. A motion to request enabling legislation from the state passed unanimously. Further discussion included delinking school and public safety bonds, prioritizing public safety, assessing renovation feasibility of Wickford Middle School (estimated $50,000 study), and need for broader community input. No additional action taken; item to be continued.

New Business

  • Item 26 - CRMC Dredging at Allen Harbor: Motion to approve recommendation (support from Conservation and Harbor Management committees) passed unanimously.
  • Item 27 - Alcoholic Beverage License Limits 2023-2024: Approved as presented (reduction of one B full license).
  • Item 28 - Amendment to Debt Policy: Minor modification to debt service limits (10% threshold) adopted unanimously.
  • Item 29 - Fund Balance Policy Reaffirmed: Unanimously adopted; policy maintains 8-15% unassigned fund balance to support AAA credit rating and rainy day fund.
  • Item 30 - Modify Process to Sell Town Properties: Council approved retaining a real estate broker for 71 Summit View Lane and Devil’s Foot Road; motion passed.
  • Items 31-40 - Appointments:
    • Item 31 (Assessment Board of Review): To be re-advertised.
    • Item 32 (Audit Committee): Sarilee Norton appointed as At-Large Representative for term to March 1, 2027; School Committee representative position still open.
    • Item 33 (Economic Development Advisory Board): Kerry Lenoir and Palmer Beebe reappointed as members; Betsy moved from first alternate to full member; Kenneth Spicer moved from second to first alternate; second alternate position to be advertised.
    • Item 34 (Historic District Commission): Wayne Trissler, Stephen Borowick reappointed as members; David Kaloupek reappointed as first alternate; Donald Nixon not appointed due to no vacancy.
    • Item 35 (Information Technology Advisory Committee): To be re-advertised.
    • Item 36 (Planning Commission): Richard Lipsitz appointed to fill unexpired term of Eric Wishart; seven candidates considered; Lipsitz selected for his prior experience.
    • Item 37 (Veterans Day and Memorial Day Parades Committee): Brian Votolato appointed to fill unexpired term of Randy Wietman.
    • Item 38 (Wickford Advisory Committee): Donald Nixon appointed as business owner; Robert Zimmer appointed as resident.
    • Item 39 (Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee): Palmer Beebe appointed.
    • Item 40 (QDC Board of Directors): Councilman Matthew McCoy reappointed (he abstained from the vote).

Key Outcomes

  • The Wickford Art Festival exhibition license for July 13-14, 2024 at Wilson Park was approved 3-0 (two abstentions).
  • A request to the state legislature for an extension of the bond reimbursement deadline to December 31, 2024 was approved unanimously.
  • The consolidation of the Groundwater Committee and Conservation Commission will proceed to a first reading on December 11, 2023.
  • The fund balance policy and debt policy amendments were reaffirmed/adopted.
  • Multiple board and commission appointments were made; Assessment Board of Review and IT Advisory Committee to be re-advertised.
  • The town manager will continue to pursue PFOS settlement and present a plan for remaining OPARA funds after the first of the year.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening. Like to call this meeting to order. For Monday, November 20th, 2023. Welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown. We have four councils here. One counselor had a work-related emergency, and she will join us when that is resolved. She's actually in the building also. I'm sure many of you saw her. Pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws, 42-46-6C. Notice of this meeting has been posted in the Secretary Secretary of State's website and ask you that everyone to stand up and join me with a salute to the flag. Thank you. So we have a number of people signed up tonight. And so welcome. We have a little timer here. Yellow means you're you're nearing your end, and red means just please wrap it up. So if you so before I go to the public, I do want to make a couple comments. When did that what was the date of the Halloween? So congratulations to Haley and Kyle. And welcome the little baby daughter to our community. And so this sports season for the fall just ended on Sunday, and I do want to make a couple of recognition, and I hope you can bear with me. So I think that they should be commended, and I've told the superintendent that. And I know that uh he'll be honored at a luncheon. And Madam Clerk will do a citation for him, correct? Thank you. So let's go to uh the people signed up. Public comment. And the first person is Mia Thompson. Hello. Uh my name is Mia Thompson. I am an art educator at the North Kingstown High School. Thank you so much for having me this evening. I'm here today because I am concerned about the verbiage I have heard that the Wickford Art Association, a nonprofit organization, also known as the WAA is being pressured to move the location of its self-funded event, the Wickford Art Festival, an event they pay for and receive grants for to appease for profit businesses. It has been suggested that if the Wickford Art Festival does not return to its former location in town at the alliance of the WAA with local business communities would be severed. I would hope that we all know this could not be further from the truth. I think it is important for all of us to understand the intention of the festival first and foremost is to promote the arts and the artistic community to pay for the event itself and to leverage the income generated to fund scholarships for public school students of the arts. In addition to scholarship opportunities, students are given space to display their work in art galleries. This brings in families and dig dignitaries from all over the state and has put Wickford on the map for many out-of-town residents. The WAA also uses festival funds to organize and endorse programs within North Kingstown School Department at all levels. They provide artists and residents, professional learning opportunities for teachers, and gallery openings for students to celebrate National Youth Art Month. The WAA provides all of the outreach and PR for these events and in some cases helping to promote NK art programs to the Rhode Island Department of Education. This is amazing. And I do not know of any other nonprofit in the state that is currently working so hard to promote quality art education programs for students, teachers, and departments alike. The WAA is a powerful community member, without whom some of these programs would not be possible. It is imperative that the WAA maintain a robust outcome during the festival in order to maintain these programs and help support our students. We all have close ties to these merchants in Wickford Village, and your concerns about revenue on the whole are justified. However, for two days only, the decision to move the festival to the field is not only a decision based on safety, traffic, etc., but also with more space, more income potential exists for the WAA to expand its programs, foster growth and development of community programs, and a more permanent art support system among our schools. So I would strongly encourage those of you whom are requesting the WAA move back to town to please avoid the verbiage of the WAA not wanting to be a viable community member because they are choosing community outreach over the expansion uh community outreach and the expansion of community programs over businesses. I would encourage our community members and the town council to come together without favoritism or prejudice and support our students, our schools, and quality art education programs through the WAA for many years to come. Thank you. So thank you for allowing me to speak.

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