North Kingstown Town Council Meeting: Legislative Delegation, Route 4, and School Committee Appointment (January 22, 2024)

The Town Council held a joint meeting with the School Committee and the North Kingstown Legislative Delegation to discuss state legislative priorities, followed by a presentation on proposed Route 4 traffic improvements, an update on the Old Town House fundraising effort, public comment, consent agenda approval, reports, and the appointment of a new School Committee member. The meeting lasted from 6:00 PM until adjournment.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8 through 19 were approved unanimously, including approval of minutes, tax abatements, donations, resignations, contract extensions, bid awards, a victualling license, and a fee schedule amendment. No items were pulled for discussion.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Marie Noble (Butternut Drive) asked how residents west of Route 4 would access Wickford under the proposed jug handle plan. It was explained that drivers would need to take right turns onto Route 4 and use the jug handles to reverse direction.
• Gene Watmo (Butternut Drive) expressed support for overpasses but welcomed any solution that reduces dangerous driver behavior.
• James Gentner (Phillips Street) raised concerns that the plan eliminates bicycle access across Route 4 and noted that bicycle sensors may not trigger jug handle lights.
• Richard Welch (Arrow Lane) supported Chief Cattell's safety concerns and advocated for adding right-turn lanes as a first phase, rather than jug handles.
• Don Jorhean (Orchard Woods Drive) questioned why no DOT representatives were present; the Council President explained that DOT is not attending town halls due to staffing constraints.
• Robert Marshawn (Evening Court) worried that jug handles would make Route 4 more dangerous for cyclists and questioned whether removing three signals but adding two would actually speed up traffic.
• Chester Kosak (West Allenton Road) predicted summer traffic backups from the jug handle light and supported adding a right-turn lane immediately.
• Andrew Marchus (Mockingbird Drive) argued that the jug handle plan is a terrible idea and urged the Council to pursue an overpass as a long-term solution.
• David Ruggieri (West Allenton Road) called for on-ramps and double left-turn lanes instead of jug handles, emphasizing delays for emergency vehicles.
• Beth Eustace (Beauchamp Drive) supported right-turn lanes and disputed DOT's claim that traffic light timing cannot be changed, citing a Saturday night when the light was inappropriately long.
• Josh Cleland (Orchard Woods Drive) thanked the Council for advocacy but found the jug handle proposal a non-starter after hearing public safety concerns; he urged more pressure on DOT.
• Gina Coakley (West Allenton Road) noted that a right-turn lane would be a big help and suggested eliminating the left-turn from Carriage Lane to reduce congestion.
• Andy Murphy (Pheasant Run) criticized the plan for requiring young drivers to merge into high-speed traffic and called the proposal worse than no solution.
• John King (Pine Crest Drive) described a tactic of delaying use of turn signals to bypass intimidated drivers and supported the right-turn lane concept.
• Tom Seguras (Boston Neck Road) spoke as a cyclist and advocated for a pedestrian/bicycle underpass to connect neighborhoods.
• Keith Boyd (Shore Acres Avenue) recommended installing roundabouts at all three intersections as a cheaper and safer alternative.
• Suzanne Pluskounus (Congden Hill Road) highlighted pedestrian safety concerns and suggested that URI traffic could be redirected via an overpass at Wolf Rox to reduce congestion.
• Dave Medeiros (Deerfield Court), a retired state trooper, warned that commercial trucks from Dry Bridge Road would struggle to merge safely with insufficient acceleration lanes.
• Kali Ashmer (West Allenton Road) requested a town council resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel/Palestine, citing rising death tolls in Gaza and stating that federal tax dollars are funding the conflict.
• Richard Welch (also earlier on Route 4) later during public comment urged the Council to push for the 403 bridge project and criticized the failed school bond election, suggesting the Council not repeat the same proposal.
• Kathleen Garino (Summit View Lane) spoke in support of the ceasefire resolution.
• Multiple residents spoke in support of Sarah Kelly Palmer for the School Committee appointment.

Discussion Items

• Legislative Priorities (Joint with School Committee & Delegation): The Council and School Committee discussed several state-level issues with Representatives Craven and Casimero and Senator Valverde.
  • School Construction Bonuses: The Council President stressed that extending the 20% state bonus for school construction (set to expire June 30, 2024) is the top priority, as North Kingstown stands to lose tens of millions after voters rejected the bond. Rep. Casimero reported that the House Speaker will not extend any incentives. Senator Valverde offered a more optimistic view, noting interest from other towns and potential for a narrow extension. Rep. Craven warned that the House budget lacks funds for extension.
  • Education Aid: Town Manager Mollis initially feared a decrease but later confirmed that the governor's proposed FY2025 budget includes over $1 million more in education aid for North Kingstown. He urged the delegation to protect that increase. Dr. Anderson (School Committee) noted the challenge of expiring ESSER funds and rising costs for student supports.
  • Affordable Housing: The Town Manager emphasized that North Kingstown already exceeds 10% affordable housing when including mobile homes, contrary to state narratives, and argued that new mandates should not be one-size-fits-all. Sen. Valverde and Rep. Craven indicated willingness to adjust legislation to credit the town's existing efforts.
  • Unfunded Mandates: The Town Manager cited PTSD legislation for firefighters as an example of an indirect unfunded mandate that could increase local costs for pensions, disability, and overtime. He asked the delegation to fully fund any such mandates. Dr. Anderson added that state-mandated professional development like the Right to Read program creates fiscal pressures on school budgets.
  • Municipal Infrastructure Grant Program: The Town Manager praised the previous state road program and requested continued funding. Sen. Valverde noted that a new $4.3 million housing infrastructure grant program just opened and that $5 million in previously unspent IAJ funds may be reallocated for broader municipal infrastructure.
  • Houseboat Legislation: The Harbor Management Commission's houseboat bill was discussed. Sen. Valverde reported that the bill has been revised with tighter definitions and that towns interested should pass resolutions in support. The council indicated support.
• Route 4 Traffic Improvements: The Town Manager and Planning Director Nicole LaFontaine presented DOT's proposal to replace three traffic signals (at Oak Hill, West Allenton, and Route 1/Tower Hill) with right-in/right-out intersections and two jug handles. The plan would cost ~$9 million (vs. $50–$100M for overpasses) and is projected to reduce crash severity by up to 30% and cut side-street wait times by about 50%. Fire Chief Scott Cattell detailed significant public safety concerns: patient transport to hospitals would be delayed (ambulances from the west could only head north then back south via jug handles); fire engine response to the west side of Route 4 would be delayed because second-due apparatus would have to use the jug handles; and the Opticom emergency vehicle preemption system may not work effectively at the new signals. Chief Cattell recommended phasing the project: first adding a third lane (right-turn lane) and adjusting traffic signal timing at Oak Hill and Route 1 before implementing jug handles. The legislative delegation echoed safety and secondary road concerns. Senator Valverde noted that residents on the west side would face significantly longer commutes. Representative Craven suggested that the right-turn lanes should be built immediately as a trial. The Council agreed to compile all comments and concerns to submit to DOT and to pursue a meeting to negotiate modifications. Public testimony overwhelmingly opposed the jug handle plan and called for either right-turn lanes, roundabouts, or overpasses.
• Historic Wickford – Old Town House Update: Mike Donohue and Rob Zimmer reported that, in less than three months, the community raised $73,000 in pledges from 129 households and $17,000 in in-kind donations, totaling $130,000. Combined with previous town funding, they have applied for a $250,000 matching grant from the National Park Service's Save America's Treasures program. They urged the Council to make the project a top congressional delegation priority to improve the odds of receiving the award. The Council acknowledged the request and stated they would place it on a future agenda for formal action.
• School Committee Appointment: The Council interviewed candidates to fill the unexpired term of Thomas Briody. Six candidates applied: Sarah Kelly Palmer, Lee Domaszowec, Megan Riley, James Halley, Deborah Lucasco, and Donna Lico (unable to attend). The Clerk reported letters of support: 38 for Sarah Kelly Palmer, 10–11 for Megan Riley, 1 for Donna Lico, 1 for Deborah Lucasco, none for the others. Council members expressed that they were spoiled for choice. Councilors Anderson and Page advocated for Sarah Kelly Palmer, citing her administrative experience in social services and her ability to handle complex budgets and regulations. Councilors Mandel, McCoy, and Mancini advocated for Deborah Lucasco, highlighting her seven years of elected school board experience in New Jersey, her healthcare background, and glowing references from former board members and a superintendent. After discussion, a motion was made and seconded to appoint Deborah Lucasco. The roll call vote resulted in her appointment (3 yes, 2 no). She was present and congratulated.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda approved unanimously (items 8–19).
• School Committee Appointment: Deborah Lucasco was appointed to serve until December 4, 2024, filling the unexpired term.
• Resolution Discharging Conservation Commission Members approved, directing the Town Clerk to advertise for new appointments. Members were thanked for their service and encouraged to reapply.
• Letter of Support for URI Ocean Engineering BRIC Grant approved, endorsing application for climate change/resiliency modeling.
• Request to Increase Class B Liquor Licenses (from 29 to 30 for Barrique Wine Bar) approved and forwarded for advertisement.
• The Council directed staff to compile all Route 4 comments and concerns for submission to DOT and to request a follow-up meeting to negotiate modifications, including immediate implementation of right-turn lanes and signal timing adjustments.