North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - March 25, 2024: Police Chief Appointment, Licenses, and Budget
North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - March 25, 2024
The Town Council met on March 25, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included the unanimous approval of the new police chief, public comments, consent agenda items, a public hearing, reports from the town manager and finance director, and several new business items.
Consent Calendar
- Items 6–31 (routine): Approved unanimously, except for items 15, 28, and 29 which were removed for separate discussion.
- Item 15 (Police Department Vehicles): Approved after discussion. Council member Larry Mandel asked about hybrid/electric options. Chief John Urban explained that hybrids are not currently feasible due to cost, availability, and infrastructure. The four 2024 Dodge Durango SUVs ($164,138) and upfitting ($70,190) were funded by ARPA.
- Items 28 & 29 (Buttercup the Flower Truck – Peddler & Victualling Licenses): Approved. The applicant, Lauren Scowcroft, will operate a mobile flower truck from 4 Brown Street, limited to 2–3 hours on weekends, seasonal. Concerns about parking in Wickford were addressed.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Jennifer Lima (President of Towards an Anti-Racist North Kingstown, TANK): Expressed support for two events on the consent agenda: the We Are All Readers Book Festival (April 6) and the North Kingstown Pride Parade & Celebration (June 2). Described both as family-friendly, inclusive community events.
- Kathleen Garino: Spoke about Martin Luther King's 1967 'Beyond Vietnam' speech, drawing parallels to current conflicts. Distributed copies of the speech to the council and urged the community to study it.
- Kathleen Kilklein: Opposed the appointment of the new police chief, citing the 2009 incident involving her son, Mark Kilklein, who was fatally injured by Officer John Urban (then a school resource officer). She alleged an affair with a student and claimed the officer was unfit. She stated she had left town due to harassment.
- Tara Urban (wife of John Urban): Responded to Kilklein's allegations, calling them untruthful. She expressed sympathy for Kilklein's loss but defended her husband's character, noting he had served the country and grown from past mistakes.
- Eli Mulligan (Administrative Captain, North Kingstown Police): Also defended Urban, stating the incident was thoroughly investigated by the Attorney General's office and Rhode Island State Police, and Urban was cleared. He expressed sympathy for Kilklein's loss.
Discussion Items
- Police Chief Appointment (Item 4): Town Manager Ralph Mollis presented John J. Urban Jr. as his appointment for police chief. After public comments, the council voted unanimously to consent. Council members expressed full confidence in Urban, citing his 22 years of service, training, and respect within the department. Some noted the 2009 incident had been investigated and Urban vindicated. A motion to reconsider was not supported.
- Public Hearing (Item 32): New Class B Full Alcoholic Beverage License and Entertainment License for Overabarrel LLC, dba Barrique Wine Bar at 7610 Post Road. No public comment. Hearing opened and closed; licenses approved unanimously.
- Town Manager Report (Item 33): Ralph Mollis reported:
- Denied Revolution Wind's request to work overnight (6 PM–7 AM) due to town ordinance; will meet again Thursday.
- Public safety complex bond: aiming for November ballot; plan to present at April 29 council meeting.
- Streetscape/municipal lot parking project out to bid; award expected April 29.
- RIPTA delayed service changes to June 15 after community concern.
- School department will provide read-only access to their ledger; expected next week.
- School building subcommittee meeting April 1; need recommendation before April 29 for bond question.
- Gymnasium billing: Town provided list of services valued over $74,000 (excluding $144,000 for SRO) to offset school's bill for rec use.
- Tax exemption review: May reduce ownership requirement for senior exemption from 15 years via ordinance.
- Federal funding: $1 million received for indoor recreation center/emergency shelter.
- Finance Director Report (Item 34): Deborah Keyes presented February financials. Revenues are tracking well; interest income at 5.5%. Projected surplus of $953,000. Key variances: Flex Technology PILOT renegotiation (+$60,600), housing aid reimbursement ($689,000 not budgeted), reduction of $300,000 from Wickford Elk sale (delayed). Overtime in public safety under review.
- New Business – Grant Application (Item 35): Authorized applying for a 2025 Congressionally Directed Spending Grant for broadband and security cameras in recreational areas. Amount increased to $600,000. No match required. Will address vandalism and provide public Wi-Fi in some parks. Approved.
- Class C Liquor License Increase (Item 36): Buttercup the Flower Truck requested increase from 2 to 3 licenses. Public hearing set for May 20. Approved.
- Supplemental Appropriation (Item 37): $336,922 in additional state aid for schools will be placed in a reserve fund for future school appropriations, reducing town appropriation by the same amount. Approved.
- Appointments:
- Arts Council: Christopher Teague appointed to March 2025; other three seats re-advertised.
- Economic Development Advisory Board: No applicants; re-advertised.
- Information Technology Advisory Committee: Reappointed Jeffrey Wilhelm, appointed Owen Buckley as expert members, and Jason Covitz as alternate expert member, all to March 2027.
- Veterans Day & Memorial Day Parades Committee: Alfred Boucher appointed to March 2026.
Key Outcomes
- Police Chief Appointment: Confirmed John J. Urban Jr. as police chief by unanimous vote (5-0). No reconsideration.
- Consent Agenda: Approved 18 routine items; items 15, 28, 29 approved separately.
- Public Hearing: Barrique Wine Bar licenses approved.
- Grants and Funding: Approved application for $600,000 federal grant for broadband/cameras; approved supplemental school appropriation of $336,922 into reserve.
- Licenses: Buttercup the Flower Truck peddler, victualling, and Class C increase approved (public hearing scheduled).
- Next Steps: Town manager to report on Revolution Wind meeting; public safety complex bond language to be presented April 29; school bond timeline requires committee action by April 1 and council action by April 29.
Meeting Transcript
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