North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – April 29, 2024

The North Kingstown Town Council convened on Monday, April 29, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured presentations from the North Kingstown Youth Commission, public comments on issues including short-term rentals and veteran tax exemptions, approval of the Fiscal Year 2024-2025 budget with no tax increase, and a resolution to request legislation for a school construction bond. The council also advanced a community electricity aggregation plan, accepted a land donation for a waterfront project, and approved multiple consent agenda items.

Consent Calendar

• Approved items 6 through 10, 12 through 27, 29, and 30 by a single motion (all in favor). Items included minutes of prior meetings, donations, sole source purchases, bid awards, resignations, license renewals, and bond reductions.
• Item 11 (bid award for a Water Department backhoe loader) was removed from consent and approved separately after discussion about the single bid received.
• Item 28 (victualling license for Caffe Milano) was tabled.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kurt Fisher (Phillips Street) thanked the council for improved signage near the playground at the old Wickford Elementary School, requested police enforcement of speed limits, and called for repaving of Phillips Street by the state.
• George Brennan (Boone Street) praised the 350th Anniversary Gala as a unifying community event.
• Maureen Mulvaney (Calypso Drive) described negative impacts from a short-term rental (Airbnb) called "Casa Calypso" next door, citing noise, parking overflow, and a change in neighborhood character. She urged the council to regulate Airbnbs, emphasizing fairness to homeowners, affordable housing seekers, and motel owners. Town staff noted the property is on a list of short-term rentals and that enforcement actions are pending.
• Deborah Burton (RI Elder Info) invited a council member to provide opening remarks at the 5th Annual Veterans Resource Fair (agenda item 24).
• David Ainsley (Lafayette Road) and Tom Riley (Chatworth Road) requested an increase in the military property tax exemption, noting North Kingstown’s current $12,500 exemption is below the state average of $19,000. They argued that higher exemptions would attract military retirees who contribute to the community.
• Multiple speakers during the school bond discussion expressed support for a single bond question (including George Brennan, Kathleen Gorino, and James Sheehan) or urged more detail and separate questions (Ricky Thompson, Holly Quinn, Brian O'Dell, Kurt Fisher, Megan Riley). Megan Riley stressed concerns about cost overruns and the lack of a concrete plan for capital improvement projects.

Discussion Items

• North Kingstown Youth Commission (Item 4): Students presented two proposals funded by the LEARN365RI grant: a hygiene drive ($5,000) providing personal care kits to students, and a "buddy bench" project ($10,000) to install benches at schools and parks to promote inclusion. Council commended the research and voted unanimously to approve the full $15,000.
• Consent Agenda – Item 11: Council discussed the single bid for the Water Department backhoe loader from Alta Equipment Co. for $153,000. Town Manager confirmed it was well-advertised; the council approved the bid award.
• Town Manager’s Report: Ralph Mollis reported on Revolution Wind offshore wind project updates, RIDOT meeting for Route 4, progress on a public safety complex bond question for November, Moody’s reaffirming AA2 rating, multiple climate resilience initiatives, ADA accessibility grants for the town beach, and the town ranking 4th safest in Rhode Island per SafeWise.com. He also noted the Yorktown Park grant was not selected but the project will proceed with other funds.
• Finance Director’s Report: Deb Bridgeham reported a projected surplus of approximately $1 million due to interest income and net metering credits, despite overtime increases in public safety. Tax collections were at 76.72% of the levy through March.
• Adoption of Fiscal Year 2024/2025 Budget (Item 33): The council approved a final budget of $135,929,351 with no tax increase. The town manager proposed a minor revision to increase the town appropriation to the school by $56,154 (offset by a new PILOT agreement), which was accepted. The budget includes the General Fund, Debt Service Fund, Water Fund, Sewer Fund, School Fund, and other enterprise and restricted funds.
• School Bond Resolution (Item 34): The School Committee presented a plan for a $137.2 million bond to construct a new Wickford Middle School (including net-zero energy features) and fund capital improvements across the district (roofs, HVAC, safety upgrades, etc.). The town manager presented debt service projections showing the impact could be offset by expiring debt. After extensive public comment and council discussion, the council voted 4-1 (McCoy opposed) to approve a resolution requesting the General Assembly to authorize a single bond question for $137,200,000 for school facilities, including a new Wickford Middle School and other capital improvements. Council President Mancini emphasized the bond would be a separate question from any public safety bond.
• Good Energy Presentation (Item 35): Good Energy presented a Community Electricity Aggregation Plan that would allow North Kingstown to select a default electricity supplier with competitive rates and renewable energy options. Council opened a public review period and scheduled a public hearing for June 24, 2024.
• Acceptance of Land Donation and Dock Purchase (Item 36): Ocean State Job Lot is donating a parcel of land adjacent to the municipal parking lot (appraised at $71,500) critical to the Wickford streetscape and seawall projects. The council also authorized the town manager to purchase "Ryan's Dock" for $60,000 to extend public dock access. Approved unanimously.
• Veterans Memorial Scholarships (Item 37): Approved without discussion.
• Caffe Milano License (Item 38): Tabled.
• American World War II Heritage City Application (Item 39): Approved submission of the application, which designates the town as a WWII Heritage City.
• Arts Council Appointment (Item 40): Lynn Fontaine was appointed to fill an unexpired term on the Arts Council.
• Correspondence (Item 41): Accepted as presented.

Key Outcomes

• Approved $15,000 from LEARN365RI grant for the Youth Commission’s hygiene drive and buddy bench projects.
• Adopted FY 2024-2025 budget of $135,929,351 with no tax increase.
• Voted 4-1 to request General Assembly legislation for a $137.2 million school bond referendum for a new Wickford Middle School and capital improvements, to appear on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
• Initiated public review of the Community Electricity Aggregation Plan with a public hearing set for June 24, 2024.
• Accepted donation of land and authorized purchase of a dock for the Wickford waterfront project.
• Approved submission of the American World War II Heritage City application.
• Tabled the Caffe Milano full alcohol license request.