North Kingstown Town Council Regular Meeting - May 20, 2024

The Town Council met on Monday, May 20, 2024, at 6:45 PM for an executive session (litigation) followed by the regular open session at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a public hearing, several consent agenda items, reports, old and new business, including two CRMC dock applications, the public safety complex project, board/commission assessments, and multiple appointments. The council approved most items, denied two residential pier applications, and set further action for June and July.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7, 12–14, 17–24 were approved en bloc without discussion after four items were pulled by citizens or council members. These included routine donations, contract extensions, bid awards, licenses, and bond reductions.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Joe Texera (200 Delano Drive) urged the council to consider a smaller school bond (approximately $47–48 million) focused on deferred maintenance rather than the proposed $138 million bond, citing concerns about long-term maintenance and the impact on fixed-income retirees. He requested a dedicated annual maintenance fund.
• Kurt Fisher (104 Phillips Street) echoed support for a smaller bond and asked for explanations of agenda items 8, 9, 10, and 11 (avenues, the Wickford Waterfront project, and the navy mutual aid agreement).

Discussion Items

• Class C Alcoholic Beverage License (Public Hearing) – Buttercup The Flower Truck, LLC, 4 Brown Street. No public speakers signed up; the council opened, closed, and approved the license unanimously.
• CRMC Applications 2024-04-073 & 2024-04-075 (Items 29 & 30) – These applications sought to construct residential piers at 369 Earle Drive and 353 Earle Drive. The council moved these items before public comment. Council members expressed consensus to deny based on unanimous recommendations from the Harbor Management Commission and Conservation Commission citing safety, navigational, and environmental concerns, including proximity to swimming areas, narrow channels, and sensitive marsh habitat. A council member visited the properties. The council voted 4-0 to deny each application on substantive objection. The town clerk will send letters to CRMC; the objection deadline was May 18 (Item 29) and May 22 (Item 30). An abutter inquired about the CRMC hearing date; the council advised contacting CRMC directly.
• Item 8 – Mutual Aid Agreement with U.S. Navy – Fire Chief Scott Cottell explained the agreement formalizes mutual firefighting assistance with Naval Station Newport, especially for shipboard fires. The council approved.
• Item 9 – Avigation Easement Proceeds – Town Manager Ralph Mollis explained that Rhode Island Airport Corporation condemned an easement near the DPW facility for $268,000. The council approved placing those funds into a reserve for future capital/real estate acquisitions.
• Items 10 & 11 – Wickford Waterfront Improvements – These involved a $374,500 contract amendment with Beta Group for construction oversight and a $2,582,282.50 bid award to New England Building & Bridge Co. for the Wickford municipal parking lot improvements (flood mitigation, pedestrian access, repaving). The project is grant-funded (ARPA, grants) and will take approximately 12 months, beginning in the next few weeks. The council approved both.
• Item 15 – Fire Hydrant Replacement Bid – Awarded to Key Corporation for $85,000. Councilman Mandel expressed concern over a single bid, but staff explained the specialized nature and previous discussions. The bid was approved.
• Item 16 – Exhibition License for Wickford Maker’s Mart – Councilwoman Anderson pulled this item after receiving an email from the Wickford Art Association expressing concern about confusion with the Art Festival. Anderson and others supported the license, stating the council should remain neutral. The license was approved (Councilwoman Page recused herself).
• Town Manager Report (Item 25) – Detailed updates on: Revolution Wind onshore substation (pile driving, noise complaints); Wilson and McGinn courts restoration (opening early June, pickleball sound mitigation); splash pad opening May 23; water department rain barrel program (50 barrels, $75 discount at Wickford Lumber); RIDOT Route 4 proposal (follow-up meeting: jug handles, safety concerns, bike/highway issue); mini-roundabout in Wickford (spring 2025 start); school department read-only financial ledger access; federal earmarks (town meeting house, food pantry expansion) advanced by Congressman Magaziner; Protect Our Buildings grant for water leak sensors; beach passes on sale; community cleanup; Memorial Day parade; Haley Wicker’s completion of Municipal Leadership Academy.
• Wickford Advisory Committee Report (Item 26) – Pierce Nixon presented outcomes from a November 2023 forum with 11 community organizations. Key challenges: finding meeting space (zoning/occupancy limits), limited water access for events, and the long-term location of the Wickford Art Festival. Proposed solutions: planning department review of zoning, clarification of town water policies, and expanded resident engagement. Council praised the report and directed the town manager to explore zoning changes for spaces like St. Paul’s.
• Public Safety Complex Update (Item 27) – Fire Chief and Police Chief John Urban presented a revised two-site concept: a new police station (approx. 33,000 sq ft) in the industrial park (also housing fire administration and dispatch), and a new fire station rebuilt at the current 8166 Post Road location (approx. 18,000 sq ft). Combined square footage remains about 52,000 sq ft, same as the previous proposal. The chiefs emphasized that renovating the existing fire station is not viable due to structural issues. The council expressed support but stressed the need for a realistic cost estimate and clear bond language. Discussion included cost per square foot comparisons, options for separate bids, and contingency plans if bids exceed the bond amount. The council anticipates a formal first reading on June 24, with a public hearing on July 15, aiming for a November ballot question.
• Boards, Committees, and Commissions Assessment (Item 28) – Nicole presented a proposal for annual written or oral check‑in meetings with advisory boards/commissions, improved attendance tracking, and updates to the board handbook. Councilman Mandel advocated allowing all boards (including regulatory ones like planning, zoning) to voluntarily participate. Council member McCoy suggested the town manager periodically report on board activities. The consensus was to proceed with the outlined plan with openness to further refinements.
• Compensation Commission Report (Item 31) – Chair Tracy McKew reported that the commission reviewed stipends for town council and school committee, comparing with peer communities. North Kingstown is in the top three. No increase was recommended due to inflation and upcoming bond issues. The council received and filed the report.
• Item 32 – Food Pantry Expansion – Authorized the town manager to work with the food pantry on expansion at 445 School Street, including building permits and possible lease extension.
• Item 33 – Rhody Slice License Limit Increase – Approved from 11 to 12 (Class B-Limited).
• Item 34 – Caffe Milano License Limit Increase – Approved from 28 to 29 (Class B-Full).
• Appointments – Arts Council: Emily Bushman appointed to March 1, 2025 term (two additional seats to be re‑advertised). Building Code Board of Appeals and Economic Development Advisory Board alternates: to be re‑advertised. Library Board of Trustees: Stacey Weinstein appointed after Mike Donohue withdrew his application (to be kept on file). Veterans & Memorial Day Parades Committee: two seats to be re‑advertised. Zoning Board of Review alternate: Joseph Donohue appointed.
• Correspondence – Listed multiple letters regarding dock proposals, short-term rentals, school bond, Flock cameras, and other matters.

Key Outcomes

• Denied – CRMC applications for piers at 369 Earle Drive (2024-04-073) and 353 Earle Drive (2024-04-075) by unanimous vote (4-0) on substantive objection from Harbor Management and Conservation Commissions.
• Approved – All consent agenda items as specified; mutual aid agreement (Item 8); avigation easement fund (Item 9); Wickford Waterfront contracts (Items 10 & 11); fire hydrant bid (Item 15); Wickford Maker’s Mart exhibition license (Item 16); Rhody Slice and Caffe Milano license increases (Items 33 & 34); authorization for food pantry expansion (Item 32).
• Received and Filed – Compensation Commission report.
• Appointments – Emily Bushman (Arts Council), Stacey Weinstein (Library Board), Joseph Donohue (Zoning Board of Review alternate). Several seats to be re‑advertised.
• Next Steps – Town manager to work with food pantry and report back. Public safety complex: first reading on June 24, public hearing July 15, with cost estimates and renderings to be presented. Planning to review zoning and water access for Wickford community groups. Staff to report on board attendance and handbook updates. Correspondence items noted.
• Adjourned – The meeting adjourned after approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, following motion and vote.