North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - July 15, 2024

The Town Council met on Monday, July 15, 2024, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings, a presentation on a proposed $60 million public safety bond, public comments, consent agenda items, and reports. Councilor Katie Anderson was absent due to COVID.

Public Hearings

• Class B-Full Alcoholic Beverage License (new) – Tampella Restaurant Enterprise, dba Caffe Milano: Approved. The applicant expressed gratitude for town support.
• Class B-Limited Alcoholic Beverage License (new) – Kurmanji LLC, dba Rhody Slice: Approved. Welcome to North Kingstown.
• Items 6, 7, 8 (Second readings: Competitive Bidding, No Parking on Roosevelt Avenue, Public Safety Bond): Public hearings were postponed to August 5, 2024, due to an advertising issue. However, a presentation on the Public Safety Bond (Item 8) was given.

Special Business

• Presentation by Chief Urban – #iMadethePledgeNK: Chief Urban presented an anti-bullying campaign funded by the police union (IBPO Local 473) with no tax dollars. The campaign includes a pledge, bracelets, and business discounts before school begins. Statistics: 1 in 4 students report bullying; North Kingstown schools saw a 63% reduction in credible reported bullying from 2022 to 2024. The council commended the proactive approach.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Frank Sullivan (Furwood Drive): Opposed a proposed 10,000-panel solar farm on a well head protection area, citing threats to drinking water and forest-clearing. He noted the developer’s (Green Development) negative reputation and past threats.
• Jason Birkenstock (Woodland Drive): Requested noise mitigation for the Woodland Estates neighborhood from Route 403, citing an EIS that promised but never implemented noise barriers. He also urged the council to prevent further developments that would remove tree buffers. Council asked him to share the EIS with the town manager for review.
• Richard Welch (8 Arrow Lane): Raised concerns about Post Road traffic congestion, especially after the road diet; opposed a proposed development on Post Road that would require left-hand turns; advocated for no left-turn restrictions.
• Susan Cleeland (Elmwood Drive): Supported the comments of Sullivan and Birkenstock, emphasizing that without tree buffers, noise from Route 403 will be unbearable. She recalled a promise of a sound barrier that was not kept.

Discussion Items

• Item 13 – Donation of $100 from North Kingstown High School senior Willam Andrews for Recreation Basketball Program: Approved. Council recognized the student's effort.
• Item 14 – Emergency Water Supply Agreement with Jamestown: After lengthy debate, council approved the agreement. Opponents (Kurt Fisher, Richard Welch) argued Jamestown should solve itsown water issues and that North Kingstown's shallow wells could be overstressed in summer. Supporters (Town Manager Ralph Mollis, Water Director Tim Cranston) noted: the agreement includes a clause allowing North Kingstown to say no if water is needed, requires Jamestown to address its own supply within five years, and includes financial benefits. Technology now prevents overpumping. The agreement is for emergencies only; no payment request currently.pen- Item15 – Reduction of Arts Council Membership from 14 to 13: Deferred to next meeting to consult with the Arts Council chair.
• Item 30 – Transfer to Various Funds: Approved. Finance Director explained transfers: $450,000 to restricted revaluation fund, $279,600 for public works capital reserve (senior center, public works building), $68,000 for post-short facade program, $50,000 for senior bus escrow, $48,000 for snow removal, $48,000 for asphalt products, $120,000 for premium offset plan, and $50,000 for planning grant match. Council questioned specifics but approved.
• Item31 – Reaffirm Deferral of Decision to Repurchase 55 Brown Street: Approved. Council voted in executive session not to exercise repurchase option at this time. Former council member Richard Welch argued the building is a liability and not worth the purchase price.
• Item 35 – Finance Director Report: Presented a strong financial year with over $2 million projected surplus after transfers. Key revenue: interest income (328% over budget), net metering, tax collections, and personal property taxes. Expenses under budget except for cyber insurance (offset by revenue).

Key Outcomes

• Public Safety Bond (Item 8): Presentation given; public hearing continued to August 5, 2024. The proposal: $60 million bond for a new public safety building (police and fire administration) at Davisville and a new Wickford Fire Station, total estimated cost $61.368 million. If approved, construction would start April 2026 (public safety building) and September 2027 (fire station). Council will finalize ballot question on August 5.
• Emergency Water Agreement with Jamestown (Item14): Approved unanomous vote after debate. (Vote: Ayes on motion; no recorded opposition vote.) The agreement includes termination if North Kingstown's supply isjeopardized.
• Art Council Membership (Item15): Deferred to August5 meeting.
• 55 Brown Street (Item31): Council reaffirmed deferral of repurchase option; no action taken.
• Appointments:
  • Asset Management Commission: Steven Borowick (financial representative) approved.
  • Building Code Board of Appeals: Joe Gentile appointed as regular member, Max Reynolds as first alternate; vacancy advertised for second alternate.
  • Leisure Services Advisory Committee: David Kaloupek (reappointment) approved.
  • Zoning Board of Review: John Gibbons and John Kliever reappointed; vacancy for unexpired term of John Lees advertised. John Gibbons granted extended term due to special expertise.
• CRMC Applications (Items 37,38): Approved with no substantive objection, per Conservation and Harbor Management Commission votes.
• Proposed Ballot Questions (Item43): Continued to August5.
• Consent Agenda Items approved: Items 11,12, 16-27, 29, 32, 33 (with items 13,14,15,28,30,31 removed and voted separately as noted).