North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - October 28, 2024

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, October 28, 2024, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included public hearings, a consent agenda with several items removed for discussion, reports from the Town Manager and Finance Director, and new business items including a trail naming request, a food pantry lease revision, and adoption of budget policies. Council members Katie Anderson (leaving) and the 350th anniversary were acknowledged. A moment of silence was held for former NK high school coach Joe Gilmartin.

Public Hearings

• Alcoholic Beverage and Other License Renewals 2024-2025: No public speakers. Motion to open and close hearing, then approve all renewals passed unanimously.
• Second Reading - Amendment to Section 11-66 (Stop Signs): Adding stop signs at Harrison Street at North Quidnessett Road and Hamilton Allenton Road at Featherbed Lane. No public speakers. Motion to approve amendment passed unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Kathleen Garino (139 Summit View Lane): Expressed gratitude to the Town Council for their work over the past two years, calling it the best council she has worked with in 10 years. Specifically thanked outgoing Councilwoman Katie Anderson for her wise counsel and calm voice.
• Brett Mallory (731 Anakin Tucket): Asked about the budget calendar and urged the council to consider adding at least $250,000 annually for school capital improvements to avoid larger bond requests. Noted that the school committee has been requesting this for years and that the town often runs a surplus. Town Manager Ralph clarified the budget timeline: department budgets start now, library due January, schools due February, manager presents to council in March, public hearings in April, passage in May. Mr. Mallory expressed support for the schools but not the HVAC bond.

Consent Agenda (Items 7–17)

• Items 7-9, 11, 13-16 were approved as a block: Minutes, donations, resignation, contract awards, bingo license, liquor license, exhibition license, holiday sales license, first reading of whistleblower amendment.
• Item 10 (Road Striping Contract): Removed by Councilman Mandel. He praised regional cooperation with South Kingstown. Approved unanimously.
• Item 12 (School Budget Amendment): Removed by Paul Thompson. Town Manager explained it adjusts the budget to reflect actual state aid (no tax impact). Approved unanimously.
• Item 17 (Whistleblower Complaints): Removed by Kathleen Garino. She questioned repealing the ordinance for a policy, citing loss of strength and process. Town Manager Ralph defended the new policy, stating the ordinance was confusing and not utilized properly, and the policy is stronger, non-vague, and will be a council policy (changes require public vote). He offered to share the policy. Council clarified earlier discussions are online. The item was then approved.

Reports

• Town Manager Report:
  • Revolution Wind: work continues on onshore substation, circuit drive duct bank, interconnection facility; extended hours continue without incident. Contact info provided.
  • RIDOT meeting: Post Road/West Main Street Sidewalk Project (18 months, 90% sidewalks on both sides) to be advertised winter/spring 2025, start summer 2025. Mini roundabout in Wickford delayed by CRMC permitting. Devil's Foot Road Bridge and Route 4 discussions ongoing.
  • Municipal office building renovation project: went out to bid, walkthrough with contractors, relocation discussed to minimize disruption. Bid to council soon (must be committed by Dec 30, 2024).
  • Yorktown Park renovation: went out to bid last week.
  • Bond informational forums: successful and well-attended. Early voting handled seamlessly.
  • Founders' Day celebrated on Saturday.
  • Senior center holiday giving program runs through December. Medicare open enrollment through Dec 7.
  • Recreation director Chelsea Dumas Gibbs applying for a $200,000 Rhode Island Commerce Rebounds grant (no match required) for a trolls project, partnering with South County Tourism. Council will need to review and accept if successful.
  • Public works installed donated flagpole; WWII veteran George Silver was pleased.
  • Lt. Don Barrington received MADD Unsung Hero Award.
  • Town offices closed Nov 11 for Veterans Day; annual ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park.
• Finance Director Report (Debra Brigham):
  • Received GFOA (Government Finance Officers Association) award for FY2023 audit (third year).
  • Presented first quarter budget update: balanced budget with no surplus. Revenue variances include state tangible property reimbursement ($329,980 fixed), public service tax increase ($25,142), state aid to education ($237,147, pass-through to schools), library grants ($10,694 pass-through), inspection fees from new developments (Pinewood), insurance refunds, solar credit refund ($69,606). Decrease: postponement of Wickford L property sale ($300,000 removed from budget as worst-case scenario).
  • Expenditure variances: salary/benefits increased due to higher health insurance and pension costs (state provided incorrect pension rates initially, then revised upward). Tangible property reimbursement helped balance.
  • Overtime: currently offset by vacant positions (e.g., dispatch at 25% overtime due to one vacancy).
  • Council discussion: Councilman Mandel expressed frustration with state's incorrect pension calculation and unfair financial pressure on municipalities. Town Manager agreed, noting the tangible property reimbursement is now fixed.

New Business

• Item 20 – Naming Cross-Country Path at Ryan Park as 'Paul Tetreault Trail': Motion to schedule public hearing for November 18, 2024, passed unanimously.
• Item 21 – Revised Lease with North Kingstown Food Pantry: Town Solicitor outlined changes: clarity on utilities, right of first refusal for purchase, renewal date, process for improvements (including potential solar array). Town Manager noted Congressman Magaziner is working on an earmark to help the food pantry. Lease approved unanimously.
• Item 22 – Adoption of Budget Policies and Procedures for FY2025/2026: Annual routine; zero-based budgeting, departments request >4% increase must document critical need, asset management CIP due Jan 31. Council debated making it permanent but agreed to annual review. Approved.
• Item 23 – Reaffirm Fund Balance Policy (FY2024/2025): Explains use of fund balance (currently ~$14.5M, up from $6M); if below certain percent, town must budget to restore; if above, consider one-time capital projects. Approved.
• Item 24 – Amendment to Debt Policy and Management/Fiscal Practices Policy: Changes: public improvement debt up to 30 years (was 20) to match life of assets; school debt range changed from 20-25 years to 20-30 years for flexibility. Policy only, doesn't tie hands. Approved.
• Item 25 – Correspondence: Summary of emails received between Oct 7 and Oct 28, including topics: trash bid, tax impact of bonds, street lights, solar proposals, public safety complex bond, Reynolds Farm speed, and ARPA funds. Councilman McCoy listed them.

Council Member Reports

• Councilman Mandel: Reported office hours held Sept 24 and Oct 22; topics included electricity aggregation, leaf collection, and trash at town dock.

Key Outcomes

• All public hearing items approved.
• Consent agenda items 7-9, 11, 13-16 approved in block; items 10, 12, 17 individually approved.
• Public hearing set for Nov 18, 2024 for trail naming (Item 20).
• Revised food pantry lease approved.
• Three fiscal policies (budget procedures, fund balance, debt policy) adopted for FY2025/2026 or reaffirmed.
• Meeting adjourned after final comments and congratulations to candidates.