North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - January 27, 2025

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The agenda included the annual audit report, 350th anniversary celebration report, finance director update, and consent agenda items. The meeting was called to order by President Gregory Mancini, with members Linnea Drew, Elizabeth Hill Ross, Dr. Kimberly Page, and Matthew McCoy present.

Consent Calendar

• Items 12-14 approved as a block: Peddler license renewal (Buttercup the Flower Truck LLC), refuse collector license (Wickford Village Realty Limited Partnership), and joint pole locations on Newcomb Road by Rhode Island Energy and Verizon.
• Item 8 (Minutes): Minutes of December 16, 2024, were approved with one abstention (Councilmember Page was not present for that meeting).
• Items 9 and 10 pulled by Councilmember Welch: Item 9 (water line easement with QDC) and Item 10 (fire pumper lease purchase) were discussed and later approved. Item 11 (sole source purchase of air cylinders) pulled and approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Brett Mallory: Urged the council to increase the school maintenance budget, clarifying that the council had not disapproved a separate maintenance allocation; praised police enforcement on Anketucket Road and requested guidance on center lane use.
• Kurt Fisher: Expressed concern about item 6 (traffic calming), calling it “Orwellian spying on the public” and stated he would await further discussion.
• Joseph Texara: Presented a proposal for a $1,000 tax credit for homeowners aged 65+ with 15 years residency. Councilmember McCoy noted this would result in a $2.4 million revenue loss. Texara also advocated for eliminating the current elderly exemption to offset costs. He emphasized that seniors contribute significant property tax revenue and have no children in schools.
• Carrie Lanrois (Vice President, Post Road Business Alliance): Announced the formation of the Alliance (35+ members), supported the facade improvement program and the state-funded sidewalk project. Asked three questions: whether the sidewalk project is tied to other projects, whether the Alliance can provide input on design, and the long-term maintenance plan. Town Manager Ralph Mollis responded that funding is not tied to other projects but noted federal funding uncertainties.
• Meg Kerr: Requested regular public updates on school bond and public safety bond projects. Town Manager agreed to seek monthly updates from the school superintendent and provide reports.

Discussion Items

• Annual Audit Report (Item 4) – Marcum LLP: Kyle Connors presented an unmodified (clean) audit opinion for fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. The general fund had a $2.6 million increase, leaving an unassigned fund balance of $18.2 million (17.3% of operating budget). Revenues exceeded budget by nearly $4 million (property taxes, investment income). Expenditures exceeded budget by $1 million (police/fire overtime, IT cybersecurity deductible). The school unrestricted fund balance was $6.8 million (8.9% of budget) with $929,000 increase. The water department had operating income of $1.9 million; sewer department had operating income of $533,000. Pension plans: three MERS plans over 80% funded; teacher plan at 65% funded; OPEB liability $14 million funded at 18.2%. One material weakness in the sewer fund (removal of unbilled receivables from balance sheet). Audit Committee Chair Jeff Wadovic confirmed the committee’s thorough review and emphasized that the government-wide statements are misleading for budgeting; the fund-based statements are more relevant.
• 350th Anniversary Celebration Report (Item 5): Mike DiNolfo reported on successful events: a gala (350 attendees), family day (3,500 participants), and a parade with 85–90 units and 40 antique fire apparatus. The commission raised over $100,000 in grants/donations and returned $30,000 to the town. North Kingstown received a World War II Heritage Community designation. Governor McKee certificates were presented to committee members.
• Traffic Calming (Item 6): Continued to the next meeting due to illness of Captain McCoy.
• Finance Director Report (Item 16): Deb Bridge presented a revised budget update. Notable revenues: $329,980 from tangible property exemption (new state law), $265,500 above budget in police detail fees, and projected $962,000 in interest income. Expenses: salary and fringe net savings from open positions; overtime in police and fire is being monitored and expected to be above budget but less than FY2024. Council discussed IOD (injured on duty) costs and mitigation efforts.
• Town Manager Report (Item 15): Ralph Mollis reported that Revolution Wind offshore wind construction is progressing; Flock safety cameras have been installed; Wickford Junction residential complex received preliminary planning commission approval; Tarbox lot commercial development (Wickford Village) continued for further review due to traffic queue issues; Wickford parking lot retaining wall work ongoing; town beach operations will proceed without YMCA partnership; lifeguard recruitment is open; seal tours return; and a $107,500 RI Rebounds grant was awarded for a trolls initiative.
• Correspondence (Item 17): Letters from Katie Anderson (questions presented earlier), Bryce Lico (support for rotary), and Jennifer Lima (urging adoption of an immigrant protection ordinance).

Key Outcomes

• Motion to receive and file the annual audit report passed unanimously.
• Consent items 12–14 approved; item 8 approved with one abstention; items 9, 10, and 11 approved after discussion.
• Item 6 (traffic calming) continued to the next meeting.
• Motion to adjourn passed.