North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – April 28, 2025

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included two public hearings, a lengthy public comment period focused on a proposed Second Amendment sanctuary resolution, routine consent agenda items, reports from the Town Manager and Finance Director, and action on bond authorizations and the Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget.

Consent Calendar

• Items 7–9, 11–12, 14–16 were approved en bloc without discussion. These included approval of minutes, receipt of donations ($691 for a wishing well at Yorktown Park and $1,668.29 from a mountain bike race), award of a fire hydrant replacement contract ($79,400), authorization of a two-year solid waste contract with RIRRC, an entertainment license for a June 1 concert, a holiday sales license, and a new victualling license for Gansett Wraps.
• Item 10 (Automated Traffic Enforcement Cameras) was pulled from the consent agenda by Councilor McCoy. After brief discussion, the council voted unanimously to award the contract to Blue Line Solutions, LLC. Councilor McCoy stated the cameras are about safety, not revenue.
• Item 13 (Exhibition License – Wildlife Rehabilitators Association) was pulled by Councilor Hill Ross, who thanked the group for its work. The license was approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

Public comment was taken before the discussion of Resolution 19. Twenty-one residents signed up, with most speaking for or against the proposed resolution.

• Supporters of Resolution 19 (opposing the state assault weapons ban): Mike Barner (144 Matola Dr.) argued the ban infringes on Second Amendment rights, uses an overly broad definition of “assault weapon,” and lacks evidence of effectiveness. Nadine Swanson (540 School St.) urged the council to defend constitutional rights and criticized the resolution as a “publicity stunt” in a response from Dr. Page. Frank Mayorana (21 Ranger Rd.) and Douglas Sheehan (1982 NKHS graduate) spoke in favor of protecting responsible gun owners. Nick Percia (7 Neighbor Hill Ave.) disputed the term “assault weapon,” stating the AR-15 is a sportsman’s rifle. Kathleen Leighton (17 Pilgrim Dr.), a Moms Demand Action chapter lead, favored the ban but did not support the resolution.
• Opponents of Resolution 19 (supporting the state assault weapons ban): Kathleen Gorino (139 Summit View Ln.) spoke on behalf of children killed by assault weapons and asked the council to vote against the resolution. Larry Mandel (54 Rome St.) said assault weapons have no role in civil society and urged the council to reject the resolution. Nolene Thompson (5C Grassway) criticized the focus on Second Amendment rights while other constitutional rights are eroded. Melissa Devine (373 Fletcher Rd.) argued the matter belongs at the State House, not the town council. Guy Cassidy (221 Juniper Dr.) expressed concern about high-velocity bullets used in such firearms. Kim Gilbert (99 Mark Dr.), a school employee, spoke about the inability to protect children from powerful weapons.
• Other public comment: Michael Donahue (141 West Main St.) thanked the council for its resolution that helped defeat proposed state library hour mandates that could have closed Davisville Free Library. Bob Kemp (156 North Friday Dr.) questioned why the resolution was on the agenda, calling it “toothless.”

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Caffe Milano Expansion: No public signed up. The council approved the Class B liquor license and victualling expansion for Tampella Restaurant Enterprise Inc., dba Caffe Milano, at 4001 Quaker Lane.
• Public Hearing – Mobile Food Establishment Permits: No public signed up. The council approved the second reading to increase the number of permits granted under Chapter 9, Article XVII.
• Resolution 19 – Opposition to State Assault Weapons Ban (H5436/S359): Councilor Hill Ross introduced the resolution, reading its lengthy whereas clauses, and moved its adoption. No other councilor seconded the motion. President Mancini, Councilors McCoy, Page, and Drew spoke against the resolution, stating that the council is the wrong body for state-level legislation, that it would be divisive and a waste of time, and that councilors should focus on town governance. The motion died for lack of a second.
• Town Manager’s Report: Ralph reported on the school building committee’s progress (a redesigned Wickford Middle School option adding a third floor, reducing cost by $8.1 million and increasing eligible reimbursement from 65% to 72.3%). The public safety complex project is evaluating cost-saving options; the Quonset site purchase-sale agreement is expected in 4–8 weeks. Revolution Wind work in Quonset is proceeding smoothly. The Wickford waterfront project: a new contractor was awarded; the goal is to have steel piling, fencing, and debris removed by Memorial Day. Post Road / West Main Street sidewalk project design continues; the Wickford roundabout bid was advertised March 31; a RIDOT informational meeting is tentatively set for May 14 at 5:30 PM. Weekend lane closures on Route 1 at the 138 interchange begin May 1. Signal Rock campus demolition is complete; a master plan will follow. Beach parking passes go on sale May 1. The Finance Director reported projected surplus of approximately $1.074 million, less than 1% of the $123 million budget; revenues are up due to interest income and police detail fees.
• Bond Authorizations (Items 20 & 21): Bond counsel David Farrer explained the resolutions. Item 20 authorizes up to $60 million in public safety bonds (voter-approved) and immediately approves up to $2.7 million for architectural/engineering contracts. Item 21 authorizes up to $20 million of the $137 million school bond for design/architecture, with change orders up to $20,509 approved by the Town Manager. After discussion on thresholds, Item 20 passed unanimously. Item 21 passed 4–1 (Councilor Hill Ross opposed).
• FY2025/2026 Budget Adoption: The council adopted each fund sequentially. For the school fund, the Town Manager recommended adding $285,047 to cover unexpected health/dental insurance increases, bringing the school appropriation to $63,789,200. The council approved this addition 4–1 (Hill Ross opposed). The total FY2026 budget of $138,858,379 was approved 4–1. School enterprise funds and restricted funds were also approved. The council adopted the budget allotment and certification motions per charter sections.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Class B liquor and victualling licenses for Caffe Milano (unanimous).
• Approved second reading increasing mobile food establishment permits (unanimous).
• Resolution 19 (Second Amendment sanctuary / opposition to state assault weapons ban) failed due to lack of a second.
• Consent agenda items approved as noted; traffic camera contract and exhibition license separately approved unanimously.
• Item 20 ($60M public safety bond authorization) passed unanimously.
• Item 21 ($20M school bond authorization) passed 4–1 (Councilor Hill Ross opposed).
• Town budget adopted: General Fund $41,235,283; Debt Service $5,849,317; Allen Harbor $450,273; Golf Course $2,382,898; Water $5,936,311; Municipal Court $301,000; Sewer $2,280,198; Transfer Station $1,386,507; Library appropriation $1,486,668; School appropriation amended to $63,789,200 (increase of $285,047); total budget $138,858,379 (approved 4–1, Hill Ross opposed). School enterprise funds ($1,460,175) and restricted funds also approved.
• The council authorized the Town Manager to review and revise allotments to prevent over-expenditure.
• Correspondence was read, including many emails on the assault weapons ban, school budget, redistricting, and the Wickford roundabout.