North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – May 12, 2025

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, May 12, 2025, at 6:15 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included an executive session, a public hearing, special business appointments, presentations, approval of consent agenda items, manager and councilor reports, and several new business items. Key actions included the appointment of a new fire chief, funding for youth commission projects, and ratification of a collective bargaining agreement.

Executive Session

• The council entered executive session pursuant to RIGL 42-46-4 and 42-46-5 to discuss collective bargaining (Local 1651 International Association of Firefighters), real estate (Easement/Indemnification Agreement – 61 Brown LLC), and a business/industry matter (Amendment to PILOT Agreement). The minutes from executive session were sealed.

Public Hearing – Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program Years 2023/2024

• The council opened a public hearing for the CDBG application. No members of the public signed up to speak. The council unanimously voted to authorize the Town Manager to apply for the Small Cities Community Development Block Grant program with the Office of Housing and Community Development for fiscal years 2023-2024.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public signed up to speak during the public comment period. Councilor Ross noted that she had collected 89 signatures, eight of which were from Wickford residents opposed to the Wickford roundabout. Council President Mancini recognized former Fire Chief Scott Cattell, who received a lifetime achievement award from ASIS International Providence Chapter.

Discussion Items

• Advice and Consent – Fire Chief Appointment: Town Manager Ralph Mollis requested advice and consent on the appointment of John G. Linacre Jr. as Fire Chief. Mollis detailed Linacre's 35-year career with the North Kingstown Fire Department, his role as interim chief since January 1, 2025, and his leadership and respect within the department. Linacre thanked the council, the department, his predecessor Chief Cattell, and his family. The council unanimously consented to the appointment.

• Learn 365 Youth Commission Presentation: Youth commission members presented two proposals funded by the Learn 365 grant:

  • Water Fountains: A proposal for a filtered water fountain with bottle-filling station at a town park, costing $4,400 ($2,200 for the unit and $2,200 for installation). The fountain includes both a drinking spout and a bottle filler to improve hygiene.
  • School Supply Drive: A $2,500 proposal to purchase school supplies (headphones, pencil sharpeners, dry erase markers, calculators, water bottles) for the Office of Family Learning to distribute to families in need. Distribution is planned for August 2025. Council unanimously voted to fund both proposals ($4,400 for water fountains and $2,500 for the school supply drive).

• Consent Agenda – Items 9 through 21: Councilor McCoy recused himself from Items 12 (Receipt of Donation – $2,500 from NK 350th Anniversary Steering Committee for Veterans Memorial Scholarship Fund) and 16 ($25,000 request from NK Semiquincentennial Committee). The remaining items were approved en bloc. Items included: approval of minutes, receipt of donations ($415.50 from RI Foundation for cemetery fund, $508 from Jaelyn Holmes for recreation scholarships), contract award for generator maintenance ($17,240.36), lease purchase of four police SUVs and upfitting ($170,422 + $60,920), sole source purchase of microphones ($16,616.25), and various licenses and permits (exhibition license for Rotary Club Touch-a-Truck, holiday sales license for Wickford Cheese & Sundry, mobile home park license renewals, pole placement by Rhode Island Energy). Council President Mancini acknowledged the $508 donation from Jaelyn Holmes, raised via a bake sale.

• Town Manager Report: Manager Mollis provided updates on:

  • Public safety bond project: weekly meetings, environmental study completed, moving to 90% design, PLA study being conducted, public meeting expected in 4-6 weeks.
  • School bond project: building advisory committee met; Councilor Page would provide a detailed update.
  • Revolution Wind: equipment deliveries occurring, onshore substation work, landscape restoration plan pending. Contact info: 401-251-2207, info@revolution-wind.com.
  • I-95 missing move/Quonset ramp construction groundbreaking: $144 million project, completion winter 2027, closeout winter 2029.
  • RIDOT bridge projects: concerns about public safety impact being addressed.
  • Wickford Waterfront Project: work resumed; sheep pilings to be removed by Memorial Day, parking lot binder by June 19, substantial completion by October 18.
  • Wickford roundabout informational meeting rescheduled to May 29 at 5:30 PM in council chambers.
  • Bike lanes: RIDOT will stripe bike lanes on Route 1A (Boston Neck Road) from Beach Street to Old Boston Neck Road in Narragansett this year. A bike lane proposal for Ten Rod Road has been submitted to STIP.
  • Beach parking passes on sale with extended hours.
  • EDAB and Wickford Advisory Committee presentations expected at June meeting.
  • Summer concert series begins June 17; library closed morning of May 23.
  • Memorial Day parade and commemoration on May 26: 9 AM wreath laying at Veterans Memorial Park, 10 AM parade from Wilson Park to Elm Grove Cemetery.
  • Lifeguard staffing: fully staffed after an influx of applications; beach manager position unfilled but responsibilities absorbed.

• Councilor Page Report – School Bond Projects: Councilor Page reported on the school building committee's progress. The committee reviewed proposals for Owner's Project Manager (OPM) and architectural services for school bond projects (excluding Wickford Middle School, which already has an OPM). The top three candidates for OPM will present on Wednesday, May 14, and the top three architects will present on Thursday, May 15. Page noted that certain bond items, such as athletic field reconstruction at Wickford Middle School, are not eligible for state reimbursement, though this is consistent statewide. She will provide a detailed reimbursement report at the next council meeting.

• New Business: CRMC Application 2023-04-051 – QDC Maritime Way Realignment: The council considered a CRMC application from Quonset Development Corporation to realign Maritime Way, shift a section of roadway, and create a new Port of Davisville entrance. The council voted to adopt the recommendation of no substantial objection from the Conservation Commission.

• Veterans Memorial Scholarship Award: Councilor McCoy moved to award a $1,000 scholarship to Elizabeth Mackrell as the 2025 recipient. The motion was seconded and unanimously approved. McCoy noted that 13-14 highly qualified students applied.

• Ratification of Collective Bargaining Agreement – Local 1651 Firefighters: The council ratified the collective bargaining agreement between the town and Firefighters Local 1651, International Association of Firefighters. Councilors Ross and Page, who participated in negotiations, praised the respectful process. The motion passed unanimously.

• Third Amendment to PILOT Agreement – QDC: The council authorized the Town Manager to execute a third amendment to the Payment-in-Lieu-of-Tax (PILOT) agreement with Quonset Development Corporation, specifically related to the EB-5 project. The motion was approved after an amendment to specify the party.

• Correspondence: Councilor Ross read correspondence received since the last meeting. Regarding the assault weapons ban resolution, six residents wrote in support (Steven Greer, Michael Barner, Cody Trinka, Taylor Prosha, Nick Prosha, Justin Olson) and three in opposition (Cindy Buxton, Jarek Kerbal, Linda Osberg). Ashley Ung requested an additional entrance to the Quonset Bike Path (noted as QDC-managed). Marilyn Dedrick Buvenau requested a crosswalk on Tower Hill Road for the Summit View neighborhood due to lack of sidewalks.

Key Outcomes

• Public hearing on CDBG application closed; application authorized unanimously.
• John G. Linacre Jr. appointed as Fire Chief by unanimous consent.
• Youth Commission proposals funded: $4,400 for water fountains and $2,500 for school supply drive.
• Consent Agenda items approved en bloc except Items 12 and 16 (recused), which were approved separately.
• CRMC application for Maritime Way realignment approved (no objection from Conservation Commission).
• $1,000 Veterans Memorial Scholarship awarded to Elizabeth Mackrell.
• Collective bargaining agreement with Firefighters Local 1651 ratified.
• Third amendment to PILOT agreement with QDC (EB-5) authorized.
• Council acknowledged correspondence; no further action on those items.
• Meeting adjourned.