North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – June 23, 2025

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 6:30 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers, beginning with an executive session to evaluate the Town Manager. The regular meeting commenced at 7:00 PM. The Council addressed a consent agenda, heard public comment, received the Town Manager’s report, and acted on several new business items including a CRMC application, adoption of a safety action plan, grant authorization, liquor license matters, and multiple board and commission appointments.

Consent Calendar

• Items 6–20: The Council approved items 6 (abatement of uncollectable taxes), 8 (acceptance of RIDOT reimbursement for police vehicle), 10 (award of bid for police Tahoe), 11 (senior center flooring project), and 15–20 (fuel contract, lead service line replacement, holiday sales license renewals, new holiday sales license, new victualling license, first reading of competitive bidding ordinance amendment) by one motion, with items 7, 9, 12, 13, and 14 removed for separate discussion.
• Item 7 – Donation of Reference Books: Councilor McCoy commended George R. Loxton for transcribing and donating volumes 7 and 8 of early Kings Towne records. The donation was unanimously accepted.
• Item 9 – Fire Department Gear: Fire Chief John Lenickree confirmed the specialty protective pants and coats are PFAS-free (Lions Manufacturing has not used PFAS since 2021). The bid award to C&S Specialty, Inc. for $48,367.00 was unanimously approved.
• Items 12, 13, 14 – Public Works Equipment Purchases: The Town Manager explained that these purchases (a Volvo wheel loader, two Ford F-350 pickups, and a Freightliner truck with hooklift, total $657,243.21) are funded from an anticipated FY2025 surplus of approximately $1.7–$1.8 million, which exceeds the 15% reserve policy cap. Using surplus for one-time capital needs avoids future lease payments and helps keep the FY2027 tax rate stable. Public Works Director Adam White noted that the loader replaces a 1999 model with parts availability issues, and the trucks replace aging vehicles (a 2002 F-550 and a 1980 International). The purchases were unanimously approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Bob Vanderslice: Suggested that boards and commissions create nominating subcommittees to actively recruit candidates, preventing vacancies and lifetime appointments. Also praised town staff (tree warden, fire, police) for quick response to a tree falling on his car and propane tanks.
• Meg Kerr (151 Prospect Avenue): Reported that she and Bob Vanderslice have collected 21 names of highly qualified residents (including retired state agency leaders and the head of sustainability at Rhode Island College) willing to serve on a potential sustainability committee, responding to Councilor McCoy’s request for evidence of interest.

Discussion Items

• Town Manager’s Report: Ralph Mollis provided updates on:
  • School department bond projects: new OPM (Peregrine Group) and architect (DBVW) selected; net-zero middle school project (geothermal, $6 million) proceeding without state reimbursement.
  • Public safety complex: weekly meetings, site plan review, on track for early 2026 bidding.
  • Revolution Wind: expected to be energized by January 2026, operational by November 2026.
  • Yorktown Park grand opening: new playground, athletic field, walkway, ping pong, cornhole, and circuit training; improved drainage.
  • Wickford Waterfront Parking Lot: phase one binder course placed, entrance opened; phases two and three may be combined to save time.
  • Fireworks: July 3rd at town beach, food trucks, shuttles, limited parking.
  • Wickford Elementary project: historic approval received; developer working toward CRMC approval and closing.
  • Housing: North Kingstown’s affordable housing stock rose to 9.01% (up from 8.29%), despite losing a complex’s deed-restricted units; mobile home community not included.
  • State aid: Final budget shows municipal aid slightly above projection, but state education aid is $75,000 less than budgeted.
  • Climate resiliency: Responded to the June 9th presentation by the North Kingstown Climate Conversations Group, listing many ongoing initiatives (e.g., net-zero school, EV charging, solar, CRS rating upgrade) and suggested the group meet with planning staff to identify specific projects not being addressed, rather than creating a new official committee.
  • Wickford Advisory Committee: provided updates on pedestrian safety, parking study, harbor relationship, and efforts to incorporate resiliency into historic district approvals.
• Item 22 – CRMC Application (Quonset Pier 1): The Harbor Commission and Conservation Commission recommended no substantive objection. The Council approved a motion to file no objection with CRMC.
• Item 23 – Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Safety Action Plan: Planning Director Nicole presented the final plan, developed with RIPTA and Bowman Engineering at no cost to the town. It includes policy and process changes (e.g., speed cameras in school zones, data sharing, sidewalk design, snow clearing) and a list of potential countermeasures. The plan is needed to apply for implementation grants. A survey received 59 responses; stakeholder meetings were held. The Council adopted the plan unanimously.
• Item 24 – SS4A Implementation Grant for Stop-Arm Cameras: Nicole requested authorization to apply for a grant to install stop-arm cameras on all 33 school buses (19 year-round). The school department has already authorized funding. The program costs about $75,000 and the vendor does not require a subscription. The Council unanimously authorized the grant application.
• Item 25 – Craft Cafe LLC Alcoholic Beverage License Increase: The Council voted to advertise the availability of an increased Class B-Limited license (from 10 to 11) and set a public hearing for August.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda (items 6,8,10,11,15-20): Approved unanimously.
• Item 7 (Donation): Approved unanimously.
• Item 9 (Fire gear): Approved unanimously.
• Items 12,13,14 (Public works equipment): Approved unanimously.
• Item 22 (CRMC): No substantive objection, filed unanimously.
• Item 23 (SS4A Plan): Adopted unanimously.
• Item 24 (Grant authorization): Approved unanimously.
• Item 25 (License increase): Motion to advertise and schedule public hearing approved unanimously.
• Appointments:
  • Asset Management Commission: Richard Sellers appointed to July 1, 2027 (unanimous).
  • Building Code Board of Appeals: Ronald Fiore appointed to July 1, 2030 (passed 3-1, with one nay).
  • Charter Review Commission: Matthew Cayer appointed to December 31, 2026 (unanimous).
  • Economic Development Advisory Board: Richard Nagele appointed to December 1, 2027 (unanimous); one vacancy remains.
  • Leisure Services Advisory Committee: Five appointees (Danielle Hubbard, Richard Lemieux, Edwin Andrews, George Linnane, Robert Shore) approved unanimously.
  • Planning Commission: Motion to appoint Richard Welch failed for lack of a second. Motion to appoint Joseph Donohoe (a former planner, non-resident of North Kingstown) passed 3-1 (Councillor Ross opposed).
  • Probate Judge: Brian Fielding reappointed to July 1, 2026 (unanimous).
  • Veteran’s Liaison: Brian Votolato appointed to July 1, 2027 (unanimous).
  • Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee: No applicant for Alternate Business Property Owner; position to be advertised.
  • Zoning Board of Review: Motion to appoint Rickey Thompson failed for lack of a second. Motion to reappoint Cynthia Warren and Edwin Andrews to July 1, 2028 passed 3-1 (Councillor Ross opposed). The alternate position will be advertised.
• Correspondence: Council acknowledged emails about road safety on Boston Neck Road (traffic study underway) and Elm Grove Cemetery funding concerns.