North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - July 14, 2025

The North Kingstown Town Council met on July 14, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included two public hearings, public comments, approval of consent agenda items with some pulled for discussion, reports from the Town Manager and Finance Director, and new business appointments. Key topics included a beach fence dispute, budget surplus, and updates on major projects.

Consent Calendar

• Items 8, 11, 14 through 22 were approved en bloc with one motion after Items 7, 9, 10, 12, and 13 were pulled for separate discussion.
• Item 7 (Minutes of June 9 and June 23, 2025): Approved, with Councilor Page abstaining on the June 23 minutes due to absence.
• Item 9 (Award of bid for two utility golf carts – New England Golf Carts, $21,700): Approved. Clarified that these are part of the golf course operating budget and are a purchase, not a lease-purchase.
• Item 10 (Change order for municipal office building renovations – Aharonian & Associates, $39,750): Approved. Funds cover redesign for a reduced scope after original plans proved too costly.
• Item 12 (Resolution for lease purchase of golf carts) and Item 13 (Resolution for lease purchase of police vehicles and equipment): Approved. Council explained that leasing allows the town to earn higher interest on reserves than the lease rate, and maintains a steady expense stream.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Richard Welch (8 Arrow Lane) paid tribute to Dave Caldwell Sr., a longtime community contributor, and praised the transfer station staff. He complained about delayed property tax bills and commended Navigant Credit Union’s $40,000 donation to the North Kingstown Food Pantry.
• Tom Quinn (146 Steamboat Avenue) expressed concern about a new chain-link fence being erected at the Poplar Point beach right-of-way. He questioned why the fence was needed now, the aesthetics of chain-link vs. existing boulders, and the maintenance of the required 10-foot width, which he measured at under 4 feet in some areas. He noted a historically contentious relationship with an abutting neighbor. Town Manager Ralph Mollis responded that a deed from 1965 requires a fence, that no public meeting was necessary because the town is acting as a property owner, and that the chain-link fence is a cost-effective, suitable option. He promised to investigate the width issue and work with residents. Ted Garry also spoke, expressing disappointment and advocating for removing barriers rather than adding them.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearing – Class C Alcoholic Beverage License Expansion (Wickford Wine Co., dba Gooseneck Vineyards): No public speakers signed up. The council approved the expansion unanimously.
• Public Hearing – Second Reading of Amendment to Competitive Bidding Ordinance: No public speakers. Town Manager explained a 3.5% cost-of-living adjustment to bidding thresholds. Approved unanimously.
• Town Manager Report (Ralph Mollis):
  • School bond project and public safety complex bond project are on track; a public meeting on the safety complex is planned for after Labor Day.
  • Wickford Waterfront Municipal Parking Lot project is progressing; phases 2 and 3 underway.
  • Safe Streets for All project: The town was awarded a road safety assessment on Annaguatucket Road and the Stony Lane/Old Baptist intersection by Bauman Consulting Group (July–September).
  • Senator Reed’s office submitted appropriation requests: $625,000 for a broadband and camera system, and $250,000 for renovation of the old town meeting house.
  • Beach parking enforcement: parking passes required; fines and towing for unauthorized parking.
  • North Kingstown Police Department reaffirmed accreditation, resulting in lower insurance premiums.
  • PFAS class action settlement: first payment of $552,114 received; expected total ~$3.5 million plus additional from other settlements. Funds intended for decontamination, well replacements, and PFAS-free gear for firefighters.
  • Governor McKee to visit July 17 for a community education roundtable.
  • Second annual Family Day at Wilson Park scheduled for September 6 (noon–5 PM).
  • Thomas Dambo troll project: Recreation director coordinating artist visit and sponsorship.
  • Tax bills: Mailed on time July 1 but delayed in postal distribution; many residents now receiving them.
  • Regarding the beach fence issue, Mollis thanked residents for respectful dialogue and committed to continued communication.
• Finance Director Report (Deborah – last name not stated):
  • Year-to-date budget report presented in a new format praised by council.
  • Revenue highlights: real estate tax collection rate 98.9%, personal property 94.2%, commercial 98.6%. Interest income over $2 million due to favorable rates.
  • Total revenue $3.4 million above expectations.
  • Expense highlights: police detail over $1 million but offset by revenue; fire department over budget due to open positions and equipment purchases; public works under budget before planned surplus spending; civic donations included $150,000 for food pantry renovation and $25,000 for 350th anniversary.
  • Projected surplus of approximately $1.9 million (1.6% of total budget).
  • Councilor McCoy asked about potential impact of federal education funding freezes on the school department; Town Manager said they will meet with the superintendent in August.
• Correspondence (Councilor Drew): Emails regarding a harassment claim (police), positive feedback on DPW/fire response to a downed tree, requests to revisit immigrant protection ordinance, and multiple emails about the right-of-way fence issue.

Key Outcomes

• Votes:
  • Approved Class C alcohol license expansion (unanimous).
  • Approved second reading of competitive bidding ordinance amendment (unanimous).
  • Approved consent agenda items as detailed (voted separately where pulled).
  • Approved appointment of Kenneth Morse (registered Republican) as Alternate Member to the Board of Canvassers, filling the unexpired term of J. Kent Dresser (unanimous).
• Directives:
  • Town Manager to review personnel rules and regulations regarding anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as requested by Councilor Page per a previous resolution.
  • Town Manager and Finance Director to monitor federal education funding changes and report back.
• Next Steps:
  • Town Manager to follow up on fence width measurement and resident concerns.
  • Finance Director to add surplus percentage to future reports.
  • Council to receive updates on school bond and public safety complex at August meeting.