North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - September 8, 2025

This meeting featured two public hearings, extensive public comment on traffic and the new Thomas Dambo troll installation, approval of consent agenda items and appointments, and a detailed town manager report on infrastructure projects and community events.

Public Hearings

• Amendment to Building Permit Fee Schedule: Second reading of an ordinance to modify Section 9-4 (Table III - Building Permit Fees). No public signed up to testify. The council voted unanimously to approve the amended ordinance.
• Renaming of Davisville Academy: Request by the North Kingstown School Committee to rename Davisville Academy to "Davisville Academy and Early Learning Center." No one from the school committee or public testified. The council approved the name change unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Chet Cossack (resident) described excessive wait times (7 minutes or longer) at the West Allenton Road/Route 4 traffic light, calling for consistent timing. Town Manager Ralph Mollis acknowledged the problem, noted a recent email from RIDOT indicating they are seeking new solutions, and requested the speaker send specifics.
• Benjamin Folsom (Lafayette Road resident) detailed multiple issues caused by the Thomas Dambo troll installation at Ryan Park: traffic, ruined driveways, public urination, dog waste, and after-dark activity. He questioned the decision-making process and sought strategic planning and resident input. Town Manager responded that the administration chose Ryan Park (not the council) and that the artist selected the final spot. He admitted underestimating the Lafayette Road entrance traffic and said mitigation efforts (police detail, signage, opening Fuhrer Park lot) are ongoing. He noted the troll was entirely donor-funded (approx. $20,000 short), expects crowds to diminish within 1–3 months based on other communities' experience, and pledged continued work with neighbors.
• Marie Noble (Butternut Drive, 48-year resident) requested the state shorten the traffic light timing at Route 4/West Allenton, noting a 21-minute wait on a Friday. She suggested reverting to fall timing as the cheapest solution.
• James "Jim" Finley (Valley Street, Leisure Services Advisory Committee member) shared a positive experience visiting the troll, meeting visitors from various locations, and supporting extension of the Lafayette parking lot.
• Jean Watmo (Butternut Drive) emphasized public safety at the West Allenton light, citing major accidents in 1992/1993 and again six to eight weeks ago. She raised concerns about fire truck access during peak hours.
• Jeffrey Dowling (Signal Rock Drive) presented landscaping ideas for Signal Rock Park after demolition of a decrepit building. He requested a meeting with parks and recreation staff. Town Manager offered to set up a meeting between him, the recreation director, public works, and parks staff.
• Keith Fink (Walnut Road, Chair of Leisure Service Advisory Committee) spoke as a resident, thanking the town for the troll and noting over 100 volunteers from as far as California, Texas, and Mexico. He praised the project for placing North Kingstown on a global stage.
• Dick Welch (Arrow Lane) thanked the town for repaving Baptist Road and Stony Lane, but noted structures need raising. He asked about the timeline for the Route 403 bridge replacement (town manager estimated late fall) and raised concerns about Post Road traffic from ~400 planned units. He supported earlier comments on Oak Hill/West Allenton.
• Lisa Andrews (North Road, 50+ year resident) expressed pride in the troll project and urged patience from citizens as issues are resolved.
• Andrew Begins (Terra Hill Road) described traffic concerns at the troll site and mentioned that a similar troll in Breckenridge, Colorado was moved. Town Manager responded that Breckenridge is a much smaller town with a ski resort bringing 3 million visitors/year, making it an apples-to-oranges comparison, but acknowledged NK must address the issues.

Consent Agenda

• Items 7–8 and 10–26 were approved unanimously in one motion. (Item 9 was removed for separate discussion.)
• Items approved in consent: Donation receipt ($1,010); resignation from Arts Council; truck purchase (separately discussed); fund transfers; multiple alcoholic beverage, entertainment, exhibition, holiday sales, victualling, and refuse collector licenses; two PILOT agreements (with Equity Industrial Partners and Flex Technology Park/Anduril); and a scoreboard installation/maintenance agreement with NK/Wickford Little League.
• Item 9 (Fire Department truck): Chief John Linacre explained the purchase of a 2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD work truck with utility body, lift gate, and snowplow ($85,092) from Liberty Chevrolet (RI MPA List Award #559), funded by Rescue Billing. It replaces a 1987 Chevrolet pickup. The council approved unanimously.
• Scoreboard donation: Jason Willesco, President of North Kingstown/Wickford Little League, announced the league is donating a new scoreboard for Field 1 at Wilson Park. The league has 425 youth participants (390 spring, 215 fall).

Town Manager Report

• Website redesign: Enhanced online services, thanks to IT staff (Mike Taylor, Corey Black, Kate Glass, Matt Souza).
• School bond and public safety complex bonds: School building subcommittee met earlier that evening; update expected September 22. Public safety complex cost estimates are being prepared; if within bond range, a public meeting will be scheduled. Town Manager is negotiating with Quonset Development Corporation for land needed for the public safety complex.
• Wickford Waterfront Municipal Parking Lot: RICON contractor on schedule; granite cap, pavers, landscaping, and striping expected by early October.
• Revolution Wind: Onshore work continues despite federal stop-work order; company filed a preliminary injunction. State and federal delegations involved.
• Bike lane striping: RIDOT began striping bike lanes on Boston Neck Road (Route 1A) between Beach Street and Old Boston Neck Road; completion by end of September. Discussion on long-term bike project on Ten Rod Road begins afterward.
• Bridge projects: Frenchtown Road, South County Trail, and Devil’s Foot Road bridges remain under construction; Devil’s Foot Road bridge closed through fall; emergency response coordination with East Greenwich Fire Department.
• Mini roundabout in Wickford: Work began September 8 on staging; actual construction starts September 14 (night work only).
• Library strategic plan: Community survey available on library website; virtual town hall planned. Councilmember Matt McCoy involved.
• Community center: Planned closure from November through April for interior/exterior improvements; will require alternative programming spaces.
• Second Annual Family Day: Held September 6, estimated 5,000 attendees. Town Manager thanked staff and volunteers.
• Roundabout petitions: Town Manager received 75 more signatures opposing the mini roundabout.

Appointments

• Building Code Board of Appeals – Second Alternate: James Tavarozz appointed unanimously.
• Library Board of Trustees: Will Valverde and Kathleen Schnebly reappointed (to October 1, 2028); Kristin Jahne appointed to fill unexpired term (to October 1, 2027). Approved unanimously.
• Wickford Advisory Committee – Wickford Village Business Owner: Carrie Kolb appointed unanimously.
• Zoning Board of Review – Second Alternate: Susan Keller appointed from four applicants (Claire Plante, Margaret Stansfield, Rickey Thompson, Susan Keller). Approved unanimously.
• Positions re-advertised due to no applicants: Asset Management Commission, Economic Development Advisory Board, Information Technology Advisory Committee, Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee.

Key Outcomes

• Approved amendment to building permit fee schedule.
• Approved renaming of Davisville Academy.
• Approved consent agenda (items 7–8, 10–26) and item 9 (truck purchase) separately.
• Directed Town Manager to continue working on traffic light issues with RIDOT and to mitigate troll-related neighborhood impacts.
• Set meetings for Signal Rock Park planning.
• Appointed various board/committee members as noted; re-advertised unfilled positions.
• Received correspondence on roundabout, troll, student transportation, and traffic light issues.