North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - November 17, 2025

The Town Council met on Monday, November 17, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting included several public hearings, a detailed discussion on the Ocean State Community Electricity program and a proposed contract extension, public comments, reports, and new business. Key decisions included approval of fee changes, tax exemptions, license renewals, and direction to staff to pursue a three-year contract extension for the electricity aggregation program.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes of the November 3, 2025 regular meeting.
• Approved Tax Abatement List #884 totaling $13,892.74.
• Accepted donations of $2,720.00.
• Approved purchase of two Lifepaks for the Fire Department from Stryker Sales, LLC for $123,944.02 (funded by Rescue Billing).
• Approved purchase of a mini excavator for the Water Department from Rhode Island Harvesting Company, Inc. for $72,185.43.
• Accepted Community Development Block Grant Program Years 2023 and 2024 Competitive Block Grant Award.
• Approved annual entertainment license for Wickford Village Association for music and performances on various dates.
• Approved detective license renewals for 2025-2026.
• Approved exhibition license for Wickford Art Association for the Wickford Art Festival on July 11-12, 2026.
• Approved refuse collector license renewals (commercial for hire and not for hire).
• Approved extended hours victualling license renewals.
• Approved victualling license renewals.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Hilary Jacobs (72 Congdon Ave) requested an increase in the Arts Council membership from 10 to 13 members and an increase in the FY27 budget, citing level funding for nearly 10 years and the need to keep pace with inflation. She noted that 9% of children under 18 and almost 7% of residents over 65 live below the poverty line, and low-cost arts events support vulnerable populations.
• Guy Natelli criticized the Good Energy program, expressing concern about residents receiving mailers they considered spam, the difficulty of opting out for elderly residents, and the town's failure to send advance notice. He questioned who provided his private Rhode Island Energy account number and suggested the town mishandled the rollout. He opposed the opt-out design.
• Edgar Arroyo (79 Elna Street), a CPA and new Arts Council member, supported increasing the Arts Council budget to cover rising costs, including police details, and to expand programming.
• Sal Jarosa (98 Warsley Avenue), also an Arts Council member, supported a budget increase to fund additional initiatives, clear deficits, and foster arts partnerships. He mentioned potential merchandising and the Empty Bowl Food Drive.
• Nancy Sherman (64 Pleasant Street), Arts Council Chair, reiterated the need for a membership increase to 13 and a budget increase. She noted difficulties in obtaining sponsors due to the council not being a 501(c)(3) and efforts to secure fiscal sponsorship.
• George Brennan (70 Boone Street) spoke against the Good Energy program, arguing savings are minimal and the middleman adds unnecessary cost. He defended town staff, particularly Nicole LaFontein, against earlier criticism.
• Ken Boyteau (965 Tower Hill Road) expressed confusion about the opt-out process and feared penalties for returning to Rhode Island Energy. He confirmed with council that no reconnection fee applies.
• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road) opposed the automatic enrollment aspect, stating the council enabled the program. He questioned whether enough opt-outs could affect rates and expressed frustration with being forced to act.
• Ian Hay (98 Warsley Avenue) praised the new roundabout on Boston Neck Road, noting it improves traffic flow and is attractive.

Discussion Items

• Public Hearings (Items 4-7): All four public hearings were opened and closed with no public testimony. The council unanimously approved: (1) Second reading amendment to Section 9-4 (Harbor Fee Schedule); (2) Second reading amendment to Section 19-26, 19-27, and adding 19-29 (tax exemptions for elderly, prisoners of war, and visually impaired); (3) Alcoholic beverage, victualling, dance, and entertainment license renewals; (4) Transfer of Class B-Full licenses from West Passage Brewing Co. to West Passage Operating Co. (same location, same owner, Scott Monroe).
• Ocean State Community Electricity (Item 24): Planning Director Nicole LaFontein and Town Manager Ralph provided an update. The program, required by state law to be automatic enrollment (opt-out), aims to lower energy costs through collective purchasing. The town joined a buying group of eight communities. The launch was delayed until January 2026 because rates had to be lower than Rhode Island Energy's last resort; current savings are $0.010 per kWh. Four informational meetings are scheduled (one already held, three upcoming). The main discussion focused on Good Energy's request for a contract extension. Options presented:
  1. Test run: fulfill existing contract through 2028, with potential unknown penalties if the town exits early.
  2. Three-year extension: new five-year contract from 2026 to 2031 (effectively matching the other communities' original five-year term).
  3. Five-year extension: joining the other seven communities in extending through 2033. Staff expressed discomfort with the five-year extension before experiencing the program. Council members debated: Councilor Page and President Mancini favored option 2 to ensure affordability and avoid uncertainty. Councilor Ross expressed discomfort with all options but noted potential savings. Councilor Drew supported option 2, emphasizing the importance of even small savings. Councilor McCoy supported the program for competition and choice. The council directed staff to negotiate option 2 (three-year extension). The formal vote will be on December 15, 2025.
• Finance Report (Item 23): Finance Director presented a year-to-date budget report through October. Revenues are on track with property tax collections at 50%. Investment income is expected to exceed budget by $315,000 due to locked-in rates. Overtime in police and fire is projected to be higher, but vacancies may offset savings. Town Manager added that summer camp costs exceeded revenue by $137,000, necessitating a fee increase for 2026.
• Town Manager's Report (Item 22): Covered updates on school building projects (Wickford Middle School, CIP), offshore wind farm construction winding down, Wickford Municipal parking lot completion (ribbon cutting in spring), RIDOT roundabout (95% complete, minor fixes), Post Road sidewalk project, and recognition of NKHS as a Unified Champion School. Also noted 65 million dollars of RIDOT work in town since 2021.
• New Business:
  • Item 25: CRMC application for a 50-foot rip rap revetment at 81 Sauga Avenue. The council voted no substantive objection (unanimous).
  • Item 26: Authorization to apply for State of Rhode Island Department of Housing 2026 Housing Infrastructure Program for several infrastructure projects (e.g., sewer extensions, water capacity). Approved unanimously.
  • Items 27-32: Appointments: Steven Borowick reappointed to Assessment Board of Review (term to Dec 1, 2028). Joseph Gentile reappointed to Historic District Commission (term to Dec 31, 2028) and to Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee as HDC member (term to Dec 31, 2028). The council will re-advertise for unfilled positions: Asset Management Commission (at-large), Economic Development Advisory Board (two seats), Information Technology Advisory Committee (alternate at-large), and Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee (alternate business property owner).

Key Outcomes

• Approved (unanimous): Harbor fee schedule amendment, elderly/pow/visually impaired tax exemption amendments, liquor and entertainment license renewals, license transfer to West Passage Operating Co.
• Approved (unanimous): Consent Agenda (items 9-21).
• Approved (unanimous): No substantive objection to CRMC application #2025-07-058.
• Approved (unanimous): Authorization to apply for Housing Infrastructure Program.
• Approved (unanimous): Reappointment of Steven Borowick to Assessment Board of Review.
• Approved (unanimous): Reappointment of Joseph Gentile to Historic District Commission and to Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee.
• Direction to Staff: Pursue option 2 (three-year contract extension) for the Good Energy program, to be voted on at the December 15, 2025 meeting. Council also agreed to place the Arts Council's request to increase membership to 13 on a future agenda.
• Re-advertise positions for Asset Management Commission, Economic Development Advisory Board (two seats), Information Technology Advisory Committee, and Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee (alternate business property owner).