North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - February 9, 2026

The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6:30 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting began with an executive session on a real estate matter, followed by the regular session at approximately 6:45 PM. A range of special business items, a joint meeting with the School Committee and state legislative delegation, a public hearing, public comments, consent agenda approvals, and reports were all on the agenda.

Consent Calendar

• Items 11 through 34 (excluding items 17, 23, and 24, which were removed for separate discussion) were approved by one motion.
• Item 12: Receipt of donations totaling $4,550.00.
• Item 13: Receipt of a $550.00 donation for Recreation Department “Al’s Kids” scholarships.
• Item 14: Receipt of $1,560.00 from the ACT Foundation for stone dust for Ryan Park trail improvements.
• Item 15: Authorization for the Town Manager to execute a term sheet for a land swap with Quonset Development Corporation for the Public Safety Complex.
• Item 16: Ratification of an amended MOU with the Rhode Island Office of Energy Resources.
• Item 18: Approval of Change Order #1 ($26,500) for the Hamilton Allenton Landfill closure.
• Item 19: Award of bid ($228,800 + $34,320 contingency) for Senior Center chiller replacement.
• Item 20: Award of concession contract for mobile food services at Wilson Park to Matthew Picard dba The Snack Bar ($15,001.00).
• Item 21: Award of concession contract for mobile food services at Wilson Park to Justin High dba American Hot Dog ($2,500.00).
• Item 22: Award of concession contract for the Town Beach concession stand to Matthew Picard dba The Snack Bar ($10,001.00).
• Items 25-34: Various grants, licenses, proclamations, and ordinance first readings (Safety & Security Grant $1,918.00; RIDEM Water Safety Grant $3,815.89; alcohol license for St. Francis de Sales Church; renewal of refuse collector license; proclamation declaring May 2, 2026 as North Kingstown Day of Service; pole relocation; first readings on fee schedule amendments and excavation permit amendments).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Tom Segoris (15 Boston Neck Road) expressed concern about the town’s lack of leadership on climate change, criticizing statutory bans on wind and solar power and the middle school project not being net zero. He urged the town to act and lead by example.
• Norman Fortin (610 Towerway Hill Road) requested that the Town Council adopt a resolution stating that ICE agents are not wanted in North Kingstown, arguing that federal immigration enforcement is forcing local towns to respond. He emphasized public safety and community welcome.
• Jennifer Lima (Hickory Drive East), speaking as a School Committee member, resident, and president of Transformative Action for North Kingstown, echoed the call for a resolution or public statement opposing ICE presence, noting she had previously requested action over several months.

Discussion Items

• HistWick Donation (Item 5): Randy Wheatman (President of Historic Wickford) and Town Historian Kim Cranston presented an original artwork by Laurie Jeremiah depicting “The Oaklands,” part of the Wickford Walk series. The painting was donated to the town; the digital version will be placed on a sign at Oaklands. The council accepted the donation with gratitude.
• North Kingstown Free Library Strategic Plan 2026-2031 (Item 6): Will Valverde (Board of Trustees Chair) and Library Director Megan Whedon presented the five-year plan. The mission is “a place for our community to gather, grow, and connect.” Four strategic priorities were outlined: preparing library spaces for future needs, welcoming new audiences, expanding partnerships and collaboration, and continuously improving core services. Council member Matthew McCoy noted that capital improvements for the library were included in the Capital Improvement Plan, highlighting the need for funding. The council commended the plan.
• Asset Management Commission – Capital Improvement Program FY2027-FY2031 (Item 7): Dr. Jim Halley presented the Commission’s recommended projects and priorities. Top priorities included the Public Safety Complex and Wickford Fire Station (non-enterprise funds), pavement management, and various school projects (high school boiler, flu piping, etc.). Total proposed projects were $123,180,553 across departments. The Commission recommended using fund balance for one-time projects, pursuing grants, and possibly selling town-owned property. The council voted to receive and file the report.
• Joint Meeting with School Committee – Legislative Priorities (Item 8): The council, School Committee, and state legislators (Rep. Robert Craven, Sen. Alana DiMario, Sen. Bridget Valverde, and others) discussed priority legislation. Topics included education funding (state aid formula, level funding concerns), school construction reimbursement, unfunded mandates, mental health resources, teacher pipeline, food insecurity, and school safety (e.g., school resource officers). Legislators provided updates on the state budget outlook, workforce development, and student loan repayment proposals. Council members and the Town Manager expressed the need for increased state aid and flexibility. A resident raised concerns about competing bills on teacher termination protections and urged the council to prioritize student safety.
• Public Hearing – Liquor License Transfer (Item 9): A hearing was held on the transfer of a Class B-Full alcoholic beverage and victualling license from Providence Coal Fired Pizza NK LLC to 6105 Post Opco LLC for the same location. Attorney Matthew Lyons stated that operations would remain the same. The hearing was closed, and the transfer was approved subject to all claims being satisfied before issuance.
• Item 24 – Community Library Box (Evan Simas): Evan Simas, a high school senior, presented his senior project proposal to install and maintain a community library box. He explained his motivation and construction plans. The council approved the request and directed the Town Manager to execute an MOU.
• Item 37 – Water Main Extension for Overlook Development: Al from the Water Department requested approval for a water main extension to serve a development (three 28-unit buildings and two 6-unit buildings) by Steve Moran. An independent analysis confirmed adequate water pressure. The developer would bear the cost. The council approved.
• Item 38 – Sale and Redevelopment of Oak Hill Road Property: Town Manager Ralph Mollis recommended authorizing a committee to solicit proposals for the sale and redevelopment of the town-owned property (Plat 85/Lots 76, 77, 78, 97, and 101), similar to the Wickford Elementary process. The property required environmental remediation, now completed. The council voted to authorize the solicitation of proposals.

Key Outcomes

• Votes and Approvals:
  • Accepted donation of artwork from HistWick (unanimous).
  • Received and filed the Capital Improvement Plan (unanimous).
  • Approved liquor license transfer for Providence Coal Fired Pizza (unanimous).
  • Approved consent agenda items (11-16, 18-22, 25-34) (unanimous).
  • Approved Item 17 (mini-split/heat pump units, $241,350.00) (unanimous).
  • Approved Item 23 (CMaR for Public Safety Projects) (unanimous).
  • Approved Item 24 (community library box MOU) (unanimous).
  • Approved Item 37 (water main extension) (unanimous).
  • Approved Item 38 (authorization to solicit proposals for Oak Hill Road property) (unanimous).
• Public Comment on ICE Resolution: Council President Mancini expressed skepticism that a resolution would be effective and worried about potential federal repercussions for town funding. Council members Page and Ross also voiced concerns but agreed to reach out to affected groups and bring back a draft statement. No immediate resolution passed.
• Manager’s Report: Highlights included updates on the Wickford Elementary sale (closing targeted by Sept. 1, 2026), the school building committee progress, the public safety complex project now with Dimeo Construction as CMaR, approval of the land swap with QDC, continuing work on Revolution Wind, and receipt of federal earmarks for the Old Town Meeting House ($620,000) and broadband/security cameras ($625,000). The Town Manager also reported that FY25 ended with a town surplus of $2,704,769 and a school surplus of $2,259,315.
• Finance Director’s Report: Debbie outlined revenue and expenditure status through December 2025, noting increases in tax collections, interest income, and additional PILOT revenue. Overruns in police detail and potential overtime in police/fire were flagged. Snow removal costs were expected to draw from restricted reserves.
• Next Steps: Budget hearings scheduled for March 9 (presentation), March 16 (all-day meeting), April 13 (public hearing), and April 27 (adoption). Council will continue dialogue on ICE-related statements with community stakeholders.