Meeting colors

OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – March 2, 2026

Town Council — Monday, March 2, 2026

BodyNorth Kingstown, Rhode Island

SessionTown Council

DateMonday, March 2, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 2:12:57

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

0:57

Joe, Kim didn't get any water.

1:35

Good evening.

1:36

I'd like to call this meeting to order for Monday, March twenty s uh March second, twenty twenty six, uh from North Kingstown Town Council, and welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown.

1:48

Um tonight uh we were supposed to have a joint meeting with the school committee, but their building committee is also meeting tonight.

1:56

So uh the school committee could not um have a quorum for uh this joint meeting, so they are not here.

2:04

In addition, uh Mr.

2:06

McCoy and Matt McCoy, Council McCoy is in Washington DC uh advocating on behalf of the veterans of foreign wars.

2:14

He is not here.

2:16

Um pursuant to our down general laws forty two forty six dash six C notice of this meeting has been posted.

2:23

The Secretary of State's website.

2:26

Uh since we last met, town resident Richard Santos has passed away.

2:31

Uh he was a beloved husband of Patricia Santos.

2:35

Uh he's a proud US uh army veteran, served our country honorably as a sergeant, and uh following that he uh uh moved back to North Kingstown and had a um respected career in sales.

2:50

I'd ask uh we do the Pledge of Allegiance and have a moment of silence and honor on Mr.

2:54

Santos.

2:54

Thank you.

3:23

Um we have special business as a presentation uh to town council uh of the um uh uh uh by C B I Z CPA's and the audit committee um on our annual audit re uh report for fiscal year uh that it ends June t thirtieth, twenty twenty-five.

3:48

Is uh C B I Z here?

3:53

Come on up, all right.

3:59

Uh good evening everybody.

4:02

Just state your name and that'd be good going, that'd be great.

4:06

Yeah, absolutely.

4:07

Uh my name's Kyle Connors.

4:08

I'm a managing director with CBiz.

4:10

We serve as the uh town's third party independent auto auditors.

4:17

Well, I've got the date wrong, but that snowstorm uh threw us.

4:20

No worries.

4:22

So I'm glad to be dug out of that.

4:25

Certainly feel free to ask questions as we go through go through the uh report.

4:29

I'll do do my best to answer them for you.

4:32

Uh if you were to read through our financial statements, you read that we issued a clean financial statement or clean opinion, which means we feel the financial statements are free of material misstatements.

4:41

Um, Deb and and uh and her team and Leslie at the school, just great people to work with.

4:47

Um the information that they provided us was clean.

4:50

Hopefully that means the information they're providing you on on a month-to-month basis is is reliable.

5:00

Overall fund balance increased in the town's general fund by 2.7 million dollars on a budgetary basis.

5:05

So when you look at your how you performed budget compared to actual, uh it increased 2.7 million, and that provides the town with unassigned fund balance at your end of 21.6 million.

5:21

When we look at your your fund balance, typically uh we compare it to your budget as a percentage to see what's considered healthy.

5:30

So that 21.6 million represents just under 20 percent of your operating budget, which is a pretty uh healthy target, a healthy place to be.

5:38

So uh I have a question, if I may.

5:40

Sorry.

5:41

Uh on that uh on that issue, which is uh uh in the report you gave us, you said um one of your statements was um you had an increase of 15 million from the previous year uh of your fund balance.

5:59

Is that correct?

6:00

Or did I read that wrong?

6:01

So did I am I catching you off guard also?

6:04

Uh that that was my one one of my questions.

6:06

I don't have a lot, by the way.

6:08

That's okay.

6:09

Uh so are we talking about the general fund?

6:11

Uh financial highlights.

6:14

As of the close of the current yeah, the North Kingstowns uh total government funds reported uh combined and ending fund balances of 58 million, an increase of 15 million from the previous year.

6:27

Yes.

6:27

Uh so you when you're talking about governmental funds in total, it's it's not it's it's a combination of the school department funds, right?

6:35

School grants.

6:36

Uh your ARPA, any construction funds, um, but the general fund, which is what I'm specifically talking about, is the main operating fund of the town.

6:45

But still $15 million seems high.

6:48

You know, it's really a function of, you know, if you went out to bond, right, and you had bond proceeds that you haven't spent down.

6:56

That fund balance is considered restricted, restricted for future use, so you can't just use it on public safety or on or on school or whatever.

7:03

So uh when you're looking at total fund balance of all your governmental funds really doesn't tell you, you know, it's it's not like you earned $15 million, it's just funds that are restricted for certain uses.

7:16

Okay.

7:16

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Public Safety████████████████16%

Environmental Protection███████████████15%

Budget Equity Analysis████████████12%

Public Engagement████████8%

Community Engagement████████8%

Procedural███████7%

Fiscal Sustainability███████7%

Transportation Safety███████7%

Racial Equity████4%

Summary of Proceedings

North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – March 2, 2026

The Town Council met on Monday, March 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting featured a presentation of the annual audit for FY2025, public comments on a range of issues, approval of a consent agenda, reports from the Town Manager and Finance Director, several appointments, and discussions on sidewalk clearing and community acceptance.

Consent Calendar

Items 6–16 were approved unanimously by a single motion. These included:
- Receipt of a $100 donation.
- Acceptance of a resignation from the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council.
- Award of bids: construction of a golf cart barn ($1,544,000) and Post Road water main replacement ($1,785,590).
- Ratification of emergency water main repair ($30,976.46).
- Acceptance of a Learn365 Math Matters Grant ($8,500).
- Annual entertainment license renewal for town concerts.
- Exhibition licenses for Wickford Village Association (Harbor Fire events) and TANK (Book Festival).
- New victualling license for Firehouse Subs.
- Endorsement of House Bill H-7352 and Senate Bill S-2607, the Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act.
- Final bond reduction for Cottages at Weeden Farm ($142,719.57).

Public Comments & Testimony

Vanessa Morasco (Parkside Way) expressed strong concern about asphalt odors from the Bitumar facility at Quonset, noting that DEM does not require an air permit. She provided maps and documents showing two locations and questioned why the QDC board (including Councilor McCoy) was not fully informed. She urged the town to take action, citing property value declines (up to 11%) and health risks.
Alyssa Knapp (Parkside Way) confirmed the odor and its extent.
Jennifer Lima (Fort Hickory Drive East) advocated for adopting an immigration protection ordinance or issuing a public statement to ensure all residents can safely access police and emergency services. She cited that immigrants make up 16.7% of Rhode Island’s labor force and 26.7% of manufacturing. She requested support for specific state bills (Protect Our Courts Act) rather than only a resolution.
Hilary Jacobs (Congdon Avenue) requested increased funding for the Arts Council from the current $19,000, calling it a strategic investment in economic vitality and community well-being.
Norman Fortin (Towa Hill Road) voiced support for the Civil Rights Enforcement Act resolution and asked how the council’s endorsement would be communicated to the General Assembly.
Nancy Sherman (Pleasant Street), chair of the Arts Council, requested a budget increase to $25,000 and specifically asked that the council cover $3,000 in police costs for Arts Council events, noting that funding had stagnated since 2018.
Lori Duffy (Haver Hill Avenue) asked for a public statement affirming that all residents, regardless of status, can safely access emergency services, emphasizing that this is a safety and moral issue.
Susan Borkew (36th Street, Shore Acres) expressed concern over noise and air pollution from Quonset, asking what the town plans to do.
Kim Rodney (26th Street, Shore Acres) complained about increasing noise and light from Quonset, especially on weekends, and said QDC responses are inadequate. She noted that QDC’s board lacks local representation beyond elected officials.
Mary Lepresti (Chestnut Road) reported that accessible parking spots in the Wickford municipal lot remained covered with snow despite a prior email to the town manager. She emphasized that this sends a message of neglect to people with disabilities.
Richard Welch (Arrow Lane) provided historical context, stating that when the Navy left Quonset, the state promised it would not become a replacement for East Providence (no tank farm, no lumber offloading). He urged the council to protect air quality and hold DEM accountable.

Discussion Items

Presentation of Annual Audit (FY2025): Kyle Connors (CBIZ CPAs) reported a clean audit opinion. Key statistics: general fund unassigned balance of $21.6 million (just under 20% of operating budget); total governmental funds ending balance of $58 million (increase of $15 million from prior year, largely due to unspent bond proceeds); revenues exceeded budget by $4 million (property taxes 99.1% collected); expenditures exceeded budget by $2.7 million (public safety and capital outlay). The school department ended with $9.1 million assigned fund balance (11.4% of operating budget). Water fund operating income: $650,000; sewer fund: $438,000. Pension plans are funded at 85% (range 67–93%); OPEB plan is 25% funded. A single audit of ARPA found no noncompliance. The audit committee chair, Jeff Wadovic, highlighted the town’s 10-year financial history and noted the school pension underfunding is partly a state obligation (42%).
Town Manager’s Report: Ralph Mollis recounted the town’s response to the historic blizzard (35–36 inches of snow). Public works plowed all 150 miles of roads once by Wednesday night. School nutrition services distributed over 250 meals. The town secured additional assets from Connecticut and RIDOT. Regarding the Bitumar facility, Mollis said the town lacks permitting authority (Quonset is a quasi-state agency) but will write DEM to investigate objectionable odors under regulation 250-RICR-120-05-17. A Bitumar representative reached out, stating the company wants to rectify the situation. The letter will be on the March 23 council agenda. Councilor Page raised the possibility of involving public health experts.
Finance Director’s Report: Deb Bridge presented a YTD budget update prepared with AI assistance. She projected a surplus of approximately $542,000. Revenues are $127 million (taxes 75% collected); expenditures also $127 million. Key variances: interest income $704,000 over budget; state aid to education reduced but already accounted for by the school department; the sale of Wickford L (budgeted $300,000) delayed. Storm expenses will be monitored for FEMA reimbursement.
Sidewalk Clearing Ordinance: Councilor Beth Hill Ross initiated discussion on liability, enforcement, and communication. Town Manager Mollis outlined three options: status quo (property owners responsible, no fines); enacting a fine ordinance; or the town buying equipment and raising taxes (which he cautioned would be costly and inefficient). He noted the town already clears sidewalks near schools, crosswalks, and high pedestrian areas, but not along Post Road. Councilor Hill Ross stressed the need for better public notification and for holding state agencies (RIDOT, RIPTA) accountable. No motion was made.
Accepting Community Statement: Councilor Dr. Kim Page read a statement expressing the council’s desire for North Kingstown to be a welcoming, safe community where fear does not prevent people from accessing services, attending school, or enjoying public spaces. She cited the walk of 19 Buddhist monks as an example of unity. The council concurred with the statement; no formal vote was taken.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda (Items 6–16): Approved unanimously, including endorsement of the Rhode Island Civil Rights Enforcement Act.
Annual Audit Report: Received and filed unanimously.
CRMC Pier Application (Item 19): The council voted unanimously to file no substantive objection to CRMC application 2026-01-032.
Water Main Extensions: Approved for The Edge Development (Item 20) and Franklin Commons (Item 21), each with eight conditions.
Appointments:
- Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council: Janice McAleer (unanimous).
- Arts Council (7 members): Edgar Arroyo, Nancy Sherman, Gail Burda, Selina Gerosa, Donna Vanderbeck, Jerry Grabowski, Roberta Belanger – approved unanimously, with charter exemption for long-serving members Sherman and Grabowski.
- Conservation Commission: Kathleen Guarino and Robert Vanderslice (unanimous).
- Harbor Management Commission: Kay Ho (environmental), Keith Finck (recreational boating), Ernest Wilcox (commercial fishing), Matt Collins (marina) – approved unanimously with charter exemption for Finck and Wilcox.
- Information Technology Advisory Committee: Keith O’Brien (expert) and Scott Lessard (at-large) – approved; two remaining positions to be re-advertised.
- Tree Warden: Jan Peter Morgan reappointed unanimously.
- Veterans Day & Memorial Day Parades Committee: Alfred Boucher appointed unanimously.
Re-advertisements Needed: Asset Management Commission (no applicants), Personnel Board (no applicants), Wickford Village Design Guidelines Committee alternate position.
Bitumar Odor Issue: Town Manager will draft a letter to DEM, to be placed on the March 23 council agenda. Council will coordinate with resident Vanessa Morasco.
Sidewalk Clearing: No decision; town will improve communication about property owner responsibilities before next winter.
Accepting Community Statement: Endorsed by consensus; no formal action.

Meeting Transcript

Joe, Kim didn't get any water. Good evening. I'd like to call this meeting to order for Monday, March twenty s uh March second, twenty twenty six, uh from North Kingstown Town Council, and welcome to the People's House of North Kingstown. Um tonight uh we were supposed to have a joint meeting with the school committee, but their building committee is also meeting tonight. So uh the school committee could not um have a quorum for uh this joint meeting, so they are not here. In addition, uh Mr. McCoy and Matt McCoy, Council McCoy is in Washington DC uh advocating on behalf of the veterans of foreign wars. He is not here. Um pursuant to our down general laws forty two forty six dash six C notice of this meeting has been posted. The Secretary of State's website. Uh since we last met, town resident Richard Santos has passed away. Uh he was a beloved husband of Patricia Santos. Uh he's a proud US uh army veteran, served our country honorably as a sergeant, and uh following that he uh uh moved back to North Kingstown and had a um respected career in sales. I'd ask uh we do the Pledge of Allegiance and have a moment of silence and honor on Mr. Santos. Thank you. Um we have special business as a presentation uh to town council uh of the um uh uh uh by C B I Z CPA's and the audit committee um on our annual audit re uh report for fiscal year uh that it ends June t thirtieth, twenty twenty-five. Is uh C B I Z here? Come on up, all right. Uh good evening everybody. Just state your name and that'd be good going, that'd be great. Yeah, absolutely. Uh my name's Kyle Connors. I'm a managing director with CBiz. We serve as the uh town's third party independent auto auditors. Well, I've got the date wrong, but that snowstorm uh threw us. No worries. So I'm glad to be dug out of that. Certainly feel free to ask questions as we go through go through the uh report. I'll do do my best to answer them for you. Uh if you were to read through our financial statements, you read that we issued a clean financial statement or clean opinion, which means we feel the financial statements are free of material misstatements. Um, Deb and and uh and her team and Leslie at the school, just great people to work with. Um the information that they provided us was clean. Hopefully that means the information they're providing you on on a month-to-month basis is is reliable. Overall fund balance increased in the town's general fund by 2.7 million dollars on a budgetary basis. So when you look at your how you performed budget compared to actual, uh it increased 2.7 million, and that provides the town with unassigned fund balance at your end of 21.6 million. When we look at your your fund balance, typically uh we compare it to your budget as a percentage to see what's considered healthy. So that 21.6 million represents just under 20 percent of your operating budget, which is a pretty uh healthy target, a healthy place to be. So uh I have a question, if I may. Sorry. Uh on that uh on that issue, which is uh uh in the report you gave us, you said um one of your statements was um you had an increase of 15 million from the previous year uh of your fund balance. Is that correct? Or did I read that wrong? So did I am I catching you off guard also? Uh that that was my one one of my questions. I don't have a lot, by the way. That's okay. Uh so are we talking about the general fund? Uh financial highlights. As of the close of the current yeah, the North Kingstowns uh total government funds reported uh combined and ending fund balances of 58 million, an increase of 15 million from the previous year.

SUMMARIZED BY OPENPUBLICA AI

TRANSCRIPT VIA PUBLIC VIDEO
openpublica.com