North Kingstown Town Council Meeting – June 8, 2026

The North Kingstown Town Council held a regular meeting on Monday, June 8, 2026, at 7:00 PM in the Town Hall Council Chambers, following an executive session at 6:30 PM. The meeting addressed a range of agenda items including public hearings, public comments, consent agenda approvals, reports from the Town Manager and Quonset Development Corporation (QDC) representatives, a discussion on speed cameras, and appointment to the Board of Canvassers.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from March 9, 2026 (with Councilmember Drew abstaining), March 16, 2026, and March 23, 2026.
• Approved Tax Abatement List #887 ($1,233.22).
• Accepted resignation of John Fitzgerald from the Veterans Day & Memorial Day Parades Committee; Councilmembers expressed gratitude for his long-term service.
• Approved purchase of security camera system upgrades ($48,381.00) from Minuteman Security & Life Safety.
• Awarded bid for liquid sodium hypochlorite ($4.30/gallon) and liquid caustic soda ($2.5529/gallon) for the Water Supply Department.
• Approved new entertainment licenses (El Tapatio, World Cup showing at Town Beach), exhibition license amendments (Wickford Village Association Harbor Fire, Wickford Maker's Mart, Book Sale by Association of RI Authors), fireworks permit (July 4, 2026 with rain date July 6), mobile home park license renewal (Kingstown Properties, LLC), and ordering of tax and appropriation votes.
• Approved placement of utility poles on Oak Hill Road and authorization to pursue FIFA licensing for the World Cup viewing event.
• Adopted Resolution Recognizing June as North Kingstown Pride Month (Councilmember Drew moving, seconded). A public speaker (Guy Natelli) commended the council, noting federal government actions harming LGBTQ+ community members.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Guy Natelli (135 Greenwood Road): Expressed disappointment with the electric contract (Good Energy program), stating residents who did not opt out are now paying higher rates. He argued the program should have required opt-in, not opt-out. Town Manager Ralph confirmed the council discussed it previously and that opting out can be immediate, though the company declined to send informational mailers. The town will provide contact information to affected residents.
• Randy Wheatman (40 Stanford Avenue, President of Historic Wickford): Reported completion of two beautification projects: a garden/bench at the corner of Fowler and Main Street (funded by Historic Wickford, installed by DPW) and hanging plants on West Main Street. Thanked DPW for their support.
• Holly Quinn (109 Clearview Drive): Criticized the energy program for harming vulnerable residents, particularly an 87-year-old who had no knowledge of the opt-in. Also raised concerns about speed cameras, noting poor signage (hidden in trees, inconsistent), lack of public awareness until testing began, and questioning why alternative measures (flashing lights, speed bumps) were not considered. Urged a pause and more transparency.
• Tom Maiosi (66 Lands End): Opposed the speed cameras, arguing they are a financial burden on the local economy ($85,000 in fines in the first week), distract drivers (eyes on speedometer instead of road), do not lead to DUI or weapons arrests, and recommended speed humps instead. Urged the town to recognize a mistake and change course.
• Meg Kerr (151 Prospect Avenue): Expressed strong support for speed cameras as a runner near the high school, stating they have made it safe to run. Noticed cars have slowed significantly and thanked the council.
• Richard Welch (8 Arrow Lane): Warned about “value engineering” on the upcoming school construction project, citing his experience on the high school building committee 20 years ago when a project went 17.5% over budget. Specifically noted the architect proposed removing solar panels from the roof to save $250,000, which he argued would be recouped in electricity savings in a year or two. Advised the council to be leery of scope reductions.
• Ricky Thompson (194 Plain Road): Questioned whether the new Wickford Middle School would serve as an emergency shelter; Town Manager clarified it is a relief center, not an emergency shelter. Also criticized the Good Energy program, saying the council is “washing its hands” of responsibility and that many residents are unaware of the rate changes. Begged the council to fix the mistake and inform residents.
• Richard Benaducci (27 White Birch Court): Disagreed with opponents of speed cameras, stating the best way to avoid fines is to obey the speed limit. Noted cameras operate in Providence as well and have made him a safer driver.
• Kathleen Garino (139 Summit View Lane): Objected to a comment made by Richard Welch earlier in the meeting, calling him out for referring to a “young fellow from the Dominican Republic who had a hard time speaking the King’s English.” She expressed offense and demanded an apology.

Discussion Items

• Speed Camera Update: Captain McCoy presented data showing a 96.5% reduction in violations from the initial study average of 9,253 per day to 323 per day during the warning period, and further reduction to 218 per day in the first weeks of citations (May 13 to June 2). Stony Lane had the most violations and the highest repeat offender rate. 54.7% of violators are non-residents. The vendor (Blue Line Solutions) receives $34 per $50 ticket; the town receives $16. The system cost the town nothing upfront; vendor handles all maintenance. The cameras operate school days only from 7 AM to 6 PM per state law. Council President Mancini proposed a pause on fines through the end of the year, with an education campaign in August and warnings for the first month of school (September), then restarting fines October 1. He stressed the program is about safety, not revenue. Other councilmembers (Hill Ross, Page, McCoy) opposed the pause, arguing the data shows effectiveness and that personal responsibility is key. Drew suggested an education campaign but questioned the pause given summer shutdown. The council did not take a vote; discussion ended with agreement to pursue further outreach via school department and media.
• QDC Board Report: Councilmember David Maielli (QDC representative) reported on the May 27, 2026 QDC board meeting. Key outcomes: The board approved a resolution affirming the Managing Director’s decision not to execute a lease with GSS (biosolids) at this time, and will not act on such a lease until the legislative commission studying sludge management issues its findings and recommendations (deadline extended to April 2027). The board also adopted an interim bylaw change requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote for “high impact projects” (advanced waste conversion or non-traditional process tests). The bylaw remains in effect until QDC and the Town of North Kingston agree on updated development regulations and zoning; if they cannot agree, the supermajority requirement stays. Additional enhanced public information procedures (14-day advance notice, public question period) were included. Councilmember McCoy expressed desire for state-level legislation banning the sludge facility outright, while Maielli noted inspections at Bitumar are unannounced and that odor complaints persist. Council President Mancini expressed profound disappointment with Bitumar’s credibility, noting over 50 odor complaints and the company hiding behind lawyers; he asked to put a response letter on the next agenda.
• Town Manager’s Report: Ralph Miles provided updates on school bond projects (building advisory subcommittee meeting, design development approvals for Wickford Middle School), public safety bond projects (construction timeline, PFOS found at Station 1, PLA adopted), municipal office building renovations, Oak Hill Garage RFP, state budget (additional $148K in education aid), World Cup promotions, beach parking permits, RIDOT updates (Rhode Island Energy work until mid-July, sidewalk construction spring 2027), finance (S&P reaffirmed AA+ long-term and highest short-term rating SP-1, BAN sale successful), water department rain barrel program, summer pilot hours (starting June 22 through September 4), and various community engagements.
• Correspondence: Letters from residents addressed affordable housing, leaf blower noise, bridge work, opposition to sludge facility, support for Pride resolution, updates on Verizon cell tower, paving on Beach Street, and noise from Smith’s Castle.

Key Outcomes

• Consent Agenda Items: Approved en masse except Items 10 (minutes – handled separately), 12 (resignation – commended), 26 (school funds – passed with discussion about potential additional state aid), and 29a (Pride Month resolution – approved).
• Public Hearings: All four hearings (liquor license for Sip Studio, amendments to Chapters 13 and Section 9-4) were opened and closed with no public comment, and the respective ordinances were approved by voice vote.
• Speed Camera Discussion: No formal action taken; council agreed to continue public outreach. Captain McCoy to explore feasibility of a pause with vendor.
• QDC Bylaw Resolution: Noted as adopted by QDC board; council expressed support for the enhanced protections.
• Appointment: Kerry Wicker appointed as Alternate Member to the Board of Canvassers (term to March 1, 2032) by unanimous vote.
• Meeting Adjournment: Motion passed to adjourn after items 34 and 35.