North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - July 13, 2026
North Kingstown Town Council Meeting - July 13, 2026
The North Kingstown Town Council met on Monday, July 13, 2026, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall Council Chambers. The meeting covered a wide range of topics including public comments on ongoing nuisances (solar farm noise, asphalt odors), approval of consent agenda items, reports from the Town Manager and Finance Director, and detailed discussions on the public safety complex bond project costs and public comment policy.
Consent Calendar
- Items 7 through 29 were approved en bloc with the exception of items 9, 22, 24, and 27, which were pulled for separate discussion.
- Item 9 (Transfer to Various Funds): Town Manager explained the annual transfer of surplus funds to restricted accounts for snow removal, grant matches, capital reserve, debt service, and other purposes. Motion to approve carried.
- Item 22 (Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council Rain Garden Project): Jan McAlear (Conservation Commission liaison) presented the grant-funded project to install rain gardens at public sites for education and groundwater recharge. Approved.
- Item 24 (Easement Agreement with RI Commerce Corporation): Town Manager explained the expansion of an easement for water tower maintenance by QDC. Approved after questions from Vanessa Mascaro.
- Item 27 (Entertainment License - West Bay Community Theater): Councilor Hill Ross announced a production of "Mamma Mia!" on August 15, 2026. Approved.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Eric Benson (146 Old Mill Lane) complained about increased noise from a solar farm construction behind his home, requesting noise barriers.
- Vanessa Mascaro (21 Parkside Way) urged the council to send two members (including Matthew McCoy) to meet with Cervenka Green regarding odor control; requested the solicitor also attend. She also raised questions about the water tower easement item.
- Holly Quinn (109 Clearview Drive) criticized the council for not enforcing its own public comment policy and for disrespecting speakers; she urged voters to elect responsive candidates in upcoming primaries.
- Francine Leone (86 Maplewood Drive) alleged that the planning department and commission improperly approved a solar farm, claiming violations of the comprehensive plan and zoning laws. She reported early morning truck noise from the site. Town Manager defended the process, noting the planning commission followed applicable laws and the court upheld the decision. He acknowledged the noise issue and said staff are working with the state to find remedies. Leone also questioned why the solar development did not go through a full rezoning.
- Kevin Hoyle (44 Poplar) raised two QDC governance issues: (1) the QDC board’s delegation of authority to four directors in June 2025, and (2) the provision for major variances in the QDC development package that could require Planning Commission approval. Council President Mancini said a written response from the solicitor would be provided.
- Angela Sheehan (35 High Mank Avenue) requested that the town send mailers to seniors (65+) about Quonset issues, noting that up to 25% of seniors do not use the internet. She also asked about information at the senior center and tax bill inserts. Town Manager said mailers are being considered.
- Kathleen Garino (139 Somewhere Lane) clarified context on the solar farm land (planned for condos, not single-family homes) and challenged former council member Welch’s statement on the three-minute rule, saying it was enforced when he was president.
Discussion Items
- Second Reading – Amendment to Competitive Bidding Ordinance (Item 6): A public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The amendment was adopted by unanimous vote.
- Town Manager Report (Ralph): Provided updates on school and public safety bond projects; the preliminary GMP for the public safety complex came in at $69 million (details under Item 37). Reported progress on Post Road sidewalk project, town beach events, and drought monitoring. On asphalt odor (Bitumar): received a letter from Bitumar’s counsel listing five odor control measures and a vapor control equipment purchase; also received a supportive letter from Governor McKee directing DEM enforcement. DEM Director Gray committed to expanded investigations and an online complaint portal. The town also notified EPA regarding a potential Clean Air Act citizen suit on the Quonset biosolids facility. No update on the battery storage facility, but a meeting with the Energy Facility Siting Board is expected.
- Finance Director Report (Deb Bridgeum): Presented preliminary year-end results: revenues $129M, expenditures $128M, surplus estimated at $1.4M after approved transfers. Revenue drivers included interest income, realty conveyance tax, and recreation program fees. Key expense drivers: police and fire overtime, legal fees (Quonset), and retirement costs. A $1M transfer to debt service restricted fund will help offset future bond payments.
- Overview of Bond Projects (Item 32): Finance Director explained BAN issuances: $10M in June 2025 (4%, premium $96,800) and $77.28M in June 2026 (4%, premium $1.1M). School bond (total $137.2M) eligible for 35% housing aid ($87M reimbursement). Further borrowing anticipated in June 2027.
- Old Business – Asphalt Smell (Item 33): Council President Mancini reported 97 complaints since March 29, with 17 since June 24. Councilor McCoy requested that DEM Director Gray, QDC CEO Stephen King, and other officials attend a public forum to answer resident questions directly. Town Manager agreed to make the request.
- Old Business – Public Comment Policy (Item 34): Councilor Hill Ross argued for more opportunities for public comment (not just at start) and better responsiveness. Other council members defended current policy, citing ACLU recognition and ample speaking time. No action taken.
- New Business – Interim Municipal Court Judge (Item 35): Nicholas Solitro was appointed to fill the unexpired term of David Reilly through December 1, 2026. Solitro introduced himself and noted he has been filling in for Reilly. Unanimous approval.
- New Business – Meeting with Cervenka Green (Item 36): Council authorized President Mancini and Councilor Drew (with Town Manager) to meet with Cervenka Green, LLC to discuss odor control improvements. This followed public testimony suggesting Councilor McCoy also attend. Motion approved.
- New Business – Public Safety Complex Bond Update (Item 37): Town Manager reported that the GMP came in at $69,069,089, $9M over the $60M bond. To avoid further escalation, approval needed by August 18. Proposed $2.4M in cuts (landscaping, retaining wall, parking, etc.), $2.7M in outside funding ($500K from technology fund, $360K safe streets grant, $861K from old bond proceeds, $1M federal grant for EOC equipment), and $3.9M from the town’s $23M unrestricted fund balance. He emphasized that the cuts do not jeopardize operations and are acceptable to the chiefs. Council discussed fund balance thresholds and long-term impacts. The discussion will continue at the August 17 meeting.
Key Outcomes
- Adopted the amendment to the Competitive Bidding Ordinance.
- Approved all consent agenda items (with individual votes on items 9, 22, 24, 27).
- Appointed Nicholas Solitro as Interim Municipal Court Judge.
- Authorized Council President Mancini and Councilor Drew (with Town Manager) to meet with Cervenka Green, LLC regarding odor control.
- Directed the Town Manager to request DEM Director and QDC officials to attend a public forum on asphalt odors.
- No action taken on public comment policy change; council remained divided, and the issue may be revisited after November elections.
- Continued discussion on public safety complex bond project funding to the August 17, 2026 meeting, with potential use of fund balance and further cuts.
Meeting Transcript
They really like going to like the water park area. Molly is so big. I remember Katie's kids involved. They got married at this point. I wonder if my mother my son's mother in law who was involved in helping fan their wedding. She's like an event person. Maybe. I took Molly once. She was almost six, and I'll take Betsy next year when she's six. The People's House of North Kingstown. Pursuant to an Island Journal of Laws forty-two forty six has six the notice of this meeting has been posted on the Secretary of State's website. First item uh to go over is a motion to go in executive session. Pursuant to an island general laws forty six forty uh forty two forty-six four and forty six forty uh forty-two forty six five. Uh subsection two uh litigation discuss possible settlement in the rolling meadow uh way association versus Madison et wall in the town of North Kingstown as an interest party. I would entertain a motion for executive session. So moved. Second. All in favor say aye. Any opposed? The ayes have it. Thank you. You just walked up to a microphone, waited to get acknowledged, and said you're the piece. And you did this at any point during the course of the meeting. Um I don't recall it ever running over three minutes, four minutes, whatever. And it makes a lot of sense when you think about a discussion that is going to require a vote. And those the folks in the audience, the the public, the taxpayers, given the opportunity to express their opinion about uh the discussion and uh and the vote, the possible vote. Um I was in the position of being uh president of this town council. Um I was in the position of being uh president of this town council, um I did that. I acknowledge the people who would stand up and want to be recognized and allow them to speak. Um in the charter, it's very explicit. It says that the public will be given the opportunity to speak. And saying that they can only speak for three minutes is not in the charter. This is something that has been instituted, and quite frankly, I object to it. I object to not being able to talk during the meeting when there's going to be a vote taken on something, because the public has something very interesting and important to say. It's called their opinion. And that's why you're elected to represent the people. It's not a personal opinion. It's an opinion, and it's for the best interest of the people. So I would agree with the request by Councilwoman Ross that this should be part of the the situation and should change. And I thank you very much for the opportunity to express myself. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Welch. Uh Eric Benson. Good evening. Eric Benson, uh 146 Old Mill Lane. Um I came to this meeting uh concerning the noise level uh of the solar farm that's being built behind my house, and it has gone up immensely. Um I'm I hopefully someday they'll build a barrier like they've done up in Massachusetts on line 128, the noise barriers just to keep the integrity of the neighborhoods, it's right behind my house. And uh I'll go I won't speak for three minutes about this whole thing, but you know that's just it it's it's really a cry and shame. But they want to build this solar farm, so thank you very much.
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