Town Council - Regular Meeting

All set.

We're going to start this meeting. I just want to say there were no votes were taken in executive session and I will uh have a vote to seal the minutes. So move second. All in favor? I going to salute the flag.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all announcements. I have one like to take a moment of silence for the passing of Myron Simmons, lifetime member here of Little Compton. Great coach, great friend, great builder. really great guy. Thank you. Minutes.

Motion to approve the minutes of April 23rd, 2026. So move. All in favor? I. Yeah. Same motion. Uh motion to approve the minutes of April 27th, 2026. Second. All in favor? Thank you. Department of head report.

Make a motion to put this farmer head report on file unless somebody wants pull one from like I would like to pull the social service director one second. So make a motion to favor I. So, uh, we did have a meeting called by the seniors last Friday up here and there was just basically they wanted to know what was going on in town cell was here. He got up and told him what was going on with the um, maintenance bill on Willow Avenue and You can do something with the fire stations or it's entering off for the town, but I had a little I I I don't know where Pam Coward got on the back when he said uh upon the conclusion of the proposal by Mr. Marinosi, Mr. Denim demanded appropriation. Then in the last sentence, she said Mr. Denim demanded. I don't remember Mrs. Denim or anybody demanding anything for her. It was just a social gathering basically. So, and I don't want to change her words, but I I would if she wants to say requested, that's fine. But

she I don't think anybody demanded anything. It was pretty pretty calm and well attended and uh social orderly far as I'm concerned. So I I'm not going to change her minutes. I don't have the right to do that. But I just thought that that kind of struck me. That's all. Thank you. Other minutes. So you got a vote on Pam's report motion for senior service second. Thank you.

All business one receive paper for furniture for the two furniture. I have two. Just don't go sit down over there. That's all.

Thank go one is office chairs USA. Okay. Um, for a total of 22 chairs and four tables, a total of $19,1216. That's from Office Chairs USA. Next one is from Houston. Oh

flower. Only flower. Yeah. Recycled packaging. Mouse in there. Okay. Um, for the 22 chairs and stacking transporter, I don't see anything for tables on here. I could be wrong. Um, 18,424. Thank you. All right. Thank you, Louis.

Is that it on the two of them? That's all I had. Yep. So, I'd like to make a motion to send this to library board along with Ana Wallock to come back with a recommendation. Second, town council. Thank you. Favor. I I Thank you. New business receive bid proposals for Springside Road side milling. Heather one.

While Heather's doing that, can I just remind folks uh Sue Russo has sued a grant for the funding of that furniture just in case they think it's coming. But it still it still seems like this don't really know what you're going to get on that second bid. So, we will review them, but just wanted to make sure you knew that that didn't come out of the budget. It comes out of the drinking fish sheet. Okay.

Okay. The uh spring roadside mowing estimate is from Rich McGee and Sun Sun Escavating RM Construction and it is a total of $14,000. I'd like to send that to the DPW director to see to make his comments on that. Is he here right now? I thought I saw him walking there. You want to comment on it? Yeah, either that or you can review it or whatever you want. I mean, he seems to be the only one that uh since Joe Rigo used to do it, he's the only one. He's the only one who bids the past several years.

Yeah. So that's it's it gets done every year. Yeah. I would advise to take it. Okay. I'll make a motion that we approve the bid and u allow the DPW director to get along with uh what was his name? Rich McGee and uh set up the town wide mowing on town roads. Second. I thank you.

New business to request for military border wars and combat infant treatments association of Rhode Island to install a Purple Heart monument at the Rhode Island Veteran Cemetery and exit this year for the memorial to those who were wounded or killed while defending our nation. Looks like they're looking for 60,000. So, I mean, I would not much town would like to give if the town wants to give anything, but I'd make a motion a minimum of $250. Second that. I thank you. That would come from you.

Yeah. Thanks. See a letter resignation from Edward Net Lavine effective as of 42826 from Archicultural Conservancy Trust. Make a motion accepted with reg with regret, excuse me, with regret. I know easy for you to say, not me. I'll second it also with regret. Send him a send him a letter of uh appreciation.

I might even call him. you know, it uh he wanted to get back on that board whenever we appointed him last time, six months ago or eight months ago. So, I'll probably call him too to see what uh he's done a great job, I think, and has really stretched the enabling legislation as far as it can go to work with other boards for housing. I think that was important. So, I will accept it with regret. All in favor? I four posts vacancy for a 5year unexpired term ending July 30th 2013 on an articultural conservancy trust 2030 2030

motion to post second all in favor

I thank you five request for tax assessor to use graphic ordinance for a deputy tax assessor to have um solicitor assist written on here. So, uh this ordinance uh uh was actually drafted by Denise. I reviewed it. It conforms uh to youres essentially. Um to me and of course you can you hear what Denise has to say but I think her main concern is the fact that uh you know she's the tax assessor and there are duties that she has to capacity as tax assessor. if she is not present in the office for whatever the reason um her assistant uh who knows you know knows what she's doing would not be able to perform those functions in an official capacity so if she is the deputy tax assessor by statute uh in in your charter she would be able to perform those functions I think from a governmental standpoint this is an important thing to do uh for the smooth running of an efficient operation of the uh of the uh all important assessment functions. That's why it's been drafted. I've reviewed it. It uh conforms to state statute and your own local ordinances. And I recommend that it uh go to uh second reading.

Did we receive that uh draft? I don't see it in the in the package. Could please speak into the mic because we're not here.

Did we receive that draft? I did not receive it in my package, but specifically we have in our ordinances a uh line of of designation for the deputy treasurer. And I would propose that we amend se the uh section 2-2.5 of the t of the ch excuse me that we amend the town code with language similar to that we have for the deputy treasurer and use that type of language in the in the description of the assessor because years ago we had a board of assessors. when we converted to a single assessor, we did not uh take that step neither by omission or commission. It just wasn't done. But that seems to me that's where it belongs is in the assessor section of the town code.

That's correct. Section 2.5 of of the uh yes of the town code. And I'm sorry that you don't have that, but it has been drafted. I recommend that you move this along to the second reading. Great. Okay. So, what what is the second reading anyways? Can you explain that to me? What I mean what is the process? We're going to vote on that language right now. Correct. You what you what you need to for the ordinance you have your set. This is going to be an amendment uh to the town's ordinances for this. Yeah. So what what motion do you want right now? I think we'd have a we'd go to another meeting public hearing.

We would vote from that meeting whether or not to go to a public hearing. Right. You're not asking us to go straight to a public hearing, are you? That was Yes. Oh, okay. I'll make a motion to have public hearing. Can we have it as soon as the next meeting? Yeah. Right now. I just going to have time to advertise it, which is a week. Well, I'll make a motion as soon as this gets advertised that we have a public hearing on it. Uh public comment on it. All in favor? I thank you.

Request from TP to defer from Denise. I'm sorry, Denise. Thank you. That's enough. Denise, thank you for taking this into consideration and voting for a public hearing because it's necessary. I mean, all the other offices have a deputy. I need a deputy when I'm not there and I need to take vacation sometimes. So, I need someone who's responsible to take over for me. So, thank you for doing this.

Thank you. New business six request from DPR to purchase a 2024 350 regular four-wheel drive service truck from Alaska Ford. This vehicle would be a replacement for the tow truck damage during this winter storm. Ronaldando Blizzard the name of it. Hernando Blizzard of 2026. I have Anya Ted on this one.

Thank you. I'm going to hand it to Ted. Uh there a uh about to get a bid from MHQ.

Wait, let's back up. Sorry, I'm taking it back from Ted. Uh Ted's truck got wrecked during that storm. Someone hit him uh uh did a sideswipe on him and did considerable damage to his truck. And uh we went through the interlocal trust file a claim and they uh determined that the truck was totaled and so Ted has been trying to figure out how to uh get a settlement for that claim and find a new truck. Now Ted will talk about the new truck.

Uh yes, the truck is total. I was not hurt in the accident. Um, sorry. I thank God.

Um, I got an original bid on a truck um through a state bid in Massachusetts and Rhode Island and unfortunately those trucks are not available on the lot. They are to be ordered and they're six to eight months out. Um, I've located one at Taska Ford on the lot. It's a leftover 2024 with um, I test drove at 15 miles on it. It's about the same price and we can get it as soon as we get approval. Um, so we don't have to wait on it. Um, it'd be available tomorrow if you so approve tonight. Um, it would be paid for by I think I talked with John McNammy on this and it would be the money we get through the trust plus some money in the budget from the winter leasing line that we did not have to use this this year will be enough to cover the cost of the truck.

And I believe the settlement was 29. Yeah. Uh $48,275 we're getting through the insurance company. Okay. I think the truck was 66. Uh 70 this 2024 769.99 76 and we're getting 46 from the trust. 48 48 trust 275 and then we have 8,000 money in the winter leasing line to cover the rest of it.

Is there a handful of hand? Yes. Go ahead. Uh, I talked to Ted about the truck sometimes and I had told him that uh if he gave me the information on I Tesa Bob Pasca is a personal friend. So I called Bob Pasa this afternoon and he knocked $2,000 off that price. Okay, good job. Thanks S. Thanks again. a gun wasn't involved, was it? No. Thanks.

Thank you. I'll make a motion to approve the purchase of this truck. Second. Any further discussion? All in favor? I

thank you. Seven. request from recreation committee. Re-engage activas to generate a request for proposal and solicit bids to replace the tenants pickle ball courts to be scheduled either during letter port of 2026 early 2027. I'm going to make a motion to approve to contingent upon using pickle ball donation for for the RFP and review of the contract with activist with the solicitor. Second discussion. Any discussion? All in favor? I. Thank you.

72. Request approval to purchase 110 yards of playground playground servicing wood chips from US playground servicing for a price of 2,965. This is going to come out of the playground out of the recck department's budget. Um, yes, I'll make that motion. I'll second it. Any further discussion? All in favor? Thank you.

Request from DPW directory 81, a second extensions for the current temporary employee until Saturday, June 13, 2026. I have a Sure. So, uh, Ted has had a full-time employee out medical leave and, um, has had a temporary employee covering part-time for that full-time employee. And, um, that uh, employee who's out on medical leave has not yet been authorized to come back to work. like to extend the employment of the temporary employee.

Motion to approve

favor to authorization to recruit a full PW employee. Also have on. So, uh, in addition to, uh, one employee being out on medical leave, uh, when that employee comes back, they will, uh, likely have some pretty serious restrictions on what kind of, uh, work they can do by way of lifting and sitting. And, uh, obviously, we want that person to come back, but, they're not going to be at full capacity for a while. Uh the DPW budget includes two part-time positions. Um the person who was in one of those positions resigned a couple weeks ago. Uh so we now have two part-time positions that are empty. And I'm proposing that rather than recruiting for those two part-time positions, we recruit we recruit for somebody who is full-time who can help pick up some of that load when our employee who is on leave comes back to work and uh can make sure that we are uh covering all of the needs of the DVW uh with uh with some uh hopefully some longevity ity. If we if we make it a full-time uh position, that person will be more likely to uh stick around. We can retain them um with a full-time position uh to a greater degree than we've been able to with part-time positions.

So, is the effect about the same between two part-times and a full-time? The salary is exactly the same with the full-time position. We would offer benefits and we don't know the cost of that until we choose somebody for the position and know whether they want to avail themselves of health insurance and dental insurance. Uh and if so, uh what kind of family unit they would be bringing on. So there's a little bit of uncertainty, but I think that we can cover that in the existing DPW budget. Motion to approve. Second. Further discussion? All in favor? I.

Thank you. So, if you let that uh employee that was injured come in and drive around that new truck, he'd probably be able to get a little bit more work out of him. That truck. Oh, okay. Hey, can I drive a truck?

Thank you. The ordinance agricultural special use permit for fence. I have Mr. Solicitor here to kick this one off.

This follows the request for the Young Family Farm for special events um at their farm which are not covered under the Right to Farm Act. This would allow for those types of events at all farms uh in the uh in the town uh so long as the zoning board grants a special use permit and we have the specific and objective criteria for that. Um what you need to do because this is a zoning ordinance is it has to go to the planning board uh for their review and then it would come back to you for a uh public hearing by by statute. I'm going to make a motion to accept this and forward it to the planning boards for their comments. And I know the young bomb want is this has gone farther long timewise than it was anticipated to be. So you need to have some kind of answer whether it's going to be allowed not. So, what would be the next step to push it along at the planning board? Cuz sometimes the planning board isn't quick as what the council wants them to be. Should it be a public should we announce a public hearing or set of public hearings?

Oh, but my my advice always is for matters of this nature because it's governed by um advertising. So, in order for Heather to get this into the um uh newspaper for the necessary advertising, you really need to get her a date so she can tell you yes, there sufficient amount of time and she can go ahead and start preparing for when that hearing is going to be. Now, um it's a three uh for um three week three weeks. It's three weeks for this. I usually say four so that they can build it in for the for the paper for the newspaper. So would the first meeting in June be sufficient?

Yeah, that's that's that's kind of tight. No, we can I'll make a motion in the paper. Excuse me. Is it possible to get it in before the next planning board meeting? because we didn't have a a meeting this this this month, but if you could get the advertising in before the next planning board meeting, it um it would be well let me just day of the month. So, so you'd have it to make on it. Let me just a second. So, I don't know if we're putting the cart in front of the horse here,

but we need to hear from the planning board to see if this complies with the comprehensive plan. Correct. Yes. Why why don't we set something up and we don't even have that answer? You you typically do that. If you don't have the answer, you just continue the public hearing. Okay. Well, thank you. Why don't make the public hearing in the second meeting in June? If it's not ready, if we don't have anything back back from planning board, we'll extend it. Correct. Yes. Okay. You know, the planning board may want to take more than one meeting. So, if you want to go to the go to the Is that your motion? I was just going to ask

was it moved and seconded? There was no motion. And I would have is are is the solicitor going to draft an outline of what that could look like so that the planning board would have guide a guide to Mark Hartman would be happy to do that for your meeting.

Okay. And and also there maybe because we're talking about special use permits for farms and some of those are going to involve weddings etc. Then it would have to be like for a yearly permit, not sight, not um date specific because if they have to apply for them, they'd have to apply for them a year or two in advance and that's not realistic. I I think what Tyler Young wants, the young family fund wants is just just to try this out. Okay. maybe to have three or four weddings. So when this comes to fruition,

wedding is planned and then they can because when the public hearing comes, they're going to come and they're going to speak and they can tell us what we want and then we can say, "Okay, this is what we want." If they come and say they want to have 10 weddings, I think that's overdoing it. Okay, let's let's let them in the door and see how it works out before we say, "Okay, you can Well, yeah, I understand that.

Yeah, I think you're going to work that out." But what I'm saying is I think we should look at like a year basis for that special use and because it's it's very difficult uh for them to come in at you know there's months in between weddings etc uh and for events because they have advertised etc. Jo said, "May May I?" Yes. That special use permit if it's granted by the the zoning board that gets recorded and that means that they get to do it and not on an annual basis. Okay. For that specific correct. Yes.

Thank you. But they can also put restrictions on. Absolutely. We're going to have three weddings this year and if everything goes well, maybe they'll give them five weddings because they got to go for a special use. The zoning board has the ability to condition the grant of a special use permit. But and this is not just I mean just to be clear this isn't strictly for the youngs. This would be for any agricultural property vineyard. That's correct. Yeah. Anybody could be apply using correct process. Just because all we've mentioned is Youngs. I just want to be clear that it's it's all agricultural. That's correct. Yes. Excellent. Can I speak to this moderator? But I'm not here in my capacity as moderator.

Larson speaking just individually. Um just to be clear, has has a draft ordinance been created? Yes.

Okay. So uh the uh point of the point is as as the solicitor pointed out that the once this is invoked it's not just for the youngs. So uh I just I supported this I supported this approach for a decade but just recall that we rushed this before and it and it sort of backfired on us when we were on the council. We asked the planning board to ask fast. So I just I'm I'm I'm for this, but we have to realize that

once once the terms of that ordinance will open the door for the the same uses that that the that the youngs are requesting other horse other farm farms with conditions that are special to each situation. Yep. Thank you. So, I think uh S brought up a good Excuse me. I thought S brought up a good thing to uh get some guidelines to give to the planning board, you know, because I I think parking is going to be a big issue on some of these smaller farms. So, I know Mark Mark Hartman would really like to do that. I should throw him under the bus while he's not here. Second.

Yes. I'll second Gary's motion. Can you repeat the motion? Um to accept the draft ordinance. Uh send it to the planning board for their comments and then schedule a p public hearing. So we're not accepting a draft ordinance, are we? We don't have draft proposal. Thank you. But it's got it's a draft proposal. Yeah. And did you say proposal? Well, I think I said on into the press, but it is a draft proposal I have written down. Yes. That was your motion to proposal.

Yes. So, it's up to us to decide. Do you want to try to bring if anything comes back from planning board by the second meeting in June or you want to hold it off to the first meeting in July? That'll give the planning board two meetings to look at it. Okay. Two meetings. One meeting.

Two meetings. Go here. Let's let's go to the second meeting in June. If nothing comes back because if you missed a meeting, you might have another meeting sometime in in May. So that'll be two meetings. So let's just schedule public hearing for the second meeting in June, town council meeting in June. And if we don't hear back from the planning board, then we'll extend it to the first meeting in July, which will give the planning board time for a second meeting. Motion. Yeah. Mo well, I don't think I made a motion on what to add. You said to have a public hearing on

public hearing. I was going to schedule a public Seeing any all in

favor? Thank you. New business tounces resign from the council effective May 31st 26. So I'm sorry to have to read this on the agenda. It's not the last time we're going to see Bob. So you get to sit in that chair. Today is not the day. Uh we have another FTM on May 19th and another meeting on Thursday uh the 21st of May. So you can't go anywhere yet. I'm not

um Bob has given uh it's the most precious thing anyone can give his time to this town for 22 years to this building to the people uh in this town and will be forever indebted to you for that. Uh, so I just want to simply say thank you.

I just and I'm not accepting the I'd like to say it's been an extreme pleasure working with Bob for the years. has been a a guiding force for me. We work together very well on many different issues and uh he's going to be solely missed. I'd like to take his resignation letter and rip it off, but I don't think that's what he wants to congratulations for you. Free time.

Thank you. Just a word. I'm uh the longest serving counselor is sitting at the table and I have suggested not I've suggested and the uh charter calls for the next longest serving counselor to return to the council. So, I think that I'm very pleased that Paul and Gary will uh both my seniors in one respect, certainly not in all respect, uh will be present on the council. And I thank you for the for the kind words. Thank you. Are you going to make a motion to

So, we have to make a motion to accept that to accept for a second. I I communications one request from Dionis Acquisition LLC Scon located 162 West Main Road for a single event entertainment license application for a classic poncho DJ playing Sunday June 28 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. Motion to approve. I'll second that. All in favor? I. Just for on the record, this was also approved by our building official Dean Simmons. He said this was compliant while doning.

I have one a letter of content agriculture preserving trustee 2026. We need a motion for that for our edification only.

Thank you. Communications to resolutions request for island general assembly to taxes at the town of Compton sales tax or operating each of the town of Heather. Go ahead. Uh this resolution was signed on May 5th, council president and myself and it has been forwarded to the solicitor for his reference, the governor's office, uh Representative Michelle Maguire, Representative Lou De Palama, and all the Rhode Island city and town clerks to pass along the 39 municipalities.

Someone called me today. Uh they're hearing this today. I haven't heard or a text on how when if it uh been voted up or down, so I don't have that to report. Thank you, Heather. Communication is three. Email from Lynch Gos installation apply safety brand motivated license platers. I'm going to put that on file. Second. All favor. Email from Cushing Anderson requesting not to authorize acquisitions of live cameras. Make a motion to put that on file. Second. All in favor? I I email from Kenneth Deers in opposition to PL cameras being installed.

Have a second. Second. I a letter from Lodge number 39 recommendations for lodge improvements. We accept this letter. This also went to the common needs committee. They have not come back yet with any recommendations. Um but uh this was well received from from me and uh I hope means okay so so the commist committee did get a copy of it. Okay. Very good. Motion plates on file. Okay. I motion place consent file on uh motion to place a consent agenda on file

unless anybody wants to pull one for conversation. All in favor? I bills. Motion to pay the bill. That's yours, man. I never like paying the bills. I'll second it. All in favor? I And before we adjourn, uh I just want to remind people of our FTM on 519. So open doors open at 5. The meeting is at 7. uh seen the Sakana times and town website for town uh for procedures to accommodate overflow if we all can't fit in the J. I will accept a motion to adjourn. Second favor I thank you.