Minutes 2026-03-18

PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

1 of 2

Minutes of Meeting
March 18, 2026

Call to Order
A regular meeting of the Portsmouth Economic Development Committee
(PEDC) was called to order by Chair Joseph Forgione at 5:36 p.m. on March
18, 2026 in the Portsmouth Room at the Portsmouth Town Hall.
Roll Call
Members Present: Emil Cipolla, Dan Corrigan, Joseph Forgione (Chair), Lex
Gardner, Steve Johnson (Vice Chair), Raymond Keller, Michael Mineau
(Secretary), Frank Rego, Peter Tyer-Witek (Youth Representative), and
Richard Talipsky (ex officio).
Members Absent: Philip Genereux, Richard Hood, Pete Lankarge.
Other attendees: None.
Town Council Liaisons: Keith Hamilton (absent) and Mary McDowell
(present).
Public Attendees: None.
Guest Speakers
Daniel Carlin.
Approval of
Minutes
Motion to approve January 28, 2026 minutes by Dan Corrigan, seconded by
Raymond Keller. Approved unanimously.
Correspondence
None.
Chair’s Welcome
and Report
Frank Rego announced his intent to resign from the Committee due to his
recent appointment to the Portsmouth Planning Board. Joseph Forgione
thanked him for his time serving on the Committee. Mr. Rego completed an
outline for a potential internship program and will submit a formal letter of
resignation to the Town Council.
Mr. Forgione, the Chair, gave an overview as a reminder to members of
successful work that the PEDC has done in recent years consistent with its
mission. He shared the three year results of Newport Polo town revenue share
contract, initiated by the PEDC, from before and after the new contract,
showing an increase from $49,687 pre to $140,733 post. He then highlighted
other PEDC driven initiatives including: buy local project, tax tiers, and the
gas moratorium recommendations.
Director of Business
Development’s
Report
Richard Talipsky presented an update on the Buy Local program. The website
developer recently populated the website with every business with a registered
tradename on the Rhode Island Secretary of State database.
Mr. Talipsky also noted that there is a Portsmouth Business Association after
hours event tomorrow at Ragged Island Brewery and a Rhode Island League of
Cities and Towns convention tomorrow, which Mr. Talipsky will be attending.

PORTSMOUTH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

2 of 2

Old Business
1. Update on further research for new initiatives
Peter Tyer-Witek discussed idea of supporting a “stand up” shop. Mr.
Talipsky suggested that he discuss mobile food establishment requirements
with the Town Clerk.
Lex Gardner discussed encouraging efforts to attract more senior care facilities
to Portsmouth.
2. Other Subcommittee Reports
Steve Johnson will be meeting with Commerce RI, which may result in an
update at the next PEDC meeting on broadband or the “Ready, Set, Rhody”
program.
New Business
1. Internship program
Frank Rego will send an outline to Joseph Forgione for the next meeting.
2. Aquidneck Island / NAVSTA Compatible Use Study
Steve Johnson presented documentation from the Study and discussed
opportunities for the Committee to support the redevelopment of this land by
the Town, in conjunction with the other Aquidneck Island municipalities and
the Navy.
Daniel Carlin from the Newport and Narragansett Bay Railroad discussed the
possibilities and potential timing for installing new passenger rail service from
Portsmouth to Newport.
Next Meeting
April 15, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. in the Colonel Thomas F. Lee Community Room
at the Portsmouth Police Department (2270 East Main Road).
Adjournment
Motion to adjourn by Raymond Keller, seconded by Dan Corrigan. Approved
unanimously. Adjourned at 6:40 p.m.
Submitted
M.. Mineau, Secretary //ss// 4-15-26
Approved
J. Forgione, Chair //ss// 4-15-26