Agenda 2026-04-13

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 13, 2026
AGENDA(amended pdf backup ob2)
The Portsmouth Town Council meeting will also be live-streamed on the web and by phone dial-in using the
Zoom remote meeting service. The Executive Session will not be streamed to the public. See below for directions.
6:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

EXECUTIVE SESSION

1. RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) – Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work
Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. – Status reports from Town Solicitors
on pending and threatened litigation involving the Town of Portsmouth.
2. RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) – Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work
Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. – Disability Pension
3. RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) – Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work
Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. – HR Policy
4. RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) – Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work
Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. – Prescription health care benefit

ADJOURN

7:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

SITTING AS THE PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

1. Roll Call

PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

PUBLIC COMMENT

Residents may address the Town Council on matters relevant to the authority and jurisdiction of the Town
Council, and not otherwise on the agenda, during the public comment period; speakers will be called in the
order they appear on the public comment sign-in sheet, which will be available up until the meeting start
time, and then will be provided to the presiding officer at the start of the meeting; a speaker may approach
the Town Council only once per public comment session; speakers shall state their name and address for
the record; each speaker will be limited to three (3) minutes in the public comment period and the period
will not exceed fifteen (15) minutes total during a meeting; we ask that all speakers direct their comments
to the presiding officer and that they be respectful and courteous when speaking; the presiding officer shall
enforce the rules and maintain order.

CONSENT AGENDA

Directions to view licensing applications: 1) Click OpenGov, 2) Click Search, 3) Click Records, and then
type in the record number listed on the agenda, 4) Click on the highlighted record to view the application.
1. Bills
Payment Voucher #1384 on 3/19/26 in the amount of $600,655.95 as approved by the
Finance Director
Payment Voucher #1396 on 3/26/26 in the amount of $35,441.25 as approved by the
Finance Director
Payment Voucher #1412 on 4/02/26 in the amount of $122,157.18 as approved by the
Finance Director

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2. Committee Minutes:
Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee 3/26/26 (Draft)
Economic Development Committee 1/28/26
Solid Waste/Recycling Committee 3/12/26 (Draft)
3. Peddler License – Mobile Food Establishment (MFE), Renewal:
Domenic Daniel d/b/a The Daily Grind, 2121 Elmwood Avenue, Warwick (#9434)
4. Peddler License – Specific Event:
Rugby Imports, Ltd., 885 Warren Ave, East Providence, for the Beast of the East Collegiate
Rugby Tournament, Gardner Seveney Sports Complex, April 18 & 19, 2026 (#9439)
5. CRMC – Public Notice 2025-11-015
Joseph & Mary McDowell, Portsmouth, RI 02871 for a State of Rhode Island Assent to
construct and maintain an as-built residential boating facility consisting of a 5’x81’ fixed
timber pier, a 3’x22’ ramp, two 4’x31’ floats, and two tie off piles. The tie off piles
extending 75ft beyond mean low water. The existing facility was not built in accordance
with the approved 1984-05-013 plans. A variance to CRMC Redbook section
1.3.1(D)(11)(1) is required where the facility extends 25ft beyond the 50ft standard. Project
Location: 94 Point Road.

SITTING AS THE BOARD OF LICENSE COMMISSIONERS

Directions to view licensing applications: 1) Click OpenGov, 2) Click Search, 3) Click Records, and then
type in the record number listed on the agenda, 4) Click on the highlighted record to view the application.
1. Entertainment License:
Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power St, for the St. Anthony’s
Feast, July 16-19, 2026, 8:00am – 1:00am (#9420) (fr. 3/23/26)
2. Victualler License:
Portsmouth Portuguese American Citizens Club, 35 Power St, for the St. Anthony’s
Feast, July 16-19, 2026, 8:00am – 1:00am (#9421) (fr. 3/23/26)
3. Entertainment License:
Portsmouth Youth Soccer Association, PO Box 428, for the Portsmouth Youth Soccer
Invitational Tournament, Gardner Seveney Sports Complex, June 21-22, 2026 (#9446)
4. Entertainment License:
St. Barnabas Church, Annual Festival, 1697 East Main Rd, June 19-21, 2026 (#9437)
5. Victualler License – Specific Event with Fee Waiver Request:
St. Barnabas Church, Annual Festival, 1697 East Main Rd, June 19-21, 2026 (#9438)
6. Class F Daily Liquor License:
St. Barnabas Church, Annual Festival, 1697 East Main Rd, June 19-21, 2026 (#9437)

ADJOURN

MINUTES

3/16/26

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. DEM Outdoor Recreation Grant Award
2. FEMA approval of Aquidneck Island Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan
3. Budget update

RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

1. Appointments:
Conservation Commission (1 vacancy)

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Tree Warden (Re-Appt) – J. Fitzgerald
OLD BUSINESS (Discussion/Action)
1. Request approval for Portsmouth School Bond Memorializing Resolution. / R. Rainer (10)
School Bond Act
2. Portsmouth Community Electricity summer 2026 update amended pdf backup. / R. Ferdinand &
S. Loretto, Good
Energy (15)
3. Request adoption of Sign Ordinance as amended. / D. Gleason (5)(fr. 3/16/26)
Revised Sign Ordinance (redlined, with revisions)
Revised Sign Ordinance (clean copy)
4. Update on LMI resolution of January, 27, 2026. / D. Gleason (5)
NEW BUSINESS (Discussion/Action)
1. Request to advertise for a public hearing for a sound variance to allow for live music for the
Common Fence Point Improvement Association block party at 933 Anthony Rd on July 11,
2026, from 5:00-10:00 p.m. (OpenGov #9443). / D. Breton (5)
2. Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee 2026 Annual Plans. / P. Murphy, Chair (10)
3. Request to amend Ordinance 99-6-28 -An Ordinance Relating to Adjustment of Tax
Exemptions in Years of Town Wide Real Property Reevaluation. / M. Helfand (5)
4. Review of the process and timeline for discovery of the error with our completed and
accepted audit. / M. McDowell (5)

CORRESPONDENCE

1. Resolutions adopted on March 3, 2026. / Richmond Town Council
a. Requesting the General Assembly consider changing the date for the statewide primary

due to the Labor Day holiday.
b. In support of House Bill H7224 (2026 – An Act Relating to Towns and Cities – Award
of Municipal Contracts).
2. Letter informing of the start of construction for pavement improvements – West Main Rd and
Sprague St. / Rhode Island Dept. of Transportation
3. Letter in favor of not renting Seveney Fields to outside groups. / N. & M. Reaser
4. Letter of support for Community Blessings Foundation’s Healthy Living in Recovery Housing
Project. / T. Cortvriend, State Representative, District 72
5. Resolutions adopted on April 6, 2026. / Hopkinton Town Council
a. Opposing Senate Bill 2389 and House Bill 7305 relating to the Access to Public Records
Act (APRA).
b. In opposition to House Bills H7035, H7755, H8068, H8071, and H8075.
c. In support of House Bill H7971 increasing the threshold for prevailing wage.
6. Resolutions adopted on March 17, 2026. / Lincoln Town Council
a. Related to low and moderate income housing.
b. In support of municipalities collaborating in reviewing, analyzing, and responding to the
2024 and 2025 Affordable Housing Laws.
c. To enable the Lincoln Town Council to enact a tax credit for veterans.
d. In opposition to House Bill H 8073 and Senate Bill 2710.
e. In support of House Bill H 7971.
f. In support of Joint Resolution 7678.
7. Monthly RIRRC Report. / Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp.
8. Resolutions adopted on March 23, 2026. / South Kingstown Town Council

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a. Supporting the Rhode Island bottle and extended producer responsibility bills (H 7911
and S 3012)
b. Proclaiming April 24, 2026 as “Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day” to commemo-
rate the Armenian Genocide of 1915 to 1923, and in honor of Armenian Americans.
c. In support of House Bill 2026-8018 entitled an act relating to Health and Safety -- State
Building Code.
9. Resolutions adopted on April 6, 2026. / Middletown Town Council
a. In support of Municipalities collaborating in reviewing, analyzing, and responding to the
2025 Affordable Housing Laws.
b. In support of fully funding state aid to libraries to the full twenty-five (25) percent.
c. In support of amendments to the FY2027 State Budget to fully fund certain education
costs.
d. Opposing a statewide nonowner occupied property tax.
e. Urging full funding of the school housing aid program.
10. Resolution in support of Municipalities collaborating in reviewing, analyzing, and responding to
the 2025 Affordable Housing Laws. / Westerly Town Council
11. Resolution in support of House Bill 8015 defining accessory dwelling units (ADUs) as
affordable housing in municipalities with no minimum lot size for ADUs. / Barrington Town
Council
12. Invitation to the Aquidneck Island National Police Parade on May 3, 2026. / Sgt. B. Celico
FUTURE MEETINGS
Apr 27 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Apr 28 7:00 PM – Town Council Budget Hearing
Apr 29 7:00 PM – Town Council Budget Hearing
Apr 30 7:00 PM – Town Council Budget Hearing (If needed)
May 11 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
EXECUTIVE SESSION - (If needed)

ADJOURN

RETURN TO OPEN SESSION

OPEN SESSION

ADJOURN

Virtual access is being provided only as a convenience and is not an official “location” where access to
the meeting is guaranteed; please note that being physically present at the meeting is the only way to
guarantee complete access to the meeting.
To access the meeting through the web, go to the following web link in any browser to run the Zoom app
and view the meeting: https://livestream.portsmouthri.com/towncouncil
To access the meeting by phone dial-in, please dial 1-888-788-0099. Once prompted for the meeting ID,
please dial 996-8471-9966#. Once prompted for a participant ID, dial # again. You will now be in the
meeting. While in the audio conference, to raise your hand to ask a question, dial 9 and the host will be
notified of your interest in asking a question. Dial 6 to mute and unmute yourself.
The public is welcome to any meeting of the Town’s boards or its committees. If communication assistance
(readers/interpreters/captions) is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please
contact the Town Clerk’s Office at 683-2101 at least (3) business days prior to the meeting.

TCM 4/13/26
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POSTED 4/8/26