Minutes 2026-02-09

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
FEBRUARY 9, 2026

MINUTES

6:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
MEMBERS PRESENT: David M. Gleason, Sondra Blank, Keith E. Hamilton, Mary A.
McDowell, Sharlene Patton, and David Reise
ABSENT: Juan Carlos Payero
Time: 6:01 PM
EXECUTIVE SESSION – Motion to go into Executive Session under RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) made
by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
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. – No votes taken.
ADJOURN – Motion to seal the minutes and return to open session made by Mr. Gleason, seconded
by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
Time: 7:01
7:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
Time: 7:07

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

SITTING AS THE PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

1. Roll Call
PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – Mr. Hamilton thanked the DPW regarding the snow
removal of the latest storm. Mr. Gleason commented on Carrigan Nelson’s celebration of life.
CONSENT AGENDA – Motion to receive and place on file items 1 and 2 made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously. Motion to approve as presented item 3 made
by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
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 #1301 on 1/22/26 in the amount of $196,476.91 as approved by the
Finance Director
Payment Voucher #1308 on 1/29/26 in the amount of $270,483.67 as approved by the
Finance Director
2. Committee Minutes:
Bike & Pedestrian Advisory Committee 1/22/26
Board of Canvassers 12/16/25
Harbor Commission 1/7/26
Pension Advisory Committee 10/27/25
Pension Advisory Committee 1/27/26

TCM 2/9/26
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3. Peddler License – Mobile Food Establishment (MFE), Renewal:
Yapa LLC d/b/a Tolia Food Truck, 39 Rhode Island Ave Unit 3, Newport (#9396)
MINUTES – Motion to approve as presented made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton.
Motion passed unanimously.
1/27/26

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. Transfer station and curbside sales update – As of January 31st, we have: 93 households on
Prudence Island signed up for the PI transfer station; 2,036 mainland households using the Hedly
Street transfer station; and 3,222 signed up for curbside. Just a reminder, the transfer station will be
closed and there will be no curbside pickup next Monday, February 16th due to the President’s Day
holiday. All curbside pickups will be delayed one day, including Friday’s pickup (which will be
done on Saturday).
2. Citizens’ Police Academy – The Portsmouth Police Department is currently accepting
applications for its 2026 Citizens’ Police Academy. This is a 10-week program that offers residents
a behind-the-scenes look at modern policing and the day-to-day work of our Police Dept. The
academy will meet Thursday evenings from March 19 through May 21, and will include hands-on
events, demonstrations, and open discussion with department personnel. This program has been
well received in the past and is a great opportunity for residents to learn more about law
enforcement and community policing in Portsmouth. Applications will be accepted through
February 17th and are available on the Police Dept’s website.
3. FY27 budget update – Regarding the FY27 budget process, we’ve completed our review of
Town department budgets and received all Civic Support requests. We’re now finalizing the Capital
Improvement Plan and the Special Revenue and Enterprise Fund portions of the budget. The Town
has also issued a Request for Proposals in accordance with Auditor General regulations auditing
services beginning next summer. Proposals are due later this month and we will present the bid
results to the Council in March. Any updated auditing costs will be incorporated into the FY27
budget. Work is also continuing on implementing the Town’s updated assessed property values,
which should wrap up later in March. As we noted during the January budget briefing, the next
budget will reflect the recent property revaluation. It updates assessments to current market
conditions but does not by itself generate new revenue, since the tax rate is adjusted to achieve the
adopted levy. The School Committee begins the first of its three budget meetings tomorrow
evening. Overall, the process is on schedule, and we remain on track to present a proposed FY27
budget to the Council at the end of March, consistent with the timeline previously shared.
4. Town Hall closed February 16th – Town Hall will be closed next Monday, February 16th in
observance of the President’s Day holiday.
I would like to note with sadness the passing of Madeleine Pencak, who served the Town of
Portsmouth as Registrar of Voters for over nine years. Madeleine performed her work with
professionalism, kindness, and a deep respect for the importance of fair and accessible elections.
Her years of public service were greatly appreciated by the Town and by those who had the pleasure
of working with her. On behalf of the Town, I extend our sincere condolences to her family and
friends.

RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

1. Resignations:

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Dog Park Committee – D. Kurland, C. Mathers-Kurland – Motion to accept with regret the
resignations of M. David Kurland and Carrie Mathers-Kurland made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by
Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Appointments:
Melville Park Committee – Stephen Luce withdrew his application.
Board of Canvassers – Motion to reappoint Ellen Vadney made by Mr. Gleason, seconded
by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
Dog Park Committee – Motion to reappoint Jennifer McGinley made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS (Discussion/Action)
1. Presentation of the FY25 Audited Financial Statements. – Motion to receive and place on file
made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Narragansett Electric and Verizon New England Inc. ask permission to relocate P19-90 42' W of
existing location and installing 12’ lead anchor at Fairview Ln. – Motion to approve made by
Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Decision on a proposed plan for the 3S fields. – Motion to proceed with option II: two fields,
parking lot and roadway, starting by utilizing the SouthCoast money made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
4. Adopt the recommended policy for Town Council appointments to decision-making boards:
Zoning Board of Review, Planning Board, Design Review Board. – Motion to request a policy
be created and put forth on next council meeting made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton.
Motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE – Motion to receive and place on file made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by
Ms. Patton. Motion passed unanimously.
1. EFSB Docket No. SB-2021-04 Notice of LNG facility at Old Mill Lane provided additional
natural gas supply to Aquidneck Island’s natural gas distribution system on Jan. 25, Jan. 28,
Jan. 30 and Feb. 2, 2026. / The Narragansett Electric Company d/b/a Rhode Island Energy
2. Bristol Ferry Town Common Committee update. / R. Sears, Chair
3. Notice of Final Decision and Order in EFSB Docket SB-2022-02 re: SouthCoast Wind Energy
LLC’s application to construct a major energy facility. / S. De La Rosa, Commission Clerk,
Public Utilities Commission
4. The Portsmouth Economic Development Committee summary of findings and recommendations
regarding the issue of natural gas availability in Portsmouth. / J. Forgione, Chair
5. Resolution in support of House Bill 2026 – H 7049 and Senate Bill 2026 – S 2147 moving the
September primary election day to after Labor Day. / Burrillville Town Council
FUTURE MEETINGS
Feb 23 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Mar 9 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Mar 16 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
Mar 23 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
ADJOURN – Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed
unanimously.
Time: 9:30 pm

________

Jennifer M. West, CMC, Town Clerk