May 5, 2025 - Regular Meeting
Middletown
Minutes · May 5, 2025
THIS MEETING CAN BE HEARD IN ITS ENTIRETY ON THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN WEBSITE WWW.MIDDLETOWNRI.COM OR THE DVD IS AVAILABLE AT THE MIDDLETOWN LIBRARY.
At a Regular Meeting of the Town Council of the Town of Middletown, RI at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, RI in person on Monday, May 5, 2025 at 6:30 P.M.
Members Present::
Council President Paul M. Rodrigues, Presiding
Vice President Thomas P. Welch, III
Councilor Peter D. Connerton, Sr.
Councilor Christopher M. Logan
Councilor Charles R. Roberts
Councilor Dennis B. Turano.
Councilor Barbara A. VonVillas
POSTED APRIL 30, 2025
REGULAR MEETING MAY 5, 2025
TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF MIDDLETOWN, RHODE ISLAND
The following items of business, having been filed with the Town Clerk under the Rules of the Council, will come before the Council at a regular meeting to be held on Monday, May 5, 2025, 6:30 P.M. Regular Meeting at the Middletown Town Hall, 350 East Main Road, Middletown, Rhode Island. Said meeting will be conducted in person, by telephone conference call/ webinar, members of the public may access and listen to the meeting in real-time by calling 1-877-853-5257 (Toll Free) or 1-888-475-4499 (Toll Free) and entering Meeting ID: 889 0719 7692 or on the web at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88907197692
If you choose to join the meeting by zoom or telephone, Council Rules allow for the Public to speak only during the Public Forum and Public Hearings. If you call in by telephone, pressing 9 raises your hand and pressing 6 will unmute.
The items listed on the Consent portion of the agenda are to be considered routine by the Town Council and will ordinarily be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Council, or a member of the public so requests and the Town Council President permits, in which event the item will be removed from Consent Agenda consideration and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda. All items on this agenda, with the exception of the Public Forum Session, may be considered, discussed, and voted upon in executive session and/or open session.
Pursuant to RIGL §42-46-6(b). Notice – “Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members. Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.”
Any person not a member of the Council, desiring to address the Council concerning a matter on the docket of the Council, not the subject of a Public Hearing, shall submit a written request to the Town Clerk stating the matter upon which he desires to speak. Persons are permitted to address the Council for a period not to exceed five (5) minutes.
The Middletown Town Council follows the codification of present-day general parliamentary law as articulated in Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised 10 th edition (2000), together with whatever rules of order the Council has adopted for its own governance. The motion to reconsider is one of the motions that can bring a question again before an assembly, and is designed to bring back for further consideration a motion which has already been voted on:
If, in the same session that a motion has been voted on, but no later than the same day or the next day on which a business meeting is held, new information or a changed situation makes it appear that a different result might reflect the true will of the assembly, a member who voted with the prevailing side can, by moving to ** Reconsider** [RONR (10
propose that the question shall come before the assembly again as if it had not previously been considered. (From Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised In Brief, Robert, Evans et al., De Capo Press, 2004)
There were no reconsiderations.
1. The Town Administrator will provide an update on:
a. Town Projects
b. Library Building Project
c. School Building Project
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to begin the Town Projects, Library Building Project and School Building Project updates.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins reviewed the following update for the Library Building Project:
-The Library Building Committee (LBC) had their first meeting with the town's Project Manager/Owner's Representative: Downes Construction.
-The LBC considered four different options for methods of construction, which will then drive how to select the design team. Options included: 1) Design/Build where a Construction Manager partners with an Architect & Engineering Team, 2) Construction Manager at Risk (CmaR), 3) Construction Manager Assist (CMA), and 4) General Contractor (GC).
-Since this is a simple renovation, the LBC decided that the most important part of this project is the design. The LBC wants the town and library to be able to hire the architect and have full control over the design process. The LBC decided they did not want to do the design/build option, but did not decide between construction manager at risk, construction manager assist, or general contractor.
-Downes will initiate the process for a RFQ for architect and engineering services, and the LBC will review the draft at their next meeting on Wednesday, May 7th.
-Downes is assisting the LBC with submitting applications for the OLIS reimbursement process and to seek additional grant funds from a few local foundations. That process has just recently begun.
The project is on time and on budget.
Shared Facilities Director Ed Collins reviewed the following update for the School Building Project:
The new middle-high school is being delivered under a Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) contract.
In the CMAR model, the Construction Manager (CM) is brought on during the design phase and works closely with the architect and project team to provide cost estimates, schedule input, and construction planning. The CM will ultimately take responsibility for managing construction and delivering the project under a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP)—a cap on the total construction cost that protects the Town from cost overruns, except in defined situations.
As part of this process, the CM breaks the project into multiple trade packages (e.g., site work, structural steel, mechanical systems) and conducts competitive bidding for each. The results are submitted to the Town as Request to Award (RTA) packages. Each RTA includes a recommended subcontractor based on the bids received, along with cost summaries and scope details.
The Council will be asked to approve four RTAs, which are the first of approximately 38 packages we expect to receive throughout the course of the project. Approving these RTAs allows the CM to execute subcontracts and begin the corresponding work. This step-by-step approach allows work to proceed as design documents are finalized and ensures oversight of each major decision.
Once all RTAs are approved and costs are confirmed, the CM and the Town will finalize the GMP amendment to the construction contract, incorporating all approved subcontract awards. That GMP will come before the Council for final approval later in the process.
This method provides important benefits: early coordination between design and construction teams, better cost control, flexibility in scheduling, and full transparency for the Council and public. The team will provide additional updates as we continue receiving RTAs and move closer to the GMP.
The project is on time and on budget.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that the Town Projects, that were provided in the docket, have no further updates. The updates are also on the Town website and in the Office of the Town Clerk:
· Housing – Berkeley & Oliphant
· Middletown Center Development
· Middletown Library Construction Project
· Infrastructure-Oxbow Sidewalks
· Dunlap Wheeler Park Improvements Design Project
· Housing- East Main Road
· Financial Software-Consolidation Town and School
· Infrastructure-Purgatory Sidewalks
· Amending Two-Tiers Tax Ordinance to include Owners of Long-Term Rentals
· Infrastructure-Atlantic Beach Streetscapes Design
· MHS Renovations for Consolidated Elementary School
· Comprehensive Community Plan Update
· Community Learning Center
· 2025 Red Road Paving Project
New Middle-High School
Councilor VonVillas read the following into the record:
Let’s Focus on the “Big Picture”
Middletown’s recent catalog of ongoing projects is impressive, reflecting a focus on improving a multitude of functions and expanding available resources. However, none of these projects could have been approved without the necessary funding. And, in a municipal government - notwithstanding possible grants-in-aid from private and public sources - that funding comes from the taxpayers.
Every project has advocates and the strength of the advocacy - as opposed to the noise of the opposition - usually dictates the result. But - to repeat - that funding comes from taxes.
The one unifying concern of ALL of the Town’s residents is taxes. Just consider the challenge of developing a budget where expenses increase every year - and then add proposals that are likely to impact the budget of every single resident.
Similarly, consider the positive impact of proposals that actually support the tax base to a degree - or even add to it.
Each of two major current proposals seem to have divided the community:
Commercial development of the West Side Commons
Affordable housing at the Berkley-Peckham and Oliphant Schools
From my perspective, the major objections appear to be related to resistance to change. No one likes change. Add the complicating factors of potentially increased traffic as well as insufficient available parking, and opposition is inevitable.
I am not minimizing these issues. No one likes to have their normal activities complicated. However, sometimes considering the potential result of NO change makes the options a little clearer.
To repeat: the one unifying concern of all the Town’s residents is taxes. Balancing tax concerns with the resistance to change may influence the result.
Consider the following:
1. Leaving the Commons “as is” with no active improvement would mean the existence of two empty and deteriorating buildings (Kennedy School and the Library) or - in the event that they were demolished - would leave an open area requiring the expenditure of tax funds for maintenance.
Some people might consider this an attractive option at minimal expense.
Others might understand that commercial development of the property - not to mention providing additional affordable housing - would contribute tax revenue and help to minimize future tax increases.
2. Leaving the Berkley-Peckham and Oliphant Schools “as is” would also mean preserving the existence of 2 decaying structures - each containing multiple vacant spaces - while requiring substantial maintenance of the whole buildings to ensure usefulness and safety.
Others might recognize the benefits of increasing affordable housing for the Town’s senior population while, at the same time, gaining additional state funding for repurposing the schools, reducing the need for additional tax increases.
So - for me - the choice between options is a no-brainer: The discomfort associated with change OR larger future tax increases AND less state funding But I’m only one person. The choice is yours.
2. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: Middletown Public Schools – Recommendation to Award (RTA) – Materials Testing and Special Inspections.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above.
3. Resolution of the Council, re: Award (RTA) – Materials Testing and Special Inspections to Prime Consulting and authorize the Town Administrator to execute the agreement.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Councilor Roberts inquired if there will be a line item in the budget for Materials Testing and Special Inspections.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, responded to Councillor Roberts that there will be a line item in the budget.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
4. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-31A) – Sitework Package.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown noted that unsuitable soil does not mean that the soil is contaminated, it means that it is not suitable for building on.
Discussion centered around the meaning of unsuitable soil, the scope of the sitework package and the reimbursement of project monies from RIDE.
5. Resolution of the Council, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-31A) – Sitework Package approval.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
6. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-05A) – Structural Steel Package.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above. Mr. Bernard noted there are no concerns with tariffs, the steel is from a United States company.
7. Resolution of the Council, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-05A) – Structural Steel Package approval.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
8. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-03A) – Concrete.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above.
9. Resolution of the Council, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-03A) – Concrete approval.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
10. Communication of Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-99A) – Precondition Surveying Package.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Justin Bernard, Senior Project Manager, Project Management Services, Colliers Project Leaders, reviewed the communication above.
Discussion centered around the purpose of the surveying work, if there will be a need to blast ledge in the area, and there should not be a need to blast.
11. Resolution of the Council, re: New Middletown Middle-High School – Recommendation to Award (RTA-99A) – Precondition Surveying Package approval.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
12. Pursuant to Rule 25 of the Rules of the Council, Citizens may address the town on one (1) subject only, said subject of substantive Town business, neither discussed during the regular meeting nor related to personnel or job performance. Citizens may speak for no longer than five (5) minutes and must submit a public participation form to the Council Clerk prior to the start of the meeting. All items discussed during this session will not be voted upon.
Lawrence Frank, Middletown, presented a handout, entered here and read the following into the record:
Discussion centered around the criteria of a motion to reconsider an item, a motion to reconsider would come at the next meeting of the Council and would need to be brought forward by the prevailing side of the vote, and a motion to renew is different from a motion to reconsider.
Council President Rodrigues requested item #15 be heard under the regular portion of the agenda.
13. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, April 7, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
14. Approval of Minutes, re: Regular Meeting, April 21, 2025.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to approve said minutes.
15. Communication of Superintendent of Schools William J. Niemeyer, re: Middletown School Committee suggestion for new elementary school name – Valley Elementary.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
Council President Rodrigues inquired if the Town Council has any input on the naming of the school.
Town Solicitor Peter Regan will review the process and will return with an answer.
16. Proposed Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance, Section 1208 Exempt Signs, Window signs – Non-illuminated. (Planning Board recommendation on file; Council action to advertise for a future public hearing)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said proposed amendment and advertise for a future public hearing.
17. License of Burial, re: Alan Levada and Marie Levada – Section 56, Graves 50, 51 & 52.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license of burial.
18. Applications from the following-named persons, firms and corporations for RENEWAL of Holiday Sales Licenses, for the 2025-2026 licensing year:
Shaw’s Supermarket, Inc. #7442/192/Shaw’s Supermarket-
71 East Main Road
Walgreen Company #3000/Walgreens- 12 East Main Road
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewals.
19. Applications from the following-named persons, firms and corporations for RENEWAL of Sunday Sales Licenses, for the 2025-2026 licensing year:
Andrew’s at Eastgate, LTD/ Gold’s Wine and Spirits- 48 Valley Road
Brewtus, Inc./Sandy’s Liquors-717 Aquidneck Avenue
Golden Bev, LLC/West Main Liquors- 1374 West Main Road
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewals.
20. Applications from the following-named persons, firms and corporations for RENEWAL of Amusement Licenses, for the 2025-2026 licensing year:
Four Aquidneck Opco, LLC d/b/a Flo’s Clam Shack- 4 Aquidneck Avenue
HPK, Inc. d/b/a Tickets- 15 Aquidneck Avenue
Kempenaar Catering, LLC d/b/a Kempenaar’s Clambake Club- 323 Valley Rd
Newport Beach House, Inc. d/b/a Newport Beach House- 3 Aquidneck Avenue
Newport Vineyards and Winery, LLC d/b/a Newport Vineyards- 909 East Main Road
Seaview Inn, LLC/ Wyndham Newport - 240 Aquidneck Avenue
SB Farm, LLC d/b/a Sweet Berry Farm- 915 Mitchell’s Lane
The Pub at Two Mile Corner, Inc. d/b/a The Pub at Two Mile Corner-10 Maple Avenue
Woody’s Tavern, LLC d/b/a Woodhooker’s Sports Tavern- 238 East Main Road
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewals.
21. Application of Marc Milici dba Troubled Soul & Company, LLC, 999 West Main Road, for RENEWAL of a Tattoo License for the 2025-2026 licensing year.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewal.
22. Application of A&M Acquisitions, LLC dba A&M Tactical, 10 Coddington Highway for RENEWAL of a Firearms Dealers License for the 2025-2026 licensing year.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license renewal.
23. Application of The Traeger Company, LLC dba The Power of Juice, 698B Aquidneck Avenue for a Victualling House License for the 2024-2025 Licensing year. (NEW)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license subject to Building Official, Fire Marshal and Board of Health approvals.
24. Application of Flatwaves, LLC dba Food Shack, 1130 Aquidneck Avenue for a Mobile Food Establishment License/Permit - Cart. (NEW).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said license.
Discussion centered around where the license will be utilized, and the applicant will be using the license to attend Special Events.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said license.
25. (Continued from the April 21, 2025, Regular Meeting)
Application for Special Event Permit from Middletown Public Schools – Class of 2025 for Senior Class of 2025 Night, Food Trucks, Bon Fire and Music at Third Beach on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm. (Applicant respectfully requests all fees be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to withdraw this item at the request of the Administration.
Discussion centered around the permit was continued to this meeting, the event is not a school sponsored event and the administration is asking for the permit to be withdrawn.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to withdraw this item at the request of the Administration.
26. Application for Special Event Permit from St. George’s School, Graduation/Prize Day – Graduation Dinner, Saturday, May 24, 2025, 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm and Luncheon, Sunday, May 25, 2025 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm both held on campus King Hall Terrace.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
27. Application for Special Event Permit from St. George’s School – Camp Ramleh Yard Sale open to the public to be held at St. George’s School Hockey Rink on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (Applicant respectfully requests all fees be waived)
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit and waive permit fee.
28. Application for Special Event Permit from YMCA on behalf of the Wyndham Newport Hotel Sponsor of the Family Festival (A free festival available to families with a variety of events such as balloon twisting, bounce houses/obstacle course, sports, food trucks, vendors, etc.) to be held at the YMCA, 792 Valley Road on Saturday, June 7, 2025 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said Special Event Permit.
Amy Lynch, representing the Newport County YMCA, noted there is a plan for overflow parking in the industrial parking lot for the event.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
29. Application for Special Event Permit from Andrea Bailey for Summer Sunset Reading with Flatbed Fiction, Set up a book truck at Third Beach to encourage locals to enjoy the sunset at the beach with a book, Thursday, June 19, 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, July 10, 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm, Thursday, July 24, 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm and Thursday, August 7, 2025 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to grant said Special Event Permit.
Andrea Bailey, owner of Flatbed Fiction, explained she is the owner of the book truck and will be traveling the community selling books and promoting summer reading. Ms. Bailey gave the Council a flyer, which is on file in the Office of the Town Clerk.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
30. Application for Special Event Permit from Newport Historical Society for The Newport Show – Antiques, Arts & Exquisite Objects to be held at St. George’s School. 372 Purgatory Road on Friday July 25, 2025 (5:00 pm to 9:00 pm), Saturday, July 26, 2025 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm) and Sunday, July 27, 2025 (10:00 am to 5:00 pm).
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to grant said Special Event Permit.
31. Public Hearing (Advertised)
Town of Middletown PY2023 & 2024 CDBG Application – Review of proposed projects for inclusion in the Town’s application for a Small Cities Community Development Block Grant to undertake a range of activities including:
a) Improved housing opportunities for low and moderate-income families and individuals.
b) Provision of employment opportunities for low and moderate-income individuals.
c) Provision of community facilities and services principally benefiting low and moderate-income families and individuals.
Public Hearing was declared open.
Town Planner Ronald Wolanski reviewed the application above, noting that Church Community Housing is assisting with the application and the projects are listed in prioritized order. Mr. Wolanski explained that some of the agency projects listed are benefiting Middletown residents, even though the application includes other communities. The state has decided that applications are now filed by one community for all communities.
Robert Plain, representing Church Community Housing, explained that even though the agency location falls outside of Middletown, the programs/services/projects still benefit Middletown residents.
Discussion centered around there is no cost to the Town for the CDBG application, there is only one Middletown specific project, regional services qualify to apply for CDBG funding, and Council President Rodrigues feels the projects applied for in the grant application should be specific to Middletown.
There being no other person present or on zoom desiring to be heard, public hearing was declared closed.
32. Resolution of the Council, re: PY2023 & 2024 Application – Small Cities Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) – Approving the prioritized list of projects for submission with the Town’s PY2023 & 2024 CDBG application and authorizing the Town Administrator to file said application.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted to pass said resolution; Council President Rodrigues voted NO to said motion.
33. Communication of Bari Freeman, Executive Director Bike Newport, Requesting the Town Council to adopt a resolution endorsing the Ride Island Bike Plan as a guiding document in the planning of transportation related infrastructure for Middletown.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said communication.
Discussion centered around whether the Council wishes to support the request and sending the request to the Middletown Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee for review and recommendation.
At vote was taken
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to forward the request to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee for review and recommendation.
34. Communication of Emily Buck, Middletown BPAC Chair, re: Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee Size - Request for an additional member to the Bicycle Pedestrian and Advisory Committee.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to receive said communication and request the Town Clerk to advertise for an additional member to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
Emily Buck, Chair of the Middletown BPAC, addressed the Council reviewing the communication above.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said communication and request the Town Clerk to advertise for an additional member to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee.
35. Resolution of the Council, re: In support of H5950 and S849.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
36. Resolution of the Council, re: In support of RI Senate Bill 2025 S0057 and House Bill H5393.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
37. Resolution of the Council, re: In support of RI Senate Bill 0043.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
38. Resolution of the Council, re: In support of RI House Bill 5793
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
39. Memorandum of Town Administrator, re: Streetlights – Purchase & Conversion.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to receive said memorandum.
40. Resolution of the Council, re: Streetlights – Purchase & Conversion – Award of contract to RISE Engineering and Ubicquia, authorize the Town Administrator to execute said agreements and notify the Department of Transportation upon completion of the conversion.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, to pass said resolution.
Town Administrator Shawn Brown reviewed the memorandum in item #39.
Will Lippcott, representing RPM Power, LLC was present to answer Council inquires and reviewed the bidding process.
Discussion centered around that there was competition bidding with RISE, the net savings of the project, the project should breakeven in two years, $350,000 will be allocated from the General Fund which is a small amount for what the Town spends annually on street lights, street lights should not be on private property, RISE provides the maintenance on the street lights and overall the Town will save money.
A vote was taken.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to pass said resolution.
On motion of Vice President Welch, duly seconded, it was voted unanimously to adjourn said meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Wendy J.W. Marshall, MMC
Council Clerk