Minutes 2026-05-11

PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 11, 2026

MINUTES

6:30 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
MEMBERS PRESENT: Sondra Blank, David M. Gleason, Keith E. Hamilton, Mary A.
McDowell, Sharlene Patton, and David Reise
MEMBERS ABSENT: Juan Carlos Payero
Time: 6:30 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.
Time: 6:31 Mr. Payero enters.
1. RIGL 42-46-5(a) (2) – Sessions pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation, or work sessions
pertaining to collective bargaining or litigation. – Pension – No votes taken.
ADJOURN – Motion to seal the minutes and return to Open Session made by Mr. Gleason,
seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion passed unanimously.
Time: 6:58
7:00 PM – Town Council Chambers, Portsmouth Town Hall, 2200 East Main Road
Time: 7:03 PM

EMERGENCY EVACUATION PLAN

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

SITTING AS THE PORTSMOUTH TOWN COUNCIL

1. Roll Call
PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE SUMMARY – Executive Session was held prior to the meeting. No
votes were taken.

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.
Ansel Fila, 52 Coddington Way, would like to see Porta-potties at the Turnpike Playground.
Raymond Abraham, 26 Davy Lane, is against amplified music at Ragged Island.
CONSENT AGENDA – Motion to receive as presented made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr.
Payero. 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 #1436 on 4/23/26 in the amount of $101,031.20 as approved by the

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Finance Director
Payment Voucher #1450 on 4/30/26 in the amount of $265,794.53 as approved by the
Finance Director
2. Committee Minutes:
Board of Canvassers 4/7/26 (Draft)
Solid Waste/Recycling Committee 4/9/26 (Draft)
3. Peddler License – Mobile Food Establishment (MFE), Renewal:
a. Scott Metcalfe d/b/a JavaJai Coffee Company, 11 Union St, Jamestown (#9461)
b. Farm to Sandwich LLC, 58 Alfred Ave, Johnston (#9462)
c. Bem Bom, LLC, 212 Cleveland St, New Bedford, MA (#9464)
d. Peter Kelly d/b/a Pete’s Ice Cream, 122 Viking Drive, Portsmouth (#9465)
e. Victoria Sullivan d/b/a Dr Doughboys, 150 Simmonsville Ave, Johnston (#9467)
MINUTES – Motion to approve all minutes made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion
passed unanimously.
4/27/26 & Exec.
4/28/26
4/29/26

TOWN ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT

1. Waste Program Update – We expect to start selling Transfer Station and Curbside Stickers June
1st. Existing customers may renew online via credit card payments. New sign-ups and residents
wishing to change programs will still need to sign up at Town Hall.
2. 3 S Field Update – With respect to the proposed athletic field project at the 3S property. As the
Council knows, this has been a continuing effort to develop additional outdoor recreation field
space while working within the conservation easement restrictions that apply to the property. Since
our last discussions, our engineering consultant has continued refining the conceptual layout after
DEM identified that portion of the originally anticipated field area contain wetlands. The revised
concept shifts the fields and parking areas to better accommodate the wetland areas, trail easement,
and anticipated permitting requirements while still preserving the recreational use envisioned for the
site. We have continued coordinating with the Aquidneck Land Trust throughout this process, and
they are currently reviewing the updated concept plan, conservation easement, and trail easement
with their legal counsel and legal committee. I will continue to keep the Council informed as
additional information becomes available and discussions continue with DEM and the Land Trust.
3. Tree City USA – I’m pleased to report that the Arbor Day Foundation has again recognized
Portsmouth as a Tree City USA for 2025 in recognition of the Town’s continued commitment to
preserving our community tree canopy. This designation reflects the ongoing work of our Tree
Commission, chaired by Scott Wheeler, our Tree Warden, John Fitzgerald, and the support of our
Dept. of Public Works under Director Paul Rodrigues. I also want to thank the volunteers, residents,
and staff who continue to support Arbor Day activities and tree planting efforts here in Portsmouth.
4. RIPTA Flex on Demand Program – The Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) has
expanded its “Flex on Demand” pilot service to Aquidneck Island, available through June 30th. The
pilot program provides on-demand, ADA-accessible public transportation service connecting
Newport, Middletown, and Portsmouth, including major employers such as Raytheon and NUWC.
The program is intended to improve workforce transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and expand
flexible transit options for residents and commuters.
5. AILT Merritt Neighborhood Fund grant – I’d also like to recognize the Parks & Recreation Dept
for receiving a $1,000 Merritt Neighborhood Fund grant from the Aquidneck Land Trust to support

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additional tree plantings at the Glen Park Playground. The Merritt Neighborhood Fund supports
community-based projects that strengthen environmental sustainability across Aquidneck Island.
6. Town Hall Closed on Memorial Day – Town Hall will be closed May 25th, for the observance of
Memorial Day. The Town Council meeting for that week will be held on Tuesday, May 26th.

RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

1. Resignations:
Dog Park Committee – Motion to accept Caroline “Bunny” Miller’s resignation with regret
made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr. Payero. Motion passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS (Discussion/Action)
1. American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund status update. – No votes taken.
NEW BUSINESS (Discussion/Action)
1. PUBLIC HEARING: Request from David Breton for approval for a variance to the sound limits
set forth in the Codification of Ordinances Chapter 257: NOISE, for an event to take place at 933
Anthony Rd on July 11, 2026 from 5:00 – 10:00 p.m. to allow for live amplified music for the
Common Fence Point Improvement Association block party. (OpenGov #9443)
Motion to open the public hearing made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed 6-
0-1. Mr. Gleason recused.
Motion to close the public hearing made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion passed 6-
0-1. Mr. Gleason recused.
Motion to approve with a 75db maximum made by Mr. Reise, seconded by Ms. Patton. Motion
passed 5-1-1. Mr. Payero in dissent and Mr. Gleason recused.
2. Summary of work done in Melville Park by the Park Steward over the past year. / S. Luce,
Melville Park Steward – No votes taken.
3. Request for a report of our general fund investments, total returns on all money invested, where
the money is invested, and potential investment changes, as well as a request to change the
bylaws of the Pension Committee to advise on investment of general fund monies as well as the
Pension Fund monies. – No votes taken.
4. Request a quarterly report of the Public Safety Capital fund balance and transactions (deposits
and withdrawals). – No votes taken.
5. Request to cancel the July 13, 2026 Town Council meeting. – Motion to approve made by Mr.
Payero, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion passed unanimously.
CORRESPONDENCE – Motion to receive and place on file items, 1-3 and 5-8 and move item 4 to
the May 26, 2026 agenda under New Business made by Mr. Gleason, seconded by Mr. Payero.
Motion passed unanimously.
1. 2025/2026 Winter Season Operational Summary for the Old Mill Lane Liquified Natural Gas
Facility at 111 Old Mill Lane, Portsmouth. / Narragansett Electric Company
2. Update on the construction of the revised site layout for the Old Mill Lane LNG Facility,
Docket No. SB-2021-04. / The Narragansett Electric Company
3. Letter of congratulations on earning recognition as a 2025 Tree City USA. / D. Lambe, Chief
Executive, Arbor Day Foundation
4. Resolution requesting the RI General Assembly to exempt the Town of Little Compton from the
sales tax for the amount paid for parking at a municipally operated beach in the Town of Little
Compton. / Little Compton Town Council
5. Letter to the members of the House of Representatives requesting the General Assembly reject

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H 7676 as drafted. / S. Brown, Middletown Town Administrator
6. Letter in support of H-8334, the RI Voting Rights Act. / Rhode Island Town and City Clerks’
Association
7. Monthly RIRRC Report. / Rhode Island Resource Recovery Corp.
8. Resolutions adopted on May 4, 2026. / Exeter Town Council
a. In support of House Bill 2025-H 5202 relating to education and regionalization bonus.
b. In support of House Bill H-7446 and Senate Bill S-2691 relating to low- and moderate-
income housing – protection of drinking water supplies.
c. In support of interstate enforcement of boating laws on Beach Pond and improved public
safety.
d. Requesting parity in ambulance service reimbursements for services provided on state-
owned property.
e. In support of Senate Bill S-2917 and House Bill H-8015 relating to towns and cities –
Rhode Island Housing Resources Act of 1988.
f. In support of House Bill H-8029 relating to taxation – collection of taxes generally.
FUTURE MEETINGS
May 26 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting (Tuesday)
June 8 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
June 10 7:00 PM - Town Council Meeting (Budget Public Hearing)
June 22 7:00 PM – Town Council Meeting
ADJOURN – Motion to adjourn made by Mr. Payero, seconded by Mr. Gleason. Motion passed
unanimously.
Time: 8:48 PM

________

Jennifer M. West, CMC, Town Clerk