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Tiverton council passes series of measures: recycling committee removed, cat rescue zoning approved, cemetery paving awarded
Summary
At its Oct. 14 meeting the Tiverton Town Council approved ordinances and motions ranging from a zoning change to allow a cat rescue to a $45,700 paving contract for Picasset Hills Cemetery. The council also accepted several resignations and directed staff on multiple follow-ups.
The Tiverton Town Council on Oct. 14 approved a set of ordinances, contracts and procedural items during a regularly scheduled meeting, moving multiple items from discussion into action.
Votes at a glance
- Consent agenda remainder: Council approved the consent agenda (motion by Councilor Paul; second Councilor Perry). Outcome: approved.
- Pulled consent items (4c4 and 4d 1 & 2): Councilor Perry and Councilor Demodiras asked for items to be pulled; council later approved 4c4 and 4d 1 & 2 by motion (mover: Councilor Perry; second: Councilor Demodiras). Outcome: approved.
- Resignations: Council accepted resignations with regret from multiple volunteers including Clint Clemons (Harbor Commission), Susan Rodriguez (Open Space Committee), Stu Gilfillan (Semiquincentennial Commission) and several Budget Committee members. Outcome: accepted.
- Recycling committee removal (ordinance amendment): Council opened and closed the public hearing and approved amendments to Chapter 66-102 to eliminate the recycling committee from the town ordinance (motion seconded by Councilor Perry). Outcome: approved.
- Zoning amendment to allow cat-rescue facility (Appendix A zoning, specified districts): Following a public hearing and testimony from Amanda Souza of Baja's Rescue, the council approved ordinance amendments to permit state-regulated cat-rescue operations in specified commercial and mixed-use zones. Outcome: approved.
- 2025 Hazard Mitigation Plan update: Council voted to accept and adopt the 2025 Tiverton Hazard Mitigation Plan and start the five-year cycle for updates (motion by Councilor Burke; second Councilor Perry). Outcome: approved.
- State Avenue parking request: Council directed the solicitor to draft an ordinance to create a 30-minute parking zone on the south side of State Avenue near a new restaurant (motion and second). Outcome: solicitor to draft ordinance and advertise for public hearing.
- Picasset Hills Cemetery paving contract: The council awarded the paving contract to J and R and Sons, the low responsive bidder at $45,700, and authorized work to proceed. Outcome: contract awarded to J and R and Sons for $45,700.
- Narragansett Electric Company extension: The council approved an extension to use property on Sousa Road as a laydown area to complete transmission-line work; Councilor Burke recorded the sole dissenting vote. Outcome: approved (1 opposed).
- Fire lateral-hire reimbursement: The council approved paying up to $5,648.25 to reimburse another municipality for training and equipment costs associated with a prospective probationary firefighter lateral hire (motion by Councilor Paul). Outcome: approved.
- Banned Books Week resolution: Council adopted a resolution observing Banned Books Week and reaffirming the library's commitment to the freedom to read; the library director had advised that the library has a policy and review process for challenged materials. Outcome: resolution approved.
- Council-contingency payment for Connecticut Street remediation: Council authorized use of council contingency, not to exceed $7,500, to pay outside vendors who assisted with remediation work; the town will pursue a lien to recover costs from the property owner. Outcome: approved (not to exceed $7,500).
- Dog park rules ordinance: Council authorized advertisement of an ordinance codifying rules and regulations for the dog park. Outcome: advertise for public hearing.
- RIDOT Lewis Street drainage agreement: Council authorized the solicitor to execute an agreement with Rhode Island Department of Transportation allowing DOT to repair a drainage problem on Lewis Street; once fixed, maintenance will be town responsibility. Outcome: agreement authorized for signature.
- Motion to enter executive session (litigation): Council voted by roll call to enter closed session under R.I. Gen. Laws 42-46-5 for an update and potential settlement discussion in Town of Tiverton v. L A L Construction Company. Outcome: council entered closed session by roll call vote.
The council also heard updates and scheduled follow-ups, including a workshop on the proposed demolition/historic-preservation ordinance and additional procurement steps for projects that will go out to bid.
Notable dissent: Councilor Burke opposed the extension request for Narragansett Electric's laydown area on Sousa Road; Councilor Camino abstained on the casino revenue allocation vote.
