Council explores compromise options for Redpoint TapHouse waterline; moves to closed session for legal consultation

The Smithfield Town Council continued a months-long discussion June 3 about whether and how Redpoint TapHouse should be required to connect to the town waterline, and debated options to reduce the immediate financial burden on the business.

Chairman of the Water and Sewer Committee Charles Cutler described the dispute's history and proposed a compromise: the town could purchase a strip of Redpoint's property where a future bike path will cross, use sale proceeds to offset the owner's connection cost, and, if needed, the town could initially front the work and establish a multi-year repayment plan. "It seems to me that this plan or something similar would provide significant financial assistance to Redpoint Tap House while at the same time providing some benefits to the Town and its citizens," Cutler said.

Committee members recounted earlier waivers and special-permit agreements that let the tavern postpone connecting in the past, and some council members said the applicants had committed to follow town code. Council members debated precedent, fairness to other businesses and whether taxpayer funds should be used to support a privately owned, for-profit enterprise.

Town public works director Ed Bridal provided a rough estimate that the right-of-way purchase could be "well north of $15,000," and other council members discussed higher figures (one councilmember mentioned $32,000). Councilman Collin said he had voted earlier in support of Redpoint at the planning commission but did not support direct taxpayer subsidies to a private business.

After extended discussion and several alternative ideas, the council voted to adjourn into a closed session for consultation with legal counsel on the matter. A motion to go into closed session for consultation with legal counsel regarding specific legal matters requiring legal advice was moved and adopted by roll call; the council returned to open session about 10 minutes later and stated that only legal consultation had occurred.

Why it matters: The council must balance code compliance and long-term infrastructure planning (the bike path right-of-way) against fairness to businesses and fiscal responsibility to taxpayers. The proposal to use land acquisition to offset connection costs ties a development permitting question to a broader town capital plan.

Next steps: Councilmembers indicated staff and the town attorney should continue talks with Redpoint TapHouse representatives to develop specific terms, including purchase price, repayment schedule and default remedies. Council did not adopt any agreement or waive the connection requirement at this meeting.