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Charlestown Council holds closed session on multiple lawsuits; recusal filed
Summary
The Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously Feb. 10 to enter executive session under Rhode Island law to discuss several pending lawsuits, sealed the executive-session minutes and recorded a 4-0 vote taken during the closed meeting to return to open session.
The Charlestown Town Council voted unanimously on Feb. 10, 2025, to move into executive session under Rhode Island law to discuss multiple pending lawsuits and later approved sealing the executive-session minutes, council records show.
A council member announced a recusal from the first listed case and said they had filed a recusal slip with the Board of Ethics and the town clerk. The council then voted to convene a closed executive session to discuss several matters described on the meeting agenda as pending litigation.
The items listed on the record included: CA number PC-2019-10870, Town of Barrington et al v. State of Rhode Island et al; CA number WC-2021-0350, Charlestown Farms LLC v. Joseph Warner Jr. et al; CA number WC-2021-0434, Charlestown Farms LLC v. Town of Charlestown Zoning Board of Review et al; CA number WC-2024-0411, Debbie Metzger et al v. Blue Builders LLC et al; CA number WC-2024-0300, David Histad et al v. Town of Charlestown; and CA number 2024-0483 et al v. Town of Charlestown et al. The council identified those matters as the only items discussed in executive session.
Councilor Marr moved to enter executive session; Councilor Sloane seconded the motion. Councilors Marr, Sloane, Stokes and Carney voted in favor, a 4-0 tally recorded on the public minutes.
After the executive session, the council voted to seal the executive-session minutes. Councilor Sloane moved to seal the minutes and Councilor Stokes seconded; the motion passed on a 4-0 vote.
The council reported that only one vote was taken during the executive session: a motion to adjourn the executive session and return to open session. That motion was made by Councilor Marr and seconded by Councilor Sloane; Councilors Marr, Sloane, Stokes and Carney voted in favor. With no other business listed on the public agenda, the council then voted to adjourn the open meeting. Councilor Stokes moved to adjourn; Councilor Marr seconded; the motion passed 4-0.
The meeting record indicates Councilor Sarah was not present. The council did not disclose substantive details of the litigation discussions in open session, consistent with the statutory basis cited for a closed meeting. The agenda items and referenced case numbers were read into the public record when the council voted to enter executive session.
