Charlestown council votes 4-0 to enter executive session on two pending lawsuits

The Charlestown Town Council voted 4-0 at a special meeting June 9, 2025, to enter an executive session under Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-4 and §42-46-5(a)(2) to discuss pending litigation involving Charlestown Farms LLC.

The move into closed session was made during the council’s roll call. The presiding official read the statutory basis for closing the meeting and identified two cases: WC-2021-0350, Charlestown Farms LLC v. Joseph Warner Jr. et al., and WC-2021-0434, Charlestown Farms LLC v. Town of Charlestown Zoning Board of Review et al. The presiding official said, “The town council may vote to move into executive session pursuant to Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-4 and §42-46-5(a)(2) pending litigation.”

Councilor Sarah made the motion to go into executive session; Councilor Marr seconded. The motion carried unanimously, with four votes in favor and none opposed. The transcript shows Councilors Marr, Sarah, Sloane and Kearney voting in favor; Councilor Stokes was recorded as not yet present.

Before leaving the open meeting, the council voted to seal the minutes of the executive session; that motion was moved by Councilor Sloane and carried unanimously, 4-0. According to the meeting record, one formal vote occurred while in executive session: a unanimous vote to adjourn the executive session and return to open session. That vote was moved by Councilor Marr and seconded by Councilor Sarah and recorded as 4-0 in favor.

There was no substantive public discussion about the underlying litigation on the meeting record. After returning to open session, the council heard no further business and adjourned; the final recorded vote on adjournment was 4-0 at 6:48 a.m./p.m. (time as recorded in the meeting log).