Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Council Votes Roundup topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Tiverton council roundup: variances, special events, land transfer and other actions approved; cemetery ordinance continued
Summary
At its Aug. 25 meeting the Tiverton Town Council approved multiple permits and administrative actions — including sound variances, special-event permits, a town land transfer, and event approvals — and continued a proposed cemetery parking ordinance for revision.
The Tiverton Town Council on Aug. 25 approved a series of routine permits and administrative items and took final votes on several agenda items. Major administrative outcomes from the meeting:
- Sound variance, Batten Systems / Mills Salvage LLC (2139 Main Road): Council approved a request for a sound variance for an opening celebration on Aug. 30, 2025, with an explicit council condition to end amplified music by 9 p.m. (applicant originally requested music through 10 p.m.). Motion passed (one councilor recorded in opposition during roll call in the audio record).
- Sound variance, Tiverton Public Library Foundation (34 Roosevelt Ave): Approved for the library’s 10th anniversary event with performer Bill Harley on Sept. 27, 2025 (majority vote, no recorded opposition).
- Special event permit, Retro Expo (300 Industrial Way) on Sept. 6, 2025: Approved. Council and staff reminded applicants to bring event requests earlier in the calendar for advance advertising and logistics planning.
- Special event permit, Raymond F. Jones Memorial Dog Park (Pawapalooza) on Oct. 4, 2025: Approved. Organizers reported plans for 10–15 vendors; council approved the event permit.
- Gratis land transfer from RI Department of Transportation (Service Road T-3 / area known locally as Blueberry Hill): Council voted to accept the approximately 80,870–square-foot parcel (acceptance motion seconded and approved). The transfer will make the parcel town-owned; the council asked staff to evaluate condition, maintenance needs and how accepting the parcel affects services and responsibilities.
- Multiple administrative approvals and procedural items: The council voted to approve a special events permitting schedule item, authorized the town administrator to teach a virtual semester course at CCRI (provided the teaching does not interfere with administrative duties), allocated up to $5,000 from the council contingency fund for an employee appreciation event, and approved two sound/special-event permits and a series of routine items on the consent agenda.
- Advertising of proposed zoning amendments (cat rescue/shelter language): The council approved a motion to advertise proposed changes to the zoning code (appendix A) to clarify how cat rescues and shelters are regulated; the amendments will return for a public hearing and further council consideration.
- Cemetery ordinance (chapter 26, Passat Hill / Picasset Hill Cemetery parking): The council opened a public hearing on proposed amendments and, after discussion with cemetery commissioners and public safety staff, voted to continue the hearing to Sept. 8 so staff can redraft ordinance language clarifying permitted cemetery parking (for cemetery business, funerals, visitors and maintenance) and enforcement/towing provisions.
Several other routine items were reported or advanced for later action, including town-hall renovation updates, the results of a town trash-container survey, and a discussion-only memo about DPW fleet readiness. The council added the DPW vehicle-fleet memo to the agenda for discussion to inform capital and winter-preparedness planning; subsequent council discussion emphasized the need for a prioritized multi-year capital plan for vehicles and equipment.
The meeting packet and clerk’s minutes will record motions, conditions and follow-up tasks for each approved item.
