Council authorizes land conveyance and solar lease after executive session; directs legal and planning review

After an executive session on June 26, the North Smithfield Town Council voted to authorize the town administrator, planner and solicitor to complete necessary documents to effect a land conveyance, terminate an existing conservation easement and enter a lease with a solar company for identified parcels.

The motion, taken in open session after the closed meeting, instructed staff to proceed with deeds of conveyance, title‑insurance purchase, termination of the recorded conservation easement, and a solar land lease to Rhode Island Solar Renewable Energy 5 LLC for AP 14 Lot 7810/5254 and AP 10 Lot 218 (parcel identifiers used in the meeting record). Councilors also added that the approvals be subject to legal, planning and administrative review before final execution.

Why it matters

The council’s authorization advances a set of real‑estate and contract steps that could allow a renewable energy lease on town‑related parcels and clarifies the municipality’s ability to acquire and reconfigure property rights. The council’s motion directed town staff to finalize documents and any related title‑insurance affidavits; councilors asked that paving for a parking lot and walking‑trail improvements be resolved in coordination with planning review.

Outcome and next steps

Councilors voted by roll call to empower the administrator and solicitor to execute documents at their discretion, subject to review. The motion includes direction that any paving of a parking lot or walking‑trail work connected to the transaction be coordinated through the town planner, administrator and solicitor. Town staff indicated they will proceed with legal review and return with any documents needed for execution.

Ending

Councilors said the action was necessary to advance the pending transactions and asked staff to report back after legal and planning clearance so the council can ratify any final conveyances or leases if required.