Tiverton council approves special events, beach cleaner purchase and limited legal engagement for landfill solar; several property moves pass

The Tiverton Town Council on Monday approved a package of routine and substantive items that included special event licenses, a beach‑cleaning equipment purchase, limited legal engagement related to a proposed solar lease at the former town landfill, and motions to move forward on multiple property closings.

Among the items the council voted to approve:

• Special event licenses: the council approved a special event license for MASK Wagons’ second annual car show on July 20, 2025, at 300 Industrial Way; a wedding reception license for Kevin and Brenda McGovern for August 16, 2025, at 20 Crandall Road; and a victualing (farm‑store) license for Esther Joel Bishop (d/b/a Arly Vines Farm) at 2490 Main Road (applicant originally listed 241 Cornell Road but corrected on the record).

• Abandonment of Transport Drive: after a required public hearing with no public speakers, the council approved a resolution (listed in the packet as Resolution 25‑0022) to abandon Transport Drive as a paper street per the petition submitted. The public hearing record showed proper notice had been published for three successive weeks.

• Child safety and wellness day: the council approved a change of location and date for the previously approved event, moving it from Grinnell’s (the prior location) to Longplex and changing the event to Sunday, June 29, 2025, with event hours and setup/takedown times recorded in the motion. Council and event organizers discussed parking and vendor logistics; police and recreation staff said they would coordinate traffic and parking restrictions for the industrial park.

• Beach‑maintenance equipment: the council approved the purchase of a refurbished Surf Rake 600 HD for $53,800, with funding proposed as $30,000 from a Stonebridge account and $23,800 from the town capital fund. Councilors discussed tractor requirements for towing the unit, possible rental options, grant prospects for DPW vehicles and cross‑use with athletic fields. The council approved the purchase at the meeting.

• Replacement plaque: the council approved up to $1,300 to purchase and permanently affix a replacement plaque at the Book of Marsh Recreation Area (plaque replaces a previously stolen item), to be funded from recreation supplies or via a year‑end budget transfer if necessary.

• Limited legal engagement for landfill solar lease: the council authorized a limited engagement with Partridge, Snow & Hahn, LLP to assist with legal services associated with negotiating a renewable‑energy lease for the former town landfill, not to exceed $20,000 initially. The administrator and solicitor said specialized counsel is recommended to protect the town from sole‑source risks and to ensure developer‑borne costs (such as connection fees) are reflected in any contract.

• Property closings and related resolutions: the council authorized the administrator to take all necessary actions to close on specified parcels in the industrial park with LP Properties (assessor plat and lot numbers listed in the packet) and approved similar closing steps on a second set of parcels; the motions were made and seconded and recorded in the minutes.

Votes at a glance:

- Consent agenda: approved (unanimous; no roll‑call tally given). - MASK Wagons car show special event license (7/20/2025, 11 a.m.–4 p.m., 300 Industrial Way): approved; mover: Councilor Perry. - McGovern wedding reception special event license (8/16/2025, 5–11:15 p.m., 20 Crandall Road): approved. - Arly Vines Farm victualing license (2490 Main Road): approved. - Resolution to abandon Transport Drive (Resolution 25‑0022): approved after a public hearing with no public speakers. - Child Safety & Wellness Day location/date change (to Longplex, Sunday June 29, 2025): approved; mover: Councilor Paul. - Purchase of refurbished Surf Rake 600 HD for $53,800 (funding: $30,000 Stonebridge / $23,800 capital): approved. - Purchase of replacement plaque for Book of Marsh Recreation Area, not to exceed $1,300: approved. - Limited legal engagement with Partridge, Snow & Hahn, LLP, initial cap $20,000: approved. - Authorization for administrator to close on industrial park parcels with LP Properties (specified assessor parcels): approved.

Councilors often recorded motions as “subject to meeting all legal requirements” or “subject to all legal requirements” and noted that applicants who advertise events before formal approval do so at their own risk; the council reiterated that prior advertising does not change the legal requirement for council approval.