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Burrillville council approves liquor-transfer, demolition bid and $2.4 million short-term school note; files TRC change order
Summary
At its May 14 meeting the Burrillville Town Council approved multiple business licenses, awarded a demolition contract, authorized a short-term note for school work and voted to receive a consulting change order; councilors also adopted several intermunicipal resolutions and accepted a small parcel to extend Gaza Road.
The Burrillville Town Council on May 14, 2025 approved a series of licenses and municipal actions, including transfer of a retail liquor license to a new operator at 2692 Victory Highway, awarding a demolition contract for a hazardous property on Rock Avenue, and authorizing a note not to exceed $2.4 million to fund an urgent school roof and related construction work.
Council members voted to grant ARC Operations (doing business as Uncle Ronnie’s Tavern) a retail Class B liquor license, a victualing license and a new entertainment license and authorized beverage sales on the deck and patio at 2692 Victory Highway, contingent on meeting all stipulations. Applicant Jamie Pine provided a plot plan and told the council she plans a fenced outdoor area for family activities; council cautioned that any amplified outdoor entertainment will require separate approvals. The motion to approve the licenses passed by voice vote (ayes recorded).
The council received and filed a change order dated April 25, 2025, for consulting services with TRC related to ongoing litigation and administrative processes. Town administration said the change order authorizes additional funds if needed because the litigation continues. Resident Christopher Watson raised a possible conflict of interest between the town’s consultant and companies involved with artificial turf; Town Manager Mr. Wood replied, “They’re independent companies. So when you say connected or related, I find that odd.” The council voted to receive and file the change order.
On a separate housekeeping and safety item, the council awarded bid 25-006 for demolition of 21–23 Rock Ave. to A.A. Wrecking and Asbestos Abatement Co., Inc. of Johnston for $28,120, with the cost to be placed as a lien on the property and initial payment taken from the general fund unreserved balance. Two council members recused themselves from that discussion; the motion passed with the required affirmative votes.
Facing school facilities needs, the council approved a short-term note payable not to exceed $2,400,000 to fund prioritized school construction (notably a roof project). Councilors said the town will cover the note from the unreserved, undesignated general fund balance and later roll the borrowing into a bond issue; by charter the appropriation from the fund balance required an affirmative six-member vote and was approved.
Other actions taken: the council adopted a no-parking amendment adding a portion of Rock Avenue to the town’s no-parking schedule; accepted an 1,885-square-foot strip of land to become part of Gaza Road; approved a resolution to apply for a $1,000,000 Infrastructure Bank grant to begin water-system work in the Masonville area; and adopted a resolution opposing several pending state land-use bills. The council also authorized staff to draft resolutions recognizing Robert (Pat) Billington on his retirement from the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council and to recognize former town clerk Pat Mertens for her role bringing Burrillville into that regional tourism effort.
Votes at a glance (selected items with outcomes and key details): - Receive and file: Change order dated 04/25/2025 to consulting contract with TRC (item 25‑162). Motion to receive and file; mover: Mr. Battle; second: Ms. Brown; outcome: approved (ayes). Note: administration said the change order authorizes additional monies due to ongoing litigation. - Special-event license and fee waiver: Burrillville Redevelopment Agency (screen/splash event, 05/31/2025). Motion to approve and waive $5 fee; mover: Mr. Battle; second: Mr. Houle; outcome: approved (ayes). - Annual arcade license: John J. Bateman, Spring Lake Arcade (52 Old Hillside Drive). Motion to approve conditional on stipulations; mover: Mr. Battle; second: Mr. Houle; outcome: approved (ayes). - Liquor, victualing and entertainment licenses: ARC Operations (Uncle Ronnie’s Tavern), 2692 Victory Highway (item 25‑167). Motion to grant licenses and deck/patio beverage privilege contingent on stipulations; mover: Mr. Badon/Badalon; second: Mr. Houle; outcome: approved (ayes). - Ordinance amendment: add portion of Rock Ave to section 26‑32 (no parking). Motion to adopt; mover: Mr. Waller; second: Vice President; outcome: approved (ayes). - Demolition bid award: 21–23 Rock Ave (bid 25‑006) to A.A. Wrecking and Asbestos Abatement Co., Inc. for $28,120; funds from unreserved general fund (0100). Motion by Mr. Anderson; second: Vice President; outcome: approved (6–0 with recusals noted). Note: appropriation required six affirmative votes under Town Charter §3.14(j). - Short-term note: approve note payable up to $2,400,000 for school project costs to be repaid from future bond issuance; funds for interest and interim payments from unreserved general fund. Motion by Mr. Anderson; second: Mr. Aboule; outcome: approved (ayes; six/six-plus recorded as required by charter). - Accept conveyance: portion of property (Gaza Road) — approximately 1,885 sq ft — to become part of Gaza Road. Motion/second; outcome: approved (ayes). - Resolution/Grant application: adopt resolution to apply for a $1,000,000 RI Infrastructure Bank grant for Masonville water system work. Motion by Mr. Anderson; second: Mr. Houle; outcome: approved (ayes). - Resolution opposing multiple state land-use bills. Motion to adopt; mover: Mr. Anderson; second: Mr. Babylon; outcome: approved (ayes).
No action was taken on outdoor amplified entertainment at the Uncle Ronnie’s field area; councilors said outdoor amplification requires separate review and zoning checks. Several routine intermunicipal resolutions from other towns (on topics including composting, short-term rental regulation, and transportation) were received and filed or supported, as noted on the agenda.
Council members and staff noted the meeting included a significant amount of last-minute legislative business because the General Assembly’s schedule is published close to meeting dates; the council left a placeholder item on future agendas to address emergent state legislation.
(Details on motions, vote tallies, and legal thresholds appear in the structured actions below.)
Ending: The council adjourned after finalizing the agenda items and authorizing staff follow-up on outstanding license conditions and the drafted resolutions recognizing longtime tourism leaders.
