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Solicitor outlines Open Meetings and ethics guidance, dam repairs, landfill/solar updates and next steps
Summary
Solicitor Angel delivered a detailed report on duty of loyalty, recusal and ethics training dates, Open Meetings Act best practices, updates on Johnson's Pond/Black River dam repairs (ARPA funded), the Center of New England receivership and road/wetlands work, and status of the Arnold Road closed landfill and the Ameresco solar array; the council authorized executive‑session settlement authority on a litigation item.
Town Solicitor Angel provided an extended report that covered legal obligations for councilors (duty of loyalty and care), procedures for recusal and filing with the Rhode Island Ethics Commission, and scheduling training with the Ethics Commission and the Attorney General’s office on Open Meetings and access to records.
He emphasized that recusal requires a written form on file with the clerk and appropriate removal from the dais and room in certain cases; failing to follow recusal and Open Meetings Act procedures can expose the municipality and individual officials to complaints or legal risk.
The solicitor also updated the council on infrastructure and environmental matters: the Johnson's Pond/Black River Reservoir dam repairs (phase 2 completed; ARPA funds used; dye test and DEM coordination anticipated), litigation and receiver activity for the Center of New England development (wetlands crossover expected to be finished in spring; traffic mitigation noted), and the Arnold Road closed landfill which now includes a constructed solar array operated by Ameresco that cannot go live until required perimeter fencing and regulator conditions are completed. He said the solar array go‑live date — and associated revenue to the town — is anticipated in January (calendar year referenced in packet). The solicitor reminded the council that the PRP group retains stewardship over landfill monitoring and that the town receives a portion of related revenue streams when the array becomes active.
After executive session the council reported a sealed vote authorizing the solicitor to make a settlement on one litigation matter (vote 7‑0).
