Council approves licenses, special events and infrastructure change orders; purchase of two pumpers authorized

During the meeting the council approved a set of routine and operational items by voice vote, including liquor licenses, special‑event permits and capital change orders.

Licenses and permits - The council granted a transfer of a retailer’s Class B‑L alcoholic‑beverage license to 963 Aquinnick Avenue (Anthony Seafood Market and Restaurant). The council then approved an upgrade of that license from a limited beer/wine license to a full‑liquor B‑V license after a public hearing; one councilor stated opposition to the full‑liquor upgrade during discussion. - The council approved multiple special‑event permits, including recurring 'cars & coffee' events at 2nd Beach parking lot, a Rhode Island National Guard event with fee waivers, and a Monday‑night 2nd Beach music series with fireworks scheduled for August; the town waived fees where the events were town‑sponsored.

Capital and operations - The council passed a resolution to authorize change orders for the Antonomi Hill and Boulevard paving project to address binder failures and high groundwater. The change orders identified emergency winter patching ($251,363), reclaiming and binder course ($168,809) and other drainage work for a total not to exceed $554,151 and directed staff to proceed with repairs and subsurface investigation to prevent recurrence. - The council authorized a lease‑purchase agreement for two new fire pumpers and adjusted resolution language to reflect bond‑counsel guidance that the funding should be shown as from the general fund while payments will be appropriated from the Rescue Wagon Fund; the town secured a competitive lease rate (3.48%).

Other matters - Council received a memorandum about surplus school technology equipment (estimated at several hundred items) and approved its disposition as part of the consent calendar.