1
00:00:03,260 --> 00:00:20,120
Okay, good evening to my colleagues on the council, to town staff and to our planning board members. Also to those who are in attendance tonight. Welcome to this East Greenwich town council joint meeting with the planning board. I'll call this meeting to order and we'll say the pledge of allegiance.

2
00:00:39,250 --> 00:00:44,750
I'll now ask our planning board chair, Ben Lupovitz, to call his group to order.

3
00:00:47,990 --> 00:00:54,230
President, I'm Ben Lupovitz, chairman of the East Grinish Planning Board and I'd like

4
00:00:54,230 --> 00:00:59,390
to welcome with me this evening as voting members. Mark Gertzikoff to my left at the end,

5
00:00:59,490 --> 00:01:05,330
Vice Chair David Johnston, Matt Yoder, Manning Gonzales, and Tara Wood.

6
00:01:09,390 --> 00:01:13,690
And for the record, you have a quorum. We do have a quorum. Yes.

7
00:01:15,090 --> 00:01:19,930
Very good. John, joining me on the day is here, Councillor Michael Zarella,

8
00:01:20,750 --> 00:01:24,870
Councillor Renning Anglehart. I'm Councillor Mark Schwiger, our solicitor Andy Tights,

9
00:01:24,870 --> 00:01:28,990
our town manager, Andy Nada, and our town clerk, Lee Karney.

10
00:01:30,030 --> 00:01:32,730
So we are ready to start our first agenda item.

11
00:01:32,910 --> 00:01:35,530
This is a public hearing, joint meeting with the planning board.

12
00:01:36,130 --> 00:01:39,550
A little background before we get the meeting going with,

13
00:01:39,650 --> 00:01:42,230
we have a number of people here from our planning department.

14
00:01:42,830 --> 00:01:44,710
We have our consultants here as well.

15
00:01:45,150 --> 00:01:48,010
And this is an open meeting where the public can participate.

16
00:01:48,570 --> 00:01:52,770
In Rhode Island, cities and towns are required to update and adopt

17
00:01:52,770 --> 00:01:58,730
the comprehensive community plan every 10 years for review by the Rhode Island Division of

18
00:01:58,730 --> 00:02:05,270
Statewide Planning and East Greenwich is now in the process of updating its plan. The comprehensive

19
00:02:05,270 --> 00:02:11,550
plan must identify the town's goals and policies for future growth and development over a 20-year horizon.

20
00:02:12,450 --> 00:02:18,770
In December, the town hired Libra planners of Providence-based planning firm to assist our town

21
00:02:18,770 --> 00:02:23,230
staff. Also they will be working with our town council and planning board in

22
00:02:23,230 --> 00:02:27,810
constructing our plan. The planning board had an opportunity to review an

23
00:02:27,810 --> 00:02:33,350
introductory presentation by Libra at their March 4th meeting and tonight the

24
00:02:33,350 --> 00:02:38,090
planning board is joining the town council and town planning staff and Libra for

25
00:02:38,090 --> 00:02:42,250
this public hearing. The community will have the opportunity to participate in our

26
00:02:42,250 --> 00:02:46,770
discussions with questions and comments. So now I'd like to introduce our town

27
00:02:46,770 --> 00:02:51,190
planner Alrenaldi to begin our discussion with his introductory remarks.

28
00:03:16,730 --> 00:03:19,010
Thank you. Thank you, Mr. President.

29
00:03:22,310 --> 00:03:28,870
East graded is East graded is current, comprehensive plan has expired. However,

30
00:03:29,310 --> 00:03:38,370
recent changes in state law introduced a penalty provision if the town, which is if the town does

31
00:03:38,370 --> 00:03:48,070
not re-adopt its plan within 12 years of expiration, which is much 24th, 2026, and loses its

32
00:03:48,070 --> 00:03:56,170
ability to rely on that plan for local, land use decisions such as subdivisions, variances,

33
00:03:57,070 --> 00:03:58,950
and major development approvals.

34
00:04:00,010 --> 00:04:04,630
This penalty provision was added only last year.

35
00:04:05,790 --> 00:04:18,170
Once the staff and our legal team understood the impacts of it, we developed a practical solution

36
00:04:18,870 --> 00:04:25,210
to update our comprehensive plan, and that's going to be in a two-phase approach.

37
00:04:25,210 --> 00:04:39,730
adopting phase one before the deadline keeps the town legally protected, and it enables the town to use its plan for any local land use decisions.

38
00:04:41,310 --> 00:04:50,430
The phase approach is not ideal. However, it's the most workable option given our deadline constraints.

39
00:04:51,930 --> 00:05:03,590
Phase 1 focuses on meeting state requirements and the deadline includes updated data required

40
00:05:03,590 --> 00:05:10,130
mapping, housing, infrastructure inventories, and other mandatory components.

41
00:05:11,150 --> 00:05:17,830
The goal is to adopt a compliant plan before the deadline to preserve the town's local

42
00:05:17,830 --> 00:05:19,670
and use authority, as I said.

43
00:05:22,410 --> 00:05:31,270
One of the not ideal elements that came up was actually today when

44
00:05:31,270 --> 00:05:39,430
we received quite a number of emails from residents regarding a particular area. It's in North

45
00:05:39,430 --> 00:05:48,210
West and region of town. It was designated in the 2013

46
00:05:48,210 --> 00:05:54,750
comprehensive plan as an area for acceptable is an area of

47
00:05:54,750 --> 00:06:04,280
high density and and and multi multi use commercially

48
00:06:04,280 --> 00:06:13,520
residential. Consequently, a developer had that explanation, and in not craft creative plan,

49
00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:22,200
and as everybody probably knows in this room, submitted a 410 unit subdivision,

50
00:06:23,570 --> 00:06:28,160
which was denied and then overruled by the state court.

51
00:06:28,160 --> 00:06:38,900
So we were, my recommendation today was to delete that recommendation and keep it as an F2.

52
00:06:39,860 --> 00:06:51,840
However, Paan walking into this meeting, I was, I discussed a few things and I'd like to refer to the town solicitor and he tights for his explanation.

53
00:06:56,370 --> 00:06:56,810
Thank you.

54
00:06:56,810 --> 00:07:05,410
So yes, I just want to, I want to go back a little bit and there was this particular

55
00:07:05,410 --> 00:07:18,230
development with 410 units on Division Road, which the planning board did deny when it

56
00:07:18,230 --> 00:07:19,810
was before them with master plan.

57
00:07:20,390 --> 00:07:25,410
This was under the previous law and it was appealed to the state housing appeals board.

58
00:07:25,410 --> 00:07:35,930
and the State Housing Appeals Board overturned that denial. And this was actually just before the

59
00:07:35,930 --> 00:07:42,210
State Housing Appeals Board itself was going out of business. They were abolished as of December 31st

60
00:07:43,010 --> 00:07:54,630
of this was 2024. That was they were abolished. This decision came out about noon time on Saturday

61
00:07:54,630 --> 00:08:06,630
December 30th. We were ready, and so the town filed an appeal of that state housing appeals board

62
00:08:06,630 --> 00:08:14,390
called SHAB. We filed an appeal of the SHAB decision with the Superior Court on Saturday night

63
00:08:14,390 --> 00:08:20,650
of New Year's weekend, while they were still in business to make sure that there was no question.

64
00:08:22,250 --> 00:08:29,670
As a result of that appeal, we were able to negotiate and some of the neighbors who were

65
00:08:29,670 --> 00:08:32,330
participating as parties in the litigation as well.

66
00:08:32,930 --> 00:08:39,770
They were part of it and negotiated actually a significant benefit of a restriction of

67
00:08:39,770 --> 00:08:49,270
50% age restricted of those units, that 50% of them would be age restricted, which what

68
00:08:49,270 --> 00:08:53,410
it has as a major effect is dealing with peak traffic flow. You know,

69
00:08:53,410 --> 00:08:56,350
none of all these people go into work and coming home from work at the same

70
00:08:56,350 --> 00:09:01,330
time. Yes, they drive the roads, but they're not all there with those peak

71
00:09:01,330 --> 00:09:06,650
hours. So, so the town has been very involved with this all along. At the

72
00:09:06,650 --> 00:09:11,970
moment, the town is awaiting presumably the developer coming back in for

73
00:09:11,970 --> 00:09:13,510
preliminary plan approval.

74
00:09:16,210 --> 00:09:23,670
As noted by Mr. Analdi, we're concerned that if this is not renewed,

75
00:09:24,350 --> 00:09:33,530
if this new plan is not adopted now, then we have a problem applying our comprehensive plan to

76
00:09:33,530 --> 00:09:39,950
any land use decision, whether it be these people if they come back in with their preliminary plan,

77
00:09:41,210 --> 00:09:47,310
or just whatever is showing up at the zoning board next month, where the planning board,

78
00:09:47,470 --> 00:09:54,630
two lots of divisions, to 410 units, whatever it is, we will not be able to apply our

79
00:09:54,630 --> 00:10:03,170
comprehensive plan to it. That's why the urgency is involved here. Specifically, tonight, I understand,

80
00:10:03,350 --> 00:10:09,150
as Mr. Analdi said, he was prepared to take this section out, but we do have an issue with a quorum.

81
00:10:09,950 --> 00:10:11,410
Two of the members of the council,

82
00:10:12,950 --> 00:10:16,350
Karen Korrenthal, and Renewangel Hart,

83
00:10:16,930 --> 00:10:19,990
when the division road development came up,

84
00:10:20,710 --> 00:10:24,070
went to the Ethics Commission and received permission,

85
00:10:24,070 --> 00:10:28,130
effectively. It was confirmed that they had the right under the public,

86
00:10:29,530 --> 00:10:34,310
public exception to speak before the planning board on this.

87
00:10:35,510 --> 00:10:43,570
However, there was some key language at the very end of the Ethics Commission opinion,

88
00:10:44,690 --> 00:10:49,290
which I just have the one from his angle cards here tonight, which says finally in the unlikely

89
00:10:49,290 --> 00:10:53,990
event that any aspect of this proposed development comes before the town council.

90
00:10:54,590 --> 00:10:59,670
The petitioner is strongly encouraged to recuse from participation therein and or to seek

91
00:10:59,670 --> 00:11:02,110
further guidance from the Ethics Commission.

92
00:11:02,990 --> 00:11:08,110
Well, all of these emails came over the last three days, the weekends, so there's no

93
00:11:08,110 --> 00:11:12,770
time to seek further guidance from the ethics commission within the timetable.

94
00:11:13,810 --> 00:11:20,650
And I have given my legal opinion, which I think is that Miss Engelhart is capable of

95
00:11:20,650 --> 00:11:25,750
voting on the comprehensive plan as a whole as it's been presented here tonight.

96
00:11:27,290 --> 00:11:29,510
That is the entire plan.

97
00:11:29,510 --> 00:11:34,470
it's not just this development. It's language that was there before that's not changing.

98
00:11:35,290 --> 00:11:42,070
I think that is not a conflict to her to vote on the entire plan. I do think based on the ethics

99
00:11:42,070 --> 00:11:47,290
commission language, it would be a problem. If it were to have a specific amendment as

100
00:11:47,290 --> 00:11:55,730
or not, Mr. Rinaldi suggested to remove that section, she would have to recuse and because we are

101
00:11:55,730 --> 00:11:59,790
missing two of our other counselors we would not have a quorum and therefore the

102
00:11:59,790 --> 00:12:05,790
comprehensive plan adoption could not go forward at all. And then so we are

103
00:12:05,790 --> 00:12:12,510
still waiting until we have an opportunity to do it again and during that time the

104
00:12:12,510 --> 00:12:18,410
town is vulnerable. The town is a whole and even the people on division road. We

105
00:12:18,410 --> 00:12:24,110
don't know who's out there with applications ready to come in or not. But it's a

106
00:12:24,110 --> 00:12:27,590
vulnerability that we don't think is worth it, at least it's my recommendation.

107
00:12:28,170 --> 00:12:33,110
And as I said, it is my legal opinion that you can participate on the discussion and

108
00:12:33,110 --> 00:12:34,610
vote of the comp plan as a whole.

109
00:12:34,970 --> 00:12:40,390
But if it's focused on an amendment to remove that section to change that section that would

110
00:12:40,390 --> 00:12:44,050
specifically affect the division road development, she would have to recuse.

111
00:12:44,470 --> 00:12:51,070
And then we would basically have to drop this whole thing for at least three weeks possibly

112
00:12:51,070 --> 00:12:53,870
longer depending when council members are available.

113
00:12:56,860 --> 00:13:03,500
So to clarify, we do have a remedy for the high density designation on a division

114
00:13:03,500 --> 00:13:04,100
road development.

115
00:13:04,760 --> 00:13:04,920
Yes.

116
00:13:05,940 --> 00:13:09,260
What I want to point out is this is not a one and done.

117
00:13:10,280 --> 00:13:15,100
It's already part of two phases to do this and then have it.

118
00:13:15,360 --> 00:13:20,160
But it does not have to wait another nine months for the entire comprehensive plan to

119
00:13:20,160 --> 00:13:20,780
be done.

120
00:13:20,780 --> 00:13:50,260
I do think there should be a debate that includes people from all parts of town as to where we want high density development or don't want it, but there's no reason that this couldn't come as a smaller amendment in another month or so to the town council we are allowed to amend the town the comprehensive permit four times per year and related to housing we have an unlimited number of amendments so this could come back in a month or two and deal with that issue.

121
00:13:50,940 --> 00:14:00,360
It's not something that we're saying you must wait nine months before it will be resolved and I think there has been expressed a

122
00:14:01,220 --> 00:14:17,620
General I mean you'll hear from people today in the meeting, but it seems like people are in support of doing that change the planner has language that he's prepared to provide to the planning board at you know at their next meeting they can even take up that and get it get the process started.

123
00:14:17,620 --> 00:14:23,300
So Andy, are we in a position that we can't do that change today because we don't care

124
00:14:23,300 --> 00:14:23,580
vote?

125
00:14:24,020 --> 00:14:24,180
Yes.

126
00:14:25,820 --> 00:14:29,420
Now, tell me if I'm wrong, but normally when you recuse yourself, you recuse yourself

127
00:14:29,420 --> 00:14:30,340
for a certain project.

128
00:14:30,500 --> 00:14:32,360
There's no project on the table today.

129
00:14:32,480 --> 00:14:33,920
It's just the area.

130
00:14:34,180 --> 00:14:38,200
I have conflicts near my house, my brother lives in town, other people live in town.

131
00:14:38,720 --> 00:14:40,280
Under that theory, I shouldn't be able to vote on anything.

132
00:14:40,560 --> 00:14:44,500
I think she should be able to vote tonight, that's just my personal opinion, but we don't

133
00:14:44,500 --> 00:14:45,880
have time to get another ethics opinion.

134
00:14:45,880 --> 00:14:51,220
Yeah, I think she can vote on and I said I think she can vote on the general plan the way it is now

135
00:14:51,220 --> 00:14:57,440
But I think with specific discussion and a specific motion that would affect that parcel

136
00:14:58,280 --> 00:14:59,960
It is a development it is

137
00:15:00,180 --> 00:15:29,340
It is vested for master plan approval at the moment. So it is a development. And as I said, in light of very explicit language, strongly encouraged was the word of the ethics commission. My, my advice to Miss angle hard is not to take that risk of committing that kind of violation. The only concern I have is you don't put her in a position where she's forced to vote one way. She can't vote the other way.

138
00:15:29,340 --> 00:15:30,640
I don't think that's right.

139
00:15:32,420 --> 00:15:35,420
She's literally forced to vote for the way it is.

140
00:15:36,340 --> 00:15:36,780
Yes.

141
00:15:37,560 --> 00:15:38,140
I'm not.

142
00:15:39,300 --> 00:15:39,440
Yes.

143
00:15:40,500 --> 00:15:41,040
That's it.

144
00:15:41,180 --> 00:15:41,240
Right.

145
00:15:41,360 --> 00:15:41,460
No.

146
00:15:41,660 --> 00:15:46,300
But it's she can vote against well, she could vote against it.

147
00:15:46,300 --> 00:15:47,320
Can you just hear a microphone?

148
00:15:47,900 --> 00:15:48,200
I'm sorry.

149
00:15:48,320 --> 00:15:50,180
I mean, Renew can vote against.

150
00:15:50,560 --> 00:15:53,000
I guess she could vote against the entire plan.

151
00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:59,800
And if you and the chair voted for it, it would still pass on a two-to-one vote.

152
00:16:00,320 --> 00:16:01,580
She could do that.

153
00:16:02,640 --> 00:16:04,620
She just can't vote on a specific amendment.

154
00:16:05,460 --> 00:16:06,560
Can we do the amendment?

155
00:16:06,780 --> 00:16:07,700
Or we can't even do the amendment?

156
00:16:07,700 --> 00:16:10,760
No, you can't do the amendment because you need a quorum to do the amendment.

157
00:16:11,280 --> 00:16:12,400
No, you can't do the amendment.

158
00:16:13,780 --> 00:16:19,160
It's a tricky situation and I've given over the course of the day

159
00:16:19,160 --> 00:16:23,240
and that's the best solution I can come up with.

160
00:16:23,940 --> 00:16:25,480
I feel like we're in a shotgun mode.

161
00:16:26,580 --> 00:16:30,200
I just want to tell everybody this just came up this afternoon.

162
00:16:30,200 --> 00:16:37,380
I wasn't aware of this. I was perfectly willing to vote until this was brought to my attention

163
00:16:37,380 --> 00:16:42,480
that I had refused because I had to have a conflict with the developer at this situation.

164
00:16:42,800 --> 00:16:48,040
So I did not have time prior to this to seek another ethics opinion.

165
00:16:51,480 --> 00:17:05,060
I think what we have here is we have a delayed solution or delayed amendment that I think would be favorable to many of the residents here tonight who are concerned about the high density designation for that parcel.

166
00:17:05,600 --> 00:17:15,000
So I think what we'll do now is move on with our presentation and then we will have an opportunity for people to come up to ask questions to clarify this and we can have some additional discussion.

167
00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:22,900
but at the present time, we can't make that amendment to remove the high-density designation for

168
00:17:22,900 --> 00:17:27,980
the Division of Apostle, but there was agreement that we are legally able to do that from our

169
00:17:27,980 --> 00:17:35,900
solicitor, our planning board director, and that is our likely intent as soon as we have a quorum to

170
00:17:35,900 --> 00:17:42,580
do that. So we could still do the amendment just on a different day? Yes. As soon as we go through the

171
00:17:42,580 --> 00:17:48,040
process of removing that and coming back to the council, then we can pass that amendment.

172
00:17:48,600 --> 00:17:57,720
And if somebody was to go to town hall and file something before we do that vote, are they obligated on what we're doing tonight or can we?

173
00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:11,880
Well, only if only if the current developer who has a vested plan were to give up his rights to that land, there's someone who owns the land, someone has a vested plan, someone else can't come in now and make another proposal.

174
00:18:11,880 --> 00:18:17,340
right. I mean, even if we were, even if we were to make that amendment, it still would

175
00:18:17,340 --> 00:18:22,560
not apply to the current development. Okay. The current developer is vested. It would

176
00:18:22,560 --> 00:18:28,780
only apply if someone came in with a, if this guy gave it up and somebody totally new came

177
00:18:28,780 --> 00:18:34,240
in, that would be where it might make a difference. But. And do we know one will have a quorum?

178
00:18:37,480 --> 00:18:40,400
Not until May, the beginning of May.

179
00:18:40,640 --> 00:18:46,860
Mr. Donigan is not available until May 2nd, and Renew and Karen, Renew Anglehart and

180
00:18:46,860 --> 00:18:54,160
Karen Cornthole are both recused, so that is a quirk of our scheduling here, very unusual.

181
00:18:54,820 --> 00:18:59,520
And as far as advertising this again, it's going to need to be, take three weeks for the

182
00:18:59,520 --> 00:19:00,740
advertising and so forth.

183
00:19:00,740 --> 00:19:05,340
So it's probably likely that that's when it's going to come up as an early May anyway.

184
00:19:05,940 --> 00:19:09,280
That would be when the soonest it could come up.

185
00:19:10,640 --> 00:19:13,380
It would have to be re advertised as opposed to continued.

186
00:19:13,780 --> 00:19:14,220
Yes.

187
00:19:14,640 --> 00:19:16,260
We're going to vote on it.

188
00:19:16,260 --> 00:19:17,760
We're going to go on this one now.

189
00:19:18,080 --> 00:19:19,660
And then this would be a new amendment.

190
00:19:19,660 --> 00:19:21,500
So it would have to be advertised.

191
00:19:22,120 --> 00:19:24,720
Any public hearing we have to re advertise at three weeks.

192
00:19:25,180 --> 00:19:27,900
So that will take us into nearly to May.

193
00:19:28,160 --> 00:19:29,660
That would take us into that time frame.

194
00:19:30,300 --> 00:19:30,860
Okay.

195
00:19:33,560 --> 00:19:39,580
Well, you didn't think you were going to learn all of this legal policy and procedure

196
00:19:39,580 --> 00:19:43,140
tonight, but when we proceed with our presentation.

197
00:19:44,520 --> 00:19:45,820
Thank you, Mr. President.

198
00:19:47,020 --> 00:19:55,920
So the good news is, face two of the comprehensive plan is going to be a robust community engagement

199
00:19:55,920 --> 00:20:11,880
with a lot of discussion and I hope to see everybody at this meeting at the following meetings that we have, because we are going to discuss density, what's appropriate, what's acceptable.

200
00:20:13,060 --> 00:20:20,220
It's a very important subject in the time that we're in right now with the general assembly.

201
00:20:20,220 --> 00:20:29,740
So, Phase 2 is going to be a real good, good phase robust community engagement.

202
00:20:30,340 --> 00:20:49,600
We're preparing our website portion of the website for public engagement with Facebook posts so that everyone will be notified as to when the meetings or surveys and there's a variety of public outreach when those will be coming out.

203
00:20:49,600 --> 00:20:56,820
So I hope to see everybody's response in those engaging pieces.

204
00:20:57,180 --> 00:21:04,360
We're going to be developing policies, detailed implementation strategies.

205
00:21:04,900 --> 00:21:12,180
We're also adding broad state law resiliency planning, historic preservation,

206
00:21:12,680 --> 00:21:16,460
and continue on our economic development strategies.

207
00:21:16,460 --> 00:21:28,760
So, these ones, the framework, these two is the real, the most notable part of this plan.

208
00:21:29,640 --> 00:21:36,380
So with that, we hired Libra Planners, who presented a summary of the comprehensive

209
00:21:36,380 --> 00:21:46,320
plan to the planning board, and they are here and prepared to present a presentation to

210
00:21:46,320 --> 00:21:54,480
everyone in attendance. So I think to invite Kim Solano to come up and she's the principal of

211
00:21:54,480 --> 00:21:55,240
leadware planners.

212
00:22:01,070 --> 00:22:07,410
Thank you, Al. Good evening, President Schweger, members of the council,

213
00:22:07,770 --> 00:22:13,370
members of the planning board. Thank you for having us here. My name is Kim Solano and I'm the principal

214
00:22:13,370 --> 00:22:20,830
of leadware planners. We are municipal planning consultancy and we do similar projects

215
00:22:20,830 --> 00:22:24,050
the state in a variety of municipalities.

216
00:22:27,270 --> 00:22:35,970
So our city clerk or town clerk has posted slides up on the screen and I'll be speaking to these slides.

217
00:22:36,670 --> 00:22:48,650
I apologize to the planning board and to other other city leaders town leaders that this is a repeat presentation of the presentation that we gave you last week.

218
00:22:48,650 --> 00:22:52,330
So it'll become very familiar.

219
00:22:53,550 --> 00:23:01,030
So the topics in this presentation tonight will discuss the strategy we use to develop the plan, the phase one plan.

220
00:23:01,510 --> 00:23:11,290
What we did to learn about the East Greenwich community on such short notice, the data and mapping that we did for the town.

221
00:23:11,290 --> 00:23:18,250
how we developed goals and policies, how we developed the plan language in the plan content,

222
00:23:18,770 --> 00:23:24,650
a little bit about a thing that we use called the comprehensive guiding goals set of

223
00:23:24,650 --> 00:23:31,310
bright policy goals that are designed to inform the entire document. The vision statement,

224
00:23:31,550 --> 00:23:39,250
which is a singular statement that embodies those goals, then the organization of the plan,

225
00:23:39,250 --> 00:23:45,390
the chapters and then a little bit about phase two and how we hope to engage the community

226
00:23:46,650 --> 00:23:47,830
in the following phase.

227
00:23:48,390 --> 00:23:49,770
So would you please advance the slide?

228
00:23:53,400 --> 00:24:02,700
So the strategy for phase one, when the town first issued the RFP, the request was for

229
00:24:02,700 --> 00:24:08,240
a traditional comprehensive plan that would unfold over the normal amount of time, which

230
00:24:08,240 --> 00:24:16,700
is usually 12 to 18 months, and we submitted a proposal that fit into the town's schedule,

231
00:24:17,400 --> 00:24:27,960
and during the process we became aware of the constraints of the aging of the existing

232
00:24:27,960 --> 00:24:28,380
plan.

233
00:24:28,820 --> 00:24:35,480
So we were requested to make a new proposal that would create a comprehensive plan that

234
00:24:35,480 --> 00:24:42,480
would serve the East Greenwich community for the duration of the planning process and would

235
00:24:42,480 --> 00:24:51,080
ultimately form a sort of foundational document and really a set of issues that could be questioned

236
00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:55,660
and tested with the public as the project entered phase 2.

237
00:24:56,980 --> 00:25:03,440
So the phase 1 plan, the idea was that we would create something that was essentially approval.

238
00:25:03,440 --> 00:25:25,440
So the first goal was that it would be familiar policy and the other thing that we had to do is make sure that we could provide a planning document that would fulfill the statewide planning requirements and we worked with town staff to kind of understand the immediate issues.

239
00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:32,820
So what we tried to do is make a document that's consistent with your existing planning documents.

240
00:25:33,160 --> 00:25:49,240
We proposed very minor revisions to land use because even though the town may actually want to explore changes and the state may be requiring additional changes, we were trying to create a document that was

241
00:25:49,240 --> 00:25:57,720
is current but familiar and balancing town and state priorities.

242
00:25:58,500 --> 00:26:17,620
And I just want to reiterate that this group will adopt this plan, but it's really to serve as a test plan for the next few months while the robust public engagement informs a new fuller and more accurate direction for the community.

243
00:26:17,620 --> 00:26:18,960
next slide, please.

244
00:26:21,340 --> 00:26:25,760
So how did we learn about East Greenwich? So we are Rhode Island residents. My

245
00:26:25,760 --> 00:26:33,440
daughter went to Rocky Hill School and she on all the on all the literature they listed as an

246
00:26:33,440 --> 00:26:38,940
East Greenwich school and it was only during the mapping for this project that we learned it's actually

247
00:26:38,940 --> 00:26:44,260
in warwick, but we know a little bit about the community because we drove here every day for four

248
00:26:44,260 --> 00:26:49,140
years. And of course, Rhode Island's a small state we're familiar with the

249
00:26:49,140 --> 00:26:54,140
community. The first thing we did is we made a site visit and we took photographs

250
00:26:54,140 --> 00:27:00,460
and our photographs are beautiful. It was a sunny day but there's a foot of snow

251
00:27:00,460 --> 00:27:04,540
and all the photographs. So we're looking forward to another sunny day when there

252
00:27:04,540 --> 00:27:08,680
won't be snow on the ground and we'll come back and explore the community again.

253
00:27:08,680 --> 00:27:18,460
And we did the photography after we had already kind of looked at the existing comp plan and the existing plans.

254
00:27:18,900 --> 00:27:25,620
And so we were looking at it at the physical community with an eye toward the policy that already exists.

255
00:27:27,200 --> 00:27:37,620
Normally, in an extended process, consultants may review existing documents and highlight

256
00:27:38,680 --> 00:27:40,800
language and material for review.

257
00:27:41,200 --> 00:27:47,480
Because we had this two-phase process, we have the opportunity to really pick apart

258
00:27:47,480 --> 00:27:48,260
the old plan.

259
00:27:48,260 --> 00:27:55,080
plan. So we're really thinking of this plan as familiar but in a sense a tabula rasa.

260
00:27:56,320 --> 00:28:01,140
So what are the existing documents that we considered? We looked at the existing comp

261
00:28:01,140 --> 00:28:07,380
plan. We looked at the existing municipal resilience plan. We looked at the existing housing

262
00:28:07,380 --> 00:28:12,520
plan, which as I understand has not been adopted. We looked at the Harbor Management Plan

263
00:28:12,520 --> 00:28:15,260
and the comprehensive community services plan

264
00:28:15,260 --> 00:28:17,380
in the school's master plan.

265
00:28:18,080 --> 00:28:18,720
Next slide, please.

266
00:28:21,720 --> 00:28:24,500
So data in mapping for East Greenwich.

267
00:28:26,340 --> 00:28:29,480
The state has a number of requirements

268
00:28:29,480 --> 00:28:30,820
for mapping conditions.

269
00:28:31,480 --> 00:28:33,540
And the idea with these requirements

270
00:28:33,540 --> 00:28:36,640
is that through the expectation of mapping,

271
00:28:37,420 --> 00:28:39,980
we, the state expects the community

272
00:28:39,980 --> 00:28:43,260
to aware themselves of the land use issues.

273
00:28:43,260 --> 00:28:47,180
So what did we do for the mapping and data?

274
00:28:47,920 --> 00:28:56,080
We looked at existing information that's in the plan and tried to figure out what's current, what needs to be changed.

275
00:28:56,420 --> 00:28:59,680
We used current American Community Survey data.

276
00:29:01,280 --> 00:29:07,640
We tried to verify information with other sources, including state and local.

277
00:29:07,640 --> 00:29:11,240
We followed the state guide plan, essentially.

278
00:29:11,620 --> 00:29:16,200
The state provides a sequence and a list of requirements

279
00:29:16,200 --> 00:29:21,600
and we adhere to it faithfully knowing that we would have

280
00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:26,300
the opportunity for specialization during phase two.

281
00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:32,040
We also used conventional state recommended planning categories.

282
00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:37,120
Some comprehensive plans can be really unique and be thematic

283
00:29:37,120 --> 00:29:45,340
and explore different objectives, but we felt like given the constraints of this project, best to

284
00:29:45,340 --> 00:29:53,340
use state, huge towards state requirements. And we used a conventional mapping in data,

285
00:29:55,160 --> 00:29:59,840
presentation, series of images, graphics, etc. But

286
00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:08,900
Phase two may actually present questions which will require additional maps and additional data. Next slide, please.

287
00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:28,780
So what actually helped us develop the goals and policies in this current plan. The first thing we did is we looked at the existing plan. We kind of shook everything out. We looked at all of those policy documents and we tried to find overlap. And as you might imagine, there was significant overlap.

288
00:30:28,780 --> 00:30:35,900
And a sort of sense of where the community wants to be, at least emerge for us.

289
00:30:36,680 --> 00:30:46,720
We also sent out a questionnaire to department heads because we wanted to know what the people that work in town hall actually think needs to happen.

290
00:30:48,100 --> 00:30:56,940
We considered the existing goals and policies and when we wrote this set, we basically tried

291
00:30:56,940 --> 00:31:04,280
to distill those existing goals and policies into something that was a little bit more essential

292
00:31:04,800 --> 00:31:07,980
and even kind of long-term eternal.

293
00:31:10,840 --> 00:31:16,460
We also created this thing called the Comprehensive Guiding Goals and I'll show you those in

294
00:31:16,460 --> 00:31:21,360
a minute. And these were sort of the basic principles that we hope would inform all the chapters.

295
00:31:21,540 --> 00:31:26,780
And when we were working on the specific goals and policies of the different chapters, we would

296
00:31:26,780 --> 00:31:34,420
refer back to the guiding goals to see, well, does this fit with this sort of picture of what the

297
00:31:34,420 --> 00:31:40,780
plan should be? And then from there, we created the vision statement. So often, next slide, please.

298
00:31:40,780 --> 00:31:50,550
A traditional process that is 12 to 18 months might start with a very elaborate development

299
00:31:50,550 --> 00:31:58,990
of a vision statement and then foundational principles that evolve into basic goals and

300
00:31:58,990 --> 00:32:01,390
policies and then implementation items.

301
00:32:01,710 --> 00:32:06,050
We kind of worked backwards because of the constraints and the basic.

302
00:32:08,710 --> 00:32:22,450
Again, balancing the town, the town aspirations and the state requirements, that was what we were trying to do to get this plan to this place.

303
00:32:24,390 --> 00:32:31,150
We reviewed the existing action items and we tried to identify which action items were completed.

304
00:32:31,150 --> 00:32:40,430
But ultimately we wanted to limit the number of action items because those are very specific things those require a kind of

305
00:32:41,150 --> 00:32:54,130
very involved querying of the community and the staff to know what are the specific things that need to happen to actually make your vision and then your goals and policies of reality.

306
00:32:54,130 --> 00:32:59,630
So we tried to limit action items and we tried to eliminate those that had been completed.

307
00:33:00,370 --> 00:33:08,750
So in that sense, the plan is ready for a round of review that really explores specific

308
00:33:08,750 --> 00:33:10,610
actions to support your goals.

309
00:33:11,750 --> 00:33:16,630
The state requires a strategic plan and an implementation plan.

310
00:33:16,630 --> 00:33:25,830
The implementation plan is a list of the goals and policies and who is ultimately responsible

311
00:33:26,150 --> 00:33:31,790
for executing or shepherding the goals and policies.

312
00:33:32,310 --> 00:33:40,550
And then the strategic plan is essentially a prioritizing of the actions according to

313
00:33:40,550 --> 00:33:41,150
a calendar.

314
00:33:41,150 --> 00:33:45,490
So it lists the goals and policies as the ten years unfold.

315
00:33:48,230 --> 00:33:51,350
We viewed this document as foundational for phase two.

316
00:33:51,530 --> 00:33:55,430
So it's a great sort of jumping point to test ideas.

317
00:33:56,230 --> 00:34:03,290
And we're looking forward to feedback from both the decision-making bodies and the public.

318
00:34:03,990 --> 00:34:04,750
Next slide, please.

319
00:34:05,930 --> 00:34:08,350
So these are the comprehensive guiding goals.

320
00:34:08,350 --> 00:34:15,870
And, again, this was a kind of shaking out the existing plan, and trying to see what

321
00:34:16,350 --> 00:34:23,610
makes East Greenwich tech and what should sort of inform every policy and every action

322
00:34:23,610 --> 00:34:26,110
that this plan provides.

323
00:34:27,550 --> 00:34:30,650
Okay, and then next slide, please.

324
00:34:32,470 --> 00:34:33,810
The vision statement.

325
00:34:33,810 --> 00:34:51,090
So one thing we've learned after doing compliance and a number of places is that there will be members of the community that are really eager to debate action items, and there will be other members of the community that want to wordsmith every word in the vision statement.

326
00:34:51,530 --> 00:35:02,430
So the planning process provides an opportunity for everyone who thinks about planning in every way to kind of come together and inform the plan.

327
00:35:02,430 --> 00:35:08,010
Again, this is the vision statement that we came up with through our shaking out process.

328
00:35:08,570 --> 00:35:16,710
It's a beginning, but it doesn't have the sort of, it doesn't have the community in

329
00:35:16,710 --> 00:35:19,570
promoter, so that's what we're looking for in phase two.

330
00:35:21,290 --> 00:35:22,410
Next slide, please.

331
00:35:23,530 --> 00:35:32,650
So, the chapters are organized according to essentially the state guide plan.

332
00:35:33,410 --> 00:35:41,810
We didn't want to, we wanted to stick close to the recommendations and leave exploration

333
00:35:41,810 --> 00:35:44,650
for organizational change to the second phase,

334
00:35:48,400 --> 00:35:49,360
next slide.

335
00:35:49,980 --> 00:35:52,920
I'd like to invite Manuel Cordero to come up.

336
00:35:52,920 --> 00:35:59,560
He's the principal of civic. They are the public engagement consultants and he's going to tell you

337
00:35:59,560 --> 00:36:03,080
a little bit about the engagement process in face chip.

338
00:36:15,710 --> 00:36:18,810
Good evening. As you just heard, my name is

339
00:36:18,810 --> 00:36:23,930
Manuel Cordero. I'm the principal of civic planning and design studio based in Rhode Island.

340
00:36:24,830 --> 00:36:31,170
And we specialize in facilitating thoughtful creative and actionable community engagement for

341
00:36:31,170 --> 00:36:54,490
processes like this. Another one of our specialties is actually school facility planning, and I remember many of you from planning East Greenwiches school facility master plan, which is bearing fruit right now, so it's exciting for us to be back here working with Libra and with you on this important comprehensive plan update.

342
00:36:54,490 --> 00:37:14,970
We understand that you are all preoccupied likely with the document in front of you, so I am just here to give you a brief overview of the engagement process because we are already looking ahead to the phase two and in particular to thinking about the community engagement portion of it.

343
00:37:16,190 --> 00:37:21,730
Like you, we believe the comprehensive plan updates are a unique opportunity to take a step back

344
00:37:21,730 --> 00:37:26,270
and holistically reflect on the past, the present and the future.

345
00:37:27,470 --> 00:37:33,250
And to do that, we've developed a community engagement process that aims to do three things.

346
00:37:33,590 --> 00:37:38,910
One, empower community members with data and with best practices, so sharing information.

347
00:37:38,910 --> 00:37:46,010
two to truly listen to lived experience and recognize the expertise of community members

348
00:37:46,010 --> 00:37:53,030
and three to encourage visioning through multiple iterative creative engagement methods.

349
00:37:54,130 --> 00:38:01,030
So in the packets that you have and available to the public as well, you should have a proposed

350
00:38:01,030 --> 00:38:07,630
community engagement framework that we've developed with input from the East Granted staff. In it,

351
00:38:07,630 --> 00:38:14,030
we've proposed methods that you might expect, like public meetings, but also surveys, workshop

352
00:38:14,030 --> 00:38:19,610
series, and interviews with key stakeholders. And we've also been discussing additional

353
00:38:19,610 --> 00:38:26,890
methods with town staff to reach key stakeholders and gather insights. So, for example, you might

354
00:38:26,890 --> 00:38:33,930
see us at a pop-up event, at a summer concert, or conducting around table discussion with key stakeholders.

355
00:38:34,590 --> 00:38:36,770
The goal over a series of

356
00:38:36,770 --> 00:38:46,630
Inventes is to move from high-level visioning as Kim was alluding to to defining goals and strategies and then considering policy trade-offs.

357
00:38:47,370 --> 00:38:56,530
Although I don't have the time to go through it with you all today, this is just an opportunity for me to introduce myself and my colleague Tim Shea who will be leading a lot of the engagement.

358
00:38:57,330 --> 00:39:01,790
And tell you really how excited we are to do this work with you.

359
00:39:01,790 --> 00:39:08,590
and to center East Greenwich Community voices in this process of the comprehensive plan update.

360
00:39:09,150 --> 00:39:09,870
Thank you.

361
00:39:19,280 --> 00:39:20,020
Thank you.

362
00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:26,080
Are you, you're completed with your assessment and your presentation?

363
00:39:26,540 --> 00:39:27,360
Okay, thank you, Manuel.

364
00:39:28,480 --> 00:39:37,480
So at this point, we've had our initial presentation and we will have an opportunity for planning board and town council to ask any questions to begin the discussion.

365
00:39:37,480 --> 00:39:38,140
I

366
00:39:53,090 --> 00:39:56,470
can start. I guess we can start to. Sure, go ahead.

367
00:39:57,090 --> 00:40:06,990
So, can we just go back and talk a little bit more specifically about how to remedy the route to situation and kind of commit to a timing of that?

368
00:40:07,290 --> 00:40:20,330
Because our next meeting is when as a planning board, because we could vote on it then you're saying to, okay, so we would maybe just walk through the process as what we would vote to.

369
00:40:20,330 --> 00:40:32,230
If we approved the plan tonight, we would vote to amend it on April 15th, if there's enough of us, and then it would go, what's the next step now?

370
00:40:32,630 --> 00:40:34,150
Can you use the mic so

371
00:40:37,480 --> 00:40:48,860
my office could have something prepared for April 15th, following April 15th, we would then transmit it to the town council.

372
00:40:48,860 --> 00:41:09,100
We would need three weeks of consecutive advertisement for our regulations and then following that the town council would then call another public hearing with the planning what again to review and possibly adopt the amendment.

373
00:41:09,100 --> 00:41:13,680
As Mr. Tate says, we have four amendments.

374
00:41:14,500 --> 00:41:17,780
If it has to do with housing, it's unlimited.

375
00:41:21,990 --> 00:41:23,530
Four amendments per year.

376
00:41:24,910 --> 00:41:25,450
I'm sorry.

377
00:41:30,530 --> 00:41:35,230
So that's a timeline that I can commit to.

378
00:41:37,170 --> 00:41:41,530
It may not be as simple as what I just said,

379
00:41:41,530 --> 00:41:52,970
But because of timing, but I will coordinate that with the town clerk for the town council meetings and then advertise accordingly.

380
00:41:54,530 --> 00:42:01,710
Okay, so maybe we should lead us mid-May if we have those and then we would have a repeat meeting like this threat.

381
00:42:01,710 --> 00:42:04,530
But yeah, I think we can move it as schedules allow.

382
00:42:04,970 --> 00:42:07,610
I think it's important to make two points.

383
00:42:07,750 --> 00:42:11,010
One is this has no impact on the existing development,

384
00:42:11,650 --> 00:42:13,810
which is vested at master plan.

385
00:42:14,390 --> 00:42:14,590
Correct.

386
00:42:14,930 --> 00:42:16,650
Now that development still has to come back

387
00:42:16,650 --> 00:42:19,290
for comprehensive and final plan.

388
00:42:19,750 --> 00:42:21,230
Are those done together?

389
00:42:21,530 --> 00:42:24,670
Is comprehensive and final plans now done in one meeting

390
00:42:24,670 --> 00:42:26,970
or is that it would be two meetings?

391
00:42:27,110 --> 00:42:27,650
It would be two meetings.

392
00:42:27,890 --> 00:42:28,610
More than likely.

393
00:42:28,610 --> 00:42:32,670
The final is now administrative. There is no meeting for final.

394
00:42:33,290 --> 00:42:41,210
Okay, so they will come to a public, a public hearing and for comprehensive plan.

395
00:42:41,210 --> 00:42:41,590
Correct.

396
00:42:41,810 --> 00:42:46,530
And the preliminary plan is the hot engineering of the site.

397
00:42:47,230 --> 00:42:51,450
So 80 acres is going to be very involved.

398
00:42:52,420 --> 00:42:52,930
I'm sorry.

399
00:42:53,090 --> 00:42:55,310
I was mixing up comprehensive and preliminary.

400
00:42:55,310 --> 00:43:03,870
preliminary. The preliminary is just before the final plan. Yes. Yes. Okay. So they would have to come back for preliminary plan. And final plan is administrative.

401
00:43:06,260 --> 00:43:06,860
I'm sorry.

402
00:43:07,740 --> 00:43:10,200
Make a comment. Can you introduce yourself, please?

403
00:43:10,400 --> 00:43:13,020
Peter Friedrichs from labor planners. The principal. Yes.

404
00:43:13,820 --> 00:43:19,600
Peter is my first name. Last name is Friedrichs. F-R-I-E-D. R-S-C-H-S.

405
00:43:19,600 --> 00:43:25,920
the principal planner at Libra Planners and I've got a bit of an education into the basic

406
00:43:25,920 --> 00:43:30,520
education into the East Greenwich administrative requirements the last couple of months.

407
00:43:30,720 --> 00:43:36,580
So one of the things that we've run into for today and tomorrow is that I'll defer to

408
00:43:36,580 --> 00:43:42,240
the solicitor on this, the East Greenwich town chart requires three council meetings on

409
00:43:42,240 --> 00:43:47,860
an ordinance, which the comprehensive plan is, so as part of that may process, there would

410
00:43:47,860 --> 00:43:54,380
be three council meetings. So I require a special town council meeting or push out into June.

411
00:43:54,840 --> 00:43:56,960
Just wanted to let everyone know about that.

412
00:44:03,100 --> 00:44:06,260
Actually, can I ask a question? I wanted to talk

413
00:44:06,260 --> 00:44:11,960
about the existing land use map versus the, what, sorry, staying with that for one more second.

414
00:44:12,240 --> 00:44:16,680
Just so now we're saying it's going to be June because we have to have three town council meetings

415
00:44:16,680 --> 00:44:28,570
before we can. No, I the three town council meetings may sound like it's a long time, but the council

416
00:44:28,570 --> 00:44:35,150
needs twice a month. Right. And it's a matter of schedule, like, which I would wrap with the town

417
00:44:35,150 --> 00:44:40,870
clerk to say, logically. But Alan May, we actually probably have a council meeting every Monday because

418
00:44:40,870 --> 00:44:46,130
it's the budget month. So into the beginning of June. So whether they want to or not, we're going to

419
00:44:46,130 --> 00:44:51,210
meaning probably every single week through May. So that should help simultaneously with this

420
00:44:51,210 --> 00:44:58,030
dovetail well. Right. And it does not have to, there has to be notice for the public hearing

421
00:44:58,030 --> 00:44:59,970
And the second reading which is here

422
00:45:00,000 --> 00:45:29,000
Here. But the charter does not specify a time limit between the second and third reading, which is why we're planning the council's planning to meet tomorrow night for third reading on this. So, um, as Mr. Not indicates, I was going to say there be lots of meetings with the budget and I think there'll be opportunities to get this done in May. And it seems to out there's very low likelihood that between approving the plan tonight and modifying it.

423
00:45:29,000 --> 00:45:33,840
in mid-April that a new development could pop into your office because that

424
00:45:33,840 --> 00:45:39,400
development could use the route to area, right, as high density if that if the

425
00:45:39,400 --> 00:45:47,360
plan is that this way for six weeks or so. The 410 piece property was specifically

426
00:45:47,360 --> 00:45:54,340
outlined for high density. There are no other areas that are outlined for high

427
00:45:54,340 --> 00:45:57,620
identity. Okay. So just involve this project.

428
00:45:59,080 --> 00:46:04,380
And in parallel, we'll see if we can get an ethics opinion. And

429
00:46:04,380 --> 00:46:09,000
maybe you won't be conflicted out, right? I mean, I can

430
00:46:09,000 --> 00:46:12,200
certainly, yeah, call tomorrow and find out what the situation

431
00:46:12,200 --> 00:46:16,340
is. Well, the problem is that they'll give you formal advice

432
00:46:16,340 --> 00:46:20,460
on the phone, but you can only rely on a formal written one,

433
00:46:20,840 --> 00:46:23,700
which you have to apply, and you have to go to a meeting of the

434
00:46:23,700 --> 00:46:28,740
ethics commission that they vote on. And they only meet twice a month. So it seems like

435
00:46:28,740 --> 00:46:34,580
the timing will be all about the same. But in answer to your first question, it seems

436
00:46:35,620 --> 00:46:42,300
obviously there's no certainty about anything but it seems unlikely that the developer is going to

437
00:46:42,300 --> 00:46:53,680
sell it to someone new who would have all their engineering done and be able to come in in the

438
00:46:53,680 --> 00:46:55,320
need all the engineering done.

439
00:46:55,840 --> 00:46:57,660
So either one or two things are happening.

440
00:46:57,880 --> 00:47:00,760
Either the developer is working on the engineering plans

441
00:47:01,440 --> 00:47:03,660
and maybe has them done and comes in,

442
00:47:04,120 --> 00:47:05,920
but that doesn't matter because that developer

443
00:47:05,920 --> 00:47:08,500
is vested no matter what change you make.

444
00:47:09,400 --> 00:47:12,160
Or a new developer, and as I said,

445
00:47:12,300 --> 00:47:14,560
that new developer would have to come in

446
00:47:14,560 --> 00:47:16,680
with all their engineering plans as well,

447
00:47:16,760 --> 00:47:19,320
which seems unlikely in that timeframe.

448
00:47:21,720 --> 00:47:24,060
Do we need to hear this at first reading again

449
00:47:24,060 --> 00:47:25,380
or we've already done our first reading.

450
00:47:25,380 --> 00:47:26,160
Done first reading.

451
00:47:26,300 --> 00:47:27,800
This would, upon your,

452
00:47:28,140 --> 00:47:29,780
upon after the planning board recommendation,

453
00:47:30,100 --> 00:47:32,900
you vote, your vote would constitute second reading.

454
00:47:33,080 --> 00:47:33,380
Mm-hmm.

455
00:47:33,900 --> 00:47:36,060
And then third reading is scheduled for tomorrow.

456
00:47:36,200 --> 00:47:37,080
For an amendment,

457
00:47:37,320 --> 00:47:38,960
we would have a second reading,

458
00:47:39,360 --> 00:47:41,220
and then we could have the third reading the next day.

459
00:47:42,000 --> 00:47:43,840
So there's, we do not have to re-advertise,

460
00:47:43,900 --> 00:47:44,980
we don't have to extend it out.

461
00:47:44,980 --> 00:47:47,920
So three weeks advertising next day,

462
00:47:48,020 --> 00:47:50,880
this council will meet anytime it's necessary.

463
00:47:50,880 --> 00:47:56,880
meeting again tomorrow if this matter is approved tonight, so we can do that to move this

464
00:47:56,880 --> 00:47:57,140
along.

465
00:48:00,810 --> 00:48:08,670
So I'm curious about the changes in the existing land use map versus the future land use

466
00:48:08,670 --> 00:48:08,990
map.

467
00:48:09,390 --> 00:48:16,150
I just was curious about there was a change, a bigger change that I saw on institutional on

468
00:48:16,150 --> 00:48:17,450
the existing land use map.

469
00:48:17,450 --> 00:48:20,930
I believe that's Camp Fogarty and going to

470
00:48:22,550 --> 00:48:27,890
MUPD at that for the future land use map. I was wondering if anybody could speak to that and explain

471
00:48:29,370 --> 00:48:32,030
How that works with the federal property

472
00:48:33,390 --> 00:48:34,730
This is on page

473
00:48:35,330 --> 00:48:36,950
88 and 89

474
00:48:38,430 --> 00:48:44,090
On their pages Libras page 88 and 89 that was probably a leftover from

475
00:48:44,090 --> 00:48:49,570
20, the 2013 plan, so that would be corrected.

476
00:48:49,830 --> 00:48:53,550
Okay, so then, but we don't anticipate anything different

477
00:48:53,550 --> 00:48:54,630
in the federal plan.

478
00:48:54,930 --> 00:48:56,650
Do we, we don't expect the federal government

479
00:48:56,650 --> 00:48:58,410
to turn that property over in any way?

480
00:48:59,990 --> 00:49:02,930
I, I would not take a chance of protecting

481
00:49:02,930 --> 00:49:04,410
what the government's going to be doing.

482
00:49:05,310 --> 00:49:09,350
That's true, I, because I see it's commercial industrial

483
00:49:09,350 --> 00:49:12,030
and the future land use map, that's why I'm just curious.

484
00:49:12,030 --> 00:49:18,690
The same thing with the property on route two I believe it's the farm. I think it's you're we're looking at

485
00:49:19,230 --> 00:49:24,010
Believe it looks like it might be farmland currently and it's

486
00:49:24,010 --> 00:49:27,410
slated I shouldn't say that that's both

487
00:49:27,990 --> 00:49:33,030
It's commercial industrial is this the purple area on route two

488
00:49:33,870 --> 00:49:39,150
Going west is that the Bosch um not Bosch. What's the

489
00:49:39,790 --> 00:49:43,290
Before I pour a plastics property, the old

490
00:49:43,290 --> 00:49:45,730
boxage property, is that what that is?

491
00:49:46,310 --> 00:49:49,010
I can't answer that, right?

492
00:49:49,430 --> 00:49:50,010
Okay, sorry.

493
00:49:50,550 --> 00:49:54,590
All these very detailed questions that you have,

494
00:49:54,970 --> 00:49:58,770
we will be able to focus that on focus on all of those

495
00:49:58,770 --> 00:50:02,190
down to the platinum lot we face too.

496
00:50:03,350 --> 00:50:05,730
Okay, I just was curious because there's some.

497
00:50:06,530 --> 00:50:12,430
You guys were great about, I had some other concerns you took, you would dress those as well.

498
00:50:12,750 --> 00:50:19,010
I just was curious about some of the changes in the map overall.

499
00:50:19,570 --> 00:50:22,190
I did have a question about,

500
00:50:25,420 --> 00:50:29,280
we had used a specific number for affordable housing for the

501
00:50:29,280 --> 00:50:37,560
number of 7.21 percent, which we're currently at, that's at 2024 and I was curious as to

502
00:50:37,560 --> 00:50:51,920
I think I had asked Andy this as well do we need to put numbers do we have to plug numbers in for affordable housing in when we're doing a comprehensive plan like this or do we is it better to leave it general is it better to leave it open?

503
00:50:53,840 --> 00:51:07,040
Or because of the it's better to be specific in something like this when it comes to housing with the environment from the general assembly I would like to drill down to get specifics.

504
00:51:07,040 --> 00:51:16,800
So if it means, for instance, I had a question today, you know, in one of those state plans,

505
00:51:16,800 --> 00:51:23,440
they have us at building 222 units in like six, six years.

506
00:51:24,260 --> 00:51:26,720
You know, that number stuck with me.

507
00:51:26,780 --> 00:51:28,600
I'm like, well, how's that going to happen?

508
00:51:28,980 --> 00:51:34,640
And I went back and I did an average of all of our building permits over 20 years.

509
00:51:34,640 --> 00:51:45,500
and we roughly do about 22 to 25 units per year, so it works out, but we will drill down to specifics.

510
00:51:45,880 --> 00:51:50,740
Okay. And that's one more question I apologize.

511
00:51:53,830 --> 00:52:00,300
I think I brought the wrong notebook,

512
00:52:00,340 --> 00:52:05,920
so I don't have that question. I'll come back to it. Let me look for it.

513
00:52:05,920 --> 00:52:08,180
Those are my questions for in the moments.

514
00:52:12,040 --> 00:52:14,480
Other questions for our staff or consultants?

515
00:52:16,500 --> 00:52:21,520
Al, you had mentioned you conceptually moving away

516
00:52:21,520 --> 00:52:23,940
from designating specific parcels

517
00:52:23,940 --> 00:52:26,360
for high density development and coming up

518
00:52:26,360 --> 00:52:29,940
with a broader perspective on location of affordable housing.

519
00:52:29,940 --> 00:52:31,560
A lot of it based on community input.

520
00:52:32,120 --> 00:52:34,620
Can you expand on that a little bit?

521
00:52:34,620 --> 00:52:47,260
And so it's my opinion that we as professionals shouldn't dictate to a private land owner.

522
00:52:47,780 --> 00:52:51,320
Your land should be this or your land should be that.

523
00:52:52,970 --> 00:53:00,200
So I would like to do areas, for instance, and I'm being very broad with it.

524
00:53:00,200 --> 00:53:08,560
the harbor area, the hill area, the route to Colorado, and then the western section of town.

525
00:53:10,440 --> 00:53:17,380
All of those areas are unique in and in and of themselves. And there is

526
00:53:18,440 --> 00:53:24,700
certain density that can be acceptable in each one of those areas. They will that those areas

527
00:53:24,700 --> 00:53:36,980
will be discussed and it will be asked, what's acceptable in the Hill neighborhood? What's acceptable in the harbor? What's acceptable in the room to Harvard?

528
00:53:37,760 --> 00:53:44,440
So that's what I and Michael is to drill down and be that specific of those areas.

529
00:53:44,440 --> 00:53:48,440
I mean, you say what's acceptable? That's based on community input.

530
00:53:48,860 --> 00:53:49,660
Community input. Yes.

531
00:53:49,860 --> 00:53:54,760
What other factors are influenced that because there's a lot of talk about community needs

532
00:53:54,760 --> 00:53:58,360
that your comprehensive plan should reflect community needs.

533
00:54:00,220 --> 00:54:04,300
What's reflective in density is land capacity.

534
00:54:05,160 --> 00:54:13,880
So, sewers and sewers and water, it's pretty much anything could happen with sewers and water.

535
00:54:13,880 --> 00:54:20,220
So that it reverts to what does the town prefer to happen in this in a particular area?

536
00:54:21,400 --> 00:54:27,800
Community needs is identified through looking at our demographics, our demographics and

537
00:54:27,800 --> 00:54:38,200
lean towards families. It doesn't ring out anything in particular where we would say what we have a need

538
00:54:38,200 --> 00:54:48,160
for X. I think we offer a variety of housing options for any stage of a

539
00:54:48,160 --> 00:54:52,620
person's life. Because people now are talking about that missing middle, you know,

540
00:54:52,680 --> 00:54:56,980
with starter homes, smaller homes, and how does that, is that, or how does that

541
00:54:56,980 --> 00:55:05,660
become a community need? Well, it's older people downsizing, or I've had many, many

542
00:55:05,660 --> 00:55:10,620
calls and conversations with people who have five bedroom house and there's only two people living

543
00:55:10,620 --> 00:55:19,600
in the house and they don't like their heating bill. And one woman said she shuts down her

544
00:55:19,600 --> 00:55:28,640
second floor because they don't use that area. So that's one. The other is young families

545
00:55:28,640 --> 00:55:37,680
families, young families, young professionals, buying a home in East Greenwich, they're competing

546
00:55:37,680 --> 00:55:46,520
with families that are looking for larger homes and so on. Those are identifiable segments

547
00:55:46,520 --> 00:55:47,460
of the population.

548
00:55:50,740 --> 00:55:56,740
Can I ask a general question? We're talking about conservation and natural habitat, which

549
00:55:56,740 --> 00:56:01,300
I know is a huge concern for people in East Greenwich, and yet at the same point, when

550
00:56:01,300 --> 00:56:06,460
I look at the map for the Conservation and Natural Habitat on page 16 of Libra's presentation,

551
00:56:07,120 --> 00:56:16,640
I see that much of it is already built upon. Is there any way, I guess I'm curious, are

552
00:56:16,640 --> 00:56:22,400
these significant, you know, are these areas of significant importance that we should not

553
00:56:22,400 --> 00:56:27,860
have built on altogether or were they I mean at the time that these homes were built they were not

554
00:56:27,860 --> 00:56:34,540
considered to be you could you just talk a little bit about how you know we identify these areas

555
00:56:34,540 --> 00:56:41,240
and you building upon them much of it's already built upon. Right it all depends on the

556
00:56:41,780 --> 00:56:49,400
the decade that the development comes through as everyone knows 60s the 50s 60s there was

557
00:56:49,400 --> 00:56:52,880
less regulation as we move forward to today.

558
00:56:53,120 --> 00:56:54,600
There's a lot more regulation.

559
00:56:55,340 --> 00:56:59,060
So that dictates really development patterns

560
00:56:59,060 --> 00:57:01,240
and what's allowed and what's not allowed.

561
00:57:01,720 --> 00:57:04,480
But what I would do is the state of Rhode Island

562
00:57:04,480 --> 00:57:11,920
has a very, very informed GIS overlays.

563
00:57:12,140 --> 00:57:14,900
So they look at soils.

564
00:57:15,340 --> 00:57:16,940
They look at wetlands.

565
00:57:16,940 --> 00:57:25,840
and you start layering them onto a plan and you see what areas that really need to be preserved.

566
00:57:28,160 --> 00:57:34,380
And also, I like to look at links. If we own a lot of property and

567
00:57:34,380 --> 00:57:43,300
conservation commission has some property. So, is it a piece of property that is privately owned

568
00:57:43,300 --> 00:57:49,780
what is in between two of our properties are two already conserved properties. And if that came

569
00:57:49,780 --> 00:57:59,700
on the market, it's a good link between the two to extend the conserved land. So that's

570
00:57:59,700 --> 00:58:07,240
how at least how I look at open space and observation. And the same thing with the farm,

571
00:58:08,180 --> 00:58:12,600
the agricultural soils, the Libras presentation page 17,

572
00:58:12,600 --> 00:58:16,760
we're talking about, I guess agricultural soils

573
00:58:16,760 --> 00:58:20,120
or prime farmland, much of that's already built upon already.

574
00:58:20,380 --> 00:58:22,620
It looks like in the same thing,

575
00:58:22,620 --> 00:58:27,660
I just hope that people understand that this is something

576
00:58:27,660 --> 00:58:30,220
that has happened in the past and that the town

577
00:58:30,220 --> 00:58:32,840
has already built upon a lot of significant

578
00:58:32,840 --> 00:58:37,160
can't farm land or agricultural properties.

579
00:58:38,420 --> 00:58:40,380
And so we are not looking at that.

580
00:58:40,500 --> 00:58:41,760
I think I had asked about that.

581
00:58:42,220 --> 00:58:45,820
We've taken farm land out of potential density

582
00:58:45,820 --> 00:58:51,080
and for development and we're asking for that to stay open space.

583
00:58:52,140 --> 00:58:53,100
All right, thank you.

584
00:58:53,220 --> 00:58:54,360
Those are the questions I have today.

585
00:58:57,460 --> 00:59:00,500
The question is from the Planning Board Council.

586
00:59:01,880 --> 00:59:03,820
If not, we'll open up to the public

587
00:59:03,820 --> 00:59:09,060
and ask them to come up and make any comments they'd like or ask questions of our staff,

588
00:59:09,180 --> 00:59:11,460
we have our consultants here as well, planning board members.

589
00:59:27,810 --> 00:59:28,490
Good evening.

590
00:59:29,990 --> 00:59:34,590
Hi, I'm Greg Weiss, resident east crunch and I appreciate I think before I got here tonight,

591
00:59:34,590 --> 00:59:41,610
there was conversations about amendment and that's why I'm here tonight. I guess most of you know that

592
00:59:41,610 --> 00:59:48,950
my neighborhood and the people around my neighborhood were working really hard to mitigate the

593
00:59:48,950 --> 00:59:56,690
400 and 10 unit development. Now we know it as the division road project and you know I realize

594
00:59:56,690 --> 00:59:59,910
I'm not here to advocate that we could we could change that because

595
01:00:00,000 --> 01:00:29,920
It was a settlement, the town and the developer made. But why I'm here tonight is because the draft of the comp plan still identifies this parcel of land as a mixed use, high density zone. The old comp plan said you could build up to 20 units per acre on this site, which would, with those 80 acres and another 10 that's adjacent to it that that could be up to 1900 units. And to be fair, the old comp plan estimated only

596
01:00:30,480 --> 01:00:38,340
852 would be built there because there's you know wetlands and so on but you know that could

597
01:00:38,340 --> 01:00:44,920
concentrate 25% of East French's housing units on those 90 acres of land even though the

598
01:00:44,920 --> 01:00:47,700
current land is owned for one unit for every two acres.

599
01:00:50,120 --> 01:00:52,160
I would like to remind you all that

600
01:00:52,840 --> 01:00:58,020
during the planning board meetings for the 410 unit development and division road the attorney

601
01:00:58,020 --> 01:01:02,020
for the division road project, our youth developer was actually doing the town of favor.

602
01:01:02,560 --> 01:01:07,200
He said the developer could max out that particular property as much as 20 years for an anchor

603
01:01:07,200 --> 01:01:09,240
rather than the five that he proposed.

604
01:01:10,040 --> 01:01:16,220
So we all know that the residents of East Greenwich don't want any more density there yet the

605
01:01:16,220 --> 01:01:23,040
draft continues to identify that as being a high density area.

606
01:01:25,200 --> 01:01:26,560
So why is that important?

607
01:01:26,560 --> 01:01:56,540
In the event that developer does not build on the project and someone else comes along and ask for a modification and they come before our planning board, the, the comp plan is what would, would help some guide their decision and that our expired comp plan was a, was a huge roadblock in our ability to mitigate the 410 development, so I'm asking, let's not make that mistake again, even if it's unlikely that we're in that scenario again, let's not allow for that because it's

608
01:01:56,540 --> 01:01:58,340
is let's learn from our mistakes.

609
01:02:00,200 --> 01:02:03,320
And Mr. Rinaldi even, I think I heard him say,

610
01:02:03,640 --> 01:02:05,680
tonight that he was in agreement with,

611
01:02:06,100 --> 01:02:09,320
we should have a realistic and appropriate development

612
01:02:09,320 --> 01:02:10,400
for that location.

613
01:02:10,880 --> 01:02:16,260
So I heard the people from Libra planners

614
01:02:16,260 --> 01:02:19,160
talking about our goals and what was stated

615
01:02:19,160 --> 01:02:21,460
and what stated in the draft.

616
01:02:22,440 --> 01:02:24,040
We should create mixed use zones

617
01:02:24,280 --> 01:02:25,660
in areas with public transit.

618
01:02:25,660 --> 01:02:32,640
it, but we know there's none there. It's East Branch's mature and established and large-scale

619
01:02:32,640 --> 01:02:39,940
changes that land use are neither required or advised. Land use modifications should focus

620
01:02:39,940 --> 01:02:44,940
on already developed lots. We should protect the rural and agricultural nature of areas

621
01:02:44,940 --> 01:02:51,760
of the west, create mixed-use zones, preserve rural and character of western areas. So there's

622
01:02:51,760 --> 01:03:01,800
ways that it's contradicting labeling that area as a high density mixed-use area and I think I heard a

623
01:03:01,800 --> 01:03:07,620
mention like that might be the only one that's in the comp plan and it just doesn't belong there.

624
01:03:07,620 --> 01:03:13,400
I'm not saying housing doesn't belong there and even some sort of density should belong there but

625
01:03:13,400 --> 01:03:21,980
And 18, 852, 1900 units, I think we heard from all the residents, that 410 was more than

626
01:03:21,980 --> 01:03:26,060
enough, so let's not allow for more than that in our new complaint.

627
01:03:26,420 --> 01:03:26,540
Thank you.

628
01:03:28,780 --> 01:03:29,340
Thank you.

629
01:03:31,140 --> 01:03:37,180
I appreciate your comments and we received a number of calls and emails with that same

630
01:03:37,180 --> 01:03:44,340
concern and I think we have tried to respond to that by removing that designation.

631
01:03:44,340 --> 01:03:48,840
it just will take a little bit more time than we had initially hoped for.

632
01:04:08,240 --> 01:04:14,720
The Brinoise 10 Westfield Drive. I'm not to repeat anything and I know that it came up earlier

633
01:04:14,720 --> 01:04:20,000
and I'd like to thank Al for his recommendation. But I'd still like to get the comments I prepared

634
01:04:20,000 --> 01:04:27,060
so they are on the public record and also because we are not voting on this today. I think it's

635
01:04:27,060 --> 01:04:35,360
important that everyone here understand the importance of misdivision. A lot

636
01:04:35,360 --> 01:04:42,360
designation for our entire town. So being up here today feels a little bit like

637
01:04:42,360 --> 01:04:47,920
Deja vu. I remember when the 410 unit development was up for approval a couple

638
01:04:47,920 --> 01:04:52,500
of years back and looking at the towns then comp plan and being very confused.

639
01:04:52,500 --> 01:05:03,400
How could this area have ever been marked for high density mixed use development when key goals and guiding principles within the plan completely contradicted doing so.

640
01:05:04,120 --> 01:05:11,920
But at that point, it was too late. The developer was able to build a strong case for high density relying heavily on our town's own comp plan.

641
01:05:13,200 --> 01:05:19,260
Yet we find ourselves in a similar position today and to be quite honest, I'm a little bit frustrated.

642
01:05:19,880 --> 01:05:26,080
I'm frustrated that because this process feels rushed, and I know there have been many valid reasons for that,

643
01:05:26,660 --> 01:05:32,200
that we may not be taking a detailed enough look at the draft comp plan to make sure this is done thoroughly,

644
01:05:32,520 --> 01:05:36,180
and that the necessary changes are made in the first phase.

645
01:05:37,820 --> 01:05:45,440
I'm frustrated that, for as important as this point is, that the council cannot pass an amendment today,

646
01:05:45,440 --> 01:05:52,420
day, the day before the call plan is due. But there is good news. It's not too late

647
01:05:52,420 --> 01:05:56,520
this time around. After all, that's why we're all here tonight to make public comment

648
01:05:56,520 --> 01:06:02,540
and for the council to respond accordingly. Despite what some may think, the 410 unit

649
01:06:02,540 --> 01:06:07,500
development is most definitely not a foregone conclusion and we need to stop treating it as

650
01:06:07,500 --> 01:06:14,340
such. In today's economy, who is to say that if that it will ever be built and who is to

651
01:06:14,340 --> 01:06:19,300
say that the developer, or if he sells it, the new developer will want to modify the current

652
01:06:19,300 --> 01:06:26,020
plans. This is not about rehashing the past. This is about the future possible development

653
01:06:26,020 --> 01:06:32,580
on that land. Because if that happens, which again, is not an unlikely scenario, the new

654
01:06:32,580 --> 01:06:38,080
comp plan would once again serve as a guideline for what they can do. If it remains the same,

655
01:06:38,240 --> 01:06:43,500
that could mean over 1,800 units in that area. I'd like to read several of the guiding

656
01:06:43,500 --> 01:06:50,460
principles that have already been mentioned from the new draft comp plan. Protect town assets

657
01:06:50,460 --> 01:06:57,100
from hazards, including inundation. Encourage housing development according to smart growth

658
01:06:57,100 --> 01:07:05,440
principles. Protect the rural agricultural character of the areas to the west. These are only three

659
01:07:05,440 --> 01:07:10,980
of the principles in the draft plan, but nearly all of the guiding principles in the draft plan

660
01:07:10,980 --> 01:07:14,900
are in direct opposition to the land on division road

661
01:07:14,900 --> 01:07:17,780
being designated as high density mixed use.

662
01:07:18,660 --> 01:07:21,980
I also reviewed some of the state's comprehensive plan guidelines,

663
01:07:22,860 --> 01:07:27,340
which clearly state that future land use designations should be consistent

664
01:07:27,340 --> 01:07:31,540
with the goals and policies set forth within the comprehensive plan.

665
01:07:32,540 --> 01:07:36,620
This surely is not the case if you continue to designate this area

666
01:07:36,620 --> 01:07:38,220
as high density mixed use.

667
01:07:38,900 --> 01:07:43,060
We need more affordable housing in our town and in our state.

668
01:07:43,400 --> 01:07:44,780
That is absolutely true.

669
01:07:45,340 --> 01:07:49,260
But it can and it should be done in a much more thoughtful way.

670
01:07:50,880 --> 01:07:55,000
And in a way that moves the needle towards the 10%.

671
01:07:55,000 --> 01:08:00,300
To me this would look like creating pockets of 100% affordable housing throughout the town.

672
01:08:00,300 --> 01:08:05,520
In the western area, off-division road, this might look something closer to single-family

673
01:08:05,520 --> 01:08:08,620
homes on a half-acre or quarter-acre lots.

674
01:08:09,600 --> 01:08:13,440
Of course, I am not the expert, and isn't that the point.

675
01:08:14,280 --> 01:08:20,040
We as a community trust in and rely on our experts, the town planning department and our planning

676
01:08:20,040 --> 01:08:26,820
director, Alvernaldi, as well as town officials to do their due diligence despite time restraints

677
01:08:26,820 --> 01:08:31,320
And to make decisions that will guide our town for the next ten years, thoughtfully and

678
01:08:31,320 --> 01:08:35,520
with purpose, the draft plan as is does not do this.

679
01:08:36,560 --> 01:08:41,900
I respectfully ask that you revise the future land use designation of the land off of Division

680
01:08:41,900 --> 01:08:48,340
Road to properly reflect not only what our community wants, but what the comp plan itself outlines

681
01:08:48,820 --> 01:08:50,840
and what is best for the future of our town.

682
01:08:51,280 --> 01:08:51,900
Thank you.

683
01:08:59,160 --> 01:08:59,760
Thank you.

684
01:08:59,760 --> 01:09:05,080
If you're comments and people are welcome to come up and give their views whether they've

685
01:09:05,080 --> 01:09:09,220
been heard before or not, there's nothing wrong with people going over the same material

686
01:09:09,220 --> 01:09:11,600
and adding their slant to it.

687
01:09:12,140 --> 01:09:18,760
I would comment that I know that you have the feeling that there's a rush here to do this.

688
01:09:19,460 --> 01:09:23,360
We do have a deadline to meet and so we have to adhere to a timeline.

689
01:09:23,360 --> 01:09:35,340
But as far as a rush, this phase one is really an outline that is awaiting development and to be fleshed out.

690
01:09:35,800 --> 01:09:41,120
As part of this phase one, we've created a number of different categories.

691
01:09:41,340 --> 01:09:52,720
For example, tonight it was mentioned improvement of public services, natural and ecological resources, recreational opportunities, hazard mitigation down at the waterfront, historic structures,

692
01:09:52,720 --> 01:09:59,940
in landscapes, looking at the downtown and looking at modifications to the downtown.

693
01:10:00,640 --> 01:10:03,480
So it's a very big document.

694
01:10:04,140 --> 01:10:07,280
And I think it's not really a draft that we're going to be voting on tonight.

695
01:10:07,540 --> 01:10:09,140
It is basically a phase one.

696
01:10:10,240 --> 01:10:14,340
And this process will be going on throughout 26 and into 27.

697
01:10:14,680 --> 01:10:16,200
There will be multiple public hearings.

698
01:10:17,040 --> 01:10:20,940
And there was nothing here that cannot be changed and modified.

699
01:10:21,440 --> 01:10:29,280
So, I think there'll be a lot of opportunities to, you know, have your concerns addressed as we go forward.

700
01:10:31,820 --> 01:10:33,380
Mark, I have something that wants to speak.

701
01:10:34,220 --> 01:10:35,520
I'm sorry, yes, please come forward.

702
01:10:38,920 --> 01:10:43,040
My name is Len Greco, 15, Ms. Fry Drive, Ms. Gretich.

703
01:10:43,480 --> 01:10:49,380
I'm a neighbor of Greg and Sabrina, and it's why we'll rehash anything that they went over.

704
01:10:49,940 --> 01:10:52,820
I just wanted to try to clarify one thing and ask a question.

705
01:10:52,820 --> 01:10:59,820
Mr. Rudolph, you were, am I correct in understanding that they're proposed or the proposed amendment

706
01:10:59,820 --> 01:11:09,780
that might be following on is to change the 80 or 90 acres on the area we've been

707
01:11:09,780 --> 01:11:18,640
discussing would be proposed as F2 going forward as opposed to whatever the designation is

708
01:11:18,640 --> 01:11:28,340
now. And if that is the case, what kind of pushback might we expect to hear from anyone

709
01:11:28,340 --> 01:11:33,660
in this room or others that would oppose that proposed amendment?

710
01:11:36,240 --> 01:11:40,900
Do you? I would be making that amendment when I have a chance to do that,

711
01:11:41,080 --> 01:11:44,320
so I can only speak for myself, but I do think it should be changed.

712
01:11:47,540 --> 01:11:55,380
The zoning is F2 now, the zoning is staying F2, there is just the section of the comp plan

713
01:11:55,380 --> 01:12:03,560
that suggests it identified several different nodes within the town as being possible good

714
01:12:03,560 --> 01:12:08,360
locations for high density, housing, and mixed use in the past.

715
01:12:08,360 --> 01:12:37,080
But the zoning will stay the same as to what kind of push back there might be from removing it from the plan. I don't know. In fact, we might have probably might have push back from the state of Rhode Island and they may they may not want to approve the plan with that amendment because we're taking away housing, which which is part of why it needs to be looked at overall as part of this process to.

716
01:12:37,080 --> 01:12:39,340
it needs to be looked at

717
01:12:40,480 --> 01:12:42,280
comprehensively because the town

718
01:12:42,280 --> 01:12:44,240
has an obligation to provide the housing.

719
01:12:45,120 --> 01:12:46,720
And if it's not going to be there

720
01:12:46,720 --> 01:12:48,220
it's going to be somewhere else.

721
01:12:48,740 --> 01:12:51,160
It's it's not it's a zero-sum game.

722
01:12:53,840 --> 01:12:56,140
There's not the acres if it's a two-acre

723
01:12:56,140 --> 01:12:58,880
so that mean you can do the map, right?

724
01:12:59,040 --> 01:13:01,060
It would be 45 houses instead of

725
01:13:01,060 --> 01:13:02,840
whatever the other number is.

726
01:13:02,940 --> 01:13:04,760
So I'm not saying don't develop it.

727
01:13:04,840 --> 01:13:07,080
I'm saying just that you clarify.

728
01:13:07,240 --> 01:13:08,140
Are you answering my questions?

729
01:13:08,140 --> 01:13:10,780
The zoning won't change.

730
01:13:10,980 --> 01:13:17,740
There was a proposal in the 2013 plan to change that development, that land to mixed

731
01:13:17,740 --> 01:13:20,780
use plan development, but that zoning change was never made.

732
01:13:21,540 --> 01:13:28,400
And so it was mentioned in the town conference of plan in 2013 to allow a density bonuses

733
01:13:28,400 --> 01:13:31,000
of 10, 12 or 20 units per acre.

734
01:13:32,100 --> 01:13:38,060
But since that zoning change was never made, there was no statute in East Granite

735
01:13:38,060 --> 01:13:47,360
that allowed 10, 12, or 20-unit bonuses to prudensity. But it was mentioned in the plan at that

736
01:13:47,360 --> 01:13:48,520
time in 2013.

737
01:13:50,870 --> 01:13:51,230
Thank you.

738
01:13:58,120 --> 01:13:59,300
Other questions or comments?

739
01:14:01,790 --> 01:14:03,550
Is there anybody online who would

740
01:14:03,550 --> 01:14:05,750
like to make a comment? Yes.

741
01:14:11,440 --> 01:14:17,540
Alissa, can you hear us? Yes, hi. Can you hear me? Yes. Hi. This is

742
01:14:17,540 --> 01:14:25,360
Lisa Hoover. I'm a resident of East Greenwich as well. Just a quick question about this phased

743
01:14:25,360 --> 01:14:33,500
approach to this plan. I understand that the phase one has to be into the state tomorrow

744
01:14:33,500 --> 01:14:40,560
is what I'm hearing. Once there's opportunity for public comment and round tables and

745
01:14:40,560 --> 01:14:44,620
And however, the public will be able to comment on this.

746
01:14:45,000 --> 01:14:51,880
Can we amend what gets submitted to the state, or will we be locked in to what is submitted

747
01:14:51,880 --> 01:14:56,400
to the state with only the opportunity to flush it out if you could clarify?

748
01:14:58,260 --> 01:14:59,820
Yeah, our solicitor had mentioned that.

749
01:15:00,000 --> 01:15:29,900
A little bit earlier, and we can review that again. Right. Yes. It is, it is not locked in. You can amend the comprehensive plan. You can amend it at least four times per year. And to the extent that the amendment deals with housing, you can amend it an unlimited number of times per year. So this is not, as I said, not one and done. It can be amended. And it is meant to be

750
01:15:29,900 --> 01:15:35,940
a living document over time. It's meant to be a guide, a long-term guide plan, but it also

751
01:15:35,940 --> 01:15:43,240
is meant to adjust to changing circumstances. Yeah, Andy, I would add to that as well that the

752
01:15:43,240 --> 01:15:50,760
planning board has discussed this at length. And we feel comfortable where we are at this point

753
01:15:50,760 --> 01:15:56,600
and with this plan going forward because of the tremendous amount of flexibility in a short

754
01:15:56,600 --> 01:16:01,400
amount of time for us to make adjustments into plan. So we have every reason to believe that we're

755
01:16:01,400 --> 01:16:06,140
going to include more input from the community from the town, which we're very interested in hearing,

756
01:16:07,300 --> 01:16:13,740
and factoring that into our process as we continue to evaluate the plan and make whatever adjustments

757
01:16:13,740 --> 01:16:16,200
we feel are in the town's best interests.

758
01:16:18,840 --> 01:16:19,720
Thank you.

759
01:16:28,930 --> 01:16:30,250
Can I ask a question quickly?

760
01:16:30,790 --> 01:16:38,090
So, this is probably a question for Owl, so I'm curious in the draft plan, is there

761
01:16:38,090 --> 01:16:43,450
any way we could designate or encourage developers to build something like Cape

762
01:16:43,450 --> 01:16:50,990
Cod style houses or raised ranches as opposed to, you know, 5,000 square foot homes or, you know,

763
01:16:51,430 --> 01:16:56,350
like instead of give a density bonus for like, you know, on that same piece of property, maybe,

764
01:16:56,350 --> 01:16:58,670
or maybe I can't talk about that property,

765
01:16:58,810 --> 01:17:01,530
but another piece of property say, you know,

766
01:17:01,710 --> 01:17:06,050
instead of like a half acre for a raised ranch,

767
01:17:06,670 --> 01:17:11,170
I think that would be much more in keeping with the town

768
01:17:11,170 --> 01:17:14,270
and also in keeping with the affordable housing part.

769
01:17:14,490 --> 01:17:17,990
I'm not against the density, but I'm just saying

770
01:17:17,990 --> 01:17:22,390
we don't seem to get a lot of middle homes.

771
01:17:22,390 --> 01:17:31,490
it's called missing middle. Yeah. And it is the smaller houses on smaller

772
01:17:31,490 --> 01:17:39,650
lots. Yeah. And that's what I mean when I said it's being specific, you know, usually

773
01:17:39,650 --> 01:17:45,770
there's single family, sometimes there do boxes, those missing middle. But in the

774
01:17:45,770 --> 01:17:51,470
western section, and this is certainly not in stone, I'm just putting it out there for

775
01:17:51,470 --> 01:17:58,730
discussion, but the rest of the section would be, in my opinion, a candidate for a recommendation

776
01:17:58,730 --> 01:18:09,150
or a strategy to encourage missing middle development. That includes, this is something that I do.

777
01:18:09,770 --> 01:18:19,950
25% is mandatory. I always ask developers to do 35% for housing. We could write it into the plan

778
01:18:19,950 --> 01:18:27,330
that if you do it and take this advice, 35% affordable housing. I know I've discussed with several

779
01:18:27,330 --> 01:18:34,790
planning board members making an ordinance change that we raise the the percentage. So these are

780
01:18:34,790 --> 01:18:41,830
all ideas that we could all we could flesh out when we are in phase two. Yeah because I don't think

781
01:18:41,830 --> 01:18:47,670
that people understand that the 10% has to be maintained after we reach the 10% we still have to

782
01:18:47,670 --> 01:18:55,210
maintain the 10% and every every year we build market rate houses we build more

783
01:18:55,210 --> 01:19:02,650
market rate than affordable houses so it always tilts that number yeah I mean I

784
01:19:02,650 --> 01:19:06,730
would prefer I think a lot of people would prefer single-family homes that are

785
01:19:06,730 --> 01:19:11,390
much more you know raised ranches or keep cards something maybe just a little bit

786
01:19:11,390 --> 01:19:12,870
smaller than what we're currently getting.

787
01:19:14,870 --> 01:19:15,430
Sorry.

788
01:19:19,590 --> 01:19:20,050
Thank you.

789
01:19:20,250 --> 01:19:25,470
So I just want to say that this is an issue we encounter across the state and even in other states.

790
01:19:25,790 --> 01:19:33,610
And that often the biggest objection to the increased density is not in the number of people or even the traffic.

791
01:19:34,170 --> 01:19:37,610
But the image that is presented by design that's unacceptable.

792
01:19:37,610 --> 01:19:49,510
In many of our recommendations, we include design standards or templates that developers

793
01:19:49,510 --> 01:19:57,990
can use that are sort of immediately approval, but that by considering design as part of

794
01:19:57,990 --> 01:20:04,550
the process, it helps us wage the concerns of the neighbors and the community in general.

795
01:20:05,230 --> 01:20:06,050
Thank you, Chair.

796
01:20:13,220 --> 01:20:16,200
There are other questions on online.

797
01:20:21,550 --> 01:20:22,750
Hi Denise, can you hear us?

798
01:20:23,210 --> 01:20:24,430
Yes, hi, can you hear me?

799
01:20:24,890 --> 01:20:25,050
Yep.

800
01:20:25,750 --> 01:20:30,590
I thank everyone Denise Lopez, 35 FOX for an East Greenwich.

801
01:20:31,770 --> 01:20:34,170
I want to thank the WICES for so eloquently

802
01:20:34,730 --> 01:20:37,130
kind of summarizing what many of us in the community

803
01:20:37,130 --> 01:20:38,030
have been feeling.

804
01:20:38,390 --> 01:20:41,970
As you know, I've been involved and have sat in on many

805
01:20:41,970 --> 01:20:44,630
of the planning board meetings, you know,

806
01:20:44,830 --> 01:20:46,910
from the development that went on to division

807
01:20:46,910 --> 01:20:52,190
and we, I apologize, I don't know if I think formally prepared, but, you know, we kept referencing

808
01:20:52,190 --> 01:20:57,670
back to the comp plan and some of the things that were put forth there, but were not necessarily

809
01:20:57,670 --> 01:21:04,690
instituted as protections for what the community was looking for. And I think, you know, all too

810
01:21:04,690 --> 01:21:09,130
often, we were, you know, we were going to be having working sessions. There were going to be community

811
01:21:09,130 --> 01:21:15,170
input on the upfront. And then next thing you know, we're racing to get consultants and have to get

812
01:21:15,170 --> 01:21:23,330
draft in tomorrow. So, you know, while consultants are great, I do hope that, you know, those

813
01:21:23,330 --> 01:21:27,190
in power are listening to what the community is longing for, and that is balance.

814
01:21:28,070 --> 01:21:32,450
The consultant even spoke earlier about, you know, well, you drive through the neighborhood,

815
01:21:32,670 --> 01:21:38,090
you don't live here. And there's a lot of concerns, flags that have been raised, and, you know,

816
01:21:38,750 --> 01:21:44,850
somewhat fallen on deaf ears. So, I hope that as we move forward that we are truly working

817
01:21:44,850 --> 01:21:50,210
together to try to preserve the historical aspects of the community, you know, meet the

818
01:21:50,210 --> 01:21:54,650
demands of affordable housing so that the community, you know, can be more balanced in the

819
01:21:54,650 --> 01:22:01,610
missing middle, but also preserve what we have. And, you know, it just, I frustrated because

820
01:22:01,610 --> 01:22:05,450
I thought we were going to get more input on the front end of this before, you know, moving

821
01:22:05,450 --> 01:22:09,090
forward with the draft. You know, I sat in on one or two working sessions and then there

822
01:22:09,090 --> 01:22:14,830
was no structure of what was done previously, you know, the comprehensive plan with

823
01:22:14,830 --> 01:22:19,130
But doing it more of the officials, people from the community, we jumped right to consultants.

824
01:22:20,110 --> 01:22:24,630
And now I just wanted to confirm what we're putting forward tomorrow will remain a draft,

825
01:22:24,890 --> 01:22:28,670
or is it the first apologies because I missed a little bit of the presentation.

826
01:22:29,450 --> 01:22:34,930
So is it a draft that gets submitted for approval to another phase, or is it something that

827
01:22:34,930 --> 01:22:39,730
remains a draft until we go through multiple iterations to put it into the final proposal?

828
01:22:39,730 --> 01:22:53,510
So tomorrow, if that if we do approve the the conference of plan phase one, that would become a the first component of the process of implementing a new plan.

829
01:22:53,610 --> 01:23:04,110
So that would take us into phase two, which has been outlined by Libra and Manuel Cordero mentioning what the engagement for the community would be over a number of months.

830
01:23:05,890 --> 01:23:19,330
So we have this, that is the process phase one and then goes back to the planning board for much more detailed public hearings that will extend over many months until we have a final draft.

831
01:23:23,730 --> 01:23:30,370
Okay. All right. Well, I appreciate the clarification is still just a little apprehensive as to what the first draft tomorrow means for.

832
01:23:30,370 --> 01:23:37,350
or when we're in limbo when projects are coming in during that time frame, is that somewhat

833
01:23:37,350 --> 01:23:43,290
the Bible of what we go by or it's not necessarily because it's not a finalized version of our

834
01:23:43,290 --> 01:23:44,290
comprehensive plan?

835
01:23:45,610 --> 01:23:48,070
Well, I'll let our solicitor comment on that.

836
01:23:48,550 --> 01:23:56,930
The plan, if adopted in third reading tomorrow, we'll be binding on the town for all town

837
01:23:56,930 --> 01:23:57,670
actions.

838
01:23:58,290 --> 01:24:06,130
It will not be binding on the state until it's approved by the state, if it's approved

839
01:24:06,130 --> 01:24:10,890
by the state, but it will bind the town upon adoption.

840
01:24:12,510 --> 01:24:16,010
And that's the way it is, they have a two-step process.

841
01:24:16,710 --> 01:24:23,690
So for example, if DOT wants to come in and take a small road and make it into a four-lane

842
01:24:23,690 --> 01:24:31,810
highway. We can't stop them with our comprehensive plan until it's approved by the state. But as far as any local

843
01:24:31,810 --> 01:24:37,310
things before any of our local boards, that's why we're doing this. That's why we are rushing so that it

844
01:24:37,310 --> 01:24:43,150
will bind our local boards, planning boards, zoning board to start district commission and town council.

845
01:24:44,270 --> 01:24:47,670
Once it's adopted tomorrow night, yet third reading.

846
01:24:52,240 --> 01:24:56,200
And is there any other opportunity for public comment tomorrow night or that was tonight?

847
01:24:57,020 --> 01:25:01,420
That was and still is tonight and double sharing is closed.

848
01:25:01,840 --> 01:25:02,100
Okay.

849
01:25:02,460 --> 01:25:02,620
All right.

850
01:25:02,800 --> 01:25:03,120
Thank you.

851
01:25:05,340 --> 01:25:06,640
Thank you for your comments.

852
01:25:08,440 --> 01:25:13,700
Other questions anybody else online or in person who'd like to add any of their thoughts

853
01:25:13,700 --> 01:25:15,480
or has any additional questions.

854
01:25:24,730 --> 01:25:25,370
Andrew Winters.

855
01:25:25,890 --> 01:25:26,430
He's right.

856
01:25:26,630 --> 01:25:28,910
The microphone is possible.

857
01:25:29,090 --> 01:25:29,630
Thank you.

858
01:25:29,870 --> 01:25:30,210
Thank you.

859
01:25:30,670 --> 01:25:31,490
Just a question.

860
01:25:31,950 --> 01:25:32,570
Your name.

861
01:25:32,690 --> 01:25:33,570
Can you give your name again?

862
01:25:33,650 --> 01:25:33,830
Please.

863
01:25:34,010 --> 01:25:34,250
Sure.

864
01:25:54,900 --> 01:26:06,400
I believe it's been amended over the years, but I don't know, I don't recall it hasn't been amended in the last two years, but I believe it was amended in the past.

865
01:26:06,920 --> 01:26:23,200
Okay, thanks. Yeah, just I mean appreciate all the comments from the other residents it does seem a little rushed and we're going back to an old plan that a lot of us didn't live in town for and you know appreciate it could be amended but it does seem.

866
01:26:24,100 --> 01:26:26,000
Time is of the essence unfortunately.

867
01:26:26,000 --> 01:26:27,020
other

868
01:26:36,010 --> 01:26:36,330
questions?

869
01:26:40,330 --> 01:26:43,510
So, at this point, in the public hearing, if there are no other questions,

870
01:26:43,970 --> 01:26:52,750
we would look to the planning board to deliberate and to vote on a potential recommendation from

871
01:26:52,750 --> 01:26:59,990
the planning board to approve the comprehensive plan as it is current for me.

872
01:27:02,680 --> 01:27:10,330
Thank you, Mr. President. Once again, I've given this a lot of thought. We've had a lot of discussion.

873
01:27:10,330 --> 01:27:25,330
I'm comforted by the fact that there will be plenty of opportunity over a reasonable amount of time for us to revisit this and take into consideration everybody's thoughts and the input of the town in general. And I look forward to that process.

874
01:27:25,670 --> 01:27:32,330
So while it does seem like it's rushed, it's it's not the end to what the final result will be.

875
01:27:32,330 --> 01:27:37,830
And it's certainly, I don't believe at this point, has encompassed nearly enough ideas and

876
01:27:37,830 --> 01:27:43,550
thoughts and suggestions that we expect will be coming forth as this continues to unfold.

877
01:27:43,910 --> 01:27:50,110
So I do feel really good about the fact that because we have those opportunities to revisit it,

878
01:27:50,210 --> 01:27:56,910
make changes and come up with a final product that we can all be proud of, that moving forward

879
01:27:56,910 --> 01:28:02,010
with this this evening, if the outcome is that we go forward and we accept this for now in a phase

880
01:28:02,010 --> 01:28:08,410
one. I'm okay with that and I've discussed that with the board and I would open it up to the

881
01:28:08,410 --> 01:28:13,990
rest of the board now for either their thoughts or comments or suggestions or any other discussion

882
01:28:13,990 --> 01:28:15,410
on the matter that you'd like to have.

883
01:28:21,320 --> 01:28:22,100
There you have it.

884
01:28:24,250 --> 01:28:26,250
So I think the next step would be a motion.

885
01:28:26,550 --> 01:28:28,090
You do a motion recommendation.

886
01:28:30,910 --> 01:28:35,530
I move that we accept the East Greenwich Comprehensive Community

887
01:28:35,530 --> 01:28:45,190
the plan March 2026 in its current phase, right, zero specific written recommendation.

888
01:28:48,060 --> 01:28:54,120
Right, can you, I think we're motion to adopt the draft written recommendation is prepared

889
01:28:54,120 --> 01:28:54,760
by the planner.

890
01:28:57,680 --> 01:28:59,400
Is this the letter that you gave me?

891
01:28:59,480 --> 01:28:59,700
Okay.

892
01:29:00,180 --> 01:29:05,380
You don't have to read the whole letter, just reference the letter and the date that you're

893
01:29:05,380 --> 01:29:06,020
adopting the letter.

894
01:29:06,100 --> 01:29:07,680
If you want to read the whole thing, that's fine too.

895
01:29:07,680 --> 01:29:16,620
No, I can we I move to accept the planning board recommendation, which is the adoption of the East Greenwich Comprehensive Community Plan March 2026.

896
01:29:18,520 --> 01:29:21,620
Pursuant to correspondence dated.

897
01:29:22,420 --> 01:29:30,920
Pursuant to correspondence also same date to President Mark Schwager and honorable members of the East Greenwich Town Council.

898
01:29:31,300 --> 01:29:32,840
Thank you. You're welcome.

899
01:29:33,880 --> 01:29:36,620
So you need a motion second and a vote.

900
01:29:38,140 --> 01:29:39,600
So you need a second and a vote.

901
01:29:41,040 --> 01:29:41,940
All those in favor?

902
01:29:45,670 --> 01:29:47,810
And we'll let the record note that it was unanimous.

903
01:29:50,380 --> 01:29:53,220
Thank you for your deliberations and your decision.

904
01:29:53,880 --> 01:29:59,800
So at this point, it will be on the council's side to accept the recommendation.

905
01:30:00,000 --> 01:30:29,340
Of the planning board, and to make a motion on the ordinance, which would adopt the new conference of plan. So Mr. Types, would it be sufficient to read that look for a motion to pass the ordinance by the East Greenwich Town Council, adopting the East Greenwich Conference of plan, updated March, 2026, as the official conference of plan of the town of East Greenwich, superseding and repealing the previously adopted comprehensive plan? Are we moving it to third reading?

906
01:30:29,340 --> 01:30:36,740
is not that what this is you're you're you're moving it to approve it as second reading this would constitute second reading can we can we add

907
01:30:37,260 --> 01:30:37,980
subject to

908
01:30:39,020 --> 01:30:45,120
Any change we might make like clearly. I want that to be known that there will be another meeting regarding this otherwise

909
01:30:45,120 --> 01:30:45,940
I'd be voting no

910
01:30:48,440 --> 01:30:56,840
Well, the motion is to we've we've had the public hearing we've had a discussion of what our plan is I don't know if this is there's something that we could add to that

911
01:30:56,840 --> 01:31:00,020
I don't know that we can say what we're going to do prior to

912
01:31:01,100 --> 01:31:02,100
having another public hearing.

913
01:31:02,580 --> 01:31:04,200
Yeah, I mean, I'm not saying what we're going to do

914
01:31:04,200 --> 01:31:05,520
that there will be another hearing.

915
01:31:06,380 --> 01:31:09,080
I don't think we can add that to this.

916
01:31:09,200 --> 01:31:09,540
Amendment.

917
01:31:10,080 --> 01:31:10,320
Amendment.

918
01:31:11,480 --> 01:31:13,260
Ordinance, because you're adopting it

919
01:31:14,460 --> 01:31:17,760
as is, I don't think that would be an amendment.

920
01:31:18,760 --> 01:31:23,500
And that would also end up stopping it, because then so,

921
01:31:24,960 --> 01:31:26,580
I mean, I think you've heard everybody's commitment

922
01:31:26,580 --> 01:31:27,520
to the whole of it.

923
01:31:28,160 --> 01:31:30,720
I understand, but I don't really know how it

924
01:31:30,720 --> 01:31:31,120
could be done.

925
01:31:34,380 --> 01:31:39,780
Excuse me, Mr. President, you may also want to include to close the public

926
01:31:39,780 --> 01:31:45,880
here. Yes, closing the public hearing and we'll be having a third reading for the public's

927
01:31:45,880 --> 01:31:54,100
knowledge tomorrow at six o'clock in town hall. If this motion is successful. I move that we move

928
01:31:54,100 --> 01:31:59,780
this to third reading. So you approve the motion to close public hearing and move to third reading.

929
01:31:59,780 --> 01:32:03,420
Any for the discussion? All those in favor?

930
01:32:06,340 --> 01:32:08,320
Are you seconding? You're voting.

931
01:32:08,660 --> 01:32:09,700
You seconded.

932
01:32:09,700 --> 01:32:13,620
I think actually the chair made the motion.

933
01:32:14,540 --> 01:32:15,680
I'm seconding, sir.

934
01:32:16,400 --> 01:32:18,020
All those in favor?

935
01:32:18,280 --> 01:32:18,440
Aye.

936
01:32:19,040 --> 01:32:20,720
Motion carries 3, 2, 0.

937
01:32:21,800 --> 01:32:22,560
Thank you.

938
01:32:22,960 --> 01:32:29,000
I think we'll take a short break and let people stand up if they want to speak.

939
01:32:29,000 --> 01:32:30,860
Any more needs to adjourn?

940
01:32:30,940 --> 01:32:33,520
We may want to adjourn your meeting.

941
01:32:34,640 --> 01:32:36,800
No, you can make a motion to adjourn.

942
01:32:36,920 --> 01:32:38,140
You can adjourn your meeting.

943
01:32:39,120 --> 01:32:40,440
Motion to adjourn.

944
01:32:41,520 --> 01:32:42,140
All in favor?

945
01:32:43,580 --> 01:32:44,080
So noted.

946
01:32:52,030 --> 01:32:54,730
Okay, after our break, we are back in session.

947
01:32:55,690 --> 01:32:59,050
I'm going to make a change in the order of our agenda items.

948
01:32:59,050 --> 01:33:05,410
I'm going to move up reports and presentations to our next item.

949
01:33:05,410 --> 01:33:10,970
and I'd like to welcome school superintendent Tom Ken Wurley to our meeting.

950
01:33:11,570 --> 01:33:12,810
He's joined us at the day.

951
01:33:15,070 --> 01:33:19,330
Use our reports and presentation section tonight to

952
01:33:19,330 --> 01:33:24,210
hear from our superintendent and town manager to update the council and the

953
01:33:24,210 --> 01:33:30,090
community on the investigation into anti-Semitic graffiti discovered last week at

954
01:33:30,090 --> 01:33:35,270
Hanoverd Cole and East Grinich High School as well as the racist graffiti found at

955
01:33:35,270 --> 01:33:38,530
with the Eldridge Elementary School several weeks ago.

956
01:33:39,450 --> 01:33:42,790
So we'll have some updates from our manager and superintendent.

957
01:33:43,550 --> 01:33:47,950
But before you do that, our agenda only says report from town managers.

958
01:33:48,170 --> 01:33:53,650
So could we have a motion to add to the agenda report from school superintendent?

959
01:33:54,130 --> 01:33:54,570
So moved.

960
01:33:54,950 --> 01:33:55,290
Second.

961
01:33:55,670 --> 01:33:56,370
All those in favor?

962
01:33:56,610 --> 01:33:56,830
Aye.

963
01:33:57,410 --> 01:33:59,830
Thank you for keeping us in good compliance here.

964
01:34:00,570 --> 01:34:03,990
So superintendent Ken, were they, why don't we have you start off?

965
01:34:03,990 --> 01:34:07,830
Thank you, thank you, Mr. Schreiger, and thank you for inviting me this evening.

966
01:34:09,010 --> 01:34:16,470
Obviously, I was very dismayed with the news last week that I had to report.

967
01:34:16,990 --> 01:34:20,010
And it's times like these that it's hard for me to separate as well.

968
01:34:20,630 --> 01:34:28,470
My role is superintendant, but as many of you know, I'm also resident of this community and my children attend school here as well.

969
01:34:28,470 --> 01:34:34,170
So, these things certainly hit hard for me from that perspective as well.

970
01:34:35,210 --> 01:34:40,930
But I did report out on Wednesday over the course of Monday and Tuesday.

971
01:34:41,550 --> 01:34:47,750
We did, unfortunately, receive the news, you know, I received directly from each principle

972
01:34:47,750 --> 01:34:55,990
of three separate anti-Semitic graffiti incidents at Hanifred Cole and his Greenwich High School.

973
01:34:56,950 --> 01:35:04,990
As you can imagine, any one of those reports to me from a principal requires a lot of coordination

974
01:35:04,990 --> 01:35:09,770
between myself and that principle and making sure that certain steps are being followed.

975
01:35:10,050 --> 01:35:16,190
So that kept playing out over the course of Monday and Tuesday, as you can imagine with

976
01:35:17,050 --> 01:35:19,110
these reports coming in.

977
01:35:21,470 --> 01:35:29,030
So by Wednesday, you know, after I had a chance to make sure that everything was in place

978
01:35:29,530 --> 01:35:36,110
for each school to initiate their investigations and follow up, I did begin my direct consultation

979
01:35:36,110 --> 01:35:42,190
with the police department and Mr. Nada to make sure that we would be in coordination going

980
01:35:42,190 --> 01:35:42,970
forward as well.

981
01:35:42,970 --> 01:35:56,070
And so that was really the launch of our two what I would call parallel investigations right in the the police in this type of instance have, you know, their own investigation they have to run.

982
01:35:56,730 --> 01:35:58,550
We will do that on the school side.

983
01:35:58,910 --> 01:36:09,250
We will coordinate, you know, when appropriate to share information, but obviously the outcomes of what happens on each side can be a little different.

984
01:36:10,030 --> 01:36:20,150
So that transpired on the school end through Wednesday and Thursday and then Friday I was no school in the district for the EED holiday.

985
01:36:20,630 --> 01:36:39,150
So coming into the weekend after we had a chance for updates from school leaders and with the police department as well and consultation on the school side with our district legal council.

986
01:36:39,150 --> 01:36:46,970
So what you are going to see in the next few days is a quick emergency school committee

987
01:36:46,970 --> 01:36:47,290
meeting.

988
01:36:47,870 --> 01:36:51,210
We are going to be engaging with an outside investigator.

989
01:36:52,090 --> 01:36:57,630
Our school investigations continue to run at the direction of each principal, but based

990
01:36:57,630 --> 01:37:03,510
on the severity of these incidents and the fact that it was three separate schools, we feel

991
01:37:03,510 --> 01:37:07,170
like some coordinated effort on the school side would be helpful.

992
01:37:07,170 --> 01:37:15,430
So we will be putting that in place by the end of this school week and I will certainly announce that once it happens.

993
01:37:16,210 --> 01:37:24,750
While all of that has been happening, we are fortunate to have a great community partners that we can reach out to around the state.

994
01:37:24,750 --> 01:37:32,430
So I have been, you know, speaking with the Jewish Alliance of Greater Red Island and the

995
01:37:32,430 --> 01:37:39,530
Sandra Bornstein Holocaust Education Center. There are several other organizations that are

996
01:37:39,530 --> 01:37:44,690
great that we can tap into as well, but those two in particular around these most recent incidents,

997
01:37:44,690 --> 01:37:52,890
and they have as always been extremely supportive and helpful. At this point, in addition to the

998
01:37:52,890 --> 01:38:07,070
investigations each of our school principles are working with those two organizations as well on programming, they can bring into each of their schools, you know, kind of looking a little different depending on the age and level of the school.

999
01:38:07,830 --> 01:38:15,750
And I am in discussion about coordinating a district community conversation follow up.

1000
01:38:15,750 --> 01:38:20,990
So, again, I will hopefully be able to report out more information on that when we have

1001
01:38:20,990 --> 01:38:27,250
a firm deed in place in more details. But those are the mean updates that I had to share this

1002
01:38:27,250 --> 01:38:32,890
evening. And again, thank you for the opportunity. Thank you to Mr. Nada. I'm grateful for our collaboration.

1003
01:38:34,110 --> 01:38:39,330
And it's unfortunate that an incident like this has to bring it to the forefront.

1004
01:38:41,440 --> 01:38:44,160
Thank you very much. Mr. Nada.

1005
01:38:44,160 --> 01:38:55,260
Yeah, there's not much I can add to that, but first and foremost, I'd like to thank the Superintendent for being here tonight and for his friendship and collaboration as a professional colleague here in the community.

1006
01:38:55,720 --> 01:39:10,060
I think, you know, everybody on the town side was, this isn't the first time this has happened in East Greenwich. It's an uncomfortable, unnecessary process that we're going to go through.

1007
01:39:10,060 --> 01:39:28,160
But we understand that this does not rest on the shoulders of our school district alone and that we're all in this together and that the town does have resources that can support the superintendent in the district and working through this process and I think as was noted.

1008
01:39:29,680 --> 01:39:44,960
You know, there is, it's a complicated life we lead today in terms of information, very different than 20, 30, 40 years ago where you were basically limited to your family influences and maybe a friend group.

1009
01:39:45,520 --> 01:39:52,040
But today really that extent of information gathering and access is unlimited.

1010
01:39:52,040 --> 01:40:12,720
So that being the case, when you have young people in a community, and we would like to think that none of this was intentional, truly to hurt someone we hope, but maybe the misuse of information, but clearly the town will continue to work collaboratively not only with the district and personnel regarding their investigation.

1011
01:40:13,420 --> 01:40:27,440
I received one full report from our police chief regarding their findings so far, but that investigation continues, and we're committed to be collaborating along with the third party investigation team as well as we go forward.

1012
01:40:27,940 --> 01:40:40,180
I released, I was going to hold off for a period of time and I've been speaking to council members regarding statements and it was clearly very important for the school district to be able to get out in front and through their leader, the superintendent to be able to do that.

1013
01:40:40,180 --> 01:41:10,160
But we were hoping to get a little farther along with our investigation before making a public comment, but I think this past weekend, clearly the impact in the community and the traumatic nature of the actions that have been taken really prompted that and I wanted to use and I posted it this weekend on the town's Facebook site, but I really wanted to take that opportunity to reiterate what I've heard from various people in the community that, you know, we're not in a nice way.

1014
01:41:10,160 --> 01:41:16,620
isolation that not only in Rhode Island, but around the country and even the world, similar incidents occur

1015
01:41:17,780 --> 01:41:21,020
unfortunately much more frequently than any of us would like.

1016
01:41:22,060 --> 01:41:29,220
The particular acts here, although hate-based really in many respects is just

1017
01:41:29,980 --> 01:41:36,360
something that I think collaboratively we can put our hands around and work to

1018
01:41:36,360 --> 01:41:43,620
really implement a number of the educational programs that the superintendent is recommending and clearly to educate our population and

1019
01:41:43,620 --> 01:41:51,600
knows that we associate with and our families and with our friend groups in the community is going to be really critically important.

1020
01:41:52,260 --> 01:42:01,380
And I think at times today, as we all know, things that were very, very unacceptable a short time ago for some reason have become much more acceptable.

1021
01:42:01,380 --> 01:42:10,060
and would like to think that these types of acts and statements and actions that have been taken will never get to that point, but it seems like we're moving in that direction.

1022
01:42:10,280 --> 01:42:26,060
So the effort is going to be much more challenging really for not only the district, but for the community and really all communities in Rhode Island and elsewhere to be able to start to manage that process, but I think it really starts like most lessons with our younger population.

1023
01:42:26,060 --> 01:42:53,720
and if we're able to manage that and really work through not only our district, but through community-based programming, but also through our faith-based community, which has direct, all different traditions, which has direct access not only to our families, but to our children as well to be able to teach them, you know, I think really we're at a point of a re-education that's needed and society starts to change its moral standards a bit.

1024
01:42:53,720 --> 01:42:59,880
But I think my point this evening to follow the superintendents is really just to reassure

1025
01:42:59,880 --> 01:43:04,660
the community that we are working in collaboration, all school department and town resources

1026
01:43:04,660 --> 01:43:09,340
are working together not only to get to the bottom of it but then also to dig our way out

1027
01:43:09,340 --> 01:43:14,380
in terms of resolutions and solutions in terms of how we educate our community so we can

1028
01:43:14,380 --> 01:43:16,420
really put an end to this type of conduct.

1029
01:43:16,600 --> 01:43:21,320
But again I'd like to reiterate to Tom that we greatly appreciate his partnership and

1030
01:43:21,320 --> 01:43:24,440
in the collaboration and he has the full support

1031
01:43:24,440 --> 01:43:26,100
of the community and be able to move forward.

1032
01:43:26,440 --> 01:43:26,940
So thank you.

1033
01:43:28,140 --> 01:43:30,060
Thank you very much for those remarks.

1034
01:43:30,520 --> 01:43:32,880
I wanna thank both of you for your work

1035
01:43:32,880 --> 01:43:33,580
and your leadership.

1036
01:43:34,100 --> 01:43:35,820
It's not a nine to five job,

1037
01:43:35,820 --> 01:43:38,220
but you're both working nights, weekends.

1038
01:43:39,580 --> 01:43:42,000
I called Superintendent Ken Worthy

1039
01:43:42,000 --> 01:43:44,940
to offer him the opportunity to attend our meeting tonight

1040
01:43:44,940 --> 01:43:48,420
and his immediate response was absolutely, I'll be there.

1041
01:43:48,420 --> 01:43:54,940
so we really appreciate it. Just a few comments that I'd like to make as a member of these

1042
01:43:54,940 --> 01:44:00,320
grants Jewish community and also as a long-term resident of the town and as a member of the

1043
01:44:00,320 --> 01:44:07,100
town council, I want to add my voice to so many other voices in our community to unequivocally

1044
01:44:07,100 --> 01:44:12,780
condemn the anti-Semitic graffiti discovered this week at Hanford Cole and East Greenwich High School

1045
01:44:12,780 --> 01:44:18,740
as well as the racist graffiti found at Eldridge School several weeks ago.

1046
01:44:19,580 --> 01:44:23,000
Like many of you, I've moved through a mixture of emotions these past few days,

1047
01:44:23,580 --> 01:44:25,840
sadness, frustration, anger.

1048
01:44:26,720 --> 01:44:29,360
We know that these recent acts cause real harm.

1049
01:44:30,080 --> 01:44:32,880
They create a climate of anxiety for our students and families.

1050
01:44:33,740 --> 01:44:37,960
Our schools and our community must be a place where everyone feels safe,

1051
01:44:38,200 --> 01:44:39,160
respected and valued.

1052
01:44:39,160 --> 01:44:44,180
And as a representative of your town council, I want to reassure every resident that the

1053
01:44:44,180 --> 01:44:48,800
town and school district are taking these events with the utmost seriousness.

1054
01:44:49,720 --> 01:44:51,700
We have only taken the first steps.

1055
01:44:52,400 --> 01:44:57,200
Once the facts are gathered, the school district and the town can begin a well-designed, coordinated

1056
01:44:57,200 --> 01:44:59,520
community response that you've heard a little bit about.

1057
01:45:00,000 --> 01:45:24,360
Some of that this evening focused on strengthening policies to ensure our schools remain inclusive and safe environments. Solidarity is our greatest strength. Tonight is one small step in building that solidarity. Let's carry that spirit of unity and community toward forward to ensure that hate has no home in these credits. Thank you.

1058
01:45:24,360 --> 01:45:33,680
Can I? Sure. I just would like to say as a parent, as a parent of children who

1059
01:45:33,680 --> 01:45:41,280
grew up in this town and went to school here. My comments are last week's graffiti

1060
01:45:41,280 --> 01:45:44,880
and that of us several weeks ago were both disgusting and upsetting for so

1061
01:45:44,880 --> 01:45:48,920
many of our students and families in this town. Whether you are targeted because

1062
01:45:48,920 --> 01:45:53,300
of your religion or ethnicity, sexual orientation or the color of your skin, hate

1063
01:45:53,300 --> 01:45:58,180
has no home here. We as a community and East Crenish must do better to protect our children and

1064
01:45:58,180 --> 01:46:02,860
families from being harassed. I know that counselors don't again and Koran Thaw would express the

1065
01:46:02,860 --> 01:46:07,980
same if they were here. I would like to thank Tom Kenworthy for his presence tonight and I look

1066
01:46:07,980 --> 01:46:13,240
forward to the community coming together for future discussions regarding this issue. Thank you.

1067
01:46:15,540 --> 01:46:20,720
I just want to thank Mark first comments. Also, Rayneau, I agree 100% with both of them.

1068
01:46:21,360 --> 01:46:49,920
It's very sad when anybody tries to signal out people most recently we had something that came and spoke before the school committee basically attacking trans children that go to our schools and I stood up and I spoke to him and we're in the same position again, once again, people are isolating people and it's just not right so hopefully this works out and we can basically find out who did it.

1069
01:46:50,420 --> 01:46:53,020
and have them have appropriate punishments.

1070
01:46:53,860 --> 01:47:03,020
I will say this, these are maybe young kids, so I don't expect if the persons of a certain

1071
01:47:03,020 --> 01:47:05,220
age that people are going to find out who it is.

1072
01:47:06,600 --> 01:47:10,580
And maybe that's better because that way we don't want the response and it go back and

1073
01:47:10,580 --> 01:47:10,760
forth.

1074
01:47:10,760 --> 01:47:15,440
But if we don't find out who it is, people have to understand that they are children.

1075
01:47:15,880 --> 01:47:16,840
I just want to say that.

1076
01:47:16,940 --> 01:47:17,200
Thank you.

1077
01:47:19,520 --> 01:47:30,340
Thank you for those comments and thanks again for coming tonight. Dr. Ken, we're there. I know we'll let you get back to your home so you can be there bright and early for your students tomorrow.

1078
01:47:31,120 --> 01:47:32,060
Thank you again for 10.

1079
01:47:32,140 --> 01:47:33,420
Thank you up on that. Thank you.

1080
01:47:37,160 --> 01:47:40,480
This brings us to the next agenda item which is public comment.

1081
01:47:40,920 --> 01:47:48,040
This is an opportunity for members of the public to speak to the council about what's on their mind that is not on tonight's agenda.

1082
01:47:48,040 --> 01:47:49,920
Is there anyone who would like to give public comment?

1083
01:47:54,230 --> 01:47:55,090
Anybody online?

1084
01:47:55,930 --> 01:47:56,430
No?

1085
01:47:56,930 --> 01:47:59,670
Then I will close public comment and move on to the consent calendar.

1086
01:48:00,410 --> 01:48:09,510
These are routine items that can be voted on as a group unless one council would like something taken off of the consent calendar for individual attention.

1087
01:48:10,110 --> 01:48:14,530
These are items 5A minutes from the March 9th, 2026 regular meeting of the council.

1088
01:48:14,530 --> 01:48:21,370
Item 5B, an application for an F1 alcohol beverage license for Army Aviation Association

1089
01:48:21,370 --> 01:48:27,170
Deployment Reunion, which will occur on March 28th at the Varnum Armory, 6 Maid Street.

1090
01:48:28,370 --> 01:48:35,410
And 5C is a renewal of a private detected license for Donald L. Monge of Chora Street.

1091
01:48:37,740 --> 01:48:40,140
I have a motion to approve the consent calendar in this entirety.

1092
01:48:40,140 --> 01:48:45,540
I have a problem and seeing that we only have three of us here. It may be a major problem.

1093
01:48:46,500 --> 01:48:51,480
I hired the services of Donald Monk and he's currently my private investigator on our case

1094
01:48:51,480 --> 01:48:56,000
that I am working on. Does that cause a recusal issue?

1095
01:48:59,360 --> 01:49:00,320
Unfortunately, yes.

1096
01:49:03,200 --> 01:49:06,340
Is Cameron going to be able to expire when does his current license?

1097
01:49:06,480 --> 01:49:10,260
That's fine. We can move it ahead to the next meeting and just ratify it if that's okay.

1098
01:49:10,260 --> 01:49:10,320
Okay.

1099
01:49:10,820 --> 01:49:11,400
That's fine.

1100
01:49:11,660 --> 01:49:12,160
I apologize.

1101
01:49:13,120 --> 01:49:13,300
Okay.

1102
01:49:13,480 --> 01:49:16,880
So we will take no action on item 5c.

1103
01:49:17,520 --> 01:49:20,540
So I'll make a motion to approve 5a and 5b.

1104
01:49:20,860 --> 01:49:21,220
So moved.

1105
01:49:21,780 --> 01:49:22,220
Second.

1106
01:49:22,580 --> 01:49:23,320
Motion to second.

1107
01:49:23,500 --> 01:49:24,120
All is in favor.

1108
01:49:24,520 --> 01:49:24,620
Aye.

1109
01:49:24,980 --> 01:49:26,700
Motion carries 320.

1110
01:49:28,480 --> 01:49:31,980
Mr. Nott, do you have other components of your town manager's report?

1111
01:49:32,220 --> 01:49:33,260
You'd like to possess?

1112
01:49:33,620 --> 01:49:35,040
Just one brief one, Dr. Swager.

1113
01:49:35,220 --> 01:49:40,000
You know, in the past several weeks, as you can imagine, there have been follow-up questions

1114
01:49:40,000 --> 01:49:45,220
in my office regarding how everything went during the snow storm financially,

1115
01:49:45,720 --> 01:49:52,160
not in terms of how we did snow removal. So I did provide a very brief update, but I was on a call

1116
01:49:52,160 --> 01:49:57,940
early this morning with state officials and FEMA representatives. And we got some good news.

1117
01:50:00,560 --> 01:50:06,720
FEMA is looking at this particular event since it was a snow storm. Their traditional model

1118
01:50:06,720 --> 01:50:11,960
only allows for a 48-hour window of financial recovery.

1119
01:50:13,040 --> 01:50:18,620
So as everyone knows in town, this was about a week-long event for us.

1120
01:50:19,400 --> 01:50:23,360
So Sunday, the storm started. We had staff in as of Sunday.

1121
01:50:23,800 --> 01:50:29,500
Monday was the day. We had staff in. They were there for about 55 hours straight.

1122
01:50:30,320 --> 01:50:34,160
And then it took Tuesday through Sunday for us to finish the cleanup.

1123
01:50:35,540 --> 01:50:43,100
So, but so far, only two counties in Rhode Island, Bristol County and Kent County, which

1124
01:50:43,100 --> 01:50:48,040
we're lucky to be part of this time, we're going to, we're, we've already been authorized

1125
01:50:48,040 --> 01:50:51,180
for a 72-hour window of financial recovery.

1126
01:50:51,760 --> 01:50:56,520
So that, you know, that may change, may, may not change, I think the state of Rhode Island

1127
01:50:56,520 --> 01:51:02,580
and the other municipalities will be petitioning FEMA for a change, but at this point, Kent County

1128
01:51:02,580 --> 01:51:03,900
has been authorized for 72 hours.

1129
01:51:03,900 --> 01:51:10,160
So what that means is all of our costs associated with storm cleanup are

1130
01:51:10,160 --> 01:51:13,680
just every piece of equipment that was on the road whether or not it was from

1131
01:51:13,680 --> 01:51:17,960
a contractor or our own, all of our people who are compensated to vast

1132
01:51:17,960 --> 01:51:22,260
majority and over time for the majority of this event as well as other costs

1133
01:51:22,260 --> 01:51:26,720
involved and I highlighted a number of those costs that I could get my hands

1134
01:51:26,720 --> 01:51:31,340
around at this point and those are on the last page of my report.

1135
01:51:31,340 --> 01:51:43,400
What this basically reflects is that our Department of Public Works budget is about $120,000 a year for over time and about $85,000 a year for salt, so that's $205,000.

1136
01:51:44,080 --> 01:51:50,960
So so far, we're about $114,000 over budget in those two categories alone.

1137
01:51:51,720 --> 01:52:01,320
So in addition to that, we spent between one private contractor hired by the school department who performed work both on school properties.

1138
01:52:01,320 --> 01:52:18,780
and in the community, as well as school contractors who are handling our school construction and coincidentally happen to be located at the high school hand effort in French town with large scale wheel loaders, which were perfect in a three foot snowstorm to clear the parking lots.

1139
01:52:18,780 --> 01:52:25,780
So, we engaged them as well, those two totals are about another hundred thousand, so now

1140
01:52:25,780 --> 01:52:31,940
you're up to about two hundred and fourteen, and none of that includes the costs associated

1141
01:52:31,940 --> 01:52:37,600
with the other contractors that were made available to the community by the state of Rhode

1142
01:52:37,600 --> 01:52:37,880
Island.

1143
01:52:38,360 --> 01:52:43,780
Now, the only good thing there is that we didn't hire them, the state hired them, and allocated

1144
01:52:43,780 --> 01:52:49,440
They hated them around Rhode Island and some of them in our community, most likely from about Wednesday through Sunday.

1145
01:52:50,140 --> 01:52:58,520
So I can guarantee you that those costs would be well in excess of $100,000 based on the number of pieces of equipment that we had in town.

1146
01:52:58,880 --> 01:53:10,000
But it is still unclear until we sort that through fully if the town's going to be responsible for any of those costs because we didn't hire the contractors and the state dispatched them here.

1147
01:53:10,000 --> 01:53:16,480
So, at this point with what we know, we're dealing with a shortfall of about $214,000.

1148
01:53:17,680 --> 01:53:23,620
We clearly can address that through contingencies that we have available in our FY26 budget, which

1149
01:53:23,620 --> 01:53:29,080
is our present budget, as well as any surpluses which we would generate.

1150
01:53:29,740 --> 01:53:34,160
So this would, that amount of money would probably cut into some of our surplus transfers

1151
01:53:34,160 --> 01:53:42,780
at year end, but a vast majority of that up to 75% of it will be recovered over that 72-hour

1152
01:53:42,780 --> 01:53:49,080
window. So the fortunate thing is we have the opportunity to pick which 72 hours. Incredible

1153
01:53:49,080 --> 01:53:53,120
that the federal government gives you the ability to pick. So usually they just tell you how it's

1154
01:53:53,120 --> 01:53:59,100
going to be and that's it. So not in this case. So we are now costing out on a daily basis and we

1155
01:53:59,100 --> 01:54:02,000
You will utilize, you have to be cumulative, one after another.

1156
01:54:02,520 --> 01:54:06,860
So we'll pick the three days, whether that's a Monday through Wednesday or it's a Tuesday

1157
01:54:06,860 --> 01:54:07,580
through Thursday.

1158
01:54:08,260 --> 01:54:09,280
We'll have to see.

1159
01:54:09,360 --> 01:54:11,300
But I'll have more information on that in the coming weeks.

1160
01:54:11,560 --> 01:54:17,580
But many have been asking about the impact, not only from in town, but also statewide.

1161
01:54:18,020 --> 01:54:21,460
So I want to make sure I provided the council in the community with some of that information,

1162
01:54:21,640 --> 01:54:23,680
at least that we could rely on up to this point.

1163
01:54:28,490 --> 01:54:29,590
Any questions for the manager?

1164
01:54:31,170 --> 01:54:41,870
I mean, I think we're not the only town that's facing these huge, the situation, so it was well worth the money that was spent on that.

1165
01:54:45,080 --> 01:54:46,420
Okay, thank you, Mr. Nada.

1166
01:54:47,540 --> 01:54:50,100
This brings us to item seven, our public hearing.

1167
01:54:50,980 --> 01:55:00,340
We're acting as the Board of License Commissioners tonight to hear an application of a new BVL alcohol beverage license with Vittling for 431 Main Street.

1168
01:55:00,340 --> 01:55:08,500
doing business as EG smash. This was continued from the March 9th, 2026 meeting. Good evening.

1169
01:55:09,140 --> 01:55:10,880
We need to sway you in today.

1170
01:55:13,800 --> 01:55:16,000
Do you want to come to Mike Bond to state your name?

1171
01:55:18,600 --> 01:55:31,570
Okay. I'm excited there, sorry. Hi, I'm Chris Thos, speedy this, and Mike Partner. How do you do that?

1172
01:55:36,050 --> 01:55:42,530
So it's S-P-Y-R-I-D-I-S-E-R-C-E-L-A-K.

1173
01:55:46,050 --> 01:55:46,770
Good evening.

1174
01:55:47,830 --> 01:55:54,370
First thing I'm going to do is ask our town clerk to review the application, the status of the application.

1175
01:55:55,110 --> 01:55:55,870
Okay, thank you.

1176
01:55:56,670 --> 01:56:02,730
So, this application came in as a limited license, meaning it's for beer and wine only.

1177
01:56:03,350 --> 01:56:06,690
The current cap for those types of licenses is 6.

1178
01:56:07,270 --> 01:56:09,830
So, if this is approved, this will be number 5.

1179
01:56:10,870 --> 01:56:15,010
The application, there is no request for any entertainment.

1180
01:56:15,650 --> 01:56:20,470
The business hours are seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.

1181
01:56:20,470 --> 01:56:29,510
The seating and the parking will remain exactly the same as it's been approved by the zoning board, which is 21 seats total and seven parking spaces.

1182
01:56:30,290 --> 01:56:44,150
There is a request for a seasonal expansion of seating during the warmer months, which would be supplied by picnic tables, which will reduce the number of seats that will be inside during that time.

1183
01:56:44,150 --> 01:56:51,910
and just to note that this is considered private property and although the address is main street it is not on a state sidewalk.

1184
01:56:52,850 --> 01:56:55,450
All the local approvals have been completed.

1185
01:56:56,290 --> 01:57:08,230
What I'm waiting for now is approval from the State Division of Taxation, the Department of Health for their food business license and a retail sales tax permit from the Secretary of State's office.

1186
01:57:08,770 --> 01:57:16,690
A butters notices were mailed out twice on February 20th and March 16th due to the rescheduling

1187
01:57:16,690 --> 01:57:21,210
of the hearing, and I have not heard anything as a result of that.

1188
01:57:23,270 --> 01:57:23,950
Thank you.

1189
01:57:25,130 --> 01:57:27,710
Can you describe your business a little bit to us?

1190
01:57:28,390 --> 01:57:28,530
Sure.

1191
01:57:29,430 --> 01:57:32,830
So I am currently on Main Street as well.

1192
01:57:33,050 --> 01:57:36,570
I have the old jiggers diner, and I operate that for a few years.

1193
01:57:36,570 --> 01:57:40,370
and my partner as well, he's in the industry and in the business.

1194
01:57:41,150 --> 01:57:45,610
So the model for this burger place will be Smashburgers,

1195
01:57:45,630 --> 01:57:48,390
which is apparently the new trend in the last few years

1196
01:57:48,390 --> 01:57:52,090
for the youngsters and we're also making our own gelato.

1197
01:57:52,890 --> 01:57:55,070
So it'll be a combo of both.

1198
01:57:55,910 --> 01:58:00,390
We're planning to have it very down to earth, family-friendly,

1199
01:58:03,130 --> 01:58:10,530
relatively on the cheaper side, the menu, to encourage families to come in there in groups.

1200
01:58:14,620 --> 01:58:18,230
That's the basic part of the model.

1201
01:58:18,350 --> 01:58:20,050
The model is very simple, very easy.

1202
01:58:20,250 --> 01:58:25,210
It's going to be five creative burgers and five other options, nothing very extensive.

1203
01:58:25,210 --> 01:58:33,230
And honestly, the liquor license we're asking for is simply to complement the menu, but

1204
01:58:33,230 --> 01:58:37,430
it's not definitely not our main product that we want to serve.

1205
01:58:38,870 --> 01:58:42,670
And do you have thought about how you're going to apportion your seating indoor and outdoor?

1206
01:58:43,230 --> 01:58:49,050
Yes, so at the moment we have the design and the layout which we've submitted for the 21 seats indoors.

1207
01:58:49,050 --> 01:58:58,550
And then if and when the summer comes around and you know if the demand is there we would simply remove three tables from inside and just put them on side.

1208
01:58:59,490 --> 01:59:08,730
Obviously not in the parking section on the left side of the building which is a patio which is already a patio design basically.

1209
01:59:09,170 --> 01:59:11,910
Yeah, do you know how many you could fit there on that patio side?

1210
01:59:11,910 --> 01:59:26,290
I mean, we could fit more than three tables, but we would never put more than two possibly three just to create some sort of curb appeal as people are driving by for the most part.

1211
01:59:26,550 --> 01:59:28,750
And no entertainment planned at this point.

1212
01:59:31,290 --> 01:59:35,210
We're more of the go to work early come home early ground.

1213
01:59:35,770 --> 01:59:39,170
So when you're coming home early, what time do you do you finish your operating hours?

1214
01:59:39,170 --> 01:59:48,950
at this new location, so the way we've applied is 11, 11, 11, but again, we're seasoned

1215
01:59:48,950 --> 01:59:55,310
operators, so if the demand is there and it justifies the 11 p.m., we will stay, but

1216
01:59:55,310 --> 01:59:59,770
if the demand is not there after the summer season and we see it's best fit to close at

1217
02:00:00,660 --> 02:00:29,920
We'll do so accordingly. You operate jiggers already. I do, yes, man. So you'll be like, when do you plan on sleeping? I usually go into jiggers at 5 a.m. So two, seven days a week. So after that, you know, we'll take a short break and we'll come back to the evening. Yeah. But we would do have a manager for this new location. He's already in the Smashburger business. But it's an interesting little project, you know, we're excited.

1218
02:00:29,920 --> 02:00:39,340
for us. Do you want to mention the DBA, Chris? Yes, so initially when we had applied we had put

1219
02:00:39,340 --> 02:00:45,920
EG smash as the DBA, the fictitious name, and then we did a survey at jiggers over the weekend,

1220
02:00:45,920 --> 02:00:50,600
we asked like over a hundred customers which name they preferred and everybody preferred burgers on

1221
02:00:50,600 --> 02:00:57,260
main. So we would like to change that and we already applied for the fictitious name. We have that

1222
02:01:02,580 --> 02:01:05,560
Okay. Other questions for the applicants?

1223
02:01:06,940 --> 02:01:07,500
No.

1224
02:01:08,320 --> 02:01:12,520
This is a public hearing. Is there anybody in person or online who'd be interested in commenting?

1225
02:01:14,380 --> 02:01:15,160
No, sir.

1226
02:01:16,240 --> 02:01:20,440
No, seeing no one is looking to ask any additional questions.

1227
02:01:21,020 --> 02:01:27,420
I'd like to make a motion to approve for a period of one year subject to full compliance as determined by the clerk.

1228
02:01:27,420 --> 02:01:32,020
the application for a new BBL alcohol beverage license with

1229
02:01:32,020 --> 02:01:38,920
Biddling for 431 Main Street LLC doing business as burgers on Main.

1230
02:01:39,360 --> 02:01:40,820
Is it burgers on Main?

1231
02:01:40,960 --> 02:01:41,240
Okay.

1232
02:01:43,360 --> 02:01:49,920
And this was already, it's already been continued from March 9.

1233
02:01:51,220 --> 02:01:52,560
So I have the motion.

1234
02:01:52,920 --> 02:01:53,400
I'll second.

1235
02:01:53,580 --> 02:01:54,440
We have a motion in a second.

1236
02:01:54,820 --> 02:01:55,920
All those in favor?

1237
02:01:56,460 --> 02:01:56,580
Aye.

1238
02:01:56,580 --> 02:01:59,200
All right. Motion carries 3, 2, 0.

1239
02:01:59,660 --> 02:02:07,800
Can I just make a note that you're when you're making the motion about a proof for one year, it's only good until November 30th.

1240
02:02:08,040 --> 02:02:20,080
All the liquor licenses renew on November 30th, so in August, look for stuff from the clerk reminding you to start getting ready to do the renewal already.

1241
02:02:20,080 --> 02:02:20,780
We'll see.

1242
02:02:21,120 --> 02:02:21,520
You want to.

1243
02:02:21,640 --> 02:02:22,660
I'm familiar with that process.

1244
02:02:23,800 --> 02:02:25,020
Just to revoke.

1245
02:02:25,200 --> 02:02:25,860
With that.

1246
02:02:26,560 --> 02:02:27,560
Do you want to revoke?

1247
02:02:27,560 --> 02:02:28,060
Because right now.

1248
02:02:28,260 --> 02:02:31,540
No, I think the law says the license is November 30.

1249
02:02:32,180 --> 02:02:33,460
So that's what it is.

1250
02:02:33,580 --> 02:02:34,220
I just want to.

1251
02:02:34,740 --> 02:02:35,040
No.

1252
02:02:35,260 --> 02:02:36,580
So it was so make sure.

1253
02:02:36,700 --> 02:02:36,880
And I.

1254
02:02:37,120 --> 02:02:37,320
Okay.

1255
02:02:37,420 --> 02:02:38,360
I think I'm comfortable with it.

1256
02:02:38,420 --> 02:02:38,520
But.

1257
02:02:40,420 --> 02:02:41,360
Thank you very much.

1258
02:02:41,500 --> 02:02:42,540
Thank you very much.

1259
02:02:42,960 --> 02:02:43,180
Thank you.

1260
02:02:43,320 --> 02:02:43,560
Thank you.

1261
02:02:46,190 --> 02:02:47,890
This brings us to a new business.

1262
02:02:49,010 --> 02:02:52,390
Item eight a on our new business is a resolution regarding low and moderate.

1263
02:02:52,390 --> 02:03:01,950
income housing. At previous meetings I asked our manager and his staff to come up with some

1264
02:03:01,950 --> 02:03:12,030
potential resolutions related to some components of affordable housing. One of them was to ask

1265
02:03:12,030 --> 02:03:20,070
the legislature to accept affordable housing which has been, the application has been approved,

1266
02:03:20,070 --> 02:03:24,470
but there is no certificate of occupancy to count that as one of our affordable units.

1267
02:03:25,050 --> 02:03:30,950
There were some other components that the council had discussed, which were put into a resolution.

1268
02:03:32,110 --> 02:03:36,510
There's actually two resolutions to consider by a town manager. It's kind of a starting point

1269
02:03:36,510 --> 02:03:41,190
to get the discussion going. So Mr. Nott, if you want to introduce the resolutions that you put

1270
02:03:41,190 --> 02:03:48,470
together and how you formulated these. Yes, sure thing. So actually my mistake, what happened when I

1271
02:03:48,470 --> 02:03:54,930
I uploaded the two, an original draft that I was working on was attached in the file, so

1272
02:03:54,930 --> 02:04:01,370
as a third, but that very last one which does not have draft resolution 1 or draft resolution

1273
02:04:01,370 --> 02:04:03,450
2 is just a throw away.

1274
02:04:03,750 --> 02:04:07,770
So that gets you back to the two versions that you're referring to, Dr. Swager.

1275
02:04:08,230 --> 02:04:12,590
So in putting these together, what I did is I went back and really listened to the council

1276
02:04:12,590 --> 02:04:16,710
over several meetings in a particular area of interest.

1277
02:04:17,050 --> 02:04:24,210
And then during that same time period we had, I'll say significant, maybe 20 or 30 contacts

1278
02:04:24,210 --> 02:04:31,450
from members in the community, which is significant on any issue, to be able really

1279
02:04:31,450 --> 02:04:39,150
focusing on the one issue of the draft proposed legislation that focused on really counting affordable

1280
02:04:39,150 --> 02:04:43,970
units at the building permit stage versus the CO stage.

1281
02:04:44,290 --> 02:04:49,330
So, draft one, and so that's the focus of both of these resolutions.

1282
02:04:49,850 --> 02:04:56,090
So, draft one, both of these tell a story,

1283
02:04:56,310 --> 02:04:58,870
tell these credits story with that request.

1284
02:04:59,230 --> 02:05:03,190
So, in looking at some of the draft legislation and understanding that

1285
02:05:03,190 --> 02:05:07,050
there was some language in various iterations that were presented

1286
02:05:07,050 --> 02:05:09,990
that the council was not necessarily supportive

1287
02:05:09,990 --> 02:05:11,090
of all of that language.

1288
02:05:11,590 --> 02:05:13,230
I stayed away in the drafts

1289
02:05:13,230 --> 02:05:15,010
from citing existing legislation,

1290
02:05:15,610 --> 02:05:17,350
but I think it's very easy,

1291
02:05:17,390 --> 02:05:19,350
it'll be very easy to get to a point

1292
02:05:19,670 --> 02:05:21,650
of either supporting legislation

1293
02:05:22,190 --> 02:05:25,070
that focuses on that one element in the near future,

1294
02:05:25,070 --> 02:05:26,250
if it were to be amended.

1295
02:05:26,710 --> 02:05:30,150
If not, I think just a general resolution on behalf

1296
02:05:30,150 --> 02:05:31,550
of housing in East Crenish

1297
02:05:32,050 --> 02:05:35,330
and the control elements of what that provides

1298
02:05:35,330 --> 02:05:39,950
a community very similar to the conversation we just had with the comp plan, and looking at ways

1299
02:05:39,950 --> 02:05:48,890
in which to control and manage housing requests that come in. In this particular case, by having

1300
02:05:48,890 --> 02:05:57,090
a count be registered at the building permit stage, we'll really advance us where we have projects,

1301
02:05:57,170 --> 02:06:03,110
some projects that go on for several years. We'll advance us to a point of hitting that 10% threshold

1302
02:06:03,110 --> 02:06:10,590
that a much earlier timeline thus providing additional local control and over any additional

1303
02:06:11,040 --> 02:06:17,290
permit applications that we may see. So the first one and the second one vary just slightly.

1304
02:06:18,210 --> 02:06:23,630
The second one tells a little bit of a longer story than the first one. The first one really focuses

1305
02:06:23,630 --> 02:06:29,370
on East Greenwich. It talks about the comprehensive permit, the comprehensive plan process,

1306
02:06:29,370 --> 02:06:35,190
talks about some of the major developments in the community where we've had success that have

1307
02:06:35,190 --> 02:06:42,530
recently helped catapult us up to the 7.21 percent. It focuses on the low and moderate income housing

1308
02:06:42,530 --> 02:06:54,770
act and the municipal authority over-com permit applications. The second draft gives a little bit more.

1309
02:06:54,770 --> 02:07:06,030
It focuses on those elements as well, but it also talks about legitimate concerns in a community when you're evaluating expanded housing and new applications.

1310
02:07:06,050 --> 02:07:18,630
It talks about roadways, it talks about infrastructure, traffic, evacuation routes, school capacity, wastewater and water utilities, emergency response capabilities and just general municipal service delivery.

1311
02:07:18,630 --> 02:07:39,650
In addition to that, the second draft also touches on the other things that we talk about a lot here with residents in the community, and it's that balancing of affordable housing, additional affordable housing with the capacity in our community of environmental constraints, transportation access, workforce development, infrastructure.

1312
02:07:39,650 --> 02:07:59,450
So I would say the second version, more technically, and there's a couple of other whereas statements that are there and be it further resolved, that drills into some of the more technical nature of what housing growth does in a community.

1313
02:07:59,450 --> 02:08:25,290
And it also, by touching upon those issues in a resolution, to me, what it does is it puts the state legislature on notice that we as well as every other community in the state is supportive of following the state law, supportive of moving towards that 10% threshold, but in the same token, there are some things that are beyond our ability as a small community to be able to keep ace with some of those infrastructure and utility requirements.

1314
02:08:25,290 --> 02:08:35,430
So that's how I try to break it down, not really knowing specifically if the council was looking for just a one page acknowledgement of support.

1315
02:08:36,170 --> 02:08:51,330
Or if the council wanted to actually put themselves out on this issue in a lead position where they actually can start to focus on some things that other communities may also pick up on.

1316
02:08:51,330 --> 02:09:08,490
and for us to be able to have the clerk upon approval to be able to submit these documents on a statewide level, not only the state agencies, but our other municipalities to try to garner further support for this resolution in terms of the makeup of what we were really focused on.

1317
02:09:08,490 --> 02:09:14,270
So, again, these are just drafts, these were just to follow up on the council's request and

1318
02:09:15,230 --> 02:09:20,730
happy administrative staff is happy to support the council, should either of those fit

1319
02:09:21,370 --> 02:09:26,890
your need or should there be significant or minor change that's needed, we're happy to facilitate

1320
02:09:26,890 --> 02:09:32,050
for the council if you wish to continue to go forward and move that type of resolution forward.

1321
02:09:36,380 --> 02:09:50,580
I consider I was, I asked for this. I like, I like both of them. I guess I don't really know which one would be more appropriate to send to the general assembly or which one is better for the general assembly.

1322
02:09:52,220 --> 02:10:00,080
I know I had asked you about putting in specific, like was the 7.21% that we are working

1323
02:10:00,080 --> 02:10:04,720
to, that we currently have affordable housing if that's important to put in there, but I

1324
02:10:04,720 --> 02:10:10,280
agree, I do think it's important because it shows that we're ahead of the game compared

1325
02:10:10,280 --> 02:10:16,380
to other towns, especially some of the other towns that sent in their resolutions.

1326
02:10:19,200 --> 02:10:39,520
I guess I didn't agree with the language of the specific bill, but I do agree with the language on this and I think it's important that our building permits, and I just want to verify once the building permits are approved, that's what we're looking for.

1327
02:10:39,520 --> 02:10:46,080
We're looking for, saying once the building permits are approved by the planning board that we would or whoever you

1328
02:10:46,080 --> 02:10:49,760
The planning department then you

1329
02:10:50,640 --> 02:10:54,400
Then we that would count against our 10%

1330
02:10:54,400 --> 02:10:59,200
Is that correct? It's not the preliminary approval or master plan approval. It would be

1331
02:10:59,840 --> 02:11:01,060
Building permits are approved

1332
02:11:02,400 --> 02:11:02,960
correct

1333
02:11:02,960 --> 02:11:11,600
In fact, right now we have absolutely no control over when a person or company finishes

1334
02:11:11,600 --> 02:11:14,260
a project and a CO is issued.

1335
02:11:15,200 --> 02:11:21,220
We do have control when a building permit is issued, so it's much more predictable.

1336
02:11:22,200 --> 02:11:25,180
Yeah, and there's no real, I think I had spoken with you before.

1337
02:11:25,320 --> 02:11:30,200
There's no real, there was no rhyme or reason when they wrote the original laws to when,

1338
02:11:32,940 --> 02:11:32,940
you

1339
02:11:32,940 --> 02:11:40,580
it's a sort of pink. Correct. It is very, you know, actually somebody picked it. I didn't even

1340
02:11:40,580 --> 02:11:47,460
know about it until I dug down with my contacts as to when things are actually counted. Yeah.

1341
02:11:48,940 --> 02:11:57,760
I guess the other question that I had would be that do once the building permits are approved and

1342
02:11:58,580 --> 02:12:02,240
How many, how long do they have to actually get shovels in the ground?

1343
02:12:02,660 --> 02:12:06,620
Was there a state rule or is there a town rule or how would that?

1344
02:12:07,460 --> 02:12:10,940
So the best of my knowledge is there's no time limit.

1345
02:12:11,360 --> 02:12:11,740
Oh really?

1346
02:12:12,360 --> 02:12:13,420
I believe so.

1347
02:12:13,600 --> 02:12:14,100
Oh wow.

1348
02:12:14,420 --> 02:12:15,020
I believe so.

1349
02:12:15,020 --> 02:12:18,200
So you could hold a building permit for like three years and not have any.

1350
02:12:18,560 --> 02:12:18,760
Oh.

1351
02:12:19,120 --> 02:12:20,480
A building permit.

1352
02:12:20,700 --> 02:12:21,480
I could have one.

1353
02:12:21,620 --> 02:12:22,540
Yeah, you could have one.

1354
02:12:22,540 --> 02:12:27,600
And then it's there's no like two-year limit and then it expires.

1355
02:12:28,700 --> 02:12:33,560
It all depends on when you if you're doing work and just add a

1356
02:12:33,560 --> 02:12:34,380
slow piece.

1357
02:12:34,600 --> 02:12:37,340
Yeah, I don't know the distinction of it.

1358
02:12:37,820 --> 02:12:42,220
If you just get a building permit and do not stop work,

1359
02:12:42,560 --> 02:12:45,960
stop work, then 18 months.

1360
02:12:46,640 --> 02:12:47,560
18 months.

1361
02:12:47,760 --> 02:12:48,220
18 months.

1362
02:12:48,220 --> 02:12:52,540
So now what does that constitute does that constitute like clearing the lot or?

1363
02:12:53,440 --> 02:12:55,900
No, it would actually start working under the permit

1364
02:12:58,700 --> 02:12:59,260
Right

1365
02:13:00,380 --> 02:13:05,360
But they can be extended even the comprehensive permits can be extended

1366
02:13:05,360 --> 02:13:11,180
The approvals they can come back to the planning board and get extensions on their vesting time

1367
02:13:11,180 --> 02:13:16,280
So how many times they could only like do one for like a year, right?

1368
02:13:16,280 --> 02:13:30,780
No, they have two years and then another two years by showing up and then beyond that it's at the discretion of the board, although there's new law that's kind of changing it a little bit and may make it even easier for further extensions.

1369
02:13:31,560 --> 02:13:39,120
But that actually works in the favor of this resolution because then those permits still are active and it counts against the 10%.

1370
02:13:39,720 --> 02:13:40,280
Correct.

1371
02:13:40,280 --> 02:13:47,460
right? Yeah. You know, we knew I'd have to believe that by the time this legislation,

1372
02:13:47,460 --> 02:13:51,480
if it gets considered, there's going to be some type of limit. I cannot believe that they

1373
02:13:51,480 --> 02:13:56,760
wouldn't put any type of time limit on the building permit to be able to take action. So, I

1374
02:13:56,760 --> 02:14:00,580
think there's a number of amendments that might be considered. I think it's, you know, there

1375
02:14:00,580 --> 02:14:06,440
is some traction. I'm not sure of anybody in any municipality why they wouldn't support it.

1376
02:14:06,440 --> 02:14:17,320
But so there is there is some room and this may be a nice give back based on demand dates that we have now in terms of the legal changes in the law regarding housing that we have to follow.

1377
02:14:17,320 --> 02:14:21,220
So I don't think it's a bad initiative to get behind.

1378
02:14:21,380 --> 02:14:27,940
It may look a little differently by the time they're done, but I think it would help us significantly because we're not that far away.

1379
02:14:27,940 --> 02:14:36,240
I think the second one is probably better just because it makes our point more succinctly

1380
02:14:36,240 --> 02:14:44,660
or gives a more clarification, the second draft, excuse me, that would be my thought.

1381
02:14:45,920 --> 02:14:51,140
I would like to pass this tonight or vote on something tonight on this.

1382
02:14:54,000 --> 02:14:55,920
Yeah, I agree with some of your comments.

1383
02:14:55,920 --> 02:14:58,900
I think I was leading more toward version one

1384
02:15:00,340 --> 02:15:30,320
And the reason is, I think the idea of having a goal, an attainable goal, and focusing on that, and moving that along to a bill that is before the legislature is going to be a good strategy. And I think a lot of residents have written about specifically getting these approved applications counted toward our affordable housing. I agree with Mr. Nada that it may not look exactly like that.

1385
02:15:30,320 --> 02:15:33,100
like that, but I think that's something that's alive in the legislature.

1386
02:15:33,860 --> 02:15:42,500
I think the other version has a lot of good goals, but they're very kind of nebulous.

1387
02:15:42,920 --> 02:15:48,640
And I think they're asking essentially all of those paragraphs are saying, please give

1388
02:15:48,640 --> 02:15:54,140
the city's and towns back some of the authority that has been removed by the legislature.

1389
02:15:54,680 --> 02:15:59,860
But I think that over the last four years, I don't know, Mr. Tite, how many bills have

1390
02:15:59,860 --> 02:16:06,940
there been in under reform, like 50, 12 to 15 a year for the last four years.

1391
02:16:07,440 --> 02:16:10,440
So you're talking about almost 50 different components.

1392
02:16:10,660 --> 02:16:14,000
And I just think unless we can focus and ask a question,

1393
02:16:14,040 --> 02:16:19,300
it's going to be hard for them to, to pick and choose which ones to, to give back

1394
02:16:19,300 --> 02:16:20,680
or even to give any of them back.

1395
02:16:21,560 --> 02:16:27,300
But I think version one is short to the point and does give us some meaningful

1396
02:16:27,300 --> 02:16:29,180
the form if it is successful.

1397
02:16:30,580 --> 02:16:33,480
And is there a bigger difference between,

1398
02:16:36,400 --> 02:16:42,120
I don't, and I was thinking that number two would be just more, yeah.

1399
02:16:42,640 --> 02:16:48,320
It's more detailed that I think it makes our argument better.

1400
02:16:50,280 --> 02:16:52,560
I mean, I'm not, I would like to pass something tonight.

1401
02:16:52,560 --> 02:16:58,100
I guess that would be Mr. Zarella's thoughts.

1402
02:16:59,880 --> 02:17:03,820
Do you want to do it tonight or do you want to have the whole, when does it need to be

1403
02:17:03,820 --> 02:17:04,140
in by?

1404
02:17:06,000 --> 02:17:06,900
As soon as possible.

1405
02:17:06,960 --> 02:17:09,780
There's no deadline, but I guess the sooner the better.

1406
02:17:10,280 --> 02:17:11,140
I don't think it's urgent.

1407
02:17:11,160 --> 02:17:15,580
We do it tonight, but we could do it with the whole council, but we should get it in soon

1408
02:17:15,580 --> 02:17:20,420
because when the home stretch, when all the bills are coming up, we want it to be there

1409
02:17:20,420 --> 02:17:21,060
at that time.

1410
02:17:24,020 --> 02:17:32,260
I guess I have to choose which one one is more has more detail that's the one

1411
02:17:32,260 --> 02:17:37,720
mock wants to do no mark prefers the one that's got less detail but

1412
02:17:40,630 --> 02:17:46,550
I guess I

1413
02:17:46,550 --> 02:17:49,970
will go with two if you want to do it tonight I would like to see the whole

1414
02:17:49,970 --> 02:17:55,490
console is but it sounds like mox knock I mean I'm Mike's not gonna be here for a while and that

1415
02:17:55,490 --> 02:18:01,810
would put us behind. I guess I mean I would defer to the solicitor of the solicitor thought there

1416
02:18:01,810 --> 02:18:03,410
was a better I

1417
02:18:06,700 --> 02:18:15,570
mean does it make a difference to one or two or not really some more

1418
02:18:17,670 --> 02:18:18,870
stylistic and yeah

1419
02:18:33,430 --> 02:18:38,530
I'm just looking through version two and to to look at it I think it to me it's

1420
02:18:38,530 --> 02:18:41,690
It's just paints with two broader brush.

1421
02:18:41,810 --> 02:18:45,910
If we want changes in the law, then I think we should specify them.

1422
02:18:45,970 --> 02:18:50,710
I don't want to just go up there and I don't really have a lot of enthusiasm for a resolution

1423
02:18:50,710 --> 02:18:57,110
that just says, change the laws that you've made in our favor, which is essentially what all

1424
02:18:57,110 --> 02:19:03,950
of those, whereas, is are saying the first one says, change the law on this specific point,

1425
02:19:03,950 --> 02:19:08,590
which we think is reasonable and there's a bill in front of you that could

1426
02:19:08,590 --> 02:19:18,450
accomplish this. I mean listen I'll go with version one if if that's the one

1427
02:19:18,450 --> 02:19:24,110
that everybody can be excuse me that everyone can get behind I mean they're

1428
02:19:24,110 --> 02:19:28,990
both they both basically say the same thing anyways that we want control back

1429
02:19:28,990 --> 02:19:35,380
And we want permits to count for us against the 10%.

1430
02:19:35,380 --> 02:19:37,320
So I'm happy to go with version one.

1431
02:19:39,020 --> 02:19:42,060
This will just put you in a long line of other communities

1432
02:19:42,060 --> 02:19:43,480
that are supporting the same bill.

1433
02:19:43,720 --> 02:19:46,540
So it's yeah, and I think that that's the point, right?

1434
02:19:46,620 --> 02:19:48,800
I think that's where the interest came from that you actually

1435
02:19:48,800 --> 02:19:52,640
wanted to step into the arena and be part of that broader group.

1436
02:19:52,800 --> 02:19:56,540
And this won't be the last communication to the legislature.

1437
02:19:56,540 --> 02:19:58,900
And we're going to have to communicate on a much higher level

1438
02:19:58,900 --> 02:20:09,020
Once we see the direction, if in fact any other proposed bills start to gain more traction and start to look at amendments or sub-As or other changes that may go forward.

1439
02:20:09,320 --> 02:20:16,240
So, but this is pretty benign information, this isn't news to anybody and either of them.

1440
02:20:16,460 --> 02:20:20,520
So, but it's just putting East, it's just associating East Greenwich with support for it.

1441
02:20:20,520 --> 02:20:26,970
I'll make a motion to adopt version 1, version 1, I'll second that.

1442
02:20:27,150 --> 02:20:32,930
Okay, Andy, it's a league have any position on any of these legislation that's coming up?

1443
02:20:33,290 --> 02:20:39,750
Yeah, they're supportive, I mean, I think guarded in terms of the overall language that's

1444
02:20:39,750 --> 02:20:40,150
in the bill.

1445
02:20:40,710 --> 02:20:47,730
And, you know, in Reno, I know I'm sure you know this anyways, but within the one sentence

1446
02:20:47,730 --> 02:20:55,630
that you were uncomfortable if it's actually in the existing Title 45 under low and moderate income housing.

1447
02:20:55,810 --> 02:21:01,770
It's the last sentence in that required findings for denial.

1448
02:21:02,070 --> 02:21:09,250
And it says concerns for the environment and the health and safety of current residents have not been adequately addressed.

1449
02:21:09,530 --> 02:21:11,990
Right. And that's the sentence I have issues with that.

1450
02:21:11,990 --> 02:21:16,030
did. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And that's it. I didn't. I was assuming you knew it was in the existing.

1451
02:21:16,130 --> 02:21:23,850
I didn't know. So that's why I didn't want to get behind the other one. So Renew, what is,

1452
02:21:24,070 --> 02:21:29,390
what I'm just interested, what your concern was, a requirement for denial? Was it something that

1453
02:21:29,390 --> 02:21:33,150
was missing or something that was in there that you didn't like? It was something that was in there,

1454
02:21:33,170 --> 02:21:38,390
something that they had, I don't have it in front of me currently. But it was that reason for

1455
02:21:38,390 --> 02:21:45,470
being the health and safety and environment. I felt that that was so broad that at, I mean it,

1456
02:21:45,470 --> 02:21:51,150
it doesn't work well for either the developer or the town. It leads to just, I think it could

1457
02:21:51,150 --> 02:21:56,570
lead to a lot of legal issues between everybody. You know, you could deny for those and they could

1458
02:21:56,570 --> 02:22:01,710
appeal on those. I don't, I just don't think that's a good, I would prefer not that not to be in our.

1459
02:22:02,630 --> 02:22:07,050
Right, but as far as in the state law, did you have an objection to it being one of the required

1460
02:22:07,050 --> 02:22:08,910
are findings for denial, or?

1461
02:22:09,690 --> 02:22:15,110
Well, that was the sentence I disagreed with in the new bill.

1462
02:22:15,430 --> 02:22:16,250
That's why I didn't want to.

1463
02:22:16,330 --> 02:22:17,610
Oh, in the new in the new bill.

1464
02:22:17,790 --> 02:22:17,950
Yeah.

1465
02:22:18,370 --> 02:22:22,050
I just wanted, so I wanted something that was different.

1466
02:22:22,610 --> 02:22:27,050
That got behind the idea or the idea of the bill, but not to.

1467
02:22:28,050 --> 02:22:30,250
OK, yeah, we can discuss that, because if we, you know,

1468
02:22:30,330 --> 02:22:32,710
this bill moves forward, we can go up there and give testimony.

1469
02:22:32,870 --> 02:22:33,490
Yeah, exactly.

1470
02:22:33,730 --> 02:22:35,910
And so I'd like to discuss it with you further

1471
02:22:35,910 --> 02:22:38,370
to see what your objection was on that basis.

1472
02:22:39,270 --> 02:22:42,550
So we have a motion and a second, all is in favor.

1473
02:22:43,010 --> 02:22:43,350
Aye.

1474
02:22:43,630 --> 02:22:45,230
Motion carries 3, 2, 0.

1475
02:22:47,070 --> 02:22:50,250
That brings us to our next resolution.

1476
02:22:51,110 --> 02:22:53,010
This is a resolution supporting the implementation

1477
02:22:53,010 --> 02:22:54,810
of the Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Commission

1478
02:22:55,470 --> 02:22:57,570
on Education Funding Recommendations.

1479
02:22:59,010 --> 02:23:00,990
I, Andy, can you summarize?

1480
02:23:01,230 --> 02:23:01,470
I'm sure.

1481
02:23:01,930 --> 02:23:05,490
Yeah, so this bill has not been released yet,

1482
02:23:05,490 --> 02:23:12,230
but it has been submitted, it's actually going to be Senate Bill 3015, but it's actually

1483
02:23:12,230 --> 02:23:18,870
hasn't been released. So I did get a copy of it just today. So I think as we all recall,

1484
02:23:19,150 --> 02:23:23,050
there was a Blue Ribbon Commission formed through leadership at the Rhode Island foundation,

1485
02:23:23,810 --> 02:23:29,890
bringing together national experts and other visionaries and diverse leadership to really take

1486
02:23:29,890 --> 02:23:34,950
a look at the existing system the state has in place for that distributed education aid.

1487
02:23:35,490 --> 02:23:54,490
The Commission built a proposal, just a couple of quick comments around a shared vision and guiding principles that funding be sufficient, student-centered, comprehensive, predictable, yet flexible, transparent, timely, equitable, that there's an equitable fiscal burden, and that schools are accountable.

1488
02:23:54,490 --> 02:24:02,790
In addition to that, their proposal, which you'll see articulated in the draft proposal legislation,

1489
02:24:03,070 --> 02:24:08,350
really focused on four core shifts in how Rhode Island's education funding system works.

1490
02:24:08,710 --> 02:24:09,930
And I'll just read these four.

1491
02:24:10,070 --> 02:24:16,730
The first one is to account for the full cost of education in the funding system and share those costs more equitably.

1492
02:24:17,270 --> 02:24:20,770
The second is tailor instructional cost of student needs more directly.

1493
02:24:20,770 --> 02:24:32,630
The third is ensure greater predictability for municipalities with a required local share and fourth is to require transparency and strategic management that ties spending to educational outcomes.

1494
02:24:33,430 --> 02:24:49,790
So in drafting the resolution, clearly I noted those particular key highlights from the work of the commission, what they were trying to accomplish, how they went about addressing it.

1495
02:24:51,710 --> 02:24:54,910
And that's where I really drew that information from.

1496
02:24:55,350 --> 02:25:06,190
I think it echoes, you're going to see this proposed resolution really is going to echo the proposed bill that the Blue Ribbon Commission has submitted.

1497
02:25:06,730 --> 02:25:11,870
And this is also something that I think is going to garner statewide support.

1498
02:25:11,870 --> 02:25:20,690
Although the greatest challenge that we have for those that are familiar with it really is the redistribution of funding, right?

1499
02:25:20,930 --> 02:25:28,330
So this, what this proposal includes is a significant redistribution of aid and where that funding comes from.

1500
02:25:28,990 --> 02:25:39,250
Where today, total education spending is just over $3 billion state funds are about 1.6, 1.5, 1.6 and local funds are about 1.5.

1501
02:25:39,250 --> 02:25:45,910
So, that redistribution over time would be significantly shifted to the state of Rhode

1502
02:25:45,910 --> 02:25:46,170
Island.

1503
02:25:46,330 --> 02:25:52,110
So, everybody involved in this and supporting it, of course, is supportive, right?

1504
02:25:52,230 --> 02:25:57,410
So, there were three communities in the entire state that if the full plan was submitted

1505
02:25:57,410 --> 02:25:58,630
would not see an increase.

1506
02:25:59,210 --> 02:26:03,770
We were proposed to see a $1.9 million increase in our annual aid.

1507
02:26:04,250 --> 02:26:07,590
And that's at a spot in time when they conducted the evaluation.

1508
02:26:07,590 --> 02:26:36,350
So that clearly will change based on enrollments and a number of other variables based on services that are needed by our student population on a go forward basis, but I think the key that most people see to this is that there's an expectation that this plan would most likely have to be funded and rolled out over a multi year period, probably two to three years where they would have to be a commitment because they have to come up with a significant amount of funding.

1509
02:26:36,350 --> 02:26:39,250
the state of Rhode Island does to be able to fund this plan in full.

1510
02:26:39,550 --> 02:26:45,210
So I think other than those three communities that are not receiving an increase in funding,

1511
02:26:45,590 --> 02:26:51,710
I think the vast majority of communities and the league in cities and towns is very supportive

1512
02:26:51,710 --> 02:26:58,550
of trying to move this legislation forward. Speaking to Dave Cicillini and I think the foundation is very

1513
02:26:59,330 --> 02:27:05,890
cognizant of the fact that this is not a one-year implementation. They seemed very prepared

1514
02:27:05,890 --> 02:27:12,590
to be involved with support, even financially in the long term, to try to move the needle

1515
02:27:12,590 --> 02:27:14,010
on this legislation.

1516
02:27:14,450 --> 02:27:19,930
This is really going to be cutting edge change for the State of Rhode Island, so there

1517
02:27:19,930 --> 02:27:24,650
is still a question as to where the money would be pulled from.

1518
02:27:24,770 --> 02:27:30,650
And I think we understand that's a very competitive process with significant advocacy that exists

1519
02:27:30,650 --> 02:27:33,670
all over the state for various funding.

1520
02:27:33,670 --> 02:27:36,330
So this is going to be something that takes some time.

1521
02:27:36,850 --> 02:27:40,690
I mean, I think as we deliberate every budget cycle,

1522
02:27:41,310 --> 02:27:46,210
I think I always hear from this table that it's not equitable.

1523
02:27:46,750 --> 02:27:49,190
People are not, so I think worst case scenario,

1524
02:27:49,190 --> 02:27:51,630
this at least moves forward to a more equitable

1525
02:27:51,630 --> 02:27:54,630
and clearly defined redistribution of state aid.

1526
02:27:55,150 --> 02:27:58,150
The challenge is going to be, is the amount of effort

1527
02:27:58,150 --> 02:28:01,050
that's going to be needed to shut full commitment

1528
02:28:01,050 --> 02:28:06,470
to edge public education over other priorities in the state.

1529
02:28:06,710 --> 02:28:09,990
So that's really what this comes down to is whether they have the ability to fund it.

1530
02:28:10,210 --> 02:28:15,230
So, but I think you're going to see the legacies and towns and vast majority of municipalities

1531
02:28:15,230 --> 02:28:17,510
support this legislation as it moves forward.

1532
02:28:18,750 --> 02:28:26,330
Andy, do you see the focus of the rampantation to increase the size of the pie or just to cut the

1533
02:28:28,670 --> 02:28:40,670
It's not really increasing the total, or at this particular stage, I mean, they book that length regarding that particular issue, and I think in time we understand that the pie is going to grow.

1534
02:28:41,290 --> 02:28:51,070
But initially, this is just to correct something that they think is really in political or island behind the eight ball, especially in New England.

1535
02:28:51,070 --> 02:28:56,230
and we really trail most of the other New England states in terms of financial support for various elements.

1536
02:28:56,470 --> 02:29:03,250
One main one is teachers pensions, where the state of Rhode Island, the state funds 40% of them,

1537
02:29:03,510 --> 02:29:08,290
but most of the other states fund significantly more, if not 100%.

1538
02:29:08,290 --> 02:29:10,550
So where we are funding the ballots.

1539
02:29:11,110 --> 02:29:16,410
So I think, you know, any way to support our district, and again, we deliberate over this every year,

1540
02:29:16,690 --> 02:29:18,470
and we will be, I'm sure, in the next month.

1541
02:29:18,970 --> 02:29:35,770
When it comes down to the amount of either local resources or state resources, but I think there are many in Rhode Island that feel the state needs to really ante up and support public education in the state if it's going to survive because it can't just survive on the backs of property taxpayers at the municipal level.

1542
02:29:35,770 --> 02:29:44,350
So I think the argument is made that the state under funds education, I guess that's the tug of war between the municipalities and the state, but I'm not sure who's side the

1543
02:29:45,930 --> 02:29:52,970
What on foundation came down on I guess it's they talk about a combination pay according to your ability of the communities understood

1544
02:29:52,970 --> 02:29:57,930
Yeah, I think when you when you look at that closely like so I think that works against us

1545
02:30:00,000 --> 02:30:29,380
All right, meeting incomes here when it's always going to work against us, but when I see a process that truly, you know, I typically complain to the council every year when we'll lose aid, and then later along with many other communities, but by the end there's only a few of us still standing that are losing aid, where there's been modifications to the formula and recounts of particular populations that somehow every single year have those communities who are set to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars, if not millions,

1546
02:30:29,380 --> 02:30:33,800
They're actually receiving increases, just to me it's very coincidental that that happens

1547
02:30:33,800 --> 02:30:34,480
each and every year.

1548
02:30:34,820 --> 02:30:39,280
I think the other piece to this Dr. Swagger is the fact that there is some accountability.

1549
02:30:40,240 --> 02:30:44,080
And I was very impressed by that because usually that is lost in these conversations.

1550
02:30:44,760 --> 02:30:52,000
And it's accountability regarding the metrics that are utilized and clearly there are not

1551
02:30:52,000 --> 02:30:57,320
swift penalties for not achieving those benchmarks that are set.

1552
02:30:57,320 --> 02:31:25,680
But there's a process by which has been recommended that communities would work through in terms of garnering additional support from the state, additional reviews, before they would ultimately be a discussion regarding funding, because I think the greatest problem is is for me in my position and my colleagues is, if we continue to throw money at one particular issue, but there's nobody that's held accountable and things don't ever advance, why would we keep doing that?

1553
02:31:25,680 --> 02:31:30,580
And I think that was the general question that was asked.

1554
02:31:30,760 --> 02:31:37,640
And so I think I was pleased to see some semblance of accountability in terms of follow-up

1555
02:31:37,640 --> 02:31:41,200
for those districts in the state that are just not seeing growth.

1556
02:31:41,200 --> 02:31:44,680
And that's after being funded at a very, very high level.

1557
02:31:45,380 --> 02:31:47,000
So some things need to change.

1558
02:31:47,000 --> 02:31:50,820
And I think this is far from perfect, but I think it's a good first step.

1559
02:31:50,820 --> 02:31:58,360
And there's nobody standing in line behind this Blue Ribbon Commission plan that has a better solution at this moment

1560
02:31:58,360 --> 02:32:02,800
So I think that's why you see most municipalities supporting to advance it

1561
02:32:03,380 --> 02:32:05,080
The other questions for the manager

1562
02:32:05,080 --> 02:32:13,700
If not, I'd ask for motion to pass the resolution supporting the implementation of the Rhode Island Blue Ribbon Commission on education funding

1563
02:32:13,700 --> 02:32:14,560
recommendations

1564
02:32:14,560 --> 02:32:21,160
Motion a second all is in favor. I motion carries 3 2 0

1565
02:32:22,100 --> 02:32:27,180
Back to public comment, we only have one commenter here, nobody online.

1566
02:32:28,540 --> 02:32:32,740
We also have Council announcements and comments.

1567
02:32:33,500 --> 02:32:34,860
Earth Day is coming up.

1568
02:32:35,000 --> 02:32:37,640
I expect to see all of us here at Earth Day.

1569
02:32:37,960 --> 02:32:42,440
I bought some special clippers just for Mr. Dorella to use.

1570
02:32:42,600 --> 02:32:44,260
Oh, he still has a scar from last time.

1571
02:32:46,810 --> 02:32:50,150
Are you assigning particular areas in town for each of us?

1572
02:32:50,150 --> 02:32:55,250
I will be happy to assign people areas.

1573
02:32:55,930 --> 02:32:57,290
It's going to be a whole thing of fair.

1574
02:32:57,590 --> 02:32:59,330
Under council comments, I'd like to add.

1575
02:32:59,430 --> 02:33:00,730
Unfortunately, there's not a lot of people here.

1576
02:33:00,850 --> 02:33:03,950
And I know Mr. Nada will trumpet our successes,

1577
02:33:03,950 --> 02:33:07,810
but our Recreation Director or our Community Services and Parks Director.

1578
02:33:07,810 --> 02:33:12,310
Andy Wade is in what the Rhode Island Hall of Fame and the Recreation Hall of Fame.

1579
02:33:12,450 --> 02:33:13,010
Yeah, correct.

1580
02:33:13,670 --> 02:33:18,710
Our Community Services and Parks Department was the Rhode Island Department of the Year.

1581
02:33:19,210 --> 02:33:27,830
same department and I think Rachel Arbidge, Hermasjan Madness, she was a minor, a major success,

1582
02:33:28,010 --> 02:33:32,190
she had 100 people twice, she had two sessions, which each one I think had 100 people.

1583
02:33:32,310 --> 02:33:38,710
So Andy, we have to give them their recognition as due to them at the appropriate time.

1584
02:33:38,990 --> 02:33:40,290
Yeah, the department's doing really well.

1585
02:33:42,450 --> 02:33:45,530
I'm sure you'll be disappointed here that we will not be

1586
02:33:45,530 --> 02:33:59,210
We are going into executive session tonight, our solicitors informed us there are no new updates and that Mr. Zarella is recused on one of these items, so we will not have executive session tonight.

1587
02:34:00,070 --> 02:34:02,810
Tonight brings us to our last agenda item, adjournment.

1588
02:34:03,450 --> 02:34:03,770
No move.

1589
02:34:04,090 --> 02:34:04,290
Second.

1590
02:34:06,330 --> 02:34:07,770
Motion carries 320.

1591
02:34:07,770 --> 02:34:08,090
0.

1592
02:34:08,550 --> 02:34:09,190
Okay.

1593
02:34:09,510 --> 02:34:09,950
I'm sorry.