Cumberland public meetings in 2020
11 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Special Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council held a special virtual meeting on December 16, 2020, consisting entirely of a closed executive session. The council voted unanimously to discuss updates on collective bargaining for the CTEU and IAFF (police) unions. No public decisions, contracts, or ordinances were announced, as the session was sealed.
- Executive session to discuss collective bargaining updates for CTEU and IAFF
- Minutes of the special meeting were sealed by unanimous vote
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council met virtually and approved a resolution authorizing a $185,596 contract with GZA Geo Environmental for Phase 1 site investigation of the Albion Town Landfill remediation project. The council also approved several appointments, including to the Parks & Recreation Board and Library Board of Trustees, and tabled multiple ordinances pending sub-committee review.
- Approved R-20-122: $185,596 contract with GZA Geo Environmental for Albion Town Landfill Phase 1 site investigation
- Approved R-20-123: Resolution urging Governor Raimondo to place a moratorium on evictions and promote eviction diversion program
- Approved November 2020 real estate abatements totaling $5,004.83 and supplemental bills totaling $533.21
- Tabled ordinances on recreational fire pits, Ann & Hope Way zoning changes, stop signs on Hines Road, secondhand goods fees, and executive staff salaries
- Appointed Alexandria Evers, Kelly Validzic, and John Cavanagh to Parks & Recreation Board; Erin Redihan to Library Board of Trustees
Zoning Board Meeting
The Cumberland Zoning Board met via Zoom and handled several zoning matters. It granted a dimensional variance to Deborah B. Hall for an accessory dwelling unit and an expanded accessory structure at 29 Blissdale Avenue. The board also continued a violation appeal and a garage variance request, and heard a request from Freedom Bank for sign variances at 2152 Mendon Road, which was discussed but not voted on in the provided text.
- Granted variance to Deborah B. Hall for 1,010 sq ft accessory dwelling and accessory structure 25-31 ft in front of main residence at 29 Blissdale Avenue
- Continued Tammy L. LaCoste's appeal of a notice of violation for more than two living units at 14 Torrey Road to February 10, 2021
- Continued Joseph J. Pacheco's garage rear yard setback variance at 112 Dexter Street due to his absence
- Continued Erik Brouillard's shed rear yard setback variance at 9 Tuscan Court to February 10, 2021
- Heard Freedom Bank's request for sign variances (height, area, setback) at 2152 Mendon Road; no vote recorded in text
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council approved a resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase a 2-acre lot at 500 Nate Whipple Highway for $600,000 to secure a buffer zone around proposed new wells, ensuring town control of its water supply. The council also approved routine licenses, re-appointments, and a resolution on state aid during the COVID-19 emergency, and tabled an entertainment license for a haunted trails event pending review.
- Approved purchase of AP42, Lot 2 at 500 Nate Whipple Highway for $600,000 (vote 6/1)
- Approved Fourth-Class Victualling and Holiday licenses for Safa d/b/a Bestway at 302 Broad St
- Tabled Special Event Entertainment License for 13th World's Haunted Trails at Diamond Hill Park to Finance Sub Committee
- Approved resolution R-20-120 on State Assistance during COVID-19 Emergency
- Re-appointed members to Parks and Recreation, Library Board, Zoning Board, and Tax Assessment Board
Organizational Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council held its organizational meeting, swearing in members and electing leadership. Councilor Kinch was elected president, and Councilor Schmitt was elected president pro-tem. The council also selected chairs for the Board of License Commissioners. No public comments were made.
- Elected Michael L. Kinch as Town Council President (4-2-1 vote)
- Elected Scott R. Schmitt as President Pro-Tem (4-3 vote)
- Elected James Metivier as Chairperson of Board of License Commissioners (5-2 vote)
- Elected Timothy Magill as Vice-Chairperson of Board of License Commissioners (5-2 vote)
Special Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council held a special virtual meeting on November 23, 2020, to report and vote on a resolution authorizing the mayor to purchase a property for the water department. The council approved the purchase of AP42, Lot 2, at 500 Nate Whipple Highway for $600,000, with Councilor Bradley voting against. The meeting also included approval of the prior meeting's minutes and public comments.
- Approved R-20-119: purchase of 500 Nate Whipple Highway for $600,000 for water department
- Vote was 6-1, with Councilor Bradley opposed
- Executive session vote on November 18, 2020 was 6-1 to approve purchase and sales agreement
- Discussed eminent domain, appraisals, payment structure, and future water improvements
- Approved minutes of November 18, 2020 special meeting
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council met virtually and approved a $173,565 contract with Nationwide Construction for roof repairs at the senior center, funded partly by a new $300,000 CDBG grant. The council also tabled three ordinances (fire pits, stop signs, secondhand goods) to December 16, 2020, and approved October abatements and supplemental bills totaling $9,245.62. The meeting included routine consent items and a resolution recognizing Small Business Saturday.
- Approved $173,565 contract with Nationwide Construction for senior center roof repairs
- Tabled ordinances #20-22 (fire pits), #20-29 (stop signs), #20-30 (secondhand goods) to Dec 16
- Approved October abatements: $210.45 motor vehicle, $916.48 real estate, $8,118.69 supplemental bills
- Approved resolution recognizing Nov 28, 2020 as Small Business Saturday
- Granted mobile food permit to Sunnyside on the Street, 1435 Iron Mine Hill Rd
Special Town Council Meeting
This is a special meeting of the Cumberland Town Council held virtually in closed session. The council voted unanimously to enter executive session to discuss the acquisition or disposition of public property and updates on collective bargaining agreements. The minutes were sealed, and the meeting adjourned after about 42 minutes.
- Executive session under R.I.G.L. §42-46-5(a)(5) for property acquisition/disposition
- Executive session under R.I.G.L. §42-46-5(a)(2) for collective bargaining updates
- Motion to seal minutes passed 7-0
- Meeting adjourned at 7:19 p.m.
Zoning Board Meeting
The Cumberland Zoning Board met via Zoom and voted 5-0 to grant a four-foot front-yard setback variance to Roger and Brenda Farrell for a home addition at 14 Westwood Drive. The board also approved a 5-0 motion granting JAK Realty variances for a freestanding sign at 2295 Diamond Hill Road. Several other matters were continued to the December 9 meeting, including an appeal by Tammy LaCoste and a sign variance request by Freedom Bank.
- Granted 4-foot front-yard variance to Farrell at 14 Westwood Drive (Plat 033, Lot 0318, Zone R-1)
- Granted sign height and setback variances to JAK Realty at 2295 Diamond Hill Road (Plat 024, Lots 0016 & 0130, Zone C-1)
- Continued appeal 20-11 by Tammy LaCoste (14 Torrey Road) to December 9
- Continued sign variance 20-08 by Freedom Bank (2152 Mendon Road) to December 9
- Continued garage variance 20-06 by Joseph Pacheco (112 Dexter Street) to next month
Regular Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council approved a contract with Blueskies Construction & Design, LLC for up to $235,200 to install a trailhead restroom facility with three bathrooms. Two ordinances related to the Comprehensive Community Plan and zoning changes were tabled to December 16, 2020, pending Planning Board and Ordinance Sub Committee review. The council also approved numerous food establishment and entertainment licenses.
- Approved $235,200 contract with Blueskies Construction & Design, LLC for trailhead restroom facility (vote 6/1)
- Tabled ordinances #20-26 (Comprehensive Community Plan amendment) and #20-27 (zoning changes for Assessor's Plats 11 and 12) to December 16, 2020
- Approved victualling license for V R Foodies, LLC d/b/a Godavari RI at 356 Mendon Road
- Approved special event entertainment license for McCoy F.I.T. Challenge at Diamond Hill Park on April 10, 2021
- Approved 2020-2021 license renewals for numerous food establishments, including extended hours licenses
Regular License Commission Meeting
The Cumberland Board of License Commissioners met on November 4, 2020, and unanimously approved all 2020-2021 liquor license renewals for restaurants, bars, clubs, and stores. They also approved a new Class BNT license for Godavari RI at 356 Mendon Road, despite the applicant not being present. A request by Chucky's Creamery for a Class BNT license was deferred pending review of zoning history.
- Approved new Class BNT license for V R Foodies LLC d/b/a Godavari RI, 356 Mendon Road (7-0)
- Approved renewals for 5 Class A liquor stores, including Pop's Liquors and Cumberland Wine & Spirits
- Approved renewals for 8 Class BNT restaurants, including Andrew's Bistro Destino and Bollywood Grill
- Approved renewals for 15 Class BV bars/restaurants, including The End Zone Sports Pub and Adeline's Speakeasy
- Deferred Chucky's Creamery Class BNT application pending zoning history review