Cumberland public meetings in 2025
20 substantive meetings from 2025, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council held a special meeting on December 17, 2025. The body entered executive session to discuss the acquisition of real property for public purposes and voted to seal the minutes.
- Discussion of real property acquisition for public purposes under R.I.G.L. §42-46-5(a)(5)
Planning Board Meeting
The Planning Board will hold a public hearing regarding a revised preliminary plan for the Steeple & Stone project. The proposal involves the adaptive reuse of the vacant St. Patrick Church into 100% affordable rental units.
- Public hearing for Steeple & Stone (St. Patrick Church) at 295 and 305 Broad Street
- Proposal to increase affordable rental units from 44 to 60
- Request for a Performance and Maintenance Bond of $186,942
- Requests for adjustments to residential density, maximum lot coverage, and number of buildings on a lot
- Director's report on Ordinance #25-22A regarding Multiple Residences on a Lot
Special Town Council Meeting
The Town Council held a special meeting primarily to enter an executive session. The body discussed the acquisition of real property for public purposes and voted to seal the minutes of that session.
- Executive session regarding real property acquisition under R.I.G.L. §42-46-5(a)(5)
License Commission Meeting
The Board of License Commissioners approved renewals for multiple liquor licenses with a 30-day extension and granted a one-day extension for a New Year's Eve celebration.
- Approved 2025-2026 liquor license renewals with 30-day extensions
- Approved one-day extension for Club Juventude Lusitana on New Year's Eve
- Accepted minutes from the November 19, 2025 special meeting
- Licenses pending fire approval include Blackstone Herbs and Coffee Shop and RLS Restaurants
- Licenses pending certification include Filibuster Club
Town Council Meeting
The council approved ordinance #25-21, amending the zoning ordinance for accessory structures and accessory dwelling units, by a 5‑2 vote. It also granted 30‑day extensions for all first‑ through fourth‑class victualling house liquor licenses and set a follow‑up meeting for January 7, 2026. An extended‑hours license request for Mendon Express on Broad Street was tabled until Dec. 17, 2025. The council approved a special entertainment license for the Cumberland Library Anniversary Carnival on June 20, 2026.
- 30‑day extensions granted for first, second, third, and fourth class victualling house licenses (multiple establishments listed)
- Extended‑hours license for Broad Street Food & Fuel Inc. dba Mendon Express, 290 Broad St, tabled to Dec. 17, 2025
- Entertainment license approved for Cumberland Library Anniversary Carnival, June 20, 2026
- Ordinance #25-21 amending zoning ordinance for accessory structures/ADUs approved 5‑2
- Consent agenda: acceptance of Nov. 19, 2025 meeting minutes approved unanimously
Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council approved a $8,350 engineering change order for a Diamond Hill Park crosswalk and adopted an ordinance preventing future subdivisions of affordable housing lots. The Council also voted to decline further participation in a legal appeal and approved a Narragansett Electric training facility fence. Several zoning and traffic ordinances were tabled for the December 3 meeting.
- Approved $8,350 engineering change order for Diamond Hill Park crosswalk
- Adopted ordinance preventing subdivision of affordable housing lots
- Voted to decline further participation in Barrington vs. State appeal
- Approved Narragansett Electric barbed wire fence at 1595 Mendon Road
- Tabled multiple zoning and traffic ordinances to December 3
Special Town Council Meeting
The council entered an executive session to discuss potential acquisition of real property for public purposes and the ongoing litigation Town of Barrington et al. v. State et al. The session was called under R.I.G.L. §42‑46‑5. The council also voted to seal the meeting minutes and then adjourned.
- Executive session to discuss acquisition of real property for public purposes (R.I.G.L. §42‑46‑5(a)(5))
- Executive session to discuss litigation Town of Barrington et al. v. State et al. (R.I.G.L. §42‑46‑5(a)(2))
- Motion to seal the meeting minutes (vote 6‑0)
- Motion to adjourn the meeting (vote 6‑0)
License Commission Meeting
The Cumberland Board of Licensing met on November 19, 2025 and approved the minutes from the November 5 meeting. The board voted unanimously to grant a Class F license to Adams Farm for an outdoor beer garden at 158 Burnt Swamp Road on November 28‑30, 2025, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. No public comments were received. The meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.
- Approval of minutes from the regular meeting of November 5, 2025
- Approval of Class F license for an outdoor beer garden at Adams Farm, 158 Burnt Swamp Road, for Nov 28‑30, 2025, 1‑6 p.m.
Zoning Board Meeting
The board approved the minutes from the July 9 meeting. It granted a one‑year extension of a dimensional variance to Kevin Joyce of 200 Cato Street. It also approved a front‑yard setback variance for Michael and Monique Charpentier at 57 Pound Road to allow a small garage addition.
- Approval of prior meeting minutes (July 9) by a 5‑0 vote
- One‑year extension of a dimensional variance for Kevin Joyce, 200 Cato Street (Article 18‑6) approved 4‑0
- Front‑yard setback variance (≈10 ft) for 57 Pound Road, Assessor's Plat 038, Lot 21 approved 5‑0
- Schedule change: next year’s meeting moved to November 17 due to Veterans Day
License Commission Meeting
The Cumberland Board of Licensing met on November 5, 2025 and accepted the September 17, 2025 minutes. The board voted unanimously to approve the 2025‑2026 renewals for Class A, Class BNT, Class BV, Class BVL, Class D, Class DL, and Class OSPE liquor licenses. Each renewal was presented by license number and business name and was approved by a 7‑0 vote.
- Approval of Class A renewals for five businesses (e.g., Teixeira & Co. dba Pop’s Liquors, LL‑76)
- Approval of Class BNT renewals for fourteen businesses (e.g., Andrew’s Bistro, LL‑20)
- Approval of Class BV renewals for thirteen businesses (e.g., La Familia, LL‑42)
- Approval of Class D renewals for seven organizations (e.g., Club Juventude Lusitana, LL‑34)
- Approval of Class OSPE renewals for six businesses (e.g., La Familia Restaurant, LL‑42)
Special Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council held a special meeting on November 5, 2025. Councilors voted 4‑0 to go into executive session to discuss items of business under R.I.G.L. §42‑46‑5(a)(1‑9), including potential litigation and the case Town of Barrington et al. v. State et al. The council then voted 5‑0 to seal the meeting minutes and adjourned at 7:16 p.m.
- Motion to enter executive session to discuss potential litigation (R.I.G.L. §42‑46‑5(a)(2))
- Discussion of the Town of Barrington, et al. v. State, et al. case
- Motion to seal the meeting minutes (vote 5‑0)
- Adjournment of the special meeting (vote 5‑0)
Town Council Meeting
The council unanimously approved a municipal mobile food establishment license for East Landing. It also approved first‑, second‑, and third‑class victualling house licenses for dozens of local businesses. Council members heard a Good Energy presentation on community choice aggregation for electricity, but no resolution was adopted.
- Approval of East Landing dba East Landing RI mobile food establishment license (unanimous vote 7‑0)
- Approval of first‑class victualling house licenses for establishments such as La Familia Restaurant (1666 Diamond Hill Rd) and Andrew’s Bistro (3755 Mendon Rd)
- Approval of second‑class victualling house licenses for businesses including Blackstone River Theatre (549 Broad St) and Subway (2130 Mendon Rd)
- Approval of third‑class victualling house licenses for locations such as Juliana’s Italian Bakery (1181 High St) and Domino’s Pizza (3383 Mendon Rd)
- Good Energy presentation on community electricity/choice aggregation; council asked questions but no vote taken
Planning Board Meeting
The Planning Board will hold public hearings on a solar energy system and land subdivision requests. The board will also consider a recommendation for an ordinance regarding residential compound uses and comprehensive permits.
- Ground mounted medium-scale solar energy system at 3100 Diamond Hill Road
- Ordinance #25-22 to establish residential compound use by Special Use Permit
- Request to omit sidewalks at The Preserve at Hunting Hill on Meadowbrook Drive
- Lot line move and variance for minimum lot area at 245 & 247 West Wrentham Road
- Front yard setback variance for a garage extension at 57 Pound Road
Special Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council entered an executive session to discuss items listed under R.I.G.L. §42-46-5(a)(1-9). Topics included the solicitor's quarterly litigation update, the collective bargaining agreement with the Town's public safety dispatchers (International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 2725), and potential litigation concerning Raymond Burt at 15 Standring Street. The council also voted to seal the meeting minutes and adjourned the session.
- Executive session to review solicitor's quarterly litigation update
- Discussion of collective bargaining agreement with Public Safety Dispatchers, IAFF Local 2725
- Potential litigation regarding Raymond Burt at 15 Standring Street
- Motion to seal the meeting minutes
- Motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:10 p.m.
Town Council Meeting
The Town Council approved several infrastructure funding requests and a collective bargaining agreement for public safety dispatchers. The council denied a request for a Domino's location to extend its operating hours to 2:00 a.m.
- Approved $310,900 contract amendment with Pare Corporation for water and sewer design in Ashton and Berkeley
- Approved low-interest loan application up to $374,143 for the municipal road and bridge revolving fund
- Approved collective bargaining agreement for Public Safety Dispatchers including a 3% retroactive and 4% FY26 increase
- Approved $13,850 payment to Statewide Plumbing and Heating Inc. for a water heater at the Public Safety Complex
- Approved $25,964 for well pump and motor replacement at Franklin Farm Well #2 via Weston and Sampson
Town Council Meeting
The council approved the September 17 minutes, granted a municipal mobile food license to Atomic Blonde Ice Cream, and adopted resolution R-25-54 abandoning a portion of Kilburn Street for the BF Norton Elementary School construction, including an easement for Rhode Island Energy. It also approved a special event entertainment license for the Truck or Treat event at 205 Manville Hill Road on October 25, 2025, and appointed Kerri Austin as confidential assistant to the chief of police. The request for an extended‑hours license for Domino's at 250 Mendon Road was tabled pending further information.
- Acceptance of September 17, 2025 meeting minutes (Consent Agenda)
- Municipal mobile food establishment license issued to Atomic Blonde Ice Cream
- Resolution R-25-54 abandoning part of Kilburn Street for BF Norton Elementary School, with easement for Rhode Island Energy
- Entertainment license for Truck or Treat event at 205 Manville Hill Road, Oct. 25, 2025
- Appointment of Kerri Austin as confidential assistant to the chief of police
Planning Board Meeting
The Cumberland Planning Board will approve July 31 minutes and receive the Director’s report. It will hold public hearings on several major land development projects, including Haley’s Commons, an RI Energy training facility expansion, Blackstone Residences, and the Steeple & Stone affordable‑housing redevelopment. A minor home addition and a presentation on zoning resiliency will also be considered.
- Haley’s Commons – request for two three‑unit buildings, one two‑unit building, and conversion of an existing building into two units at 75 Manville Hill Road; three of ten units will be affordable.
- RI Energy Training Facility – expansion of the Rhode Island Energy site with a worker training center at 1595 Mendon Road, 96 Scott Road, and 38 Scott Road.
- Blackstone Residences – 16‑unit condominium with four affordable units at 618 Broad Street.
- Steeple & Stone – revision to increase affordable rental units from 44 to 60 at 295 and 305 Broad Street.
- AJ Home Addition – two‑family residential building with two affordable units at 50 Oakwood Avenue.
Special Town Council Meeting
The Town Council met for a special session to discuss real property acquisition and potential litigation. The council voted to seal the minutes of the meeting.
- Executive session regarding acquisition of real property for public purposes
- Executive session regarding potential litigation
License Commission Meeting
The Cumberland Board of Licensing met on September 17, 2025 to consider several license applications. It approved a temporary outdoor serving license for Furna Bar & Restaurant at 422 High Street for a fundraiser on October 12‑13, 2025. It approved a Class F license for Adams Farms LLC at 158 Burnt Swamp Road to operate a Beer Garden on multiple weekends from September 20 to November 2, 2025, pending building official approval. It approved a Class F‑1 license for Friends of Franklin Farm Association for its Harvest Festival on September 27‑28, 2025, pending final tent inspection.
- Temporary outdoor serving license – Furna Bar & Restaurant, 422 High Street, fundraiser Oct 12‑13, 2025 – approved
- Class F license – Adams Farms LLC, 158 Burnt Swamp Road, Beer Garden on specified dates Sep 20‑Nov 2, 2025 – approved pending building official approval
- Class F‑1 license – Friends of Franklin Farm Association, Harvest Festival Sep 27‑28, 2025 – approved pending final tent inspection
Town Council Meeting
The Cumberland Town Council voted to substitute ordinance #25-19A for #25-19, adopting a tax stabilization agreement with Hartford Holdings for the Historic Ann & Hope Mill. The council also approved real estate supplements of $9,624.98, mobile food licenses for Shawarma Brothers and La Loncherita, a fourth‑class victualling house license for Don Quintin Asados LLC, and special event entertainment licenses for Truck or Treat and a Color Run fundraiser. The tax agreement provides the town $5.6 million over 20 years plus a $25,000 voluntary contribution for public amenities.
- Approval of municipal mobile food establishment licenses for Shawarma Brothers and La Loncherita Food Truck
- Approval of real estate supplements totaling $9,624.98
- Approval of a fourth‑class victualling house license for Don Quintin Asados LLC, 1800 Mendon Road, Unit K13
- Approval of special event entertainment licenses for Truck or Treat at Garvin Elementary School (Oct 5 2025) and Color Run Fundraiser at Cumberland Monastery (Oct 3‑4 2025)
- Adoption of tax stabilization agreement ordinance #25-19A for Historic Ann & Hope Mill, providing $5.6 million over 20 years and a $25,000 voluntary contribution