Exeter public meetings in 2020
9 substantive meetings from 2020, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Zoning Board of Review
The Exeter Zoning Board of Review held a regular meeting via Zoom and voted 5-0 to approve a special use permit for Ultimate Fitness LLC at 570B Nooseneck Hill Road, zoned B. The applicants, Joshua and Nansi Lynch, plan to use 4,500 square feet of an existing building for a personal training/fitness center. The board also approved prior meeting minutes and a $60 invoice for Southern RI Newspapers.
- Approved special use permit for Ultimate Fitness LLC at 570B Nooseneck Hill Road (Assessor's Plat 46, Block 2, Lot 5) for a fitness center
- Applicants plan 4,500 sq ft personal training center, 150-200 clients, hours Mon-Fri 5am-8pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 8am-4pm
- Planning Board advisory opinion dated 12/2/2020 reviewed; solicitor noted possible contradiction in ordinance regarding State Development Plan Review (DPR)
- Approved $60 invoice for Southern RI Newspapers
- No applications received for January 14, 2021 meeting
Planning Board Work Session
The Exeter Planning Board held a work session to discuss revising its checklists for Master Plan, Minor Land Development, and Major Land Development applications. Members agreed the current checklists are less comprehensive than those of other communities and identified additions such as peer review, soil erosion control plans, and state-level permit requirements. The discussion will continue with the new Planner.
- Reviewed checklists for Master Plan, Minor Land Development, and Major Land Development projects
- Proposed adding peer review as a required checklist item
- Discussed adding Conservation Opportunity areas from RI DEM Wildlife Action Plan
- Considered including cold water fisheries and impaired water bodies on checklists
- Suggested adding RI Scenic Roadways to checklists
Planning Board Meeting
The Board reviewed the final plan for the Morris Farm Solar project, continuing the discussion to a January meeting. They also approved a minor subdivision on South County Trail with specific conditions regarding drainage and soil types.
- Continued review of Exeter Renewables 1, LLC solar project at 89 Ten Rod Road
- Approved minor subdivision for Jade Investment Group, LLC on South County Trail
- Pre-application discussion for Rocco D’angelo minor subdivision on School Land Woods Rd
- Discussion regarding a special use permit for a fitness center at Twisted Throttle on Rt. 3
Zoning Board of Review
The Exeter Zoning Board of Review held a regular meeting via Zoom, hearing one application for dimensional relief to build a single-family home at East Shore Drive. The board voted 4-1 to approve the requested front and side setback variances, with one member opposed. The board also discussed the 2021 meeting calendar, moving the November 11, 2021 meeting to November 18 due to Veterans Day, and approved minutes and invoices.
- Approved dimensional relief for William A. Manchester Jr. at East Shore Drive (AP 19, Block 13, Lot 2): 30-foot front setback and 15-foot right side setback relief under Zoning Ordinance Article II Sections 2.4.2.4 and 2.4.2.6
- Vote: 4 in favor, 1 opposed on the Manchester application
- Moved November 11, 2021 meeting to November 18, 2021 due to Veterans Day
- Approved October 8, 2020 minutes
- Approved invoices: Southern RI Newspapers $73.75 (second invoice received, total $147.50)
Special Town Council
The Exeter Town Council held a special meeting via Zoom to adopt the annual appropriation and tax levy, using an emergency procedure because the Financial Town Meeting could not be held safely due to Covid-19. The Council approved resolutions for the regional school district operations, the contingency fund, and the tax levy, and directed officials to certify the tax roll and issue tax bills. The meeting was largely procedural, with public comments raising concerns about the process and specific budget items.
- Approved Resolution No. 36: Regional School District operations, level-funded at $12,300,326.00
- Set aside $54,132.00 in the Contingency Fund for a School Resource Officer if schools open
- Approved Resolution No. 29: Contingency Fund appropriation of $148,558.00
- Approved Resolution No. 42: Tax Levy Resolution
- Directed Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, and Treasurer to certify tax roll and issue tax bills, holding motor vehicle excise tax bills pending state guidance
Regular Town Council
The Exeter Town Council held a teleconference meeting due to COVID-19, adopting amendments to the impact fee ordinance (Chapter 14, Article IV) and a resolution to set a hearing for the annual appropriation and tax levy, bypassing a Financial Town Meeting. The impact fee changes redirect fees from schools to public works projects, with a 4-1 vote (Patterson opposed). The budget resolution sets a virtual public hearing for July 28, 2020, and reduces the school budget from $539,000 to $315,355.
- Adopted impact fee ordinance amendments, redirecting fees to public works; over $200,000 in accumulated fees
- Adopted resolution to set budget hearing for July 28, 2020, bypassing Financial Town Meeting
- School budget reduced from $539,000 to $315,355
- Appointed Caetlyn Nichols as Animal Shelter Attendant
- Reappointed William Haas and Donna DiDonato to Planning Board
Regular Town Council
The Exeter Town Council met via Zoom due to COVID-19, extending the municipal state of emergency through July 1, 2020, and setting a Financial Town Meeting for September 15, 2020, with a temporary budget to take effect. The council also approved appointments, a union contract extension, and other administrative items. Public comment raised concerns about DEM violations at the Public Works Garage property.
- Extended municipal state of emergency through July 1, 2020
- Set Financial Town Meeting for September 15, 2020; temporary budget adopted May 26 to take effect
- Approved resolution for emergency declaration to enable temporary budget and tax levy
- Agreed to extend union contracts one year through June 30, 2021
- Appointed Kevin McGovern to Wood-Pawcatuck Wild & Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council
Regular Town Council
The Exeter Town Council held a special meeting via Zoom to present and adopt the municipal budget and capital program for fiscal year 2020-2021. The budget totals $16,608,861, a 2.6% increase over last year, and includes a 2% salary increase for town employees, with the Town Planner receiving a 5% raise. The council also discussed temporary outdoor dining permits and other administrative items.
- Adopted $16,608,861 budget for FY2020-2021, a 2.6% increase
- Approved 5% raise for Town Planner (instead of 2%)
- Rejected $5,000 stipend for Building/Planning/Zoning Coordinator position
- Increased Board of Canvassers budget from $13,100 to $15,500
- Discussed temporary outdoor dining permits for Homestead Restaurant, Cornerstone Pub, and Celestial Café
Regular Town Council
The Exeter Town Council met via teleconference due to COVID-19, approving consent agenda items, awarding contracts for environmental engineering, asphalt paving, and chip seal, and extending the town's emergency declaration. They also discussed a letter to Statewide Planning regarding North Kingstown's rural gateway amendment and continued several items to future meetings.
- Awarded environmental engineering services for 169-175 South County Trail to Tighe & Bond
- Awarded asphalt paving bid to T. Miozzi, Inc.
- Awarded chip seal bid to New England Asphalt Services, LLC
- Approved letter to Statewide Planning seeking revocation of North Kingstown's rural gateway amendment (4-1 vote)
- Extended Declaration of Emergency for FEMA reimbursement eligibility