In accordance with notice to members of the RI CRMC Rights-of-Way Subcommittee, a virtual meeting was held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. utilizing the Zoom Platform and Council members participating remotely.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Trish Reynolds
Ronald Gagnon

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
James Boyd, Deputy Director
Anthony DeSisto, Legal Counsel
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary

1. CALL TO ORDER

Right of Way Subcommittee Chair Coia called the meeting to order at 5:32 p.m. and introduced the Subcommittee Members as well as Legal Counsel.

2. Discussion and action on potential sites for designation as Rights-Of-Way to the shore

Mr. Willis explained that the ROW Subcommittee would be discussing on potential sites for designation as Rights of Way to the shore.

Mr. DeSisto introduced several potential Rights-of-Way that had been researched through the Roger Williams Law School Fellows

1. Mumford Road, ROW between Plat B-2, Lots 88, 89, and 90

A request from several residents of the Town of Narragansett asked that a strip of land be designated. The ROW was a part of plat accepted by Narragansett in 1965. Mr. DeSisto explained that the ROW has insipient dedication but has not been accepted by Town and that additional research in Narragansett historical archives it is hoped to determine what happened in 1965 with ROW.

Motion to allow for time for additional research on this matter made by Ms. Reynolds and seconded by Mr. Gagnon.

Roll Call vote:
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Motion approved

2. Portsmouth Rights-of-Way

• 1 Beach Street
• Cedar Avenue (has CRMC signage)
• Fountain Avenue (has CRMC signage)
• East Power Street extends to the shoreline
• Cory’s Lane extends to shoreline

Mr. DeSisto explained that the Roger Williams University Law fellows did leg work on properties of which he reviewed and came to the conclusion that these should be recommended to the Council to designate as CRMC ROW to the shore. The Portsmouth Town Planner, Gary Crosby, had also done much research on the 5 proposed ROWs. Mr. DeSisto explained that although a few of the proposed ROWs had CRMC designation signs, they had not been designated as of yet.

A Public hearing would be scheduled to be held regarding the designation of the five proposed ROWs in the Town of Portsmouth.

Mr. Gagnon motioned to have CRMC staff make arrangements for a public hearing with notice in Portsmouth. Ms. Reynolds seconded the motion.

Roll Call vote:
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Mr. Gagnon Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Passed unanimously

3. Spring Street Extension in Westerly

Mr. DeSisto briefed the Council stating that two memoranda of law was received by CRMC from Weekapaug Fire District on Spring Street and that Attorney Michael Rubin had also filed two legal memoranda with CRMC in response to Weekapaug Fire District’s memoranda. Memoranda were shared by on both sides and the legal memoranda are public documents.

Mr. DeSisto stated that the information contained in the memoranda are being analyzed by Roger Williams Law Fellows as well as further research.

Mr. DeSisto stated a Public Hearing would need to be held but would like to review research of Law Fellows and report to the Subcommittee on needed action.

4. Buttonwoods ROW in Warwick

Document received by CRMC from Richard Langseth. However, no Legal Memoranda was submitted. There is factual and historical data dating back to the turn of the century. Mr. DeSisto stated the would like to review all the materials and write a concise memoranda for the ROW Subcommittee to review

Mr. DeSisto made a proposal to the ROW Subcommittee that they review the following, in order:

Portsmouth ROWs

Mumford ROW, Narragansett

Spring Street, Westerly

Buttonwoods ROW

Mr. Gagnon asked for sketches and maps of ROW locations.

Mr. Willis confirmed that the five Portsmouth sites would have review packages containing public documents on the Council’s website before hearing for their review.

Ms. Reynold asked if there was any opposition for the five Portsmouth ROWs

Mr. Desisto stated that Mr. Crosby, Portsmouth Town Planner had been the main point of contact and that the five Portsmouth ROWs were all heavily used and that the Town of Portsmouth is interested in making sure the five ROWs would be available for use now and in the future.

3. Staff Report

Mr. Willis reported to the Subcommittee that the CRMC ROW interactive page, which was created through the Coastal Institute by Nathan Vinhateiro and Janet Freedman, went live on the CRMC Website earlier in the day.

4. ADJOURN

Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Gagnon
Motion carried on unanimous vote

Meeting adjourned at 5:55 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Lisa A. Turner
Recording Secretary

 

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