In accordance with notice to members of the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, a meeting was held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. located at the Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI.

Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Patricia Reynolds
Susan Forcier, DEM
Micheal Reuter, DPM
Joseph Russolino
Steven Izzi
Kevin Flynn

Staff Present
Jeffrey M. Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Richard Lucia, Environmental Engineer IV
Mark Hartmann, Assoc Legal Counsel
Laura Dwyer, Education/Information Coordinator
Ryan Moore, IT
Lisa Turner, Recording Secretary

1. CALL TO ORDER

The Semimonthly Meeting was called to order by Chair Coia at approximately 6:07 p.m.

2. Review/Action of the Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The Council considered approval of the November 25, 2025 meeting minutes.

Motion: Mr. Russolino
Second: Dr. Reuter
Vote: All in favor.
Outcome: Motion passed. November 25, 2025 Semimonthly Meeting minutes approved.

3. Subcommittee Reports

No formal Subcommittee report.

4. Staff Reports

Mr. Willis Reported:

• Meeting with US State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Program to discuss maritime workforce development with delegations from Japan and Korea.
• FAB meetings ongoing
• Only one meeting in December

5. Applications which have been Out To Notice for 30-Days and are before the Council for Review and Action:

Attorney Sean Coffey of the firm DarrowEverett, LLP was present and representing all three applications.

Attorney Hartman explained that each application needed to be heard on their own.

2025-01-022 THE DUNES CLUB – Proposed maintenance consisting of installing a new Fiberglass Reinforced Sheetpile (FRP) within 12” of the existing concrete footing. The FRP will be anchored back by drilling through the existing wall above the footing and installing anchors prior to installation of the FRP. The tie-rod and top of the FRP will be encased in reinforced concrete cap. The work is being proposed to eliminate erosion below the wall/footing. An alternative route for public access is proposed while the work is being performed. Work would be scheduled during the winter months. Located at plat A, lot 33; 137 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI.

Attorney Coffey gave a brief explanation of the history of the seawall stating that a maintenance assent was received in 1992 to maintain the seawall but that with the 2023 and 2024 winter storms there is scouring, sand settlement beyond the seawall and collapsing under the wall. In order to withstand the energy of future storms, the applicant is looking to have deeper sheetpile under the wall with no additional facing to the wall.

Attorney Coffey stated that The Dunes Club is on the list of historic places in Rhode Island. It was also stated that The Dunes Club is known to be open to public access along the shore all the way to the Narrows.

Stephen Sterling, the long-time Manager of the Dunes Club was present and the first witness. Hewas sworn in and identified himself for the record. Mr. Sterling gave a brief history of The Dunes Club.

Mr. Sterling stated that The Dunes Club had partnered with the abutting property owners, who were also experiencing scouring at their seawalls, to create a plan to help protect the coastal resource.

Mr. Sterling confirmed that he had read the staff reports for all three properties.

Mr. Sterling stated that The Dunes Club is in discussions with the Town of Narragansett regarding the dredged sand from the Narrow River being used for beach nourishment at The Dunes Club. Mr. Willis explained that the town if working/partnering to do dredging at the mouth of the Narrow River and that the sediment from that project would be placed so that if placed at the southern end of the beach, it would work its way back naturally to the beach.

Mr. Lucia explained that the hightide mark was a good 10’ from the seawall. Mr. Sterling stated that during unusually high tides, the water will come to the seawall.

Mr. Sterling confirmed that public access would be provided during construction.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of the project stating that a few iterations of plans had been submitted and eventually toned down.

Mr. Lucia stated that comments were received from Save The Bay, Surfriders and the Narrow River
Preservation Association. Comments were regarding erosion rates, continued public access and the potential to provide beach nourishment through the future dredge project.

Mr. Lucia stated that staff was concerned that any failure of the current wall could impact public access, therefore, staff had no objections to this project. There were specific project related stipulations recommended if approved.

Attorney Coffey introduced the additional project representatives and potential witnesses: Danni Goulet, PE, Todd Turcotte, Pare Engineering, and Matt Melchiori, Reagan Marine

Attorney Coffey explained that the 1’ seawall expansion beyond the existing seawall is to accept the new sheeting material.

Attorney Coffey asked about staff stipulations E3 and E4 which set the limit of work on the project to May 15th, 2026 and asked about the possibility of getting a few weeks extension if needed. Attorney Coffey confirmed that if they do go beyond May 15th, the public access agreement would still be in place.

Mr. Goulet was sworn in and identified himself for the record.

Mr. Goulet was concerned that staff stipulation E1 has a limitation that no further seaward expansion could be requested and mentioned that the stipulation was not in conformance with the Redbook.

Attorney Coffey ended their testimony but was open for questioning.

Public Comment:
Speak in favor? No one present.
Speak in opposition? No one present.

It was determined that the Council could agree that if a minor extension beyond May 15th was needed, it could be granted administratively by Mr. Willis.

Mr. Russolino motioned to approve the maintenance application based on tonight’s testimony, CRMC Staff Report with additional staff stipulations and information provided by the applicant.

Ms. Reynolds seconded the motion.

No discussion by Council.

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Susan Forcier, RIDEM Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Outcome: Motion carried.

---

2025-01-058 JOHN FRANCIS & DARIA BECKER BARRY REV TRUST -- Proposed maintenance consisting of installing a new Fiberglass Reinforced Sheetpile (FRP) within 12” of the existing footing at the straight section of concrete seawall. The FRP will be anchored back by drilling through the existing wall above the footing and installing anchors prior to installation of the FRP. The tie-rod and top of the FRP will be encased in reinforced concrete cap. In the area of curved section of wall, the existing cap will be cutback to allow the FRP to be installed within 12” of the existing sheeting. A replacement cap will be installed to encapsulate the top of sheet. An alternative route for public access is proposed while the work is being performed. Work would be scheduled during the winter months. Located at plat A, lot 34; 131 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI.

Mr. Lucia gave a brief overview of this project stating that this property is located just south of The Dunes Club and that the work is very similar to The Dunes Club project except that the Barry seawall is bowed. Mr. Lucia stated that the proposal is to drive sheetpiles in front of the bowed wall. This project will be done at the same time as the other two projects and with all the same rules and stipulations.

Mr. Lucia stated that there were no staff objections to the project.

Attorney Coffey rested on the previous application’s testimony, that Mr. Sterling’s testimony be adopted for the purpose of this application and that the issues with staff stipulation E1 and E3 be addressed as well.

Public Comment:
Speak in favor? No one present.
Speak in opposition? No one present.

Mr. Russolino motioned to approve the application subject to the standard staff stipulations, the specific staff stipulations identified as E1, E2, E3 and E4 as well as the delegation of the administrative officer to allow additional time to complete work beyond the May 15th date if necessary.

Dr. Reuter seconded the motion.

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Susan Forcier, RIDEM Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Outcome: Motion carried.

---

2025-01-038 JOSEPH HEALEY -- Proposed maintenance consisting of installing a new Fiberglass Reinforced Sheetpile (FRP) within 12” of the existing footing. The FRP will be anchored back by drilling through the existing wall above the footing and installing anchors prior to installation of the FRP. The tie-rod and top of the FRP will be encased in reinforced concrete cap. An alternative route for public access is proposed while the work is being performed. Work would be scheduled during the winter months. Located at plat A, lot 2; 129 Boston Neck Road, Narragansett, RI.

Mr. Lucia stated that this application is further south abutting the Barry property and that the
project work is similar to that of The Dunes Club but with a sloped seawall that is concrete.

Attorney Coffey asked that the testimony of Stephen Sterling by incorporated into this application
as well as concerns about stipulations E1-E4.

There were no questions from the Council.

Public Comment:
Speak in favor? No one present.
Speak in opposition? No one present.

JR – Motion approve application subject to standard staff stipulations and specific staff stipulations
as detailed in the staff report. Mr. Russolino added that the motion included the delegation to the
Administrative Officer to allow additional time beyond May 15th date if necessary.

Mr. Flynn and Dr. Reuter both seconded the motion.

Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Chair Coia did a roll call vote:
Mr. Flynn Aye
Mr. Russolino Aye
Dr. Reuter Aye
Susan Forcier, RIDEM Aye
Ms. Reynolds Aye
Chair Coia Aye

Outcome: Motion carried.

6. ADJOURN

Motion to adjourn:
Motion: Ms. Reynolds
Second: Mr. Flynn

Motion to adjourn approved on a unanimous voice vote.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:10 pm.

 

Minutes respectfully submitted,
Lisa A. Turner, Recording Secretary

 

CALENDAR INDEX