Minutes

Rights of Way (ROW) Subcommittee Meeting — Tuesday, November 25, 2025; 6:00 p.m.
Administration Building, Conference Room A, One Capitol Hill, Providence, RI

 

Subcommittee Members Present
Raymond Coia, Chair
Ronald Gagnon
Patricia Reynolds

Staff Present
Jeffrey Willis, Executive Director
Laura Miguel, Deputy Director
Leah Feldman
Lisa Turner
Ryan Moore

 

1. Call to Order

The Right-of-Way Subcommittee meeting was called to order by the Chair at approximately 6:17 PM.

2. Approval of Minutes

The Subcommittee considered approval of the August 26, 2025 meeting minutes.

• Motion: To approve the August 26, 2025 minutes.
• Second: Motion was seconded.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Outcome: Motion passed. Minutes approved.

3. Staff Report

No formal staff report was presented. Staff noted:

• The Spring Avenue Extension matter remains active.
• The next Spring Avenue Extension hearing is scheduled for January 6, 2026, at the Westerly Senior Center.
• Additional information will be posted on the CRMC website and distributed to interested parties.

4. Buttonwoods Right-of-Way

CRMC File No. 2019-03-119 – Petition of Richard Langseth

The Subcommittee received a report from legal counsel regarding the status of the Buttonwoods right-of-way matter.

Legal Counsel Summary (Anthony DeSisto & Mark Hartmann)

• The report reviewed whether Buttonwoods Avenue and Comstock Road constitute public rights-of-way to the tidal waters of Rhode Island.
• Counsel concluded that:
  • Dedication occurred via historic platting (notably the 1882 plat).
  • However, formal municipal acceptance by the City of Warwick was not evident.
  • Maintenance authority given to the Buttonwoods Fire District suggests the
    roads may be private in nature.
• Counsel recommended that the Subcommittee not forward the matter to the full Council at this time.
• Instead, a public hearing in Warwick should be scheduled to determine whether
  there has been public use su?icient to establish acceptance by use, the second
  method of acceptance under Rhode Island law.

5. Statements by the Petitioner

Richard Langseth (Petitioner, Pro Se)

Mr. Langseth presented extensive legal argument asserting:

• The Buttonwoods Fire District is a public entity / quasi-municipality, empowered by the General Assembly to levy taxes and maintain roads.
• Acceptance of roads by the Fire District equates to public acceptance.
• Legislative enactments and case law support the conclusion that Buttonwoods Avenue is a public right-of-way.
• He disputed the staff conclusion that acceptance had not occurred and argued that dedication and acceptance were valid through legislative action.

Mr. Langseth requested the opportunity to submit a written rebuttal to the staff report before any public use hearing is scheduled.

6. Procedural Discussion

Subcommittee members and counsel discussed appropriate process and sequence, including:

• Whether the public hearing should proceed before resolving the legal dispute over dedication.
• Agreement that both parties should be allowed to file written responses to the staff legal report before further action.

The Subcommittee determined that it would be premature to schedule a public use hearing until written responses were reviewed.

7. Motion – Continuance & Briefing Schedule

• Motion: To continue the matter and allow both parties to file written responses to the legal staff report.
• Deadline: Responses to be submitted electronically by January 16, 2026 at 3:59 PM.
• No replies or sur-replies will be permitted; responses will be filed simultaneously.
• Second: Motion seconded.
• Vote: Unanimous approval.
• Outcome: Motion passed.

8. Next Steps

• Parties to file written responses by January 16, 2026.
• Subcommittee will review submissions before determining whether and how to proceed with any public hearing.

9. Adjournment

• Motion to Adjourn: Made and seconded.
• Vote: All in favor.
• Meeting Adjourned: Approximately 7:13 PM.