SAVE NORTH KINGSTOWN
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56% of Registered NK Voters are Independent
Rickey Thopson For North ingstown Town Council
Hello, I’m North Kingstown Town Council candidate Rickey Thompson.
About me:
I’m married - retired professional with a degree in Design Engineering complimented with continuing education, seminars, workshops and experience. I began my professional career as a Designer advancing to middle management positions including Engineering Manager, Manufacturing Manager to Senior Plant and Corporate Management positions. I have extensive Budget, P&L, Processes and Services improvement experience which I will apply to the betterment of our Town Government and services.
Why I relocated to North Kingstown:
In consideration to rural character, reasonable property taxes and an excellent school system, my wife and I decided to build our dream home in North Kingstown 30+ years ago. Among much, I have fond memories of living in North Kingstown’s Hoskins Park and attending Fishing Cove School. Truth be told, we enjoy our neighborhood, neighbors and North Kingstown as a whole.
Why I consistently attend Town Council and Subcommittee meetings:
As professionals, my wife and I worked long hours such that other than paying taxes and believing that our Town Officials worked in the best interests of Residents/Taxpayers, we were not involved with our Town Government. After retirement, I decided to become proactive within our Town Government. An effort that continues today.
Town Council initiatives that I’ve spoke against:
- De-regulation of our Drinking Water Protections
- Unnecessary Property Tax Increases.
- Abandoning Sub-Committee Liaisons.
- Post Road Corridor Plan.
- Delaying Post Rd North sewers.
Why I am a Candidate for Town Council:
- I support reappointing a Town Council Liaison to our School Committee.
- I support re-establishing our Drinking Water Protections.
- I support applying surpluses to reduce/eliminate a tax increase.
- I support the relocation of Post Rd power line poles.
- I support the addition of Post Rd North Sewers.
- I support development adhering to our Comprehensive Plan.
Sincerely,
Rickey Thompson
rthompson4nktc@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/RickeyThompson4NKTC
North Kingstown Police, Fire and School Facility Goals from an NK Taxpayer:
Nov ‘7’, 2023: As most are aware, NK Voters overwhelmingly voted No to the Police, Fire and School Mega Bond.
Nov ‘8’, 2023: Without explanation, an NK Town Official stated that the Bond(s) would be on the ballot again.
In support of and respect for our Police, Fire, Schools and Taxpayers, my goal is to provide facilities that Town employee’s/students deserve while minimizing the added tax burden on NK Taxpayers such that if I’m included on a Town Council majority election change, and the 2024 Mega Bonds are not approved on Election Day, I will immediately work towards the following:
-Contact the building rehabilitation expert who spoke publicly at NK Town meetings stating that “Town Officials are going about this incorrectly and that Wickford Middle School and our Safety Complex buildings can be properly rehabbed” - for his professional recommendations.
-Seek local expert volunteer’s assistance to review these buildings as related to requirements and needs - for their professional recommendations.
-I will seek out a building rehab friendly architect.
-Wickford Middle: full evaluation for requirements including potential additions and appropriate updates in phased renovations.
-For 'multiple' reasons including that today’s fire trucks are too large for our existing Safety Complex building, I propose that we build a new Fire Dept Headquarters on Ten Rod Rd.
-I propose that we appropriately renovate and update our existing Safety Complex in phases in its entirety for our Police Dept.
North Kingstown Mega Bond Fact:
‘2023’ – NK Town Officials determined that the existing Police/Fire Safety Complex needed to be demolished and rebuilt on the existing property. Moreover, Town Officials opposed resident’s suggestions for short-long term Taxpayer savings and improved resident safety response time coverage via building the Fire Station Headquarters on Ten Rod Rd and properly updating the existing (Safety Complex) building in phases for our Police Dept. Town Officials were adamantly opposed to separating Police and Fire headquarters.
‘2024’ – Contradicting their 2023 Mega Bond statements, Town Officials now view the existing Safety Complex property as too small for both Police and Fire prompting their revised Mega Bond to include building a new Police headquarters in Quonset and demolishing – building a new Fire Headquarters on the existing property. Contrary to what is being touted, there will no longer be an NK Safety Complex.
As stated by a ranking Fire officer, “We should look at building new Fire Headquarters in Lafayette.”
As stated by a ranking Police officer, “We don’t need shiny new, we are only asking for something that works.”
North Kingstown Mega Bond Fact:
The $137Million Middle School Mega Bond Ballot question is at best vague, here’s why: NK Town Officials decided that the 2024 School Bond would combine 2 Bonds as 1 Bond (sound familiar?) to include:
1.Remediation & demolition of the existing Wickford Middle School and construction/equipping/furnishing of a new Middle School @ $77Million.
2.Upgrades & repairs to our High School, Davisville Middle and our Elementary Schools @ $60Million.
Town Officials stated that combining the 2 separate Bond items provides access to the High School, Davisville Middle and our Elementary Schools $60Million upgrade/repair Bond dollars if/when the new Middle School is over budget which is true in many RI School construction projects. Furthermore, based on the words of a Taxpayer paid for consultant, if an alleged Wickford Middle fields junk yard is discovered during construction, remediation will be very expensive.
Bottom line, as is, there is a distinct possibility that some/much of the High School, Davisville Middle and our Elementary Schools $60Million upgrade/repair dollars could be diverted to the new Middle School construction. Then again, as stated by NK Town Officials, there will certainly be additional future school bonds on top of this Mega Bond.
North Kingstown Mega Bond Fact:
‘2023’ – NK Town Officials determined that a combined Middle School will be constructed on the Quidnessette Elementary School site. That is until knowledgeable residents jumped thru proverbial hoops to convince Town officials that this area is not unsuitable for new construction due to the high-water table. Officials eventually yielded averting a multi-million-dollar NK taxpayer disaster.
‘2024’ – NK Town Officials determined that a newly constructed Wickford Middle School will be constructed on the Wickford Middle School fields followed by razing the existing Wickford Middle school building. This despite the real possibility that the Wickford fields were once used as a junk yard and as stated by the town paid for engineer, “if discovered during construction, remediation will be costly to NK taxpayers” via an additional multi-million-dollar Bond.
As a resident stated, who would build their home on a junk yard?
North Kingstown Mega Bond Fact:
-Across RI, planned or in process City and Town building construction (Schools etc.) are found to be significantly over budget from the Taxpayer approved Bonds prompting Officials to seek additional funding via Taxes or additional Taxpayer Bonds.
- Across RI, construction sites are requiring unplanned-expensive land remediation to complete building construction prompting Officials to seek additional funding via Taxes or additional Taxpayer Bonds.
-NK Town Officials are aware that the requested NK Bond for the 2 (separate) Police and Fire buildings does not cover the upfront cost for the construction of these 2 building’s i.e. significant additional Taxpayer dollars will be required to cover known and potential unknown costs.
-Per resident’s accounts, an NK Taxpayer paid expert cautioned NK Town Officials that remediation will be costly if/when found during construction.
-NK Town Officials have stated that they will seek additional Taxpayer Bonds following the November 7, 2024 Bonds.
-A Building Rehab Expert has publicly advised NK Officials that they are “going about this the wrong way” and “these building can be and are worth saving.”
“FIXING POST RD”
A North Kingstown Developer said it best when he publicly and passionately advised our Planning Commission that “the North Kingstown Post Rd restrictions are deterring Post Rd business development.” That was 8 years ago! The North Kingstown Post Road District zoning also known as the Post Road Corridor Plan is ineffective, at times oppressive and in need of an overhaul. Post Rd North (East Greenwich) and Post Rd South (Narragansett) have thrived, and so can Post Rd North Kingstown. When elected to our Town Council I will:
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Recommend and vote for the immediate review and update of Post Road ordinances to revise restrictive Post Rd business regulations.
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Recommend and vote to establish a town-wide program to assist the owners of vacant business property attract potential tenants or buyers.
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Support the Post Rd façade improvement program.
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Vote to move forward on taxpayer approved Post Rd North sewers.
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Recommend the review of the Post Road diet for improvements and sustainability.
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Recommend the review - proposal of Post Rd utility easements to assist business development.
-Rickey Thompson
((More pics of the Post Rd on the 'NK Issues' page))
2022 TC Comment
This Council recently decided against freezing our School Departments unrestricted fund balance pending the resolution of the current School investigation.
This being said, I would like to ask if this Council has contingencies in place to protect North Kingstown Taxpayers should Town, State and now Federal Investigations become a catalyst for litigation and probable monetary damages?
Thank you OR
NO
I will close by stating that I am at a loss as to why this Council would authorize thousands of taxpayer dollars to “review a yet” to be completed investigation reports while “not” considering strategies to protect your constituents.
2022 TC Comment
I have 3 comments as follows -
First, I would like to thank Chief Kettelle and our Fire Department staff for their well-planned efforts in handing out COVID test kits yesterday.
Second, In reference to this evening’s agenda item #15, I’ve previously heard and read that the town will be reaching out for public input for the spending of our ARPA funds. If I may ask, are you still planning to seek public input?
Finally, as a concerned resident and regular attendee of our Groundwater Committee meetings, for the record I ask that you be aware that I am in agreement with and support Kevin Maloney’s public comments and concerns pertaining to the Proposed Amendments to our Groundwater Recharge and Protection Overlay Districts. I’m hopeful that your diligence includes fully understanding that these changes could and probably will adversely affect our drinking water in the future.
Thank you.
2022 TC Comment
Frankly I’m concerned; actually I’m alarmed that this Council is considering the downgrading of our Aquifer and Wellhead protections. Here’s why:
I’ve attended meetings whereas this Council has approved an inaccurate, incorrect and conflicting water infrastructure report. Additionally, I’ve been in attendance of meetings whereas this Council has allowed for intense developments within groundwater areas in conflict of North Kingstown Ordinances.
As is North Kingstown Town Officials keep assuring me that they will safeguard our drinking water.
- This is despite years of salt storage violations/complaints to our Town Officials who continue to allow salt to be stock piled within GW2.
- Despite violations/complaints to the Town Officials who continue to allow for the storage of industrial diesel and gas equipment within GW1.
- Despite major septic system complaints to Town Official’s that refuse to investigate resident concerns. I will also share that opposed to investigating resident complaints, our Water Director told ME to speak with DEM, so I did. A DEM official advised me to call their Compliance Office if North Kingstown Town Officials do not react to future septic issue complaints.
Most importantly, DEM explained that North Kingstown Town Officials (NOT DEM) determine North Kingstown Zoning and that DEM’s involvement is when there is a spill that may or does adversely affect/contaminate our groundwater. This being true, WHY are you even considering the changing of North Kingstown’s UNCONTESTED Wellhead and aquifer protections. WHY NOW?
I am asking that you stand up for your constituent’s wellbeing and preserve our Wellhead and Aquifer protections. It’s just not worth the risk. Please vote NO to this proposed amendment.
Thank you.
2019 TC Comment
With respect to agenda item #14
As a resident that has personally experienced unwanted after dark solicitation I am in full support of preventing after dark solicitation and with consideration to all including the elderly, moms and children, I am hopeful that you will vote to stop this unnecessary practice.
Thank you
2022 TC Comment
First I would like to thank all involved and especially Mr. Mollis for his efforts in developing yet another simple and concise budget. Nice job!
I have 5 budget questions for this council:
Page 19 – Why the reduction in Ocean State Job Lot’s PILOT?
Page 66 – Why a 10% increase in our Water Dept. Metered Sales?
What is the total Water Dept. surplus?
Page 70 – Why a 17% increase in our Sewer Dept. Allocated Cost?
Lastly, I appreciate the 2022 budget returning a 5th consecutive year of 7 figure budget surpluses. I’m sure you recall that opposed to exceeding the $15M undesignated fund cap, this council approved shifting the 2021 – 7 figure surplus to a fund outside of the undesignated fund. I did not agree with that decision.
Considering that our Undesignated Fund is in excess of $15M, I would like to ask this council if they have or will consider returning the 2022 surplus to taxpayers via a reduction to our property tax rate?
As I’ve stated, I appreciated everyone’s effort on the FY23 budget but after much research and thought I’ve decided to comment again regarding the proposed FY23 budget increase as it relates to the Undesignated Fund Balance. While I believe that a proper budget should include all planned expenditures, I do not believe that the Undesignated Fund Balance should grow to the point that it is also used for planned expenditures. In fact, based on recent discussions, my perception and concern is that the Undesignated Fund Balance will morph into something other than what it is intended for. Considering there has been 5 consecutive years of significant surpluses and that experience has shown that there will be a FY23 surplus, I would like to simply propose the following:
- Apply the FY22 surplus of $2M to the proposed FY23 budget increase of $2.3M
- The Premium Offset Account is not currently required allowing for $300K of Undesignated Fund Balance to be allocated to the FY23 budget
- This will allow for full funding of the proposed FY23 budget without a tax increase while maintaining a healthy Undesignated Fund Balance.
Thank you
2022 TC Comment
My comment is in reference to item agenda #20.
Last summer I first heard that heard that North Kingstown Wells #3, 7, 8 were removed from service due to Manganese contamination.
This was soon followed by Well #10 being taken out of service due to sand being pulled or sucked thru the pumps. I can only guess why that was happening.
Then last week I heard that Well #6 has been taken out of service. This means that 45% of our Wells have been removed from service.
I mention this as this evening’s Agenda Item #20 speaks to extensive drilling off of Dyer Ave and the existing Well #6 parcel for a possible replacement location for Well #6. If I may, I have 3 questions –Why was Well #6 removed from service?
-Why did the potential replacement Dyer Ave and Well #6 areas fail?
-May I receive a copy of the Dyer Ave and Well #6 areas test drill reports?
Back up material indicates that more money is requested to locate an area with better water quality.
Thank you
2022 TC Comment
For my clarification, I would like to ask if the Town Council votes to approve this agenda item #9, will the development will be allowed to hook up to the existing Wickford junction Septic system opposed to siting a dedicated septic system away from our aquifer?
The Wickford Junction septic system is 27 years old, dysfunctional at times with a history of poor maintenance and compounding the issues it is a condominium septic system with a known history of lack of responsibility.
The developer’s attorney has offered that should the system fail that it would be inappropriate to shut it down. In fact, to date there has not been a viable solution should the system fails which of course means a potential to probable polluting of our aquifer. The truth be told there is far too many questions opposed to answers to allow this proposed development to connect to this problematic septic system. I mean the town can’t even keep Wickford Junction from storing on site piles of salt never mind the upkeep of an aging septic system.
I strongly believe that this has the potential of becoming a serious health and safety issue such that I would like to ask if you have sought out expert advice similar to your recent approval of an expert evaluating our water infrastructure and if not will you consider doing so before you approve this agenda item.
Thank you
2022 TC Comment
While I appreciate everyone’s effort on the FY23 budget, after much research and thought I’ve decided to again comment regarding the proposed budget increase as it relates to the Undesignated Fund Balance.
While I firmly believe that a budget should include all planned expenditures, I do not believe that the Undesignated Fund Balance should grow to the point that it is also used for planned expenditures. In fact, based on recent discussions, my perception and concern is that the Undesignated Fund Balance is morphing into something other than its intent.
Considering that FY23 will likely produce a 6th consecutive year of significant surpluses, I would like to propose the following:
- Apply the FY22 surplus of $2M to the proposed FY23 budget increase of $2.3M
- The Premium Offset Account is not currently required allowing for $300K of the Undesignated Fund Balance to be allocated to the FY23 budget
This will allow for full funding of the proposed FY23 budget without a property tax increase while maintaining a healthy Undesignated Fund Balance.
Lastly, because I believe that opportunities exist, I am requesting that opposed to allowing annual property tax increases, I ask that this council lead the way towards improved operations, expenses and savings. Please reference page 8 of the FY23 budget.
Thank you
2019 TC Comment
You may recall that during the public comment period of the June 10 Town Council meeting I referenced the Independent Newspaper article titled “NK Council says settlements have town on the right path” and your quote Mr. Mancini indicating that “there were 12 lawsuits that have taken a lot of Councils time.”
Specifically I was asking if the settled lawsuit minutes were available to the public. I appreciated your clarification and your offer to send me the list of lawsuits as listed in the NK audit report….thank you Mr. Callaghan for sending me the list.
Tonight I am back before you because either I am misreading, misunderstanding or the supplied information is not correct. Here’s why:
- This council’s executive session agenda’s only indicate 5 lawsuits.
- The supplied list does not include 12 open lawsuits.
- The Independent article quotes you in referencing the Turning Point lawsuit Mr. Mancini; I believe that the Turning Point and Wickford El lawsuits are missing from this list.
- Lastly this list includes a number of lawsuits and or zoning etc. issues that have been resolved or settled 2, 3 or more years ago. Am I correct in assuming that any settled lawsuit’s minutes have been unsealed? Where can I locate unsealed minutes?
2022 TC Comment
My comments are in reference to this evening’s agenda
item # 49.
A brief story prior to my request -
Election Day 2012 I engaged 2 students representing Bob Jones outside of Stony Lane Polling Place. They explained much to me about Mr. Jones hi-liting his care for our schools and students alike. Truth be told, their energy, understanding and excitement at the thought of Mr. Jones representing them on our School Committee was off the charts. In fact, these 2 students convinced me to vote for Mr. Jones in 2012 and just as important, Mr. Jones work on our School Committee convinced me to vote for him every election thereafter. In consideration to everything including this past year’s turmoil in our schools and School Committee, I am hopeful that the members of this council will agree with me in that this appointment should NOT be about the politics but rather it should be about our schools and most importantly our students.
There can be no denying that Mr. Jones has the experience, knowledge and ability to be an effective member of our School Committee.
This being said, I am asking that you appoint Mr. Jones for the good of our School Committee, our students and the whole of North Kingstown. Thank you
Letter: Rolling Greens fight is far from over Sep 15, 2022
Thirteen (13) years ago, I received Town notice of the proposed Rolling Greens development which was in violation of North Kingstown’s Comprehensive Plan, Zoning, Ordinances, Water Service Map, Urban Services Boundary and in conflict with experts Horsley Witten and 4Ward Planning. In response, residents packed Town Planning and Council meetings to voice their substantiated objections as Town Officials turned a deaf ear to their constituents.
The Rolling Greens-Town approval process grinded on for over two years, revealing the Rolling Greens developer’s personal relationships with multiple North Kingstown elected and appointed Town Officials. The Rolling Greens apparent done deal development was approved without consideration to resident concerns or the protested deficient public hearing advertising. Subsequently, residents filed a lawsuit against the Town and after a year of the Town working closely with the developer and his attorney, the Judge sided with the residents in reversing the Town’s approval of the Rolling Greens development.
Following the Judge’s decision, town officials immediately began proceedings to steam-roll the re-approval of the Rolling Greens development and despite packed meetings and continued resident objections, the Rolling Greens development was re-approved. Residents responded in kind by filing another lawsuit to which our Town Officials again worked closely with the developer and his attorney. As time and residents’ costs mounted, residents decided to withdraw from the lawsuit. Town Officials and the developer then attempted to attach multiple resident withdrawal conditions including prohibiting residents from speaking publicly about Rolling Greens. Residents declined to surrender their constitutional rights prompting Town Officials and the developer to allow residents to dismiss the lawsuit without conditions.
Resident objections continued as town officials and the developer attempted additional circumventing of North Kingstown ordinances. It was during this period that the resident’s attorney discovered a defect in the Town-approved Rolling Greens Master Plan which as agreed to by the Town Solicitor, halted the Rolling Greens proceedings. Interestingly, neither the developer nor the town attempted to correct the defect. That is until a newly elected Town Council publicly corrected and reset the Rolling Greens Zoning prompting the developer to file a $10 million lawsuit against North Kingstown. The resident’s attorney’s effort to assist the town were rejected, leaving our Town Officials and the developer to reach a settlement behind closed doors without resident input.
I personally appealed the North Kingstown-Rolling Greens developer settlement and lost. Believing that among much including the judge not getting it, I am now preparing to file my position(s) to the State Supreme Court and by the way, the Town will again work with the developer’s attorney against me. The truth be told, unlike the Rolling Greens developer, I nor other involved residents have ever pursued monetary damages or attorney fees against North Kingstown as I/we only sought and still seek appropriate North Kingstown business and residential development.
Rickey Thompson
North Kingstown
"North Kingstown’s Town drinking water is drawn from (underground) aquifers which are vulnerable to contamination. Until recently, measured levels of contamination in our drinking water was considered safe for consumption. Unfortunately, that has changed prompting the closure of nearly 50% of Town Wells due to unsafe levels of contamination. THEN, without concern to the growing contamination of our Town wells (drinking water), Councilors Mancini, Page and Anderson decided to take a huge step backwards by voting to DOWNGRADE our aquifer and Well Protections. WHY? Furthermore, after our Water Director publicly stated that there was no reason for the downgrading our drinking water, I publicly asked Councilors Mancini, Page and Anderson “why are you downgrading our drinking water protections” - they did NOT respond. IF ELECTED TO OUR TOWN COUNCIL, I pledge to vote to re-establish our drinking water protections. Vote Independent for Change."
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Completed the restoration of our historic Town Hall”
FACT – Town Hall renovations were the effort of the NK Town Manager and NK Public Works
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Enacted the Homestead Exemption for property tax relief”
FACT – The Homestead Exemption was the result of NK Town Manager’s efforts
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Secured nearly $675,000 in grants for climate-related programs”
FACT – NK Planning Dept secured those grants
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Allocated funding for infrastructure repairs and upgrades”
FACT – NK Asset Commission recommended and the NK Town Manager budgeted these items
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Protected North Kingstown’s water supply”
FACT – OUT RIGHT LIE, the Town Council majority (Mancini, Page & Anderson) downgraded our drinking water protections
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Restored School funding”
FACT – Approved less funding than the School Dept requested
DEM MIS-STATEMENT – “Renovated three playgrounds and planned upgrades to the Pickle Ball courts at Wilson Park”
FACT – This was a joint NK Recreation & Public Works initiative.
