New Town Council, School Committee Members Sworn In, Wilcox Named Council President

By Cynthia Drummond for BRVCA

RICHMOND – The five members of the new Town Council were sworn in Tuesday, after departing councilors read their closing remarks.

School Committee members Jessica Purcell and Karen Reynolds, both Democrats who won reelection, also took the Oath of Office.

The Goodbyes

Council President Mark Trimmer and Michael Colasantewere the only councilors to lose their bids for reelection.

Samantha Wilcox was the only incumbent to be reelected, and Helen Sheehan and council Vice President Richard Nassaneydid not run for reelection,

Newly-elected to the council were Democrats Mark Reynolds,Jim Palmisciano and Dan Madnick and Republican, Jeffrey Dinsmore

Helen Sheehan led the farewell remarks.

“Over these two years, I have come to appreciate the difficulty of government. It’s so much more difficult than in business and I have struggled with some of the limitations in that system,” she said.

Sheehan also urged the new council to try to control the unfunded government mandates borne by the Chariho School District.

Michael Colasante implored the new council to relieve the property tax burden.

Referring to the expansion of Riverhead Building Supply on Kingstown Road, he suggested the council return the additional tax revenue from that project to the taxpayers.

“My challenge to the new council, we have that beautiful, big building that Riverhead is building,” he said. “It’s 200,000 square feet. It’s going to bring in in excess of $200,000 in new tax revenue to the town. I would like to see you take a good step forward and, for a change, instead of spending every dime of new tax revenue that comes in, that this new council will take into consideration the many people that stood at the podium during our tenure that were practically in tears over their taxes. … I would like to challenge the new council when that new tax revenue comes in, you don’t spend it on pet projects. Give it back to the taxpayers.”

Samantha Wilcox thanked Town Clerk Erin Liese and Town Administrator Karen Pinch for overseeing six elections during her term.

She then thanked the departing council members, Trimmer, Sheehan and Nassaney, and also, the voters who had reelected her.

There was no thank-you to Colasante, with whom Wilcox had frequently disagreed.

Reached Wednesday, Wilcox said the omission had not been accidental.

“I just didn’t know what to say,” she said. “It felt disingenuous to say anything. I wanted our council to leave on a good note.”

Richard Nassaney thanked those people, his wife in particular,who had supported him through four council terms.

“She is the only reason why I was able to stay here for the past eight years,” he said.

Nassaney also thanked the late Planning Board member, Dick Millar, for encouraging him to get involved in town government, and police Chief Elwood Johnson and Karen Pinch for their support. He also had some advice for the new councilors.

“You’re servants,” he said. “As long as you keep that in your heart and understand that you are a servant, nothing more, nothing less. … They’re going to come here, they’re going to bitch at you, they’re going to come here, they’re going to praise you, they come here, they’re going to attack you, but you’re here for them. You signed up for this.”

Outgoing council President Mark Trimmer has served three terms on the council, as a member, a Vice President and finally, President. His most recent term was probably the most contentious and divisive.

A former Republican who prefers collaboration to combat, Trimmer ran afoul of the Richmond Republican Town Committee, left the local Republican party and ranunsuccessfully for reelection as an Independent.

With Republicans dominating the previous council, Trimmer said he had made a commitment to support Wilcox, the only Democrat. The new council has four Democrats and a single Republican.

“So now, the inverse is taking place,” he said. “We have Jeffrey Dinsmore as the one minority on the council, and I sincerely, sincerely ask the four Democrats to please reciprocate and make sure that Jeffrey has a voice.”

Choosing the Council President

Mark Reynolds nominated Samantha Wilcox, the highest vote-getter, as council President. Palmisciano seconded the motion. Dinsmore then nominated Reynolds for President, but Reynolds did not accept the nomination, saying he felt that Wilcox was better-suited to the position.

“I appreciate the sentiment, Jeff,” Reynolds said. “I respectfully decline.”

The vote for Wilcox as President was four to one, with Dinsmore casting the dissenting vote.

Palmisciano nominated Reynolds for Vice President and Dinsmore seconded the motion. The vote for Reynolds was unanimous.

New Council Priorities

Wilcox listed several priorities for the new council.

“I do think that sustainable growth has been a priority to both parties, and that comes in a lot of different fortms,” she said. “I also think our hazard mitigation plan wasn’t addressed enough, and that needs to be a priority of this council.My final priority really is the community center and the senior center and  supporting our seniors.”

Wilcox said she had been actively recruiting volunteers for the town’s Elder Affairs Commission.

“I have two volunteers,” she said. “I just need one more.”