We have some heavy lifting to do coming up in the next few months. It’s going to be a very difficult budget season.”

Town Council President Keith Hamilton

Proclamation of Appreciation for Aguiar

Here is the full text of the town's Proclamation of Appreciation for outgoing Town Council President Kevin Aguiar, who did not seek reelection this year:

TOWN OF PORTSMOUTH, RHODE ISLAND

PROCLAMATION OF APPRECIATION

The Town Council, on behalf of the citizens of the Town of Portsmouth, wishes to extend our thanks and appreciation to

KEVIN M. AGUIAR

for his many years of dedicated public service to the Town of Portsmouth.

WHEREAS: Kevin began his service to the Town as a member of the Zoning Board of Review from June 14, 2004 until August 25, 2014. He served as the Vice Chair from June 2004 to June 2010 and as the Chair from June 2010 to August 2014; and

WHEREAS: Kevin then took his desire to serve to the Town Council. He was elected in November 2014 and resigned in November 2024. He served as the Vice President from December 2016 until November 2018 and as the President from December 2018 until November 2024; and

WHEREAS: Kevin was a thoughtful and intelligent Town Councilor and Zoning Board Member, who always did his homework and was very well prepared for each meeting; and

WHEREAS: Kevin was able to use his experience as an engineer to better inform himself, the Town Council, the Zoning Board, and the residents of Portsmouth; and

WHEREAS: Kevin has dedicated two decades of service to the Town.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Town Council of the Town of Portsmouth, not only for itself, but on behalf of the citizens of this community, expresses its deep gratitude to

KEVIN M. AGUIAR

for his unwavering dedication to public service, steadfast leadership, and the thoughtful decisions that have contributed to the betterment of our town. The Council recognizes the enduring legacy he leaves through his two decades of commitment, and we extend our heartfelt wishes for success and happiness in his future endeavors.

This Proclamation is ordered to be presented on this 25th day of November 2024.

PORTSMOUTH — In one fell swoop Monday night, control of the Town Council shifted from the Democrats to the Republicans for at least the next two years.

During swearing-in ceremonies before a packed house at Town Hall, four new members joined three others in taking the oath of office from the Honorable Joseph C. Lopes: Sondra A. Blank (D), Mary A. McDowell (I), Sharlene M. Patton (R), and David G. Reise (R). They were joined by incumbents David M. Gleason (R), Keith E. Hamilton (R), and Juan Carlos Payero (D). Payero is a former School Committee member who was appointed in August to serve out Leonard Katzman’s unexpired term, after the former council vice president stepped down in May.

Also sworn in were three members of the School Committee, all Democrats: incumbents Emily Copeland, Karen E. Marlow McDaid, and newcomer John Delehanty. (Elections for the seven-member school board are staggered, and only three seats were up for grabs this year.)

Outgoing council members said their final farewells. Council President Kevin Aguiar, who did not seek reelection, was also honored with a proclamation thanking him for his 20-plus years of service to the town.

“It’s been an honor to serve the citizens of Portsmouth … I hope I’ve served you well,” said Aguiar. He thanked Town Administrator Richard Rainer, Jr. — “It all starts with your leadership,” he said — and Town Clerk Jennifer West for having to track him down for so many things.

Aguiar wished the new council all the best in the future. “The town deserves it, so please keep doing good things for the Town of Portsmouth,” he said.

Charles Levesque, who lost his reelection bid, thanked council members — including Katzman, who left the panel to care for his ailing wife. “He was one of the most decent persons I’ve ever served with,” Levesque said.

He also wished the new council good luck. “All of us share in the desire that the new council will protect the Town of Portsmouth where we all live, and we all love,” he said.

A similar sentiment was expressed by Daniela Abbott, who did not seek another term. “I hope you all continue to serve with honor and integrity as (we) have strived to do,” she said.

J. Mark Ryan said he would have liked to serve another term, “but when your boss tells you to take a vacation, you take a vacation.” 

He thanked Rainer “for shepherding this town with such a strong and steady hand,” and ticked off some of the council’s accomplishments: a new police station, ground broken on a new senior center and affordable housing complex, and “hopefully an economical way for the majority of residents to have their trash collected.”

Hamilton president again

After the swearing-in ceremony, members of the new council took their seats and got down to their first order of business: selecting a president and vice president.

Payero nominated Hamilton as president, saying he had previously led the council “with a steady hand” and knew how to form coalitions and build bridges.

Reise then nominated Gleason. However, Gleason said he wanted to throw his support behind Hamilton, who was appointed president in a unanimous vote.

For vice president, Reise nominated Gleason, while Blank nominated Payero. Gleason was approved as vice president in a 5-2 vote, with Payero and Blank voting in the minority.

“We have some heavy lifting to do coming up in the next few months. It’s going to be a very difficult budget season,” said Hamilton in his first remarks as new council leader, noting there is talk the state will be cutting municipal aid even further next year.

He also urged residents to attend the next council meeting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 9, which will take place at Portsmouth Middle School. Hamilton said two of Portsmouth’s “favorite topics” — trash and a proposed offshore wind cable route through the Sakonnet River and over Portsmouth — will be on the docket.