PORTSMOUTH — Veterans who have been awarded the Purple Heart will be honored during a special ceremony at Legion Park in front of Town Hall at 11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 8.

The ceremony comes on the heels of a proclamation read by Town Council President Kevin Aguiar on Monday night, which proclaims the period of Oct. 3-Oct. 9 as “The Purple Heart Recipients Appreciation Week” in Portsmouth. The proclamation also asks citizens to “honor these Veterans for their outstanding service to Portsmouth, Rhode Island, America, and the World.”

Carolyn Evans-Carbery, who organizes many local events honoring veterans, said any local Purple Heart recipients who have not yet been contacted should call or e-mail her — 401/683-9375 or foundersbrook@verizon.net.

Solar ordinance hearing

In other business Monday night, the Town Council voted unanimously to schedule a public hearing on proposed changes to the town’s solar ordinance at 7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8.

The decision for the hearing comes after the Planning Board, at its Aug. 11 meeting, voted 6-0, with one abstention, to recommend that the council not adopt amendments to the solar ordinance proposed by the nonprofit, GrowSmartRI.

Among the changes recommended by Scott Millar, director of community assistance and conservation for GrowSmartRI, is that the current ordinance’s minimum requirement of a 50-foot setback for medium and large solar developments be increased to 200 feet.

Council vacancy

Council member Keith Hamilton said the council should be at full strength by the Nov. 8 hearing. Council Vice President Linda Ujifusa has missed some meetings due to a family illness, and Michael Buddemeyer recently resigned because he has relocated to Florida, which has left the council with only five members for its last two meetings.

The council has advertised for residents to apply for appointment to serve out the remainder of Buddemeyer’s term until the 2022 election. 

Applications must be received by noon, Friday, Oct. 1, and should be submitted to clerkoffice@portsmouthri.com, or mailed to Town Clerk Jennifer M. West, 2200 East Main Road, Portsmouth, RI 02871. You can find an application here.

Butts Hill event

The council unanimously approved a request from Seth Chiaro, of the Butts Hill Fort Restoration Committee, to hold a living history event from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 17, at the fort near Portsmouth High School.

The event will feature speeches, cannon demonstrations, infantry drills, musket demos and more. Parking will be at the high school, and shuttle services will be provided. There will be portable toilets and sanitizer dispensers. 

Mr. Chiaro said he hopes to organize several other similar events in the near future.

Resignations/appointments

The council accepted with regret the resignation effective immediately, of John McDaid from the Conservation Commission. 

In an Aug. 19 letter, Mr. McDaid wrote, “With COVID numbers in Portsmouth moving in the wrong direction and given the expiration of the executive order permitting online meetings, I am no longer willing to participate in any indoor activity where the vaccination status and mask wearing of potential attendees can be in question.”

The council also accepted, with regret, the resignation of Scott Moody from the Parks and Recreation Committee. 

The council approved the removal of Frank Wyatt from the Glen Manor House Authority because he was no longer serving.

The council reappointed Richard Gottlieb to the Dog Park Committee, Claudia S. Divoll to the Glen Manor House Authority, and Teresa Pinot to the Tree Commission.

There were also several new appointments: Matthew Gray as a Portsmouth representative to Discover Newport, Jennifer Collins to the Glen Manor House Authority, Carol Mello to the Harbor Commission, and Carol Silvia to the Juvenile Hearing Board.

Future meetings

The council will next meet at 7 p.m. on the following dates Tuesday, Oct. 12; Monday, Oct. 25; and Monday, Nov. 8.