While donation bins — the large metal bins often brimming to overflow with clothes, shoes and other items — may soon be outlawed in most of Tiverton, members of the Tiverton Town Council said they will be allowed at the town's temporary recycling center, and by civic and religious organizations.

The clarification comes as the council works on a proposed amendment to the town ordinance that specifies allowable locations for donation containers in town, following the closure of the landfill in late November.

Last month, the council considered banning the bins entirely, after hearing from residents who predicted the containers would become unsightly “mini dumping sites” if placed in unmonitored locations around town.

After further consideration, the councilors determined that in lieu of an outright townwide ban, the containers will be allowed at the town’s temporary recycle center. Additionally, councilors agreed that churches that run thrift stores and have donation bins on their property, as well as civic groups that maintain bins for donation of eyeglasses, would be exempt from the new rules.

At a future meeting, the council is expected to vote on a revised version of the draft that incorporates these changes.

A round-up of other issues recently before the Tiverton Town Council:

Short term rentals

Members of the Tiverton Town Council will hold a special meeting Tuesday, March 21, to discuss next steps in their efforts to regulate Tiverton’s new and existing Short Term Rentals (STRs).

Council vice president Mike Burk and solicitor Mike Marcello have put together a summary that includes key elements of the current draft ordinance and potential updates to be considered, based on feedback from the community, as well as highlights of policies adopted by other towns. 

Because Tiverton’s zoning ordinance currently has no provisions for the operation of STRs, the businesses are technically not allowed in Tiverton. Since the summer of 2021, the council has sought input from STR owners and other community members as it has wrestled with creation of an amended ordinance to address the issue.

While the public is welcome to attend the special meeting, the councilors say they are coming together for discussion purposes only and will not seek audience participation.

Stop the Quarry

Highland Road resident David Stewart and neighbor Norm White, representing an organization known as Stop the Quarry, outlined disruptions to the neighborhood caused by the operations of a quarry at Highland Ridge Farm.

“The noise is unbearable,” Stewart told the council. He offered to present audio recordings to the town as evidence. His organization is seeking the town’s assistance in closing the operation down due to violations of the zoning ordinance.

Assistant Town Solicitor Todd Romano said he would investigate the complaints further, once Stewart delivered the audio recordings and any other relevant evidence to the town’s building official.

Charging station issue

Souza Road resident Nancy Cormier e-mailed town officials with a complaint about the ChargePoint Charging Station at Viti Inc. at 975 Fish Road. The station is open 24 hours a day, Cormier said, and is having a negative impact on the residential neighborhood. Town administrator Chris Cotta said he is looking into the matter.