First I would like to apologize for the tenure and language of my remarks at the last meeting of the Hopkinton Town Council, on Monday, Feb. 5, to Mrs. Catherine
RICHMOND â The conclusion of an otherwise routine Town Council meeting became contentious Tuesday when residents during the public forum criticized council President Nell Carpenter for approving the recent appointment of a developer to the Planning Board and for a recent post on social media.
Carpenterâs post, made on Dec. 31 on the Richmond Community Facebook page, accused a resident, whom she did not name, of child pornography and cyberstalking and of threatening her.
The post reads, in part:
âA convicted child pornographer and cyber stalker who sells vegetables is among you. Many know this truth but are afraid to speak up. Iâm not afraid of him. Many take his word for gospel and praise his efforts. His recent method of attack includes racist âdark manâ statements and physical threats via private message.â
RICHMOND â The Town Council has appointed developer William McIntosh IV to the Planning Board, despite a cautionary memo from Town Solicitor Karen Ellsworth warning that McIntosh, who is currently appealing a Planning Board denial of his proposed project to the Rhode Island State Housing Appeals Board (SHAB), could encounter ethics or conflict of interest issues.
The vote at Tuesdayâs meeting to appoint McIntosh was 3-2, with council President Nell Carpenter, Vice President James Palmisciano and member Lauren Cacciola in favor and Richard Nassaney and Ronald Newman opposed.
McIntosh, who currently serves on the the townâs Economic Development Commission, touted his background as a builder and developer, telling the council that the Planning Board needed a member who understood developers.