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WARREN TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
May 12, 2020
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfEVQCccrGO03Tm3KtfeJzQ
The Town Council of the Town of Warren, State of Rhode Island in Bristol County met on Tuesday, the 12th day of May, 2020 the meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM.
Present: Council President Keri M. Cronin, Vice President John W. Hanley, Councilman Joseph DePasquale, Councilman Steven Calenda and Councilman P. Brandt Heckert.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: 
PUBLIC COMMENT:
*Public comment must be submitted via email to jcoelho@townofwarren-ri.gov no later than 4:00 PM on May 12, 2020.*
No comments were submitted.
PRESENTATION:
Bristol County Water Authority
Pam Marchand (BCWA) and Wenley Ferguson (Save the Bay) explain that BCWA conducted a Feasibility Study looking at Tide Elevation, Hydrologic and Hydraulic Impact, Storm Surge Analysis, Environmental Impacts, Sediment Analysis, Topography and Bathymetry, Breach Sizing, Conceptual Design and Inundation Maps. Ms. Marchand says the cost to remove the dam at Schoolhouse Road is about $1.7 million. Rehabilitation of the dam would be about $1.56 million and would have on-going operational and maintenance repair costs. Removing the dam has many benefits of restoration and adaptive management for the Kickemuit River.
INTERVIEWS:
Tree Commission – 1 Position
1.
There are no applications for the above vacant position.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the above vacancy will remain on the Town’s website. Roll Call DePasquale, Heckert, Hanley, Calenda and Cronin affirmative. Motion is unanimous.
ACCEPTANCE OF MINUTES:
Acceptance of April 14, 2020 Minutes
Councilman Heckert amends the above minutes stating Vice President Hanley made the motion to appoint Mr. Stanley. Vice President John W. Hanley confirms he made the motion.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the above minutes are accepted as amended. Motion is unanimous.
*CONSENT AGENDA:
*P-1, *P-2
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the petitions on consent agenda are granted. Roll Call DePasquale, Heckert, Hanley, Calenda and Cronin affirmative. Motion is unanimous.
ORDINANCE:
Chapter 7, Article 11, Sec. 7-45. Adjustment of exemption-revaluation year. (2nd reading)
All taxpayers entitled to a personal tax exemption as set forth in Sections 7-46 through 7-90 shall have the exemption adjusted in any year that the Town has a real property revaluation, to reflect the same monetary savings that appeared on the property tax bill for the year prior to the revaluation of the real property.
*Public comments or questions may be submitted via email to jcoelho@townofwarren-ri.gov no later than 4:00 PM on May 12, 2020 or by calling in during the meeting via the Zoom meeting information. *
Town Council President Cronin asks if there are any questions or comments from the Council or public. There are no none.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the above ordinance amendment is passed. Roll Call DePasquale, Heckert, Hanley, Calenda and Cronin affirmative Motion is unanimous.
PETITIONS:
*P-1
Request approval of Commercial Waste Permits
Name of Business Address
MB Plumbing, Inc. 25 West Street, Warren, RI
*P-2
Request for a Holiday License
From: Button Greens Farms
7 Turner Street
Warren, RI 02885
**CORRESPONDENCE:
**These items are received and filed with no other action taken.
**C-1
Bristol County Water Authority Monthly Report.
**C-2
Resolution from the Town of Barrington in support of Legislation to establish an Ocean State Climate Adaptation and Resilience Fund (OSCAR).
**C-3
Resolution from the Town of Barrington in support of H7264 and S2130Large Capacity Feeding Device Ban Act of 2020.
**C-4
Resolution from the Town of North Smithfield School Committee in support for Funding of the Categorical Fund for High Cost Special Education.
**C-5
Resolution from the Town of North Smithfield School Department expressing support for Funding of RIDE Transportation Offset ESSA.
**C-6
Resolution from the Town of North Smithfield School Department urging the continued appropriation of State and Local Revenues to support public education.
**C-7
Resolution from the Town of Smithfield School Department urging the continued appropriation of State and Local Revenues to support public education.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the above correspondence items are filed. Roll Call DePasquale, Heckert, Hanley, Calenda and Cronin affirmative. Motion is unanimous.
OLD BUSINESS:
OB-1
Discussion and action regarding Charter amendment - amendment to compensation for Town Council members.
Section 3.14 Compensation
Members of the Town Council shall receive an annual salary of One Thousand Three Hundred ($1,300.00) Dollars. Commencing in January 2023, the rate of compensation for members of the Town Council shall be adjusted annually to reflect changes in the cost of living, as determined by the United States government, during a twelve (12) month period ending in the immediately preceding year.
A Town Council member shall not accept any money from the Town of Warren for services rendered except in his/her capacity as Town Council member.
The Council discusses the above language for the Charter regarding the salary of the Town Council.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the Council directs Town Manager Michaud to compare salaries in other communities and explore options. Motion carries.
Roll Call DePasquale-nay, Heckert, Hanley, Calenda and Cronin - affirmative.
OB-2
Discussion and action regarding the extension and/or amendment of the Town’s Declaration of State of Emergency.
Solicitor DeSisto explains with the State making changes daily, it would benefit the Town Council to include a provision to allow the Council President to amend the Declaration as things change with the State. The Council could then have a meeting with the 48-hour posting requirement without there being a burden placed on the local businesses. The Council could delegate temporary requirements, restrictions and permits to the staff to help expedite the process.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the Council extends the Town of Warren’s Declaration of State of Emergency until the June 9, 2020 Town Council Meeting with the provision to allow Town Council President Cronin to make changes as the Governor amends the State of Rhode Island’s Declaration. Motion is unanimous.
NEW BUSINESS:
NB-1
Discussion and action regarding recognition of Mt. Hope High School Class of 2020
Tara Thibaudeau explains the Class of 2020 requested to have a banner for each graduate on the telephone poles on Main and Hope Streets in Warren and Bristol. National Grid denied them the use of the poles. They are now going to have lawn signs and their graduation will be virtual with hopefully a graduation ceremony during the November Thanksgiving Day weekend. She is placing a link on the Town’s website for anyone who wants to purchase a sign.
NB-2
Report on Memorial Day Activities
The Memorial Day Ceremony will be video-taped and a link to the Town’s YouTube account will be placed on the Town’s website. The Vietnam Veteran’s Ceremony will be brief and people who attend must meet the social distancing requirements.
RECREATION DIRECTOR:
1. Discussion and action regarding awarding Concession rights bid. (award Palagies)
Recreation Director Thibaudeau explains that Palagies has a better selection and pricing that the children at the playground can afford. Therefore, she recommends that the Town Council award the bid to them.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; as recommended by the Recreation Department the bid is awarded to Palagies. Motion is unanimous.
2. Discussion and action regarding 2020 Warren Summer Concert Series & Food Truck Nights.
2020 WARREN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES & FOOD TRUCK NIGHTS
Coordinator: Marvin Perry
Location: Burr’s Hill Park
Time: Sunday’s 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Series: 9 Performances
Performance Fee: $5,700
Sound Company: $1,800 (200 Per Night) Jim Gavin
Coordinator Fee: $500
Total Cost: $8,000
Dates Bands Costs
July 12, 2020 D & D (Acoustic Rock) $200
July 19, 2020 Timmy Brown & Charlie Marie (Nashville Country) $500/200
July 26, 2020 Jesse Liam (pop) $400
August 2, 2020 Back in the Day (80’s tribute) &
Out of the Blue (Rock) $700
August 9, 2020 The Pogs (90’s Tribute) $600
August 16, 2020 October Road (Tribute to James Taylor $800
August 23, 2020 The Patterson-Smith Trio (folk, jazz, blues) $300
August 30, 2020 Atwater-Donnelly Trio $550
(traditional American folk)
September 6, 2020 Marvin Perry Project (throwback, hip hop, R & B) &
Off Kilter (Rock) $1,450
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the Concert Coordinator and list of band contracts above are approved contingent on the Governor regulations and Solicitor DeSisto’s approval of the language in the contracts. Motion is unanimous.
3. Discussion and action regarding awarding bid for loam for the dog park.
Motion by Councilman DePasquale seconded by Vice President Hanley; the Council awards the above bid for 500 cubic yards of loom to ELJ, Inc. not to exceed $9,000.00. Motion is unanimous.
FINANCE DIRECTOR:
1. Update on Revenue and Expenditures
Finance Director Chan explains revenues are down but the tax collection rate is healthy at about 95%. The town still has a surplus. Covid -19 expenses are being submitted to the RI Emergency Management on a monthly basis. Tax sales have been postponed until sometime in September.
2. Discussion and action regarding abatement of $68.20
Account#12-0801-81 Lefrancois, Wayne P. 2016 Motor Vehicle Bankruptcy
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; the above abatement is approved. Motion is unanimous.
PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT:
1. Request approval and authorize Town Council President to execute the Memorandum of Understanding between the Town of Warren and Giovanni Cicione / GC Warren Gateway Realty, LLC regarding the future development 1-31 Main Street (National Grid Site).
Solicitor DeSisto explains this is not a lease. Mr. Cicione needs an MOU from the Town to move forward to developing this property. The document has parameters but not certainties.
This is the next step in the process.
Motion by Councilman DePasquale seconded by Councilman Calenda; the Council approves the MOU and authorizes Town Council President Cronin to sign the document. Motion is unanimous.
2. Request authorization to submit a Grant Application with the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program for a new Senior Center Bus.
Motion by Vice President Hanley seconded by Councilman Calenda; Town Planner Rulli is authorized to submit the grant application with the USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program for a new Senior Citizens Center Bus. Motion is unanimous.
Adjournment:
Motion by Councilman DePasquale seconded by Councilman Calenda; the meeting is adjourned.
Motion is unanimous.
Attest:
Julie A. Coelho, CMC
Town Clerk