TOWN OF WEST WARWICK

TOWN COUNCIL

WORKSHOP

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2020 - 6:00 PM

 

 

A.         MEETING CALLED TO ORDER AT 6:15 P.M.

 

B.         ROLL CALL:

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: COUNCILMAN LICCIARDI

                                          COUNCILMAN MESSIER

                                          COUNCILWOMAN WILLIAMSON

                                          COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT D’AMICO

                                           COUNCIL PRESIDENT GOSSELIN

 

MEMBERS ABSENT: N/A

 

C.         QUORUM ON RECORD DECLARED BY DEPUTY TOWN CLERK

 

D.         37 WASHINGTON STREET, a.k.a. THE NEWBERRY BUILDING,

REGARDING CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY OWNED BY THE TOWN OF WEST WARWICK, IDENTIFIED AS ASSESSOR’S PLAT 6, LOT 425, TO THE ARCTIC VILLAGE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT BY WASHINGTON CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, LLC. FOR A SALE PRICE $30,000.00 AND TO DISCUSS ANY CONDITIONS AND/OR PROHIBITIONS PURSUANT TO THE FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE SUBJECT PROPERTY.

 

Councilwoman Williamson began by stating she is struggling with the $30,000 price tag for the property, the property was assessed on the Northeast Assessor website for $47,100,  the property was appraised by independent contractor for $60,000, and there was a property down the street for $75,000.

 

Councilwoman Williamson also stated if the condominiums don’t sell what happens.  Zoning Solicitor, Al Difiore, stated it’s up to the owner if they can’t sell the condos they can rent it. Taxes will still be collected for the project.

 

The developer is ready to close in thirty days and ready to start the project.  

 

Tom Oates brought up the idea that the Town officials could create a committee to advertise vacant land. Council Gosselin stated the developers do approach the town regarding vacant land. Tom Oates stated he’s happy that’ s a lot behindthe scene to market the vacant land.

 

Derek Read stated that if the town brings residents, it will take away from store fronts.  James Marsh stated that is not correct, you need both.  You have residential behind the building and commercial buildings to bring in traffic and have people invest in Downtown Arctic. This is how you get it started.  James Marsh also stated if you look at the new projects across the state like South County Commons you have residential and commercial businesses to bring people into the town. Derek agrees with Councilwoman Williamson regarding the $30,000. It should be sold for $47,100.  Councilwoman stated to Derek that she would like to see them be sold as condos but if it doesn’t sell as condos and turn into rental properties, the tax rate is higher then it being purchased with the help of Sal from the Tax Assessor explaining it. Councilwoman Williamson stated it’s a great project but has concerns with the $30,000 and said she is not preventing the project from going forward and wants everyone to understand we are setting precedence.  If that property wasn’t attached to the building as a whole she would not agree with the $30,000 if it was on the tax roll or not believes its not the right number. Councilwoman stated the town would not get $60,000.  If the property was not assessed at $47,100, we wouldn’t have this conversation. Councilwoman wants everyone to understand what is going on and how we are doing it if this goes forward. James Marsh wants everyone to know that we are doing this for the Town.  Councilwoman would like the money going into the Town coffered for beautification, advertising and etc. 

 

Town Solicitor, Williamson stated the resolution is 95% completed you just have to add the ingress and egress and also add in the parking. Once the town receives the money then the deed would be recorded with the ingress and egress and the parking in the exhibit.

 

Tax Assessor, Sal Saccoccio, stated that he went into the North East software that the town uses and the property is listed as prime and Sal goes in and changes it to the second best thing which is secondary which drops the property value to $23,500.  Prime means it’s a buildable lot, secondary lot is when a building encroaches.

 

Town Solicitor, Tim Williamson, asked the question to Jasmine if the organization controls the property behind the building North of the vacant lot adjacent to Sinnott Street, she stated “No”. She stated there is an easement and they have control of it.  Town Solicitor asked Jasmin to send a copy of the agreement to the Town Planner so we can have it on file. Once it’s confirmed that they own the easement then the Council approves the resolution and the developer agrees, then the deed is recorded and the consideration is paid.

 

Council President Gosselin and Councilwoman thanked everyone for attending the workshop.

 

               

E.         ADJOURN

           

Councilman Messier made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico and approved by a voice vote.

 

The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m.