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TOWN OF WEST WARWICK
TOWN COUNCIL MEETING
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2020
7:00 P.M.
AGENDA
A. Meeting called to Order by the Town Council President 
The meeting was called to order by President Gosselin at 7:38 p.m.
B. Members Present:
Councilman Licciardi
Councilman Messier
Councilwoman Williamson
Council Vice President D'Amico
Council President Gosselin
Members Absent: None
C. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Council Clerk
The Town Council Clerk declared a quorum for the record.
Others Present: Acting Town Manager Mark Knott, Town Solicitor Williamson
Councilman Licciardi made a motion to close the minutes of the Executive Session held on October 20, 2020 (prior to this meeting), seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
D. Discussion regarding actions and planning pertaining to addressing COVID-19 Virus and the impact on town operations.
1. Discussion and ratification of Executive Order 2020-12 of the Acting Town Manager, amending Executive Order 2020-1, a declaration of State of Emergency dated October 20, 2020, to extend the State of Emergency in the Town of West Warwick until November 20, 2020 (sponsored by Acting Town Manager)
Councilwoman Williamson noted that the Executive Order extended the State of Emergency to November 10, 2020 and not November 20, 2020 and should be amended.
Councilwoman Williamson moved the item, as amended, seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico. The vote was unanimous.
E. Discussion/Action/Vote of Town Council.
Any matter on this portion of the agenda may be acted upon by way of topic discussion and action by the Town Council with a vote on the record to approve, amend, deny or table the agenda item.
1. Presentation: “Environmentalist Christopher Soeller 5G concerns – (sponsored by Council Vice President D’Amico)
Christopher Soeller gave a presentation bringing attention to the 4G and 5G concerns regarding electromagnetic fields and emissions for cell phone towers.
2. Appointment to Interim Town Manager – (sponsored by Council President Gosselin)
Town Solicitor Williamson noted that the title would be ‘Acting Town Manager’ and not ‘Interim Town Manager’.
Town Council President Gosselin moved the name of Colonel Mark Knott, seconded by Councilman Messier.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
Councilman Messier and Councilwoman Williamson thanked Colonel Knott for stepping up.
Councilwoman Williamson made a motion to go back to D-1 and ratify the Emergency Order that the newly appointed Acting Town Manager has put forth.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
3. CONSENT AGENDAS - License Applications:
a. (New) Business License: Puff Puff Paulie’s Smoke Shop – 350 Providence Street
b. (New) Business License: Moonshine Designs - 1454 Main Street Unit 9A
c. (New) Business License: Lashology – 1454 Main Street Unit 43A
d. (New) Business License: Shed – 1454 Main Street Unit 43
e. (New) Business License: Michelle Miale Photography - 53 Providence Street Unit 4
f. (New) Business License: Wicked Clever Productions – 100 Kimberly Lane
g. (New) Business License: Empire Construction LLC - 749 Main Street
h. (Renewal) Business License: (August) Cayoettes’s Shoe & Leather Repair – 100 Archambault Ave.
i. (Renewal) Business License: (January) Tmed Holdings Inc. dba Charm Medical Supply - 1745 Main St. Unit 11
j. (Renewal) Business License: (October) – Normand Lavoie – 1850 New London Tpke
k. (Renewal) Business License: Paragon Small Business Solutions LLC – 85 Crestwood Dr.
l. (Renewal) Business License: Jennings Car Care Center Inc. – 679 Quaker Lane
m. (Renewal) Business License: CoxCom, LLC – 9 James P Murphy Highway
n. (Renewal) Business License: Atlas Auto Body Inc. dba Atlas Auto Sales – 20 Providence Street
o. (Renewal) Business License: Guiot Monument - 16 Blossom Street
p. (Renewal) Business License: John J Clarke Insurance Inc – 1226 Main Street Ste 1
q. (Renewal) Business License: Rising Tide Tattoo LLC – 1527 Main Street
r. (Renewal) Business License: Cardis Dept Store Inc. dba Ashley Homestore – 6 James P Murphy Hwy
s. (Renewal) Business License: Cardis Dept Store Inc. dba Cardi Furniture – 1681 Quaker Lane
t. (Renewal) Business License: Cardis Dept Store Inc. dba RI Design Ctr – 6 James P Murphy Hwy
u. (Renewal) Business License: ESA Portfolio Operating Lessee LLC dba Extended Stay America – 1235 Divison Rd.
v. (Renewal) Business License: Arctic Smoke Shop LLC - 17 Washington Street
w. (Renewal) Business License: Sosico-751 Main Street
x. (Renewal) Mechanical Amusement: The Hour Bar – 1193b Main Street
y. (Renewal) Mechanical Amusement: JJ’s Café - 289 Cowesett Ave.
z. (Renewal) Pawnbroker License: Spindle City Pawnbrokers Inc. dba Fall River Pawn Brokers – 288 Cowesett Ave.
aa. (Renewal) Sunday & Holiday: Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy, LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2384 – 834 Providence Street
bb. (Renewal) Sunday & Holiday: Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy, LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2323 – 1734 Main Street
cc. (Renewal) Sunday & Holiday: Rhode Island CVS Pharmacy, LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #397– 1270 Main Street
dd. (Renewal) Sunday & Holiday: Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. dba Dollar Tree # 08552 – 272 Cowesett Ave.
ee. (New) Victualing House License: Fired Up Nutrition LLC - 19 Washington Street
ff. (Raffle) – Church of Christ the King – 130 Legris Ave. – Date: 11/22/2020, Time: 11:00 a.m.
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Recused
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The motion passed.
4. Ordinance 2020-16-(second reading) (sponsored by Council President Gosselin) – An Ordinance repealing certain provisions of the Ordinance 2019-7, and amending Chapter 1 General Provisions of the Code of Ordinances by adding thereto Section 1-14 Comprehensive Plan incorporated by reference.
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
5. Ordinance 2020-17 - (second reading) (sponsored by Councilman Messier) – An ordinance amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick to include:
· Handicapped Parking in front of 22 Riverdale Ave.
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
6. Ordinance 2020-18-(first reading) – (sponsored by Council President Gosselin) – An ordinance amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick.
· No Parking Sign on South side of Phenix Ave. between Main St. and 17 Phenix Ave.
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS A LIQUOR COMMISSION
7. (New) Class BV Liquor License
Miss Cranston II Realty LLC
Dba Miss Cranston Diner & Grill
45 Quaker Lane
Councilman Licciardi moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
8. (New) Class BV Limited Liquor License
Milas Taqueria, LLC
Dba Caliente Mexican Grill
289 Cowesett Ave. Ste 7 & 8
Councilwoman Williamson moved the item, seconded by Councilman Licciardi
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
TOWN COUNCIL ACTING AS TOWN COUNCIL
9. TAX ASSESSOR ADDITIONS
2020Sup - Tangible - $1, 156.17
Total - $ 1,156.17
Councilwoman Williamson moved the item, seconded by Councilman Messier
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
10. TAX ASSESSR CANCELLATIONS
2020 Real Estate - $ 6,534.58
2020-Tangibles- $10,653.79
2020-Motor Vehicle $ 1,942.23
2018-Motor Vehicle $ 94.52
Total- $19,225.12
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the item, seconded by Councilwoman Williamson’
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
11. RESIGNATION
a. Resignation from Helene Anderson Tay from the Pension Board
Council Vice President D’Amico moved to accept the resignation of Helene Anderson Tay, seconded by Councilman Licciardi.
Council Vice President D’Amico thanked Ms. Tay for her service.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
12. APPOINTMENT
a. Appointments to the Recreation Committee
1. Christopher Messier
Council Vice President D’Amico moved the name of Christopher Messier, seconded by Councilman Licciardi.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
13. DISCUSSION/ACTION
Councilwoman Williamson made a motion to move Item F up, seconded by Council Vice President D’Amico. The vote was unanimous.
a. Crompton Mill up for sale, auction or bid – (sponsored by Council President Gosselin)
President Gosselin informed that the sale of Town property in the past has gone on the ballot for the people to vote on. There has been $150,000 earmarked to take the smokestack down, which will take a day or two, and removed to an appropriate landfill.
b. Pawtuxet Valley Preservation Historical Society Building Project Update – (sponsored by Councilman Licciardi)
Councilman Licciardi noted that the Town Council gave approval for this project several months back. Gerry Tellier gave an update of the progress to date.
c. At & T project at Maznicki Field update – (sponsored by Town Solicitor Tim Williamson/Chief Varone)
Chief Varone gave an update after meeting with John Botello and representatives from AT&T who have agreed to strengthen the tower.
d. Update from Solicitor Williamson & DPW Director on Factory Street Playground – (sponsored by Councilwoman Williamson)
Town Solicitor Williamson noted that he had received the final group of documents last week and will go forward with putting together the full report prior to the next meeting. DPW Director Ouellette gave an update on the parking situation.
e. Factory Street Playground ground covering - (sponsored by Councilwoman Williamson)
DPW Director Ouellette gave an update on ground covering and what would be most cost effective. This will be on the next agenda.
f. West Warwick Assistance Agency annual Request - $6,000 – (sponsored by Councilwoman Williamson)
Councilwoman Williamson moved the item, seconded by Councilman Messier
Councilwoman Williamson explained that this is an annual request for $6,000 for the Food Cupboard. Dillia Sylvester and family will keep Dan’s memory alive by continuing to support the food bank.
Roll Call Vote:
Councilman Licciardi Yes
Councilman Messier Yes
Councilwoman Williamson Yes
Council VP D'Amico Yes
Council Pres Gosselin Yes
The vote was unanimous.
g. Alternatives/options to complete outstanding projects in town – (sponsored by Councilwoman Williamson)
Councilwoman Williamson requested a timeframe on projects previously promised. Council President Gosselin asked that the residents be informed of when projects that are scheduled are delayed. Councilmajn Licciardi expressed frustration with planned projects not be taken care of while new projects are being addressed.
h. Authorization to construct a shed on 15 Gendron Street, Plat: 5, Lot: 560 (sponsored by President Gosselin)
This item will be heard by the Zoning Board pof Review on December 3, 2020.
i. Update on Industrial Lane (sponsored by Councilwoman Williamson)
Chief Varone reached ot to State Fire Marshal who agreed that currently, under storage or light industrial (under 10,000 square feet), fire alarm and sprinklers are not needed. Building Inspector Asselone noted that twelve years ago the building at 43 Industrial Lane did have final inspections but for some reason a Certificate of Occupancy was not issued. There are businesses as well as personal storage at this address. A report will be put together to address these issues.
14. UPCOMING APPOINTMENTS:
a. Sewer Use Tax Board of Review: one (1) Alternate member vacancy with terms to expire in 2024, & (1) vacancy with a term to expire on 10/2023
b. Pension Committee: three (3) vacancies with terms to expire in 2022, 2023 and 2024
c. Zoning Board of Review: one (1) Alternate member with a term to expire on 7/2025
d. Pawtuxet River Authority: one (1) vacancy with a term to expire 2023
e. Board of Tenants Affairs: one (1) vacancy with a term to expire on 8/2022
f. West Warwick Housing Authority: one (1) vacancy with a term to expire on 11/2025
g. Arctic Redevelopment Commission Board: one (1) vacancy with a term to expire on 10/1/2025
h. West Warwick Public Library Trustees – one (1) vacancy with a term to expire 02/2022, one (1) term to expire on 02/2021
i. Recreation Committee – two (2) vacancy
15. PUBLIC COMMENT:
Designated portion of Town Council’s open meeting for Citizens to address comments to the Town Council relating to matters affecting the public business. (RIGL 42-46-2 (3) and RIGL 42-46-2 (6)).
Comments will only be addressed to the Town Council who will take them under advisement.
When addressing the Town Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion. The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body but heard as requested.
Members of the Town Council, being the duly elected public body as identified in RIGL 42-46-2 (3) have no obligation to respond to the Public’s Comments.
1. Phenix Business district owner Jennifer Castaldi expressed concerns including:
· Overnight parking causing problems for businesses opening in early mornings
· ‘No Parking’ and ‘No Trespassing’ not being enforced
· Large and loud gatherings-soliciting and drugs and alcohol
· Multiple sex offenders in the hotel in an area where there are many children
Council President Gosselin stated that the police have tried to monitor the area and will continue to monitor this. A meeting will be scheduled with Rep. Noret and Rep. Jackson to address these issues.
Resident John Read asked that the Town Council utilize the information provided on 41 Industrial Lane.
16. ADJOURN
Councilwoman Williamson made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Councilman Licciardi. The vote was unanimous.
The meeting adjourned at 10:37 p.m.
Marianne Kelly
___________________________
MARIANNE KELLY, CMC
TOWN COUNCIL CLERK