TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI  02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org

 

WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

August 17, 2021

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)

 

 

YOUTUBE LINK:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGK1k6co83ptCoD6hYWSMxA

 

M I N U T E S

 

*Please Note:  Any matter listed on this agenda may be acted upon by the Town Council*

 

A.         The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by President Gosselin

 

B.         The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by the body.

 

C.         Prayer led by Council

 

D.        Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Present:

Councilman M. Bourget

Councilman J. Messier

Councilman J. Licciardi

Council Vice President M. Williamson

Council President D. Gosselin

 

Also present:  Town Solicitor Timothy Williamson, Town Manager Mark Knott, Police Chief Ernest Lavigne, Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone, Human Resource Director Sherri Fournier, Tax Collector Rosemarie Silva, Tax Assessor Sal Saccoccio Jr., and Town Clerk Sarah Rapose

                          

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Swearing in of Police Chief Ernest Lavigne

 

Ernest Lavigne is sworn in as Police Chief of the West Warwick Police Department.

 

G.        Citations

01        Citation honoring Nicholas Santilli

02        Citation honoring Ricardo Erilus

 

The body joined in honoring Officer Nicholas Santilli and Officer Ricardo Erilus for their heroic efforts in saving the life of an infant.

 

H.        Consent Agenda

01        Approval of the minutes of the July 20, 2021 regular Town Council meeting

02        Approval of Tax Cancellations as requested by the Tax Assessor

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Consent Agenda 01 and 02.                 All Ayes

 

I.          Liquor Licenses

01        Approval of Liquor License Transfer from Miss Cranston II Realty LLC to Eastside Pub and Grub LLC; for premises located at 45 Quaker Lane

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier for approval of Liquor License Transfer from Miss Cranston II Realty LLC to Eastside Pub and Grub LLC; for premises located at 45 Quaker Lane.                       All Ayes

 

J.          Business Licenses

01        Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for the Portuguese American Sports Club

02        Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for the West Warwick Summer Concert/Cruise Night

03        Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for Francesco Capaldi Jr. and Lynda M. Lague

04        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for Crompton Veterans Organization

05        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for Senerchia Post 74

06        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for Club Frontenac

07        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for Boomerangs Roadhouse

08        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for Veterans Building Association Post 449

09        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for JJ’s Café

10        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Phenix Sportsmen Club

11        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Portuguese American Citizens Club

12        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Portuguese American Sports Club

13        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society

14        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the American Legion Post 2

15        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Hour Bar

16        Approval of Mechanical Amusement License for the Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club

17        Approval of Antique Secondhand Dealers License for Music Magick

18        Approval of Victualing House License for Victoria’s Sweets & Bakery, Inc.

19        Renewal of Laundry License for Tumbletown 2 LLC

20        Amended Parade Permit for the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society

 

J. Messier recuses himself.

 

D. Gosselin explains that the Parade Permit amendment is to allow for the Portuguese Holy Ghost to utilize the

full parade route. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Business Licenses 01 through 20; subject to police, fire, and all inspections.                      Vote 4 Ayes, 1 Recusal

MOTION PASSES

 

K.         Appointments and Resignations

01        Resignation of Daniel Curran from the West Warwick Recreation Committee effective July 13, 2021

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to accept the resignation of Daniel Curran from the West Warwick Recreation Committee effective July 13, 2021, with regret.                  All Ayes

 

L.         Ordinance Amendments

01        Second reading of Ordinance amending the Town Pension Plan, Accepting the Provisions of RI General Laws 42-21.5-2 et seq., and approving memoranda of agreement and proposed amended consent Judgements

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of ordinance amending the Town Pension Plan, Accepting the Provisions of RI General Laws 42-21.5-2 et seq., and approving memoranda of agreement and proposed amended consent Judgements.

 

M. Bourget has reservations about amending the ordinance, specifically exhibit A. 

 

Attorney Dolan explains the process that has been followed to amend the ordinance.  He explains the nature of the amendment and moving the Town’s pension system into MERS. 

 

V. Marzullo, 28 Crossland Road, shares his concerns about the amendments.  He was just made aware of the amendments recently.  He asks what the benefits or ramifications are to the taxpayer. 

 

D. Gosselin explains that the Town has been going through the process of moving the Town’s pension system to MERS for the last 2.5 years. 

 

V. Marzullo asks what the financial impact is.

 

M. Williamson answers that the State has completed actuaries that have predicted a positive impact. 

 

P. Villa, 15 Janet Drive, explained how the change will benefit the employees.  This has been in discussion since 2019.  He shares his concerns with the pension board and the current pension system. 

 

A. Palazzo, 5 Robin Lane, shares his concerns with the posting of the agenda.

 

It was determined that the agenda was posted correctly. 

 

E. Mansour shares her concerns for non-union employees that are part of the pension system.

 

Attorney Dolan explains that provisions have been made for those employees.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Liccardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

 

M.        New Business

01        Discussion/Action relative to Recycling Pick-up Frequency as requested by Councilman Bourget

 

N. Knott was in attendance to explain the Town’s recycling program. 

 

M. Bourget has concerns with the frequency of pickups.  His family does a lot of recycling.  They tend to have more recycling than their bin allows for.  In order to get an additional bin they were told there was a $75 fee.

 

N. Knott explained that the cost for the extra bins is only to cover what the bins cost the Town.  West Warwick provides their residents with 95-gallon bins.  There are several towns in the state that pick-up recycling bi-weekly.  She offered some additional recycling solutions including utilizing the recycling drop of at the Department of Public Works.  She also states that the Town no longer receives any monetary incentives for recycling. 

 

N.        Upcoming Appointments

01        Sewer Use Board of Review: (1) Alternate member vacancy with a term to expire on 10/2021, and (2) vacancies with a term to expire 10/2023

02        Pension Committee: (2) vacancies with terms to expire on 11/18/2022 and 11/18/2021

03        Recreation Committee – (2) vacancy

04        Tree Warden

 

O.        Public Forum

 

Note: Comments during Public Forum will only be heard and not acted upon by the Town Council. Section 42-46-6 of the Open Meetings Act, and Department of the Attorney General Advisory Opinions relevant to this item on any public body meeting agenda specifically prohibits the Town Council from discussing, considering or acting on any topic, statement or question presented. The Town Council may, if warranted, refer such matters to an appropriate committee, to another body or official, or post the matter for consideration at a properly-noticed, future meeting.

 

A. Palazzo, 5 Robin Lane, states that he had to send out two emails this week to Mr. Bourget and the Town Manager.  He praised their quick response.  He also concerns with the language posted on the agenda under public forum. 

 

V. Marzullo also shares his concerns with the language on the agenda under public forum. 

 

J. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, states that this is one of the best meetings he has attended.  He requests an agenda item to discuss his recently resolved lawsuit with the Town. 

 

P. Villa, 15 Janet Drive, commends Don Oullette and the Department of Public Works.  He would like to see the Town marketed to attract more business.  He suggests a monthly update from the Town Planner.  He shares his concerns for properties in poor condition. 

 

D. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, would also like the Council to add an agenda item to discuss his recently resolved lawsuit. 

 

Discussion ensued relative to the lawsuit. 

 

D. Lopez, of East Greenwich, would like to see an agenda item on the Med Recycling facility.  This project impacts all of Kent County. 

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, states that he has had signs stolen from his property.  He has reported it to the Police Department. 

 

B. Mollohan, of Monterey Drive, thanked the Fire Department for their administration of the Covid-19 vaccinations. 

 

D. Gosselin informs the body that the Council plans on installing equipment in Town Council Chambers to accommodate hybrid meetings.  He also announced that the car show is being held tomorrow at the Civic Center. 

 

T. Oates, 6 Claudia Lane, feels that the Med Recycling issue should be handled by a referendum.  It is far too much for five individuals to make a decision on. 

 

P.         Adjournment

 

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi to adjourn at  10:05 P.M.                      All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

___________________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk