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

December 21, 2021

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)

 

 

 

JOIN VIA COMPUTER OR MOBILE APP:   https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86273213983

 

 

JOIN VIA PHONE:       DIAL:  1-646-558-8656 or TOLL FREE AT 833-548-0282

                                    WHEN PROMPTED, ENTER MEETING ID 86273213983#

                                    PRESS # AGAIN TO JOIN THE MEETING

 

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

 

AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT:  https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri

 

M I N U T E S

 

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

 

A.         Meeting called to order by the Town Council President at 6:38 P.M

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Present: 

Councilman J. Messier

Councilman M. Bourget

Council Vice President M. Williamson

Council President D. Gosselin

 

Absent: 

Councilman J. Licciardi

 

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

 

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Ordinances

01  Second reading of Ordinance Approving A Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement For The Construction And Development Of A Wholesale Food Storage And Distribution Facility With Corporate Offices Located At 40 Keyes Way, West Warwick, Rhode Island

Also Identified As Assessor's Plat: 30, Lot: 51

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of A Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement For The Construction And Development Of A Wholesale Food Storage And Distribution Facility With Corporate Offices Located At 40 Keyes Way, West Warwick, Rhode Island Also Identified As Assessor's Plat: 30, Lot: 51.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

M. Bourget – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

E.         Consent Agenda

01  Approval of The Minutes Of The November 16, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting

02  Approval of the Minutes of the December 7, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting

03  Approval of the Minutes of the December 7, 2021 Executive Session

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda.

                                                All Ayes

 

F.         Liquor Licenses - Town Council acting as the Liquor Commission

01  Consideration of Expired Liquor Licenses

A.   UnWine’d Beer and Wine Lounge LLC

B.   Borowski’s Café Inc.

C.   West Warwick Lodge of Elks #1697

D.   The Arctic Playhouse Cabaret

 

Discussion ensues relative to expired liquor licenses that have not met the requirements of renewal.  It was determined that a letter would be hand delivered by the Police Department to each license holder stating that they had until December 27, 2021, at 4:00 P.M. to come into compliance, or they would need to cease serving liquor.  If they are still not in compliance on December 29, 2021, they will be placed on the January 4, 2021 Council agenda to begin the license revocation process. 

           

G.        Business Licenses

01        Request from Msgr. Deangelis Manor for renewal of Bingo License

02        Request from Clyde Tower Tenants Association for renewal of Bingo License

03        Request from 845 Wakefield Tenants Association for renewal of Bingo License

04        Request from West Warwick Manor Tenant Association for renewal of Bingo License

05        Request from Borowski’s Café for renewal of Pool Table License

06        Request from Club Instruccao E. Recreito for renewal of Pool Table License

07        Request from Crompton Veterans Organization for renewal of Pool Table License

08        Request from the Hour Bar for renewal of Pool Table License

09        Request from LA Café Inc for renewal of Pool Table License

10        Request from Phenix Sportsmen’s Club for renewal of Pool Table License

11        Request from Portuguese American Citizen’s Club for renewal of Pool Table License

12        Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost Society for renewal of Pool Table License

13        Request from Pasco Senerchia Post for renewal of Pool Table License

14        Request from Veterans Building Association Inc for renewal of Pool Table License

15        Request from West Warwick FOP Lodge #6 for renewal of Pool Table License

16        Request from JJ Café for renewal of Pool Table License

17        Request from Mega One LLC dba Smoke Land for Sunday and Holiday Sales License

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Business Licenses 01-17.

 

D. Gosselin asks if permits have been pulled for Mega One LLC dba Smoke Land.

 

The business owner confirms that they have.

 

VOTE:  All Ayes

 

H.        Appointments and Resignations

01  Request from Virginia DiMasi for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2025

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of request from Virginia DiMasi for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2025.

                                    All Ayes

 

02  Request from Anna-Maria Raimondo for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2025

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of request from Anna-Maria Raimondo for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2025.           

                                    All Ayes

 

03  Resignation of Adam Satchell from the West Warwick Pension Board

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Adam Satchell from the West Warwick Pension Board, with regret.                All Ayes

 

I.          New Business

01  Approval of Claim Submitted by Shawn Carron of 12 Nicole Drive in the Amount of $1,657.62

It was determined that the structure in the sidewalk did not belong to the Town.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to deny the claim submitted by Shawn Carron.

                                    All Ayes

 

M. Knott will look into getting the structure in the sidewalk removed. 

 

02  Consideration of Vandalism at Factory Street Playground

 

M. Knott states that there has been a considerable amount of vandalism at the Factory Street playground.  He suggests coming up with a plan over the winter to prevent more damage.  He suggests the possibility of better lighting, cameras, of adult supervision.

 

F. Gil shares pictures of the damage to the playground with the Council.  He states that there has been $857 worth of damage so far.

 

M. Williamson suggests a taller fence.

 

Discussion ensues.

 

It was determined that the Recreation Committee will work on solutions.

 

03  Request from the Police Chief for Purchase of Utility Cargo Trailer

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget for approval of request from the Police Chief for the purchase of a utility cargo trailer.                All Ayes

 

04  Consideration of Proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Timeline

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of proposed fiscal year 2023 budget timeline.                  All Ayes

 

05  Request from National Grid for Installation of Solely Owned National Grid Pole 1-2 in Order to Replace OH Service to 10 Schofield Street and Resolve Aerial Trespass and Voltage Complaints

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of request from National Grid for Installation of Solely Owned National Grid Pole 1-2 in Order to Replace OH Service to 10 Schofield Street and Resolve Aerial Trespass and Voltage Complaints.                   All Ayes

 

06  Request from the Town of Coventry for Support of Resolution Requesting Funding for RIDEM Environmental Study

 

M. Williamson provides the Council with some background information on the request. 

 

Council determines that they do not want to support this resolution at this time.

 

No action was taken. 

 

07  Discussion/Action for the Administration of the Pension Plans for the Police and Fire/Non-Police and Fire Employees when the West Warwick Pension Board Cannot Exercise its Power and Authority Under the Home Rule Charter and West Warwick Ordinances

 

M. Knott shares the challenges with the Pension Board not being able to get a quorum for a meeting.  Retirees have been waiting months for their pensions to be approved.  He is looking for a solution to help with the administrative tasks. 

 

T. Williamson shares different legal options.

 

Discussion ensues.

 

It was determined that the best resolution is to appoint staff members that are also electors of the Town to fill the vacancies in an effort to facilitate the pension plans and the transition into the MERS system. 

 

J.          Upcoming Appointments

01  Sewer Use Board of Review - (1) Alternate member vacancy with a term to expire on 10/2024, and (1) vacancies with a term to expire 10/2023

02  Pension Committee - (2) vacancies with terms to expire on 11/18/2024

03  Juvenile Hearing Board (3) vacancies with terms to expire 12/2021

04  Tree Warden

05  Recreation Committee – (1) Vacancy for School Committee Member

 

K.         Public Forum

 

D. Gosselin wishes the body a safe holiday.

 

T. Oates of 6 Colonial Lane informs the body about the efforts of the Crompton Vets and how they were able to support several families this holiday season.  He commends them for their efforts.

 

L.         Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to adjourn at 8:35 P.M.

                                                All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

__________________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk