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| TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org |
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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
Regular Town Council Meeting
July 20, 2021
6:00 P.M.
PURSUANT TO EXECUTIVE ORDER 20-05 EXECUTED BY GOVERNOR GINA RAIMONDO ON MARCH 16, 2020, THIS MEETING WILL BE TELECONFERENCED VIA ZOOM:
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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 by the Town Council President at 6:00 P.M. 
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 Solicitor Al DiFiore, Town Manager Mark Knott, Finance Director Kristen Benoit, Police Chief Ernest Lavigne, Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone, Human Resources Director Sherri Fournier, Public Works Director Donald Ouellette, Tax Collector Rosemarie Silva, Tax Assessor Sal Saccoccio Jr., and Town Clerk Sarah Rapose
E. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
F. Executive Session –
Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation and R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(1)- Job Performance
01 Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters
02 Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers
03 Ernest Lavigne
Councilman Bourget - Disconnected
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
COUNCIL MOVES TO EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Bourget to return to open session.
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by M. Williamson to seal the minutes of executive session.
Councilman Bourget - No
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of Minutes
a. June 1, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting
b. June 8, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting
c. June 15, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting
d. July 13, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the minutes of previous meetings.
Councilman Bourget - Abstain
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
H. Business Licenses
01 Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
02 Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for the West Warwick Summer Concert/Cruise Night
03 Approval of Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for the Portuguese American Citizens Club
04 Approval of Fireworks Permit for I Love America Days
05 Approval of Carnival Permit for I Love America Days
06 Approval of Class F Liquor License/Hawkers & Peddlers for West Warwick Summer Concert/Cruise Night
07 Renewal of Hawkers & Peddlers License for Plouffe Quality Catering
08 Renewal of Laundry License for J&K Laundromat
09 Renewal of Laundry License for Ray’s Polyclean Center Inc.
10 Renewal of Laundry License for Arctic Laundromat
11 Renewal of Laundry License for C&D Dry Clean City
12 Renewal of Flea Market License for The Old Mill Flea
13 Renewal of Filling Station License for Cowesett Sun Service
14 Renewal of Filling Station License for Cumberland Farms #1205
15 Renewal of Filling Station License for Cumberland Farms #1104
16 Renewal of Filling Station License for Cumberland Farms #1276
17 Renewal of Filling Station License for Cumberland Farms #1127
18 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for Perfect Nails & Spa of RI
19 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for Family Dollar #23538
20 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for Speedcraft Nissan
21 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for Speedcraft Acura
22 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for Unique Fitness & Massage Therapy
23 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for 401 Reptiles LLC
24 Parade Permit for the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
25 Carnival Permit for the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
26 Parade Permit for the Portuguese American Sports Club
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Bourget, second by M. Williamson for approval of Business Licenses 01-26.
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Recusal
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
I. Appointments
01 Appointment of James Meyen to the Sewer Use Board of Review for term expiring October, 2023
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for appointment of James Meyen to the Sewer Use Board of Review for term expiring October, 2023.
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
J. Unfinished Business
01 Street Abandonment for a Portion of Crudale Drive
T. Cronin was in attendance on behalf of the applicant. He explained that his is a continuation of the previous public hearing. They are asking for the 30 feet on the southern border of Crudale Drive to be abandoned.
Discussion ensued relative to the abandonment.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget for approval of street abandonment for a portion of Crudale Drive.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
K. New Business
01 Appointment of West Warwick Police Chief and Authorization to Execute Employment Agreement
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for appointment of Ernest Lavigne as West Warwick Police Chief and Authorization to Execute Employment Agreement.
M. Williamson fully supports E. Lavigne becoming the Police Chief.
M. Knott is honored to recommend E. Lavigne as Police Chief. It has been his privilege to serve alongside E. Lavigne for the last twenty seven years. He believes he is the right choice to be his successor.
D. Gosselin states that E. Lavigne has done a good job as acting Chief. He is very professional.
J. Licciardi states that E. Lavigne is his guy. He welcomes him as the Chief.
J. Messier agrees. It is an easy decision.
M. Bourget states that E. Lavigne is very professional and has a great reputation around the state.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Town of West Warwick and the Local 1104 – International Association of Fire Fighters
Discussion ensued relative to tabling this item to allow M. Bourget more time to review the agreements.
It was determined that it was in the best interest of the Town to move forward.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Abstain
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
03 Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement Between the Town of West Warwick and the Local 312 – International Brotherhood of Police Officers
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Abstain
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
04 Authorization for the Sale of Surplus Vehicles on GovDeals.com
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
05 Authorization for the Town Planner to Access the Remaining Bond Funds to Enable the Paving of Countryside Way sponsored by Council Vice President Williamson
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
06 Request from National Grid for Relocation of Pole on Peters Lane
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
07 Update on Flat Top Playground Structure as requested by Councilman Licciardi
J. Licciardi has fielded many questions about this playground. He feels it needs to be replaced.
D. Quellette can work with L. Swanson on a grant to replace the playground.
J. Licciardi believes the Town has the money.
D. Quellette will start working on soliciting quotes. He believes the structure needs to be removed. It is a safety hazard.
M. Knott will coordinate with D. Ouellette on the replacement.
08 Update on the Pawtuxet Valley Historical Society Building Project as requested by Councilman Licciardi
J. Tellier updated the body on the Historical Society Building. Phase one is almost complete. Inspections have been completed. They have received a $95,050 grant from the Champlin Foundation to complete the project. They have just started the rough in for phase two. He estimates that phase two will be completed by late October.
09 Improvement of T-Mobile antennas on the Factory Street Tower
VOTE for improvements of T-Mobile antennas on the Factory Street Tower.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
10 Authorization for the Purchase of a new 2022 Ford F-550 4X4 Super-duty Life-Line Type 1-AD, Class 1 Emergency Medical Vehicle
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for authorization for the Purchase of a new 2022 Ford F-550 4X4 Super-duty Life-Line Type 1-AD, Class 1 Emergency Medical Vehicle.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Licciardi – Yes
Councilman Messier – Yes
Councilman Bourget - Yes
Council Vice President Williamson – Yes
Council President Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
L. 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
M. Public Forum
To participate, use the “raise hand” icon at the bottom right side of your screen, or, if you are using a phone, press *9. The moderator will tell you when it is your turn to speak.
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.
Mary Asselin of 90 Lonsdale Street has concerns with a portion of Lonsdale Street that has deteriorated.
D. Ouellette will look into this.
Pete Cottrell, of 25 Nowicki Street, would like to see Freddy Gill appointed as DPW Director when D. Ouellette retires. He also notes drainage issues on Almond Court.
D. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, asks about the orchard for the Factory Street playground.
D. Ouellette answered that a couple of volunteer groups are maintaining the orchard.
D. Read would like the sidewalk repaired in front of his home.
D. Gosselin suggests that he reaches out to D. Ouellette, or requests the Council put this on a future agenda.
D. Read would like Nunes Lane added to the Town maps.
N. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Bourget to adjourn at 9:44 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk