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

May 11, 2021

7:00 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 President Gosselin at 7:00 P.M.

 

B.         Prayer led by Councilman J. Messier.

 

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

 

D.        Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Present:

Councilman J. Messier

Councilman J. Licciardi

Council Vice President M. Williamson

Council President D. Gosselin

 

Also present:  Town Solicitor Al Difiore, Town Manager Mark Knott, Finance Director Kristen Benoit, Police Chief Ernest Lavigne, Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone, HR Director Sherri Fournier, Tax Assessor Sal Saccoccio Jr., Tax Collector Rose Silva, Public Works Director Don Ouellette, and Town Clerk Sarah Rapose

           

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Citations

01        Citation 2021-01 honoring Juana Palacios

 

The citation was read aloud by the Town Clerk. 

 

J. Messier would like to honor citation recipients when the Council starts meeting in person again. 

 

G.        Consent Agenda

01        Approval of the minutes from the April 20, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting

           

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the minutes from the April 20, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

MOTION PASSES

 

H.        Business Licenses

01        Request from Tina St. Angelo for renewal of Kennel License for premises located at 12 Pulaski Street

02        Request from Gendron’s Jewelers for renewal of Second Hand Dealer’s License

03        Request from Liberty Mobility LLC for renewal of Second Hand Dealer’s License

04        Request from Estate Services for renewal of Second Hand Dealer’s License

05        Request from Church of Christ the King for Raffle Permit

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Business Licenses 01-05.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

MOTION PASSES

 

 

I.          New Business

01  Presentation of the FY2020 Audit by Clifton, Larson, and Allen

 

Ron Nossek and Matthew Bonin were in attendance on behalf of Clifton, Larson, and Allen. 

 

Ron Nossek explained the audit process.  He states that there were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies found in the audit.  There were no compliance violations.  There was clean reporting on all three levels for FY2020.  The fund balance on June 30, 2020 was $4,215,809.  Unassigned fund balance was $3,494,374 which represents 8.6% of total budgetary expenditures.  The fund balance did increase from FY2019 to FY2020 by $2,007,346.  Revenues were less than budgetary projections in the amount of $418,000.  This was due solely to State funding relative to education.  Actual expenditures came in at less than budgetary estimates for the fiscal year.  He reviewed long term financial obligations. 

 

No action was taken. 

 

02  Consideration of using GovDeals.com to dispose of surplus Town property

 

M. Knott explained the program to the body. 

 

J. Licciardi thinks it would be a great idea to use this program.

 

M. Williamson agrees. 

 

D. Oullette explains that the process will remain the same.  Council will still have to approve transactions. 

 

M. Knott explains that there is no cost to the Town to use the service.  He will institute and internal policy for staff to use the service.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY COUNCIL.

 

03  Request from the Tax Collector to award bid for the printing of the annual tax bills to D3 Logic, Inc. in the amount of $17,292.00

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi to award bid for the printing of the annual tax bills to D3 Logic, Inc. in the amount of $17,292.00.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

MOTION PASSES

 

04  Wording to be used on the May 20, 2021 Ballot for the FY2022 All Day Referendum

 

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes

 

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY COUNCIL.

 

05  Wording to be used on the May 20, 2021 Ballot for Road Bond Approval

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY BY COUNCIL. 

 

06  Approval of improvements to the Police and Fire Emergency communications infrastructure on the Factory Street Communications Tower in the amount of $29,311.00 to be reimbursed by AT&T

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of improvements to the Police and Fire Emergency communications infrastructure on the Factory Street Communications Tower in the amount of $29,311.00 to be reimbursed by AT&T.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

Councilman Licciardi – Yes

Councilman Messier – Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes     

 

MOTION PASSES

 

J.          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 – (1) vacancy

04        Tree Warden

05        Planning Board- (2) with a term to expire 7/2021

06        Zoning Board of Review- (2) with term to expire on 7/2021

 

 

K.         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.

 

D. Gosselin announces that there will not be a primary for the Special Election for the Town Council seat in Ward Five.  The two candidates for the unexpired Town Council seat are Debra Tocco and Mark Bourget. 

 

L.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by, second by to adjourn at 7:57 P.M.                   All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

________________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, Town Clerk