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| 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
November 2, 2021
6:00 P.M.
(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)
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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 at 6:46 P.M. by President Gosselin. 
B. Prayer led by Council
C. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited by the body.
D. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman J. Messier
Councilman J. Licciardi
Council Vice President M. Williamson
Council President D. Gosselin
Absent:
Councilman M. Bourget
Also present: Town Solicitor Timothy Williamson, Town Manager Mark Knott, Police Chief Ernest Lavigne, Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone, Finance Director Kristen Benoit,
Human Resource Director Sherri Fournier, 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)– Litigation and R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(1)- discussions of job performance, character, physical or mental health of a person or persons
01 New England Institute of Technology v. Salvatore Saccoccio as Tax Assessor and Town of West Warwick
A. KC 2011-0645
B. KC 2012-0287
C. KC 2014-0712
D. KC 2015-0116
E. KC 2016-0244
F. KC 2017-0162
G. KC 2019-0224
H. KC 2019-0892
I. KC 2020-0276
J. KC 2021-0060
02 For the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of Assistant Director of Public Works
03 For the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of Director of Public Works
04 For the purpose of interviewing candidates for the position of Superintendent of Wastewater
Council states that they will not move to executive session on items 02-04.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2) – Litigation – Item 01. All Ayes
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to return to open session. All Ayes
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier to seal the minutes of Executive Session. All Ayes
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the minutes of the October 19, 2021 Executive Session
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Consent Agenda Items 01 and 02.
All Ayes
H. Liquor Licenses – Town Council acting as the Liquor Commission
CLASS A RENEWALS
01 Rousselle Enterprises, Inc., dba Brookside Package Store, 1193 Main Street
02 Centerville Liquors, Inc., dba Centerville Liquors, 287 Legris Avenue
03 Break Away Liquors, LLC, dba Cowesett Wine & Spirits, 285 Cowesett Avenue
04 House of Liquors, Inc., dba House of Liquors, 549 Quaker Lane
05 Guru LLC, dba Joyals Liquor, 90 West Warwick Avenue
06 L & K Corporation, dba Louise’s Liquor, 850 Main Street
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Class A Liquor Renewals 01-06 subject to inspections.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
CLASS B LIMITED RENEWALS
01 Bright Star, LLC, dba Cowesett Pizza, 306 Cowesett Avenue
02 Rui Qing Lei Inc., dba Fu Ming, 350 Providence Street
03 Filippou’s Twisted Pizza, West Warwick, Inc., dba Filippou’s Twisted Pizza, 568 Providence Street
04 UnWine’d Beer and Wine Lounge LLC, dba UnWine’d Beer and Wine Lounge, 400 Providence Street
05 New England Authentic Eats LLC dba Papa Gino’s, 700 East Greenwich Avenue
06 Taqueria La Casa Del Sabor, LLC dba Taqueria La Casa Del Sabor, 943 Main Street
07 Milas Taqueria, LLC dba Caliente Mexican Grill, 289 Cowesett Avenue, #7 and #8
08 Gel’s Kitchen Inc., dba Gel’s Kitchen, 1745 Main Street, #1
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Class B Limited Liquor Licenses 01-08 subject to inspections.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
CLASS B VICTUALER RENEWALS
01 Aloha Pizza, Inc., dba Aloha Pizza, 126 Roberts Street
02 Aquilante’s Bistro & Tavern, LLC, dba Aquilante’s Bistro & Tavern, 701, 703-705 Quaker Lane
03 Bill's Place, Inc., dba Bill’s Place, 707 Main Street
04 Borowski's Café Inc., l626 Main Street
05 721 Quaker Lane, LLC, dba Condesa Mexican Restaurant, 717-719 Quaker Lane
06 Cowesett Inn, Inc., dba Cowesett Inn, 226 Cowesett Avenue
07 Deborah’s Down the Road, Inc. 826 Main Street
08 Forewest Clubhouse, Inc., dba West Warwick Country Club, 335 Wakefield Street
09 Fresco Also Inc., dba Fresco, 115 Cowesett Avenue
10 Hong Kong Inc., dba Hong Kong Restaurant, 77 Washington St.
11 KMJ Inc., dba The Hour Bar, 1193B Main Street
12 House Of Wu & Chen, Inc., dba House of Wu, 52 Providence Street
13 Thomas Arruda dba JJ’S Café, 289 Cowesett Avenue, Unit 3
14 Khoo Restaurant LLC, dba Khoo, 255 Cowesett Avenue
15 L.A. Cafe, Inc., dba L.A. Cafe, 245 Washington Street
16 M & M Food Service LLC, dba Millonzi Bar & Grille, 11 Curson Street
17 Miss Cranston II Realty LLC dba Miss Cranston Diner and Grill, 45 Quaker Lane
18 Silver Crystal Restaurant, LLC, dba Silver Crystal Restaurant, 289-1 Cowesett Avenue
19 Wakefield Corporation, 100 Lombardi Lane
20 Subin, LLC, dba Masala Pakistani and Indian Cuisine, 35 Quaker Lane, Unit 1
21 Ye Express, Inc., dba Ye Express, 1117 Main St.
22 Westcott House, Inc., 49 Providence Street
23 293 PVD LLC., dba Boomerang’s Roadhouse, 293 Providence Street
M. Williamson need to recuse herself from item 08.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Class B Victualer License 08.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Recusal
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
J. Messier recuses himself from items 01-07 and 09-23.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Class B Victualling Licenses 01-07 and 09-23.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
CLASS D CLUB RENEWALS
01 Amici Club, dba Amici Club, 228-230 Providence Street
02 Club Frontenac, Inc., dba Club Frontenac, 1143 Main Street
03 Portuguese Instructional and Recreation Club, Inc., 918 Main Street
04 Crompton Veterans Organization WWII, dba Crompton Veterans
Organization, WWII Club Bldg., 37 Hepburn Street
05 Pasco R. Senerchia Building Association, Inc, 681 Providence Street
06 Phenix Sportsmen's Club, dba Phenix Sportsmen’s Club, 715 Main Street
07 Portuguese American Citizens Club, 97 East Main Street
08 Portuguese Holy Ghost Society of West Warwick, dba Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, 11 Ventura Street
09 Portuguese American Sports Club, 12 Bridge Street
10 Veterans Building Association, Inc., dba Sgt. David Langevin VFW Post 449, 197 Providence Street
11 West Warwick American Legion Post #2, dba West Warwick American Legion Post #2, 2 Legion Way
12 West Warwick Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6, Inc., dba West Warwick Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6, Inc., 1520 Main Street
13 West Warwick Lodge of Elks, #1697 BPOE of USA, 60 Clyde Street
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Class D Club Liquor Renewals 01-13.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
CLASS T RENEWAL
01 The Arctic Playhouse, dba The Arctic Playhouse Cabaret, 1249 Main Street
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Liccardi for approval of Class T Liquor Renewal for the Artic Playhouse.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
I. Business Licenses
01 Request from Sovan Van dba Fresh Homemade Donuts Inc. for Victualing License
02 Request from West Warwick Manor for Craft and Raffle License
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Business Licenses 01-02.
All Ayes
J. Appointments and Resignations
01 Request for appointment to the Pawtuxet River Authority for term ending June 30, 2024
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier for appointment of Michael Bedard to the Pawtuxet River Authority for term ending June 30, 2024. All Ayes
K. Ordinance Amendments
01 First reading of Ordinance 2021-16 Amending the West Warwick Code of Ordinances Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to hold a second reading of Ordinance 2021-16 Amending the West Warwick Code of Ordinances Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances.
All Ayes
L. New Business
01 Appointment of the Director of Public Works
MOTION made by J. Licciardi to table New Business Items 01-03.
This motion was not seconded.
MOTION FAILS
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for discussion.
M. Knott explains that D. Ouellette will be retiring on December 30th, 2021. They interviewed four candidates for the position. He recommends Alfred Gil. A. Gil has been an employee of the town for 27 years. He has also served as interim director several times.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to approve the recommendation of Alfred Gil as the Director of Public Works.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
A. Gil thanks the Council for the opportunity to serve as Director of Public Works.
02 Appointment of the Assistant Director of Public Works
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for discussion.
M. Knott recommends Jeffrey Caldwell as Assistant Director of Public Works.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to accept the recommendation of Jeffrey Caldwell as Assistant Director of Public Works. All Ayes
03 Appointment of Superintendent of Wastewater
M. Knott recommends Jeffrey Chapdelaine as Superintendent of Wastewater.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to appoint Jeffrey Chapdelaine as Superintendent of Wastewater.
J. Licciardi is against this appointment. He states that the former superintendent of wastewater does not recommend J. Chapdelaine for this position. He would like to re-interview candidates for the position with a panel that knows wastewater.
S. Fournier states that there were twelve applicants for the position. They interviewed five candidates.
M. Williamson feels that J. Chapdelaine has performed admirably.
VOTE:
J. Messier- Yes
J. Licciardi – No
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
04 Reorganization of the Recreation Committee
M. Knott explains the need to make sure the board is properly set up. Board members need to be appointed to terms. They also need some direction from Council.
J. Licciardi does not want this to be a road block to the committee.
Discussion ensues relative to the composition of the board, and the appropriate steps needed to move forward.
V. Marzullo shares concerns. He would like some direction from the Council as to the responsibilities of the board.
D. Gosselin asks for this to be put on the next agenda to formally create this committee.
05 Donation in the amount of $150 to the West Warwick Basketball League as requested by President Gosselin
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of donation in the amount of $150 to the West Warwick Basketball League. All Ayes
06 Consideration of Town Council Annual Meeting Calendar
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the Town Council 2022 Annual Meeting Calendar for the following dates:
January 4
February 1
March 1
April 5
May 3
June 7
July 12
August 2
September 6
October 4
November 1
December 6
VOTE: ALL AYES
MOTION PASSES
07 Resolution Authorizing Select Full and Part-Time Non-Union Employees of the Town of West Warwick to Receive a Salary Increase in FY2022 and Alteration of the Administrative Employee Personal Time Off Policy
J. Licciardi would like to table this until Councilman Bourget is present.
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier to table.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
08 Approval of the Transfer of American Rescue Act Funds for Covid Related Health Care Costs in Fiscal Year 2021 From American Rescue Act Fund – County Funds 611 to Internal Service Fund 301
K. Benoit explains the need for this transfer due to increased healthcare costs.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the Transfer of American Rescue Act Funds for Covid Related Health Care Costs in Fiscal Year 2021 From American Rescue Act Fund – County Funds 611 to Internal Service Fund 301. All Ayes
09 Approval of the Transfer of Surplus Funds for Health Care Costs in Fiscal Year 2021 from General Fund 100 to Internal Service Fund 301
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for approval of the Transfer of Surplus Funds for Health Care Costs in Fiscal Year 2021 from General Fund 100 to Internal Service Fund 301.
All Ayes
10 Authorization for the Department of Public Works to Rent Two Vehicles for Winter Storms in the Amount of $33,834
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for authorization for the Department of Public Works to Rent Two Vehicles for Winter Storms in the Amount of $33,834. All Ayes
11 Approval of Claim Submitted by Shawn Carron of 12 Nicole Drive in the Amount of $1,657.62
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Claim Submitted by Shawn Carron of 12 Nicole Drive in the Amount of $1,657.62.
D. Gosselin notes that the DPW Director recommends denying the claim.
S. Carron is the claimant. He explains how he hit the object in the curb that damaged his vehicle.
Discussion ensues relative the location of the object, and how the claimant damaged his vehicle.
Council would like to table this item in an effort to visit the site.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to table. All Ayes
M. 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 Pawtuxet River Authority – (1) vacancy with term to expire 6/30/2024
04 Tree Warden
05 Recreation Committee – (1) Vacancy for School Committee Member
N. Public Forum
J. Licciardi announces that he is resigning from the Sewer Committee effective immediately.
K. Millonzi, of 11 Curson Street, shares his concerns with the dumping taking place at 113 Brookside Avenue. He would like this placed on the November 16th agenda.
P. Petrozzi, of Valley Heating, is also concerned with the property at 113 Brookside Avenue.
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns about the current paving project.
M. Knott spoke with the DPW Director and Cardi today. He updated the body.
A. Palazzo states that the fence at the Riverpoint playground is down. He asks about the resignation of the Town Planner. He was surprised that there wasn’t anything on the agenda. A. Palazzo shares concerns with potential flooding near the sewer plant.
D. Gosselin states that West Warwick lost a great employee. The Town Manager has a plan in place to use Planner’s from neighboring communities. It has never been a practice to place resignations on agendas.
A. Palazzo asks about the taxes for Medrecyler.
M. Knott states a letter has been sent to the owner asking for an inspection.
A. Palazzo asks if the Council has requested an opinion relative to discussing the Town Solicitor in Executive Session.
R. Adrian, of 37 Brayton Street, would like to see the ordinances amended to allow for vehicle maintenance and unregistered vehicles. He would like to work on his vehicle in his driveway.
E. Mansour states she has been an employee of the Town for 30 years. She agrees with D. Gosselin. The Town lost a great employee in M. Carruolo.
M. Bourget agrees that losing M. Carruolo is a huge loss to the Town. M. Bourget states that he did reach out to the Attorney General’s Office regarding holding Executive Session about the Town Solicitor’s job performance. The Attorney General’s Office stated that they cannot give legal advice. He asks J. Licciardi to withdraw his resignation from the Sewer Committee.
A. DiFiore has been with the Town since 2004. He worked with 6 or 7 Town Planners before M. Carruolo. He states that M. Carruolo showed him what a Town Planner was supposed to do.
O. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 8:40 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk