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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
October 5, 2021
6:00 P.M.
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. Meeting called to order by the Town Council President
B. Prayer led by Council
C. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
D. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
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, 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)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation
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
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)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation.All Ayes
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier to return to Open Session.All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget to seal the minutes of Executive Session. All Ayes
No votes were taken in Executive Session.
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes of the September 14, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the minutes of the September 21, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting
03 Approval of the minutes of the September 21, 2021 Executive Session
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Consent Agenda Items 01-03.
All Ayes
H. Business Licenses
01 Request from Lat’s Variety LLC for Victualing House License
02 Request from Diamond in the Ruff LLC for Holiday Sales License
03 Request from Family Dollar #31982 for Holiday Sales License
04 Request from Metro Wireless LLC for Second Hand Dealers License
05 Request from Sacred Heart Church for Bazaar/Raffle License
06 Request from West Warwick Teachers Alliance for Bazaar/Raffle License
07 Request from Mike & Lenny’s Bar Pizza for Hawker/Peddler License
08 Request from Mac’s Bowl Away for Mechanical Amusement License
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Business Licenses 01-08. All Ayes
I. Appointments and Resignations
01 Removal of John Shugrue from the Recreation Committee
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to remove John Shugrue from the Recreation Committee. All Ayes
02 Appointment of Derek Read to the Recreation Committee
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget to appoint Derek Read to the Recreation Committee.
All Ayes
03 Resignation of Ralph Solmonese from the West Warwick Pension Board
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Ralph Solmonese from the West Warwick Pension Board with regret. All Ayes
J. Ordinance Amendments
01 Second reading of Ordinance 2021-13 Adopting and Enacting a New Code for the Town of West Warwick, Rhode Island; Providing for the Repeal of Certain Ordinances not included therein; Providing a Penalty for the Violation Thereof; Providing for the Manner of Amending Such Code; and Providing When Such Code and this Ordinance Shall Become Effective.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2021-13 Adopting and Enacting a New Code for the Town of West Warwick, Rhode Island; Providing for the Repeal of Certain Ordinances not included therein; Providing a Penalty for the Violation Thereof; Providing for the Manner of Amending Such Code; and Providing When Such Code and this Ordinance Shall Become Effective.All Ayes
02 Second reading of Ordinance 2021-14 amending Chapter 11, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 34, Routes Where Trucks are Prohibited and Appendix C of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick – Danby Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Ordinance 2021-14 amending Chapter 11, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 34, Routes Where Trucks are Prohibited and Appendix C of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick – Danby Street.All Ayes
03 First reading of Ordinance 2021-15 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick by adding Thereto Chapter 10, Licenses and Business Regulations, Article XV Non-Resident Landlords
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi for approval of Ordinance 2021-15 Amending the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick by adding Thereto Chapter 10, Licenses and Business Regulations, Article XV Non-Resident Landlords.All Ayes
K. New Business
01 Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between The Town of West Warwick and the IBPO Local 312 for Colonel Ernest Lavigne to Assist with Unfilled Positions During Staffing Shortage
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Memorandum of Understanding between The Town of West Warwick and the IBPO Local 312 for Colonel Ernest Lavigne to Assist with Unfilled Positions During Staffing Shortage. All Ayes
02 Consideration of Memorandum of Understanding between The Town of West Warwick and the IBPO Local 312 for Temporary Provisions in Handling the Current Staffing Shortage
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Memorandum of Understanding between The Town of West Warwick and the IBPO Local 312 for Temporary Provisions in Handling the Current Staffing Shortage. All Ayes
03 Consideration of Water Utility Easement between the Town of West Warwick and Kent County Water Authority
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Water Utility Easement between the Town of West Warwick and Kent County Water Authority.
T. Williamson explained the agreement.
Council would like to hear from Jim Geremia before making a decision. They will consider this at the October 19, 2021 Sewer Commission meeting.
NO ACTION TAKEN
04 Approval of Claim from Matthew Medeiros of 4 Kowalik Drive in the amount of $200
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi for approval of claim from Matthew Medeiros of 4 Kowalik Drive in the amount of $200. All Ayes
05 Consideration of Adding Streets to the Crack Sealing List of the Road Bond Project
D. Ouellette states that there is surplus crack seal available. He recommends sealing additional roads.
Discussion ensues relative to the road priority list.
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier to discuss add streets to the crack sealing list of the Road Bond Project. All Ayes
06 Consideration of Release of Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008 Casefile as requested by Councilman Bourget
MOTION made by M. Bourget, second by J. Messier for Release of Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008 Casefile as requested by Councilman Bourget.
M. Bourget would like to know the legal reason why he cannot have access to the original case files. This case has been dismissed.
T. Williamson states that two copies of the file have been provided to Councilman Bourget and Town Manger Knott as instructed by the Town Council. If the Town Council asks him to return the file to the Town, he will return the file.
Discussion ensues relative to the casefile.
It was requested that the Town Solicitor’s job performance will be addressed on the next Town Council agenda.
It was resolved that the Solicitor will release the original casefile to the Town Clerk.
VOTE- ALL AYES
07 Cost Associated with the Copying of the Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008 case file as requested by Councilman Bourget
M. Bourget asked how much the town was charged for making copies of these files.
T. Williamson responded that there was no cost to the town.
No action was taken.
08 Discussion of Binder Prepared by Solicitor Williamson and Distributed to the Town Council Relative to Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008 as requested by Councilman Bourget
This item was already covered in previous discussion.
09 Discussion of Tangible Tax Bill for the Medrecycler Facility
M. Bourget asked for this to be put on the agenda.
S. Saccoccio doesn’t believe the items in question are in generators. He believes the are self-ventilating containers. They are not hooked up to anything. He explains the assessment of the property.
10 Authorization to Add Seven Items to the Surplus Sale List for GovDeals
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier for authorization to Add Seven Items to the Surplus Sale List for GovDeals. All Ayes
11 Update from the Town Manager on Performance of GovDeals for the First Quarter of FY2022
M. Knott states they have sold 15 items on GovDeals. The Town made $46,935.07 in profit from sales.
12 Consideration of Protocols for American Rescue Plan Funds
M. Knott states that $8.6 million dollars has been awarded to the Town of West Warwick. There is a suggestion to have public engagement. He proposes different scenarios. He asks for guidance.
Council consensus was to have the Town Manager and Finance Director engage necessary Town Employees, Committees, and community partners to determine the best use of the funds.
13 Consideration of Accepting Conveyance of a Partial Parcel of Land on Lonsdale Street (Assessor’s Plat 13, Lot 360)
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to accept conveyance of a Partial Parcel of Land on Lonsdale Street (Assessor’s Plat 13, Lot 360).
M. Knott says that his will require further investigation and will have to be considered at the Town’s Financial Town Meeting.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN
L. 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 - (1) vacancy with terms to expire on 11/18/2021
03 Pawtuxet River Authority – (1) vacancy with term to expire 6/30/2024
04 West Warwick Housing Authority – (1) vacancy with term to expire 11/2021
05 Arctic Redevelopment Commission – (1) vacancy with term to expire 10/1/2026
06 Tree Warden
07 Recreation Committee – (1) Vacancy for School Committee Member
M. Public Forum
A. DiFiore updates the Council on lien enforcement. C. Davey has been sending out letters to the banks with good response. He has called the Health Department regarding a rodent health problem. The Health Department has been unresponsive.
M. Bourget suggests that M. Knott call the Governor’s office.
D. Gosselin has concerns with a sewage leak on Wakefield street.
M. Knott states that the homeowner did respond to the Sewer Department. They have scheduled a meeting with the contractor tomorrow.
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, has concerns with the Medrecycler discussion. Video’s have been shared that show more equipment in the facility. He shares an email he has received from DEM about River Point. He informs the body of a proposed solar facility at Valley County Club.
J. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, wants
N. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to adjourn at 9:10 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________________
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk