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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
September 7, 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. The meeting was called to order at 6:05 P.M. by Council President Gosselin. 
(no audio)
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
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, 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 and R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(1)- Job Performance
01 RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO West Warwick Town Employees Local 2045
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi 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
No votes were taken during executive session.
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes from the August 10, 2021 Special Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the minutes from the August 17, 2021 Regular Town Council Meeting
03 Approval of Tax Cancellations as requested by the Tax Assessor
04 Approval of additions to the tax roll as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Consent Agenda Items 01-04.
J. Licciardi would like to abstain from Consent 01. He was not present.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi - Abstains
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
H. Business Licenses
01 Renewal of Mechanical Amusement License for LA Café
02 Renewal of Hawker Peddler License for Casa Tia Rosa LLC
03 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for CVS Pharmacy #2323
04 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for CVS Pharmacy #397
05 Renewal of Holiday Sales License for CVS Pharmacy #2384
06 Approval of Tag Day License for West Warwick Fire Department
07 Approval of Raffle License for Friends of the West Warwick Public Library
08 Approval of Raffle License for Church of Christ the King
09 Approval of Victualing House License for Go Puff
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Business Licenses 01-09. All Ayes
I. Appointments and Resignations
01 Request from Vincent Marzullo for appointment to the Recreation Committee
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to appoint Vincent Marzullo to the Recreation Committee. All Ayes
J. Ordinance Amendments
01 First reading of Ordinance approving a Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement for the Historic Renovation of the Arctic Mill Located at 33 Factory Street; also identified as Assessor’s Plat 16 Lot 105
M. Knott explains that this is a planned development at the Arctic Mill. They have gone before the Planning Board for approvals. They have proposed improvements to the mill which would include apartments and retail.
Larry Phillips was in attendance on behalf of the Arctic Mill Development. They are the same developers that refurbished the Pontiac Mills. They have proposed 136 apartments and 5000 square feet of retail space in the Arctic Mill.
D. Gosselin asks for a timeframe in which the project will be completed.
L. Phillips estimates they will begin work on October 1st and it will take approximately two years.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to move ordinance approving a Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement for the Historic Renovation of the Arctic Mill Located at 33 Factory Street; also identified as Assessor’s Plat 16 Lot 105. All Ayes
02 First reading of Ordinance 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
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to move the ordinance 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. All Ayes
K. New Business
01 Consideration of request from Angela Coburn for appointment to the West Warwick School Committe
A. Coburn states that she is excited to work with the School Committee.
L. Colon, Chair of the School Committee, is excited to work with A. Coburn.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to appoint Angela Coburn to the West Warwick School Committee for term expiring November 2022. All Ayes
02 Approval of Claim from Michael and Michelle Marchetti for Tree Removal at 11 Parker Street
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for approval of claim from Michael and Michelle Marchetti for Tree removal at 11 Parker Street. All Ayes
T. Williamson suggests the owners sign a release prior to payment of claim.
03 Request from National Grid for installation of new pole and anchor at 83 Pulaski Street
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson for approval of Request from National Grid for installation of new pole and anchor at 83 Pulaski Street. All Ayes
04 Approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and the RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO West Warwick Employees Local 2045 Effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and the RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO West Warwick Employees Local 2045 Effective July 1, 2021 through June 30, 2024. All Ayes
05 Road Bond/Road Repair Update
D. Ouellette, DPW Director, reports that they have used 28,000 gallons of crack seal so far on the road project. They have completed 40-45% of the road project. He furnished Council with a completed road list, as well as a future road list. He states that they budgeted $900,000 for crack seal. He projects that the Town will save $160,000 by paying by the gallon. He explains the micro-surfacing process. This is done in two coats at the cost of $7 per square yard.
D. Gosselin asks D. Ouellette to look into driveways that are retaining water.
D. Ouellette will look into driveways as well as manhole covers.
D. Gosselin states that there have been issues with residents being notified of road work. Communication needs to improve.
M. Williamson agrees that communication needs to improve.
D. Ouellette explains that there is a planning meeting on Thursdays at 9AM. He invites Council to attend.
Discussion ensued relative to the billing/invoicing of the project.
06 Town Council permits the Town Manager and Solicitor to respond with the Town's vote regarding pending Opioid litigation settlements of individual lawsuits based upon the recommendations of Eva Marie Mancuso Esq., our legal representative
Council would like to see updates on this lawsuit on future agendas.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to permit the Town Manager and Solicitor to respond with the Town's vote regarding pending Opioid litigation settlements of individual lawsuits based upon the recommendations of Eva Marie Mancuso Esq., our legal representative. All Ayes
07 Request from the West Warwick High School Hockey Team for Golf Tournament Sponsorship; sponsored by Councilman Messier
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi for approval of request from the West Warwick High School Hockey Team for Golf Tournament Sponsorship in the amount of $100. All Ayes
08 Discussion Regarding Enforcement of Building Code and Property Maintenance Code Violation Liens
A. DiFiore explains why they cannot enforce the Building and Property Maintenance Code Violations by placing liens on properties.
T. Williamson suggests revoking certificates of occupancy.
Discussion ensued relative to blight properties and various options to enforce cleanup.
L. Upcoming Appointments
01 Sewer Use Board of Review: (1) Alternate member vacancy with a term to expire on 10/2021, and (1) vacancy with a term to expire 10/2023
02 Pawtuxet River Authority - (1) vacancy with term to expire 6/30/2024
03 West Warwick Housing Authority – (1) vacancy with term to expire 11/2021
04 Arctic Redevelopment Commission – (1) vacancy with term to expire 10/1/2026
05 Tree Warden
M. Public Forum
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, gives recommendations on how to improve communications for road work.
E. Lavigne will post on the West Warwick Police Facebook page about road improvements.
A. Palazzo asks how much the town spent over budget on the Factory Street Playground.
Discussion ensues about town playgrounds.
D. Gosselin explains which properties are brownfields in town.
A. Palazzo is concerned that there are generators at the Med Recycling facility and that they should be assessed for tax purposes.
A. Palazzo also feels that the Town should be flying the flags at have staff in honor of the fallen soldiers in Afghanistan. He also shares concerns about the conditions of Town Hall.
N. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to adjourn at 9:28 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
_________________________________
Sarah S. Rapose, Town Clerk, CMC