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 21, 2021

7:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)

 

 

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

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 Manager Mark Knott, Police Chief Ernest Lavigne, Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone, Finance Director Kristen Benoit,

Human Resource Director Sherri Fournier, Tax Collector Rosemarie Silva, Tax Assessor Sal Saccoccio Jr., and Town Clerk Sarah Rapose  

              

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by M. Williamson to move New Business 02 up for immediate consideration.                              All Ayes

 

02        Update on the Pawtuxet Valley Historical Society Building Project as requested by Councilman Licciardi

 

Jerry Tellier was in attendance on behalf of the Pawtuxet Valley Historical Society.  He updates the Council on the current building project.  He expects that the project will be completed by early December.  They are hoping to hold an open house.  He notes that there is still a drainage issue in front of the building that needs to be addressed. 

 

F.         Consent Agenda

01  Approval of the minutes of the September 7, 2021 Regular Town Council meeting

02  Approval of the minutes of the September 7, 2021 Executive Session

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Consent Agenda items 01 and 02.

                                                All Ayes

                       

G.        Liquor Licenses

01  Transfer of Class A Liquor License from L&K Corporation DBA Louise’s Liquors to Rhode Island Wine & Spirits, Inc for premises located at 1745 Main Street, Units 10A &10B

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Class A Liquor License from L&K Corporation DBA Louise’s Liquors to Rhode Island Wine & Spirits, Inc for premises located at 1745 Main Street, Units 10A &10B.             All Ayes

 

H.        Business Licenses

01  Request from RI Homemade Donuts Inc. for Victualing House License          

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of request from RI Homemade Donuts Inc. for Victualing House License; subject to payment of sewer bill with notices sent to the current and former owner.                         All Ayes

 

I.          Appointments and Resignations

01  Appointment of Nathan Hannon to the Pension Board for term ending November 18, 2022

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for appointment of Nathan Hannon to the Pension Board for term ending November 18, 2022; subject to clean BCI.              All Ayes

 

J.          Ordinance Amendments

01  Second 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

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval 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

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02  Second 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 – Branch Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval 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 – Branch Avenue

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

03  First reading of Ordinance 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 to move the Ordinance 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

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

04  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 – Danby Street

 

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 – Danby Street

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

K.         New Business

01  August 2021 Monthly Finance Report

 

K. Benoit reports that the current year tax collections total $21,434,648.07 which is 32.17% of the budget for current year taxes.  Prior year tax collections total $362,699.66.  Overall, revenues are at 24.53% which is higher than the expected 16.67%.  The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $94,419.11 and an operating revenue of $115,545.91.  The auditors will be coming in October to start field work.  The bank balance as of 9/15/2021 is $19,725,202.02.

 

02  Update on the Pawtuxet Valley Historical Society Building Project as requested by Councilman Licciardi

 

This item was considered earlier in the meeting.

 

03  Discussion/Action relative to the Flat Top Playground Replacement as requested by Councilman Licciardi

 

J. Licciardi has been fielding a lot of questions about this playground.  He would like to know if the plan is to replace the playground or leave it vacant.  He wants people to know this is still on his radar.

 

M. Knott states that all Town playgrounds need to be assessed.  He would like to come up with a plan and engage the Recreation Committee. 

 

04  Discussion/Action relative to the Factory Street Playground and costs associated with upgrades and ADA Compliance as requested by Council President Gosselin

 

M. Knott states that he has worked with the DPW Director and Finance Director to look into what happened with this project.  Originally there was $145,600 slated for this project.  Of that, $100,000 was a DEM grant.  The total cost ended up being $285,318.  They needed to make the playground ADA compliant.

 

M. Bourget feels that this amount is excessive.  He thinks that they need to do a better job pre-planning so this does not occur in the future. 

 

05  Update on Riverpoint Park Playground as requested by President Gosselin

 

M. Knott states that this playground has been closed and secured until the pathway has been graded, and a walkway and two handicap spots are added. 

 

D. Ouellette explains the schedule of improvements.  He commends his staff for their hard work that they put in to the Factory Street playground.

 

06  Consideration of Request from Councilman Bourget for Independent Review of Town Procedure relative to Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008

 

MOTION made by M. Bourget, second by J. Messier to table.                   All Ayes

 

07  Announcement by Councilman Licciardi of Pawtuxet River Authority event to be held at Crompton Fishing Pier on Saturday, October 9^th from 9AM to 1PM

 

J. Licciardi announces the event at the handicap fishing pier in Crompton.  This is a great event for the special needs community.

 

08  Approval of Claim from Joseph Petrarca of Burlingame Road in the amount of $727.64

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of claim from Joseph Petrarca of Burlingame Road in the amount of $727.64.               All Ayes

 

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

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

 

M.        Public Forum

 

D. Gosselin reads a letter from David Perry commending the work by Jeff Caldwell on the caboose renovation at River Point. 

 

M. Knott informs the body that there will be a Resource and Recovery presentation on composting at the Library.

 

T. Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, inquires about the Hebert Field lease. 

 

D. Gosselin responds that they are discussing the lease with the property owner and attorney.

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, is happy to hear the playgrounds are being addressed. 

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, appreciates all of the open dialogue.  He feels all of the facilities need to be done.  He states that work has begun at 63 Andrew’s Avenue.  He offers his assistance to DPW. 

 

N.        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)(3)- Security Personnel

01  Ernest Lavigne Contract Amendment

02  Post June 10, 2021 Supreme Court Decision; Town Council’s review of Read’s Landscape Construction Inc. v. 4N Properties LLC, KC 2017-1008 (Industrial Drive)

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by J. Licciardi 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)(3)- Security Personnel.

                                    All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to return to open session and seal the minutes of executive session.                         All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to ask the Town Manager to draft a Memorandum of Understanding with the assistance of the Union to allow the Colonel to accept overtime positions due to staffing shortages.                                  All Ayes

 

 

D. Gosselin states the New Business 06 is going to remain tabled. 

 

O.        Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to adjourn at 11:07 P.M.                        All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

____________________________________

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk