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

August 16, 2022

6:00 P.M.

 

 

MINUTES

 

*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 at 6:30 p.m.

 

B.         Prayer led by Council

 

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

 

D.        Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Jason Licciardi – absent

Councilman Jason Messier - present

Councilman Mark Bourget - present

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - present

Council President David Gosselin – present

 

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Deputy Town Clerk

 

F.         Consent Agenda

01        Approval of the minutes from the July 12, 2022, Regular Town Council Meeting

02        Approval of the minutes from the July 25, 2022, Special Town Council Meeting

03        Cancellation of taxes as requested by the Tax Assessor

 

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier, and approved by a voice vote.

 

G.        Ordinances

01        Second Reading of Ordinance Amending the Zoning Map of Appendix A – Zoning Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick designating Tax Assessor Map 18 Lots 59 and 61 as Mill Reuse Development District also known as Mill Reuse Overlay District

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and Approved by a roll call vote:

 

Councilman Bourget – Yes

Councilman Messier - Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes

          

02        First Reading of Ordinance Amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances – Douglas Street

 

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and

Approved by a roll call vote:

 

Councilman Bourget – Yes

Councilman Messier - Yes

Council Vice President Williamson – Yes

Council President Gosselin – Yes

 

H.        Business Licenses

 

01        Request from Food Vibes LLC for a Hawkers and Peddlers License

 

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and

Approved by voice vote:

           

I.          Town Council acting as the Sewer Commission

01        Resolution 2022-28 – Bid Award – Removal and Disposal of Two Underground Diesel Storage Tanks

 

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and

Approved by voice vote:

 

02        Resolution 2022-29 – Bid Award – Replacement of Stevens Drive Sewer Line

 

MOTION made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and

Approved by voice vote:

                     

J.          New Business

01        Discussion of Ice Rink Scheduling, Usage, and Payment Procedures

 

Councilman Licciardi was not present motion to table made by Councilman Bourget, seconded

By Council Vice President Gosselin and approved by a voice vote.

 

02        Discussion of Matthew Dennison Memorial at the West Warwick Ice Rink

 

A business owner reaches out to Councilman Bourget and wants to remain anonymous to build a memorial in honor of Matthew Dennison and also other late students at the ice rink. There will be no cost to the town. The Council agreed with the memorial. With permission from parents, they should somehow acknowledge all local students who passed away. Council President stated he would like to see the School Committee and superintendent and suggested forming a committee to plan the memorial.

 

03        Discussion of Greenbush Elementary School Parking/Traffic Issues

 

Councilman Bourget stated there will be a meeting on September 22, with the Town Manager

and School Department

 

04        Discussion of Playground at Flat Top Park

 

Councilman Bourget stated he received a call from a constituent who was upset that the playground was taken down. Town manager stated there is no formal plan yet but is waiting on the Crompton Playground grant or start fresh.

 

05        Discussion of Dog Park at Flat Top Park

 

Councilman Bourget stated this came before the council last fall and has not received any information. Town Manager stated that there is not enough room for a dog park but received information from the trust and again this is part of the recreation project.

 

06        Consideration of request from WWEWG Hockey for Annual Golf Tournament Sponsorship

 

Council President Gosselin stated they are asking for $100.00 T Sponsorship approved by a voice vote.

 

07        Presentation from the West Warwick Veterans Council about upcoming Ceremonies including September 11^th and Veteran’s Day

 

Motion to table made by Councilman Messier, seconded by Council Vice President Williamson and approved by a voice vote.

 

08        Litigation Resolution:  Ashley Han v. West Warwick C.A. 2015-0036

 

Moved by Councilman Messier, seconded by Council Vice President Williamson and

Approved by voice vote.

 

Town Manager stated this resolution is for the Town Council hereby acknowledges satisfaction and accord of payments of damages pursuant in a verdict and consent judgement ordered by Kent County Superior Court on July 20, 2022. The Judgment entered in favor of the plaintiff in the amount of $800,000.00 will be paid jointly by the Town paying $640,000.00 with the appropriate of $160,000.00 made buy our insurer, the RI Interlocal Trust. Consent judgment is attached for the record.

 

09        Litigation Resolution: Neronha v. West Warwick C.A. 2019-10009

 

Moved by Council President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier and approved by a voice vote.

 

The Town Council hereby approves the Attorney General’s offer of settlement via Consent Judgement on the access of Public Act Records litigation a payment in the amount of $1000.00 and a contribution to the food cupboard in the amount of $6,000.00.

Approved by a voice vote.

 

10        Update on request from the Kent County Water Authority to construct a pressure reducing valve station on a portion of Plat 39, Lot 5 on Providence Street

 

Town Solicitor stated this came before the Town Council and also passed at the All-Day Referendum. Attorney Sullivan reached out to the Town Solicitor on July 25, and they have approved a $600,000.00 improvement and also met with the board to waive the sewer use data fees. There has not been anything formally in writing for the town and the Town Solicitor stated they should have something in writing for consideration for the town approval on this transfer.

 

11        Update on American Rescue Plan Funds and expenditures

 

The Town Manager stated the second portion of the non-entitlement unit funds is slightly more than $1.5 million total award amount of $8.6 million so with the second half of the community funds of $2.8million that is expected to be deposited in the next couple of months into the town account at that time we have received all the funds that was granted to the town.

 

12        Resolution authorizing payment for supplemental Town Hall carpet replacement project from ARPA funds

 

Moved by Council Vice Person Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier.

 

The Town Manager proposed $16,425.49 for supplement carpet replacement work in the Town Hall to Bartholomew Contract Interiors (BCI) of Hartford CT. Approved by a voice vote.

 

13        Resolution authorizing transfer of funds to the West Warwick Senior Center from ARPA funds

 

Moved by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier.

 

The Town Manager is recommending assisting with the family of maintenance and removing projects, the procurement of the accessible transportation van and professional services for nursing and sanitation services at the senior center for the health, safety, and welfare of the residents. To use American Rescue Plan Funds to encumber $65,000 to assist the West Warwick Senior Center a non-profit organization.

 

14        Resolution declaring August 31, 2022, as “International Overdose Awareness Day”

 

Moved by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier.

 

Councilman Messier stated there is an event for August 31, at the gazabo from 6:00 to 8:00 organized by the West Warwick Health Equity Zone overdose prevention and recovery group. The event is to honor international overdose awareness. This is the fourth annual international awareness day.

 

15        Claim from Dimity Magiera in the amount of $272.48

 

Motion made by Council Vice President Williamson, seconded by Councilman Messier to approve the claim in the amount of $272.48 approved by a voice vote.

 

16        Claim from Adam Chiang in the amount of $300.00

 

Councilman Bourget has questions regarding this claim and to notify the applicant to attend

The next Town Council Meeting.

 

Motion to table made by Councilman Messier, second Councilman Bourget and approved by a voice vote.

           

K.         Upcoming Appointments

01        Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as an alternate member for three-year term

02        Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member for three-year term

03        Zoning Board – Appointment to fill vacancy as alternate member for term ending July 2027

 

L.         Public Forum

 

Anna Spodnik- stated the council who is up re-election should go out and speak to the residents of our town and hold their ground and protect the residents of this town from people who are looking for a safe haven and will hurt each other over political views and the town does not need it. We all need to work together regardless of party affiliation everyone should be able to work together whether we agree or disagree.

 

Paul Faria-stated on behalf of the RI Knights youth Hockey Association stated they are a local hockey youth program in West Warwick. The organization is a non-profit and is run by volunteers. The organization has been teaching kids for over ten years. Their mission is to provide a place for all children regardless of ability and to play travel hockey and the town recreational team. The organization partner with the Providence Bruins for the last four years with the learn to play program. When the town council sign he contract during financial straits the town council; took upon themselves to interject and schedule ice time in the large block. Paul stated now they have to go to the organization and supplement their ice time and purchase their hours that they purchased from the town at a discount which is $240.00. Paul would like to see a new policy for how the ice is allocated.

 

 

Tom Oates – stated the dog park came before the council for Flat Top Park and it was rejected.

The playground on Payan Street on the ballot (not on the ballot)

 

Allan Palazzo – Any movement on the Veteran’s Affair Coordinator. No action per Town Manager waiting on Police Officer to come back from leave to work on this matter.

Any update on elderly tax freeze.

 

M.        Adjournment

 

Motion made by Councilman Messier, seconded by Council Vice President Williamson to adjourn at 7:56 p.m. approved by a voice vote.

 

 

Respectfully submitted

 

 

 

_____________________________

Paula Iannitelli, Deputy Town Clerk