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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
June 21, 2022
6:00 P.M.
(Immediately following the Sewer Commission)
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AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT: https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri
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 at 6:49 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 - present
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 Town Clerk
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by M. Bourget to move New Business 06 up for immediate consideration. All Ayes
06 Resolution Approving Medical Stop Loss Insurance for the Town of West Warwick and West Warwick Public Schools
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by M. Bourget to approve resolution approving medical stop loss Insurance for the Town of West Warwick and West Warwick Public Schools. All Ayes
F. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes from the June 7, 2022 Regular Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the minutes from the June 16, 2022 Special Town Council Meeting
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda. All Ayes
G. Ordinances
01 Second Reading of Ordinance Approving the Amended Pension Plan (excluding Police and Fire) for the Town of West Warwick
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of ordinance approving the Amended Pension Plan (excluding Police and Fire) for the Town of West Warwick.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 First Reading of Ordinance Amending Appendix C - Traffic Ordinances – Sidney Street and Sheffield Avenue
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to move the ordinance Amending Appendix C - Traffic Ordinances – Sidney Street and Sheffield Avenue.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
H. Licenses
01 Request from Dimitri Benekos for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker and Dance Live Band License for event to be held on July 3, 2022 at 137 Woodside Avenue
02 Request from Kristy Harrington for Aplifier/Loudspeaker and DJ License for event to be held on July 3, 2022 at 43 Phenix Avenue
03 Request from Prospect Enterprises for Filling Station License
04 Request from Prospect Enterprises for Victualling License
05 Request from Mega West Warwick LLC for Victualling License
06 Request from Katknows Knot for Arts & Craft License
07 Laundry License Renewals:
A. Thorpes Laundromat, Inc.
B. Tumble Town 2 LLC
C. SMR Enterprise
D. Arctic Laundromat LLC
E. Ray’s Polyclean, Inc.
F. Spin It Laundromat Inc.
G. C&D Dry Clean City LLC
H. Kansals One Stop Laundry & Dry Cleaning
I. 24/7 Laundry
08 Filling Station License Renewals
A. Sam’s Food Store
B. Cumberland Farms, Inc. #3814
C. Cumberland Farms, Inc. #3860
D. Cumberland Farms, Inc. #3876
E. Cumberland Farms, Inc. #3807
F. American Mart
G. Stop-N-Go Gas
H. Speedway #02819
I. Quaker Lane Gas LLC
J. Providence Street Shell
K. Trillium Real Estate West Warwick
L. Cowesett Sun Service
M. Main Street Gas Station
N. Savers Mart III
09 Flea Market License Renewals
A. Grandma’s Attic
B. Martha & Mary’s Thrift Shop
C. Old Mill Flea Market
10 Holiday Sales License Renewals
01 Aarman’s Inc. dba Quality Fuel - 242 Cowesett Ave.
02 Akbar Zaheer dba Sam’s Food Store - 119 East Main Street
03 Albert Castelli dba Del’s Lemonade – 306 Cowesett Ave.
04 Advance Auto Parts – 251 Legris Ave
05 Balise Subaru Inc. dba Balise Subaru – 561 Quaker Lane
06 Balise V. Inc. dba Balise Volkswagon – 525 Quaker Lane Lane
07 Better Value Supermarkets, Inc. dba Jerry’s Supermarket - 25 Providence Street
08 Breads N’Stuff - 1669 Main Street
09 Cardis Depot Store Inc. dba Ashley Home Store – 6 James P Murphy Hwy
10 Cardis Depot Store Inc. dba RI Design Ctr – 6 James P Murphy Hwy
11 Cardis Furniture dba Cardis Furniture - 1681 Quaker
12 Cowesett Ultra Wash Inc. dba Cowesett Ultra Wash Inc. – 265 Cowesett Ave.
13 Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1104 – 278 Cowesett Ave.
14 Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1205 – 704 Main Street
15 Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1127 – 275 Legris Ave.
16 Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1276 – 244 Washington Street
17 Cong Vo dba RI Spa Nails – 3 Cowesett Ave. Unit R1
18 Creative Nails – 1209 Main Street
19 Dollar Tree Stores dba Dollar Tree#07429 – 1125 Main Street
20 Dollar General -1029 Main Street
21 Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. dba Dollar Tree – 272 Cowesett Ave.
22 Family Dollar Stores of RI #3538-1745 Main Street
23 Family Dollar -989 Main Street
24 GNI West Warwick Inc. dba Stop N Gas - 929 Providence Street
25 H2 West Warwick Inc. dba Balise Honda of West Warwick – 509 Quaker Lane
26 JK West Warwick Corp dba Main Street Gas Station – 888 Main Street
27 Kaldip Corp dba Breads & Stuff – 1669 Main Street
28 Kimberly Johnston dba All Tails Are Wagging – 53 Providence Street
29 Michael Gagnon dba Estate Services – 65 Manchester Street
30 Ocean State Furniture Inc. – 183 Washington Street
31 Pep Boys – Manny Moe & Jack of Delaware Inc. – 375 Quaker Lane
32 Perfect Nails – 289 Cowesett Ave Ste #9
33 Providence Street Shell LLC dba Providence Street Shell – 6 Providence Street
34 Quaker Lane Gas, LLC - 425 Quaker Lane
35 Reality A Games LLC - 297 Providence Street
36 Riken Construction LLC dba Riken Pools – 1 Tiogue Ave.
37 RI CVS Pharmacy LLC a C/Pharmacy #397-1125 Main Street
38 RI CVS Pharmacy LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2323 – 1734 Main Street
39 RI CVS Pharmacy LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2384 – 834 Providence Street
40 Rochs Market Inc. – 1475 Main Street
41 Shahid 3 LLC dba Americanmart – 139 Legris Ave.
42 Speedway LLC dba Speedway #2819 – 346 Providence Street
43 Speedcraft AW LLC dba Speedcraft Acura – 883 Quaker Lane
44 SpeedCraft Nissan LLC dba Speedcraft Nissan - 885 Quaker Lane
45 Scott Bergantino dba The Perfect Puppy - 289 Cowesett Ave. Ste 20-21
46 The Fishbowl Aquarium & Pet Mart Co. dba Fishbowl Aquarium and Pet Mart – 725 Providence St.
47 Unique Fitness -35 Quaker Lane
48 Us Nails - 88 West Warwick Ave
49 Walgreen Eastern Co., Inc. dba Walgreens #09995 – 1 Cowesett Ave
50 Westcott Baking Co., Inc. – 30 Newell Street
51 425 Quaker Lane Gas LLC - 425 Quaker Lane
52 401 Reptiles - 1189 Main Street
53 Diamond in the Ruff LLC - 14 Pulaski Street
54 Mega One LLC dba Smoke Land - 177 Legris Ave
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget for approval of the business licenses.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
I. Appointments/Resignations
01 Resignation of Michael McPhillips from the Zoning Board of Review
J. Licciardi recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by M. Bourget to accept the resignation of Michael McPhillips from the Zoning Board of Review, with regret.
J. Licciardi – Recusal
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 Request from Rene Coutu for appointment to the Planning Board of Review as full-time member with term to expire July 2027
J. Licciardi recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of request from Rene Coutu for appointment to the Planning Board of Review as full-time member with term to expire July 2027.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Recusal
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
J. New Business
01 May 2022 Monthly Finance Report
K. Benoit states:
Current year tax collections total $67,365,403.48 which is 101.09% of the budget for current
year taxes. As we have completed all collection quarters, we continue to experience very
strong collections.
Prior year tax collections total $1,106,549.09 which is equal to 73.77% of the budgeted amount.
This line has been adjusted by $362,699.66 for the 60-day rule and accrued back to Fiscal Year
2021. This line will grow slightly higher as we close the fiscal year and will further grow slightly
when we accrue back prior year collections for July and August of 2022.
Overall, the revenues are at 97.35%, which is higher than the expected 91.67%. This is mainly
attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Town Clerk and Building revenues.
Expenditures are trending under budget at 89.78%. This is 1.89% below the expected 91.67%.
This gap continues to shrink as we approach year end.
The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $563,161.74 and operating revenues of
$728,882.83.
The bank balance as of 6/2/2022 is $15,273,023.89. The unspent ARPA funds of $3,463,459.32
have been moved to an interest-bearing account at Centerville Bank.
02 Consideration of Plan and Trial Period for Administrative Performance Appraisal Self-Assessments and Evaluations
M. Knott explains he has been working on this with the Personnel Director. They will be starting this in July. This is a platform to move to a merit-based salary increases.
03 Resolution Proposing Salary Increases for Non-Union Employees for FY2023
Discussion ensues relative to the process of deciding salary increases for non-union employees. Council prefers that the Town Manager determine the salary increases.
MOTION made by J. Messier, second by M. Williamson to take no action. All Ayes
04 Bid Award for Three-year Audit (FY2022, 2023, and 2024)
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier to award bid for three-year audit to Hague, Sahady & Company PC. All Ayes
05 Request from the Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club for Sponsorship
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, second by J. Messier for $125 Sponsorship for the Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club. All Ayes
06 Resolution Approving Medical Stop Loss Insurance for the Town of West Warwick and West Warwick Public Schools
This item was considered earlier in the meeting.
07 Approval of Renewable Energy Professional Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and Green Development LLC
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Messier for approval of Renewable Energy Professional Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and Green Development LLC. All Ayes
K. Upcoming Appointments
01 Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as an alternate member with a term to expire October 2024
02 Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member with term to expire October 2023
03 Planning Board-Reappointment/Appointment as a regular member with a term to expire July 2027
04 Zoning Board - Reappointment/Appointment as a regular member with a term to expire July 2025
L. Public Forum
Council determined that they would meet July 12th and August 16th.
A. Palazzo, 5 Robin Lane, asks about a tax freeze for the elderly. He also asks for the Council’s progress in appointing a Veteran’s Affair Coordinator. He suggests that the town should follow East Providence’s disabled tax exemption.
J. Read, 62 Andrew’s Avenue, commends the DPW for their work on a sidewalk project and their work on Andrew’s Avenue. He shares his concerns with an email he sent to four of the Council members. He shares concerns with Councilman Messier’s behavior. He announces he is running for the Town Council.
A. Palazzo, 5 Robin Lane, reads RI Constitution, Article 3, Section 7 – Ethical Conduct.
J. Licciardi feels he is a Council person 24 hours a day. If anyone has an issue with him, please come to him with it.
M. Bourget struggles with this. He doesn’t believe they are Councilmen 24/7. He still has freedom of speech. He has a problem with the social media post.
D. Gosselin states that being on Council is a thankless job. He doesn’t feel that anyone has done anything illegal. What J. Messier does for fundraising is up to him.
M. Williamson doesn’t feel that it is appropriate to chastise anyone. It is not her place to judge J. Messier. Silence does not mean that you condone a behavior.
E. Mansour feels that if any perspective employee watched a Council meeting, they would not want to work for the Town. What J. Messier does on his own time is no one’s business.
T. Oates, 6 Colonial Way, shares his concerns about Councilman Messier’s behavior.
Joseph Diaz, of Phoenix Avenue, shares his concerns with the DJ License that has been issued for Phoenix Ave.
A. Palazzo, expresses further concerns about Council behavior.
M. Adjournment
MOTION made by M. Williamson, second by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 8:42 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
________________________________
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk