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 15, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

 

 

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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 6:06 P.M.

 

B.         Prayer led by Council

 

C.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

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

 

F.         Consent Agenda

01  Approval of the Minutes from the July 11, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

02  Approval of the Minutes from the July 17, 2023 Special Town Council Meeting

03  Cancellation of Taxes in the amount of $5,053.66 as requested by the Tax Assessor

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda.                    All Ayes

 

G.        Ordinances

01  Second Reading for Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for Assessor’s Plat 2, Lot 51 from B (Business) to R-8 (Residential)

 

Councilman Messier recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Bourget for approval of Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for Assessor’s Plat 2, Lot 51 from B (Business) to R-8 (Residential).

 

Attorney Cronin was in attendance on behalf of the applicant.

 

M. Bourget shares that a resident has expressed concerns with parking. 

 

Attorney Cronin explains that there will be nine parking spots designated for the apartment building.

 

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Recusal

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02  Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-19 Amending Section 5.3 – Use Regulations – Non-Residential Districts

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-19 Amending Section 5.3 – Use Regulations – Non-Residential Districts

 

Steve St. Onge, owner of 95 Manchester Street, supports the change.  He has been unable to rent his storefront for years. 

 

P. Villa, 15 Janet Drive, is concerned with adding more residential units in town and the strain they put on resources.  The Town needs more business.

 

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 2023-20 Amending Chapter 13 – Planning and Development Article I

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-20 Amending Chapter 13 – Planning and Development Article I.

 

A. Difiore explains that these amendments would move the ordinance in line with new State law.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

04  First Reading of Ordinance 2023-21 Amending Section 19 – Variances and Section 21 – Notice and Hearing Requirements of the Zoning Code

 

A. Difiore explains that these amendments would move the ordinance in line with new State law.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-21 Amending Section 19 – Variances and Section 21 – Notice and Hearing Requirements of the Zoning Code.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

H.        Liquor Licenses – Town Council acting as the Liquor Commission

01  Transfer of Class BV Liquor License from El Patron International Food Restaurant LLC to Patrona International Restaurant LLC

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for the transfer of Class BV Liquor License from El Patron International Food Restaurant LLC to Patrona International Restaurant LLC.

 

VOTE –

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

I.          Business Licenses

01  Request from the Portuguese American Citizens Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker and Dance Live Band License for event to be held from September 1, 2023 through September 3, 2023 at 97 East Main Street

02  Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost Society for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for event to be held from September 1, 2023 through September 4, 2023 at 11 Ventura Street

03  Request from the Portuguese American Sports Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for event to be held August 31, 2023 through September 4, 2023 at 12 Bridge Street

04  Request from the Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for event to be held from September 1, 2023 through September 3, 2023 at 918 Main Street

05  Request from Church of Christ the King for a Raffle License

06  Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Parade License

07  Request from The Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Carnival License

08  Request from the Portuguese American Citizens Club for a Parade License

09  Request from Aroma Bakery for a Victualling License

10  Request from Katelyn Spaziano for a Breeders License

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of business licenses 01-10.

 

AMENDED MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of business licenses 01-10 with entertainment to end by 11pm for License 02 on September 3rd and 4th. 

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

11  Renewal of Mechanical Amusement Device Licenses

      A.   American Legion Post #2

      B.   Club Frontenac, Inc

      C.   Crompton Veteran’s Organization WW II

      D.   KMJ, INC dba The Hour Bar

      E.   L.A. Café Inc.

      F.   Phenix Sportsmens Club

      G.  Portuguese American Citizens Club

      H.  Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club

      I.    Portuguese American Sport Club

      J.    Portuguese Holy Ghost Society

      K.   Rays Polyclean Center Inc.

      L.   Sgt. David Langevin & Armand Boudreau Post

      M.  JJ’s Café

      N.  293 PVD, LLC dba Boomerangs Roadhouse

      O.  Deborah’s Down the Road, Inc.

 

J. Messier recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Bourget for approval of business licenses 11 A-O.     

 

VOTE: 

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Recusal

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

J.          Appointments and Resignations

01  Request from Robert Fleury for appointment to the Pawtuxet River Authority for term ending June 30, 2026

 

Council would like Mr. Fleury to provide more information or attend the next meeting.  The Town Clerk’s office will contact Mr. Fleury.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to table.

 

VOTE:  

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

02  Request from Josephine Sassi for appointment to the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2024

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Josephine Sassi for appointment to the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2024.

 

VOTE:  

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

03  Requests for appointment to the West Warwick Planning Board for five-year term

      A.   Joseph DiMartino

      B.   Derek Read

      C.   Paul Villa

 

J. Licciardi recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to appoint Paul Villa to the West Warwick Planning Board for five-year term.

 

M. Bourget expresses his frustration with the process. 

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Recusal

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

K.         New Business

01  Resolution Rescinding Resolution 2022-141 for the Purchase of a 2022 Ford F150 Pick-up Truck for the Fire Department

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to Rescind Resolution 2022-141 for the Purchase of a 2022 Ford F150 Pick-up Truck for the Fire Department.

 

VOTE:  

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

 

M. Williamson requests that it be noted on Resolution 2022-141 that it has been rescinded.

 

02  Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2023 Ford F150 Pick-up Truck in an amount not to exceed $43,260.35 for the Fire Department

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2023 Ford F150 Pick-up Truck in an amount not to exceed $43,260.35 for the Fire Department.

 

VOTE:  

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

03  Resolution Amending Resolution 2013-180 - Appendix B – Fees and Charges of the Town of West Warwick

 

Department heads shared suggestions of possible fee increases and changes.  The Council discusses a possible workshop prior to their 9/19/2023 meeting.  

 

04  Discussion of Digital Sign on Town Hall Property

 

M. Bourget asked for this to be placed on the agenda.  He questions if businesses should be advertising on a sign on town property. 

 

M. Knott explains the background of the sign.

 

M. Bourget questions if the project should have gone out to bid. 

 

M. Knott explains that the vendor is on the Master Price Agreement. 

 

J. Licciardi shares concerns with the advertising on the sign. 

 

Janice Pexhino, of 29 Knight Street, feels the Town Hall is a building of the people.  She doesn’t agree with soliciting on town property.  She feels the sign is too bright.  It is distracting. 

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, feels the Town should give the donation back, so there will be no advertising on the sign.  He suggests improvements to Town Hall. 

 

P. Villa, 15 Janet Drive, feels that message boards are very important and expensive.  He suggests giving the public notice when looking for donations to give other businesses the opportunity. 

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, doesn’t agree with advertising on a sign at Town Hall.  He feels the sign should say Police Department, Town Hall, and Fire Department.  He feels that businesses who donate should be thanked.  He feels the town needs to thank J&J Materials for the donation of the softball scoreboard.

 

L.         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  West Warwick Housing Authority – Appointment or Re-appointment for five-year term expiring November 2027

04  Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment or Re-appointment for three-year term expiring June 2026

05  Planning Board – Appointment or Re-appointment for five-year term expiring July 2028

06  Library Board of Trustees – Appointment to fill a vacancy for three-year term expiring February 2024

07  Tax Assessment Board of Review -Appointment to fill a vacancy for three-year term

 

M.        Public Forum

 

M. Bourget asked for a legal update on the next agenda.

 

Solicitor Williamson stated that there will be a legal update on the September 19th agenda.

 

J. Licciardi asks for an ARPA fund update. 

 

J. Pexhino requests a police officer detail at the Providence Street/Factory Street intersection during school drop off and pickup. 

 

Melissa Farara, works on Brookside Ave.  She is requesting stop signs on Brookside Ave. 

 

J. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, recommends finding out what the total operating budget is for the fields in order to determine what the rental costs should be. 

 

B. Mollahan, of Monterey Drive, thanks M. Bourget for his efforts to get his road paved.  He offers to donate funds to cover the cost of new chairs for the chambers.  His only pre-requisite is that they have padding and arm rests. 

 

P. Villa, thanks the Council for his appointment to the Planning Board.  He shares concerns with the sewer fees for building and planning. 

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns with Joe DiMartino using an attorney that appears before the Planning Board for a personal suit.  He would like an update on Child Inc. purchasing Payan Street.  He asks for a mason to fix the front stairs of Town Hall.

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrew Avenue, feels that M. Knott was a great choice for Town Manager.  He also feels that J. Caldwell is doing a great job as DPW Director.  He feels that the Town should have a Recreation Fund.  Fees collected for the Recreation facilities should go back to the Recreation Department.  He shares concerns with the irrigation system that runs on WIFI.  It needs to be fixed before it ruins the fields.  He suggests the Town invest in a hotspot.  He asks for his name to be removed from the Planning Board appointment.  He also resigns from the Recreation Committee and as Tree Warden as of tonight. 

 

N.        Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn at 8:59 P.M.                        All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk