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

December 5, 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 6:09 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

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 Minutes from the November 21, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

02        Request from the Tax Assessor for Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $8,207.40

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the consent agenda.        

                                    All Ayes 

           

G.        Ordinances

01        Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to Address Recent Housing Legislation

 

A. Difiore requests that the Council continue this item until the March 5, 2024 Town Council meeting. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move the Ordinance.           

 

AMENDED MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to table until the March 5, 2024 Town Council Meeting.                          All Ayes

 

H.        Business Licenses

01        Request from Jason Silvera d/b/a Rhode Island Auto Repair and Salvage for a Junk Yard License at 0 Canna Street   

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to take no action.                  All Ayes

 

02        Request from Evolutionary Sports for an Event License for Event to be held on December 10, 2023 at 71 Manchester Street

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Evolutionary Sports for an Event License for Event to be held on December 10, 2023 at 71 Manchester Street.                All Ayes

 

I.          New Business

01        Proclamation Declaring November as Family Court Awareness Month

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Proclamation Declaring November as Family Court Awareness Month.                           All Ayes

 

02        Resolution Establishing a School Building Committee for West Warwick Public Schools

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution establishing a School Building Committee for West Warwick Public Schools and to appoint Maribeth Williamson and David Gosselin as Town Council representatives for the Committee.                         All Ayes

 

M. Williamson suggests that this is a standing agenda item.

 

03        Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2024 Ford F-250 Command Vehicle

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution authorizing the purchase of a 2024 Ford F-250 Command Vehicle.                 All Ayes

 

04        Discussion/Action – Tax Incentive Exemption Application for Tradesmen Park, LLC located at 175 James P. Murphy Highway

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of tax incentive exemption application for Tradesmen Park, LLC located at 175 James P. Murphy Highway.

 

Thomas Santilli and Mark Martone, owners of Tradesmen Park LLC, were in attendance.  They explained the scope of the project.  They are planning on constructing three buildings on the property.  They have two potential tenants that want to use the buildings for basketball and softball training facilities. 

 

M. Knott states that their request falls within the ordinance guidelines.

 

VOTE:

J. Messier – Yes

J. Licciardi – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

05        Consideration of Rules of Procedure for the West Warwick Town Council

 

Discussion ensues relative to rules of procedure.  It is determined that M. Knott and S. Rapose will draft something to put before the Council at a future meeting.

 

06        Discussion/Action – Issues and Concerns with the Property Located at 75 Pulaski Street

 

J. Licciardi states that he requested this on the agenda.  There is a homeless encampment on this property, and the owner is trying to sell. 

 

A. Difiore thinks that it is up to the owner of the property to start eviction proceedings.  This is a piece of private property.  There is nothing the Council can do. 

 

Chief Lavigne will speak with the property owner.  This may be a trespassing situation.  He will work with Chief Varone and Wendy to see if services are available for the unsheltered residents.

 

07        Appointment of West Warwick Town Council Member for Ward Five

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to appoint Mark Dennison as Town Council member for Ward Five for the remainder of the unexpired term.         All Ayes

           

J.          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 to fill vacancy for five-year term expiring November 2027

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

05        Juvenile Hearing Board (2) – Appointment or Re-Appointment for four-year term

           

K.         Public Forum

 

Kevin O’Connell, shares concerns with the homeless encampment on Pulaski Street.  He asks about an overnight camping ordinance.  He also states that there is an encampment at Flat Top Park. 

 

Tom Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, also shares concerns with homelessness issues. 

 

Derek Read, of 62 Andrew’s Avenue, shares concerns with homelessness at Riverpoint Park.  He states that West Warwick is a safe haven for the homeless.  The residents of West Warwick deserve to have a clean town to live in. 

 

Burt Mollohan, of Monterey Drive, states that the new podium is beautiful.  He is hoping that the new chairs for Council Chambers will be delivered before Christmas. 

 

Melissa Ferrara, or 33 Maple Avenue, is requesting stop signs on Brookside Avenue where the bike path crosses the road.  She saw a biker that was struck by a vehicle. 

 

J. Messier will set up a meeting with the Traffic Safety Committee.  He hopes to have this on the January 2, 2024 agenda. 

 

Alan Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, cautions the School Building Committee to use a design, bid, build method for any new buildings.  He states that the Wakefield Hills School came in over budget.  He asks about a Senior Tax exemption. 

 

J. Licciardi asks for the Senior Tax exemption to be considered on the next agenda. 

 

P. Villa, of 15 Janet Drive, shares concerns with the State mandated Planning and Zoning legislation. 

 

L.         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)(5) – Sale or Lease of Public Property

01        Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters

02        Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers

03        RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

04        30 Payan Street

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson 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)(5) – Sale or Lease of Public Property.                        All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to return to open session.           All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to seal the minutes of executive session.

                                                All Ayes

 

NO VOTES were taken during executive session.

 

 

M.        Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:31.                All Ayes

 

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk