Click 
to view the entire meeting or click any video icon below to jump to that section of the meeting.
| 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 19, 2023
6:00 P.M.
REMOTE PARTICIPATION IS AVAILABLE USING THE LOGIN INFORMATION BELOW:
JOIN VIA COMPUTER OR MOBILE APP: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/3492888261
JOIN VIA PHONE: DIAL: 1-646-558-8656 or TOLL-FREE AT 833-548-0282
WHEN PROMPTED, ENTER MEETING ID #3492888261
PRESS # AGAIN TO JOIN THE MEETING
YOUTUBE LINK (VIEW ONLY): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGK1k6co83ptCoD6hYWSMxA
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 6:04 P.M. 
B. Prayer led by Council
C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
D. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman Mark Dennison - Present
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
Town Manager Knott declares a State of Emergency (Attached)
Council votes unanimously to support the State of Emergency.
F. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the Minutes from the December 5, 2023 Special Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the Minutes from the December 5, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting
03 Approval of the Minutes from the December 5, 2023 Executive Session
04 Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $56.39 as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda.
All Ayes
G. Liquor Licenses – Town Council acting as the Liquor License Commission
01 Consideration of Expired Liquor Licenses
J. Messier recuses himself.
S. Rapose states that Aloha Pizza has come into compliance and the license will be issues. Caliente plans to close on December 23rd to fix outstanding problems.
Council directs S. Rapose to send a letter via the Police Department to Caliente stating that they need to remove all alcohol from the premises until the come into compliance.
H. Business Licenses
01 Renewal of Pool Table Licenses
A. Club Instruccao E. Recreito
B. Crompton Veterans Organization
C. KMJ, Inc. dba The Hour Bar
D. L.A. Café, Inc.
E. Phenix Sportsmens Club
F. Portuguese American Citizens Club
G. Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
H. Pasco Senerchia Post
I. Veterans Building Association, Inc.
J. West Warwick F.O.P. Lodge #6
K. JJ’s Café
L. Deborah’s Down the Road Inc.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Business Licenses.
All Ayes
I. New Business
K. Benoit reads the following report to the Council:
“Current year tax collections total $36,279,465.75 which is 55.06% of the budget for current year taxes. We have collected two quarters, however quite a few taxpayers pay their entire tax bill when they receive it. This skews the amount expected to be collected 5 months into the fiscal year. This smooths out as further quarters are collected. Prior year tax collections total $246,432.72 which is equal to 18.96% of the budgeted amount. This line has been adjusted by $388,262.80 for the 60-day rule and accrued back to Fiscal Year 2023. Overall, the revenues are at 50.40%, which is higher than the expected 41.67%. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Building, Finance and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending under budget at 42.42%. This is .75% above the expected 41.67%. This can be attributed to the timing certain line items have been paid. 100% of Senior Center appropriation has been paid as well as 60% of the debt service. The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $268,828.91 and operating revenues of $287,790.42. The bank balance as of 12/13/2023 is $ 4,163,796.75. We earned an additional $20,879.40, on the $6,000,000 in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizens bank bringing the total for 3 months to $59,271.34. We have also earned $236,114.22 in interest on our ARPA funds invested at Centerville Bank. The FY 2023 Audit is moving into the draft stage. As it stands now, the report will be issued by the statutory deadline of 12/31”
02 Discussion of Elderly and Veteran Tax Exemptions
J. Licciardi states that legislation approval is needed to amend the current tax exemption numbers.
S. Saccocio suggests increasing the current $14,000 maximum to $20,000 - $30,000.
Staff will look for the former resolution and ordinance that was used the last time the exemption was amended.
03 School Building Committee Update
M. Knott states that the committee met and reviewed the owners project bid submissions and referred it to the school committee. They are meeting again on January 3, 2024.
J. Upcoming Appointments
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
06 School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience
07 Tree Warden – Must be Licensed Arborist
K. Public Forum
B. Mollohan suggests a homestead act (tax freeze) for seniors at age 65.
P. Cotrell shares concerns with at drainage project. There is currently a house proposed to be built over a drainage project that the Town spent $1.7 million dollars to put in. The property is currently in litigation. He questions how the Zoning Board could have approved that project.
D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, adds that there is a leach field involved in that project, as well as a 3 foot radius pipe and tank. He asks about the crossing guards pay increase. He states that there was severe flooding on Industrial Avenue. He credits the Town Council members and Town staff for their response to the flooding.
Roger Richards of 1 Crossbow Lane, suggest working with the State Reps on a Veteran’s Tax exemption. He suggested looking at East Providences legislation. He thanks M. Williamson for what she did for the VFW #449.
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns about the flooding in Natick Village. He feels that section of the river needs to be dredged. He suggests the Town appoint a Veterans Affairs Officer. He hopes that the pay for the Crossing Guards is resolved by January. He shares concerns with MERS and the projected ARC. He attended a State Pension hearing. He would like to recognize Pat Serpa for what she said at the hearing.
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
01 Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters
02 Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers
03 RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
The Council determined that it did not need to meet in Executive Session
M. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 7:07 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC
Town Clerk