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| TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org |
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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
Regular Town Council Meeting
Town Council Chambers
February 28, 2023
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 6:03 P.M. 
B. 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
C. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
D. Ordinances
01 Second reading of Ordinance 2023-5 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of ordinance 2023-5 amending Appendix C-Traffic Ordinances.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
Councilman Jason Licciardi - yes
Councilman Jason Messier - yes
Councilman Mark Bourget - yes
Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - yes
Council President David Gosselin – yes
MOTION PASSES
E. Business Licenses
01 Request from Rufino’s Pizzeria II for Victualling House License
02 Request from St. John & James Fund 10/10 Club for Raffle License
03 Request from Heaven Brothers for Hawker & Peddlers License for an event to be held on March 11, 2023, at the Civic Center
04 Request from Fordel Willis aka FW Spielberg dba TSE Connected for an event License to be held on June 3, 2023, at the Civic Center
05 Request from Brawl 4 It All dba Legendary Boxing RI/Jarrod Tillinghast for an event license to be held on June 10, 2023, at the Civic Center.
06 Request from Alan Ward dba A&S Novelty for Balloons & Novelty permit for the St. Patrick Parade
07 Request from Pam’s Grill for Hawker and Peddlers license for the year.
08 Request from Little B’s BBQ for Hawker and Peddlers license for the year.
09 Request from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association of R.I. dba ALS Association R.I. Chapter for a Walk – N-Thon License.
10 Request from Town of West Warwick Summer Concert for a Flea Market License
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Bourget for approval of the business licenses 01-04 and 06-10. All Ayes
J. Licciardi is for the Brawl 4 It All Event. However, he is against liquor being sold on town property.
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson for approval of Business License 05.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – No
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – No
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
F. Appointments and Resignations
01 Request from Christian Grundel for re-appointment to the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Christian Grundel for re-appointment to the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees. All Ayes
02 Request for resignation from Nancy Parente from the Board of Canvassers & Registration
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Nancy Parente from the Board of Canvassers and Registration, with regret. All Ayes
G. New Business
01 Authorization of Payment for the Purchase and Installation of an Ice Chiller System from American Rescue Plan Funds
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.
02 January 2023 Financial Report from the Finance Director
K. Benoit reads the January 2023 Finance Report. Current year tax collections total $50,701,885.02 which is 78.02% of the budget for the current year taxes and 75.5% of the levy. Tax collections remain strong. Revenues are currently at 69.18% which is higher than the expected 58.33%. This is mainly due to strong tax collections and higher than expected Building and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending under budget at 55.20%. The bank balance as of 01/31/2023 is $25,474,987.89. Tax Sale will be held on 5/12/2023.
03 Resolution Authorizing the Narragansett Electric -Verizon New England Inc. installing a new pole (P41-84) and anchor for James P Murphy Hwy
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution Authorizing the Narragansett Electric -Verizon New England Inc. installing a new pole (P41-84) and anchor for James P Murphy Hwy. All Ayes
04 Authorization of payment for the purchase of (1) Lazer Z “E” Zero Turn Mower from Scituate Power Equipment - MPA 506 for Parks and Recreation Department
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of payment for the purchase of (1) Lazer Z “E” Zero Turn Mower from Scituate Power Equipment - MPA 506 for Parks and Recreation Department. All Ayes
05 Discussion of the use of Council Chambers
M. Bourget states that he has requested this item. He is disappointed that Councilman Messier used Town Council chambers to take a picture in his unicorn costume with his name plate and the town seal behind him. It makes the Town look bad.
Discussion ensues relative to the appropriate use of Town Council Chambers.
06 Discussion of roles and responsibilities for the Recreation Committee
Concerns were expressed relative to the duties of the Recreation Committee. They would like to have some direction given to them as to how they could be utilized. DPW will work with the Recreation Committee to have them help with upcoming recreation projects.
07 Discussion of the 2023 Easter Egg Hunt, date, time, and location
The Easter Egg Hunt will be held on March 25th at 9:30 A.M. at Maisie Quinn School. Rain date is April 8th.
J. Licciardi thanks Balise Honda for their generous donation which funds this event.
08 Discussion of the Civic Center plan to pay back debt owed to the Town of West Warwick
J. Licciardi asked for this to be on the agenda. He is concerned with the money that the Town has invested in the Civic Center and the repayment plan.
K. Benoit has spent a lot of time researching this. When the Civic Center came back on the books in June of 2015, it came back with an automatic liability of $641,745.00. Grants were received to cover costs to improve the Civic Center, but it was used to pay for the start up of the solar project. The current liability is $771,264.00. That amount has been reduced each year as the Civic Center has turned a profit.
D. Gosselin shares the history of when the Civic Center was privatized.
Discussion ensues.
09 Discussion/Action of the Potential consequences of incident involving Portsmouth Hockey Team at the Civic Center
J. Licciardi asked for this item to be on the agenda. He has concerns over the event that took place at the ice rink where members of the Portsmouth Hockey team were consuming alcohol in the locker room. He asks if we have anything in place for enforcement to prevent this from happening. It makes the Town look bad.
M. Knott explains that there are Town Ordinances and State Law relative to alcohol consumption in public spaces. It could warrant law enforcement action. In this case, it was learned after the fact. He explains the recourse of law enforcement.
10. Resolution Authorizing the settlement in Karen Cioffi V. Town of West Warwick (C.A. KC-2019-0583)
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier authorizing the settlement in Karen Cioffi V. Town of West Warwick (C.A. KC-2019-0583) in the amount $130,000. $110,000 to be paid by the town, and $20,000 to be paid by the trust.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Recuses himself
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bourget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
H. 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 Board of Assessment and Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member for three-year term
04 Board of Assessment and Review – Appointment or Re-appointment to fill vacancy for three-year term.
05 West Warwick Housing Authority – Appointment or Re-appointment for five-year term expiring November 2027
06 West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees – Appointment or Re-appointment for three-year term
I. Public Forum
S. Lawton, owner of Ruffino’s Pizza, commends Town staff. He is a new business in Town, and had a great experience with several departments. He also offers to help the Town with their bids for the chiller system at the ice rink.
D. Waldeck, President of Ocean State Steelers, states that the Steelers will not be able to use Crompton Vets field for their spring season. They are looking for a field in West Warwick. J. Caldwell and the Recreation Committee will try and help him locate a field for his organization.
T. Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, informs the Council that the land at Payan Street is assessed at $250,000. It is a valuable piece of property.
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, reminds the Council about the Senior tax freeze. He has concerns with the roadwork on Providence Street. He is upset about Councilman Messier taking pictures in his unicorn costume in Council Chambers. He is concerned with West Warwick’s reputation.
J. Read, of 62 Andrew’s Avenue, shares concerns with Councilman Messier taking pictures in his unicorn costume in Council Chambers. It is unethical.
J. Executive Session –
Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)-Litigation & RI General Law 42-46-5 (a) (5) Sale or Lease of Public Property
Sale or Lease of Public Property Negotiation strategy for 30 Payan Street
DiMartino v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review KC -2018-1055
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)-Litigation & RI General Law 42-46-5 (a) (5) Sale or Lease of Public Property.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Bouget – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to return to open session. All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Bourget to seal the minutes of executive session.
All Ayes
NO VOTES WERE TAKEN DURING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
K. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 9:13 P.M.
All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC, Town Clerk