WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

January 3, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

 

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YOUTUBE LINK:  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 6:00 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.         Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation

01  Litigation update by the Trust and Legal Counsel from DeSisto Law on the following cases:

A.         Richard Villella v. Town of West Warwick   KC-2020-0051

B.         Lynn Soscia v. Town of West Warwick   KC-2020-0051

C.         Steven Badessa v. Town of West Warwick   KC-2021-0379

D.         Karen Cioffi v. Town of West Warwick   KC-2019-0583

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move into Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation.                           

 

ROLL CALL:

 

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

 

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

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to seal the minutes of Executive Session.                  All Ayes

 

Note for the record the J. Licciardi recused himself for the Karen Cioffi v. Town of West Warwick matter.  He read the following for the record:  “At the request of Town Solicitor Tim Williamson I am willing to recuse myself because I am in a similar case pending against the Town of Coventry”.

 

There were no votes taken in Executive Session.

                                               

G.        Consent Agenda

01  Approval of Minutes from the December 14, 2022 Special Town Council Meeting

02  Approval of Minutes from the December 20, 2022 Regular Town Council Meeting

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to approve the consent agenda.                       All Ayes

 

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

01  Revocation of expired Liquor License for Eastside Pub & Grub Inc. dba Miss Cranston Diner & Grill; located at 45 Quaker Lane

 

J. Messier recuses himself. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Bourget to revoke the liquor license for Eastside Pub & Grub Inc. dba Miss Cranston Diner & Grill; located at 45 Quaker Lane.        

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

J. Messier – Recusal

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

           

I.          New Business

01  Approval of request from the Finance Director to utilize the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust as Healthcare Administrator for the Town of West Warwick starting July 1, 2023

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson for approval of request from the Finance Director to utilize the Rhode Island Interlocal Trust as Healthcare Administrator for the Town of West Warwick starting July 1, 2023.              All Ayes

 

02  Approval of West Warwick Winter Fest Event to be held on January 21, 2023

 

M. Knott informs the Council that the date for the Winter Festival has been changed to January 21, 2023.

 

03  Resolution authorizing transfer of funds to the West Warwick Public Library from American Rescue Plan Funds for fire alarm replacement

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution authorizing transfer of funds to the West Warwick Public Library from American Rescue Plan Funds for fire alarm replacement.                          All Ayes

 

04  Discussion regarding the lease or sale of 30 Payan Street to Child, Inc (audio issues)

 

M. Knott and T. Williamson met with the CEO and CFO of Child Inc. to discuss the sale or lease of 30 Payan Street to Child Inc.  The CEO will discuss with their Board and get back to the Town.

 

T. Williamson noted that he informed Child Inc. that the Town would need to know by February 15^th in case the sale needs to go on the ballot at the All Day Referendum.  A possible workshop may be needed. 

 

05  Discussion regarding Greenbush Elementary School Parking/Traffic Study

 

K. Townsend shares the report with the Council.  A civil engineer would be needed in order to redesign the parking lot.  The school is currently maxed out at 500 students.  They will not be able to accommodate any more students. 

 

K. Tarasevich joined the meeting via Zoom.  She shared ways that they have tried to make improvements to the pickup and drop off times.  They have increased staff and extended the drop off time by 15 minutes.  There have been minimal accidents in the last five years. 

 

Discussion of enrollment numbers ensued. 

 

06  Consideration of procedure for tabled items

 

M. Bourget would like to see all tabled items be continued to a date certain.  He feels that items that are tabled often do not come back before the Council. 

           

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  Board of Assessment and Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member for term ending March 2024

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

 

K.         Public Forum

 

M. Bourget feels that communication needs to improve. 

 

B. Mollohan would like to have the old chairs back in Council Chambers.  The new chairs do not have padding or arm rests. 

 

L.         Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk