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| 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
January 17, 2023
6:00 P.M.
(Immediately following the Sewer Commission)
AGENDA WITH ATTACHMENTS CAN BE VIEWED AT: https://clerkshq.com/westwarwick-ri
*DUE TO TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, ZOOM WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR THIS MEETING*
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 6:18 P.M. 
B. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman Jason Licciardi – Present (Arrived at 6:34 P.M.)
Councilman Jason Messier - Present
Councilman Mark Bourget – Present (Arrived at 6:39 P.M.)
Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present
Council President David Gosselin - Present
C. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
D. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of Minutes from the January 3, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of Minutes from the January 3, 2023 Executive Session
03 Cancellation of Taxes in the amount of $9,359.78 as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda.
All Ayes
E. Ordinances
01 First reading of Ordinance 2023-1 Amending Sections 24 and 25 of the West Warwick Zoning Code
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-1 Amending
Sections 24 and 25 of the West Warwick Zoning Code.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 First reading of Ordinance 2023-2 Amending Chapter 9C – Medical Marijuana Grow Facilities, Section 2- Definitions, and 3(d)(e) – Building Requirements, Cooperative Cultivations
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-2 Amending
Chapter 9C – Medical Marijuana Grow Facilities, Section 2- Definitions, and 3(d)(e) – Building
Requirements, Cooperative Cultivations.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
03 First reading of Ordinance 2023-3 Adding Chapter 9D – Cannabis Retail Sales to the West Warwick Code of Ordinances
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to table indefinitely until a State
Commission is formed.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
F. Business Licenses
01 Rooming House License Renewals
A. Picard Associates – 10 Brookside Avenue
B. Plaza Apartments – 81 Brookside Avenue
C. Phenix Square – 18 Highland Steet
D. Crossroads Rhode Island – 54 Providence Street
02 Bingo License Renewals
A. Monsignor Deangelis Manor One
B. Clyde Tower Tenants Association
C. 845 Wakefield Street Tenants Association
D. West Warwick Manor Tenant Association
E. West Warwick Senior Center
F. Westcott Terrace
03 Request from St. Joseph Church for a Raffle License
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson for approval of the Business Licenses.
All Ayes
G. Appointments and Resignations
01 Request from Derek Read for re-appointment as Tree Warden
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Derek Read for re-appointment as Tree Warden. All Ayes
H. New Business
01 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Two Fisher Polycast 2 ½ yard Sanders
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution authorizing the purchase of two Fisher Polycast 2 ½ yard Sanders. All Ayes
J. Licciardi arrives at 6:34 P.M.
02 Consideration of joining with the Town of Exeter in a “Resolution urging rejection of changes to the Rhode Island Enabling Act as proposed by the Rhode Island House of Representatives Land Use Commission dated November 10, 2022”
A. Difiore explains the resolution from the Town of Exeter, and advises the Council that they may want to draft their own resolution joining with Exeter. He explains that the changes would limit the Town’s authority over building, planning, and zoning.
M. Bourget arrives at 6:39 P.M.
M. Shellman, Town Planner, explains what the restrictions would mean for the Town. She suggests a future workshop.
A. Difiore will draft a resolution to put before the Council at the February 7, 2023 meeting.
03 Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager or Town Council President to sign any and all documents that will legally effectuate the transfer to Plat 39, Lot 5 to the Kent County Water Authority
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager or Town Council President to sign any and all documents that will legally effectuate the transfer to Plat 39, Lot 5 to the Kent County Water Authority. All Ayes
04 Update regarding the lease or sale of 30 Payan Street to Child, Inc
M. Knott states that he spoke with the CEO of Child Inc. last week. Their Board would prefer to purchase the property.
D. Gosselin would like to know what Child Inc. is paying for their properties in other communities.
I. 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
J. Public Forum
T. Oates, 6 Colonial Way, feels the Hebert family would like to see any monies made from the sale or lease of 30 Payan Street be earmarked for recreation.
D. Gosselin reminds the body of the Winter Festival on January 28, 2023.
D. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, shares concerns with enrollment at Greenbush Elementary and new developments being proposed in that area.
P. Villa, 15 Janet Drive, supports the resolution that A. Difiore has put before the Council. He shares concerns he has with development in the Town, and services being stretched. The Town needs a long term plan. He suggests charging developers impact fees. He also suggests that asphalt jobs cease once the temperatures drop below freezing.
K. Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation
01 Karen Cioffi v. Town of West Warwick KC-2019-0583
02 Exilas v. Elmwood Realty LLC et al KM-2022-0946
03 Synergy Capital LLC v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review KC-2021-1094
04 Helping Hands Community Partners v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review PC-2021-06715
05 Franklin Sales & Marketing v. Town of West Warwick KC-2021-0608
06 NEIT v. Sal Saccoccio (All Cases) KC-2021-0060
07 West Warwick Public Employee Retirees v. Town of West Warwick KC-2019-1103
08 Elmwood Realty LLC v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review KC-2019-0385
09 Patrick Kelley v. Town of West Warwick KC-2018-1329
10 Dimartino v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review KC-2018-1055
11 Federal National Mortgage Association. v. Bank of New York KC-2018-1016
12 Federal National Mortgage Association v. J. Christman KM-2017-0482
13 John Muro v. West Warwick Zoning Board of Review KC-2014-0381
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. All Ayes
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson 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
There were no votes taken during Executive Session.
L. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 8:40 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, CMC
Town Clerk