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

June 6, 2023

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)

 

 

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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 6:22 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Absent

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  First Reading of Ordinance 2023-15 Amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances – Handicapped Parking Crossen Street

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for first reading of Ordinance 2023-15 Amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances – Handicapped Parking Crossen Street.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: 

 

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02  First Reading of Ordinance 2023-17 Amending Chapter 4 – Animals, Sections 4-1, 4-29, 4-30, 4-35, 4-50, and 4-145 of the Code of Ordinances

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for first reading of Ordinance 2023-17 Amending Chapter 4 – Animals, Sections 4-1, 4-29, 4-30, 4-35, 4-50, and 4-145 of the Code of Ordinances.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE: 

 

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

E.         Business Licenses

01  Flea Market License Renewals

A.   Church of Christ the King dba Grandma’s Attic

B.   Riverpoint Congregational Church dba Martha & Mary Thrift Shop

C.   Albert Anderson dba Old Mill Flea Market

02  Pistol & Revolver License Renewals

A.   Arquebus Company Retail Gun Shop

B.   Heritage Gun and Coin Company Inc.

03  Hawker & Peddler License Renewals

A.   New England Frozen Lemonade

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Business Licenses.                  All Ayes

 

F.         New Business

01  Adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024 Wastewater Treatment Facility Budget

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for adoption of the Fiscal Year 2024 Wastewater Treatment Facility Budget.

 

VOTE:

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02  Amendment of Resolution 2013-180 – Appendix B – Fees and Charges

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of amendments to Resolution 2013-180 – Appendix B – Fees and Charges.             All Ayes

 

03  Authorization to Award the 2023 Roadway Improvements Bid

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for authorization to award the 2023 Roadway Improvements Bid to Cardi Corp.

 

VOTE:

J. Messier – No

M. Bourget – No

M. Williamson – No

D. Gosselin - No

 

MOTION FAILS

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to award the 2023 Roadway Improvement Bid to T. Miozzi LLC in the amount of $2,297,040.00 with using $909,428.28 of American Rescue Plan Funds.

 

VOTE:

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

04  Resolution Authorizing Payment for the Services of the Police Navigator (Clinician) from Opioid Settlement Funds

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing Payment for the Services of the Police Navigator (Clinician) from Opioid Settlement Funds.

All Ayes

 

05  Resolution Awarding Support Funds to the West Warwick Assistance Agency

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Awarding $6,000.00 in Support Funds to the West Warwick Assistance Agency.                       All Ayes

 

06  Proclamation Honoring Centreville Bank’s 195th Anniversary

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Proclamation Honoring Centreville Bank’s 195th Anniversary.

 

J. Messier leaves the meeting at 7:40 P.M.

 

VOTE:

M. Williamson – Yes

M. Bourget – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

07  Discussion/Action – Town Financial Assistance for the West Warwick Steelers

 

The President of the West Warwick Steelers was in attendance.  He explained the needs of the organization. 

 

Councilman Licciardi had requested this agenda item.  Council asks for it to be placed on the June 20th agenda when Councilman Licciardi can be in attendance.

 

G.        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 or Re-appointment for five-year term expiring November 2027

04  Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment or Re-appointment for three-year term expiring June 2026

05  Planning Board – Appointment or Re-appointment for five-year term

 

H.        Public Forum

 

Kenneth Wylie, of 42 Oakland Drive, shares concerns with his neighbor’s eight-foot fence.  He is aware that the Town recently passed an ordinance allowing the installation of eight-foot fences with a special use permit.  This fence was erected prior to that ordinance change.  He does not believe that his neighbor has applied for any permits.  He feels the fence is out of place and depreciates his property value. 

 

A. Difiore explains that he is working with the Building Department to set a fee to accommodate these requests. 

 

R. Allard, of 83 Factory Street, asks about the pay increase for crossing guards. 

 

M. Knott will look into it. 

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns with the roadwork in town.  He states that the paving company did a great job on Coit Ave and Monterey Drive.  He informs the body that the ACLU has a lawsuit against the West Warwick School District.  He shares a letter from Frank Karpinski, Director of ERSRI, about concerns with the West Warwick Pension system.  A. Palazzo is also concerned with the way property taxes are assessed differently for different people. 

 

B. Mollohan, of 137 Monterey Drive, states that the roadwork done on his road looks great.  The paving company did a beautiful job.  He thanks the Town.

 

M. Bourget states that he had no knowledge of a letter from Mr. Karpinski to the Council.  He is upset that he is learning about issues from residents that he should be informed of as a Council member. 

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrew’s Avenue, shares concerns with the Council’s lack of transparency. 

 

I.          Adjournment

MOTION made by M. Bourget, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn at 8:52 P.M.    All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk