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 20, 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 6:03 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk

Councilman Jason Licciardi – Present

Councilman Jason Messier - Present

Councilman Mark Bourget – Present – (Arrived at 6:22 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 May 23, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

02        Approval of the Minutes from the June 6, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda.

 

J. Licciardi recuses himself.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Recusal

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

E.         Ordinances

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

 

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

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02        Second 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 as Amended

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval 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 as Amended.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

F.         Business Licenses

01        Request from Casa Tia Rosa for Renewal of Hawker & Peddler License

02        Laundry License Renewals

A.         Thorpes Laundromat, Inc.

B.         Tumble Town 2 LLC

C.         SMR Enterprise

D.         Arctic Laundromat LLC

E.         Ray’s Polyclean, Inc.

F.         Spin It Laundromat Inc.

G.        C&D Dry Clean City LLC

H.        Kansals One Stop Laundry & Dry Cleaning

I.          24/7 Laundry

03        Filling Station License Renewals

A.         Sam’s Food Store

B.         Cumberland Farms, Inc.  #3814

C.         Cumberland Farms, Inc.  #3860

D.         Cumberland Farms, Inc.  #3876

E.         Cumberland Farms, Inc.  #3807

F.         American Mart

G.        Stop-N-Go Gas

H.        Speedway #02819

I.          Quaker Lane Gas LLC

J.          Providence Street Shell

K.         Trillium Real Estate West Warwick

L.         Cowesett Sun Service

M.        Main Street Gas Station

N.        Savers Mart III

04        Holiday Sales License Renewals

01        Aarman’s Inc. dba Quality Fuel - 242 Cowesett Ave.

02        Akbar Zaheer dba Sam’s Food Store - 119 East Main Street

03        Albert Castelli dba Del’s Lemonade – 306 Cowesett Ave.

04        Advance Auto Parts – 251 Legris Ave

05        Balise Subaru Inc. dba Balise Subaru – 561 Quaker Lane

06        Balise V. Inc. dba Balise Volkswagon – 525 Quaker Lane Lane

07        Better Value Supermarkets, Inc. dba Jerry’s Supermarket - 25 Providence Street

08        Breads N’Stuff - 1669 Main Street

09        Cardis Depot Store Inc. dba Ashley Home Store – 6 James P Murphy Hwy

10        Cardis Depot Store Inc. dba RI Design Ctr – 6 James P Murphy Hwy

11        Cardis Furniture dba Cardis Furniture - 1681 Quaker

12        Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1104 – 278 Cowesett Ave.

13        Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1205 – 704 Main Street

14        Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1127 – 275 Legris Ave.

15        Cumberland Farms Inc. dba Cumberland Farms #1276 – 244 Washington Street

16        Cong Vo dba RI Spa Nails – 3 Cowesett Ave. Unit R1

17        Creative Nails – 1209 Main Street

18        Dollar Tree Stores dba Dollar Tree#07429 – 1125 Main Street

19        Dollar General -1029 Main Street

20        Dollar Tree Stores, Inc. dba Dollar Tree – 272 Cowesett Ave.

21        Family Dollar Stores of RI #3538-1745 Main Street

22        Family Dollar -989 Main Street

23        GNI West Warwick Inc. dba Stop N Gas - 929 Providence Street

24        H2 West Warwick Inc. dba Balise Honda of West Warwick – 509 Quaker Lane

25        JK West Warwick Corp dba Main Street Gas Station – 888 Main Street

26        Kaldip Corp dba Breads & Stuff – 1669 Main Street

27        Kimberly Johnston dba All Tails Are Wagging – 53 Providence Street

28        Michael Gagnon dba Estate Services – 65 Manchester Street

29        Ocean State Furniture Inc. – 183 Washington Street

30        Pep Boys – Manny Moe & Jack of Delaware Inc. – 375 Quaker Lane

31        Providence Street Shell LLC dba Providence Street Shell – 6 Providence Street

32        Quaker Lane Gas, LLC - 425 Quaker Lane

33        Reality A Games LLC - 297 Providence Street

34        Riken Construction LLC dba Riken Pools – 1 Tiogue Ave.

35        RI CVS Pharmacy LLC a C/Pharmacy #397-1125 Main Street

36        RI CVS Pharmacy LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2323 – 1734 Main Street

37        RI CVS Pharmacy LLC dba CVS Pharmacy #2384 – 834 Providence Street

38        Shahid 3 LLC dba Americanmart – 139 Legris Ave.

39        Speedway LLC dba Speedway #2819 – 346 Providence Street

40        Speedcraft AW LLC dba Speedcraft Acura – 883 Quaker Lane

41        SpeedCraft Nissan LLC dba Speedcraft Nissan - 885 Quaker Lane

42        Scott Bergantino dba The Perfect Puppy - 289 Cowesett Ave. Ste 20-21

43        The Fishbowl Aquarium & Pet Mart Co. dba Fishbowl Aquarium and Pet Mart – 725 Providence St.

44        Unique Fitness -35 Quaker Lane

45        Us Nails - 88 West Warwick Ave

46        Walgreen Eastern Co., Inc. dba Walgreens #09995 – 1 Cowesett Ave

47        Westcott Baking Co., Inc.  – 30 Newell Street

48        425 Quaker Lane Gas LLC - 425 Quaker Lane

49        401 Reptiles - 1189 Main Street

50        Diamond in the Ruff LLC - 14 Pulaski Street

51        Mega One LLC dba Smoke Land - 177 Legris Ave

52        Emmy & Sue’s Boutique & Liquidation – 1745 Main Street Unit 7&8

53        Balise G LLC dba Genesis of West Warwick – 405 Quaker Lane

 

J. Messier recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of the business licenses subject to payment of taxes and fees.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Recusal

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

G.        Resignations

01        Resignation of Matthew J. Silva from the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to accept the resignation of Matthew J. Silva from the West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees with regret.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

H.        New Business

01        Request for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for Assessor’s Plat 2, Lot 51 from B (Business) to R-8 (Residential); and authorization to send to the Planning Board for recommendation

 

Attorney Tom Cronin was in attendance on behalf of the applicant.  He explains that most of this property is located in the Town of Coventry.  A small portion is located in West Warwick.  The applicant is looking to build apartments on the property.  They are looking to change the zoning from business to residential.  He is asking the Council to send the request to the Planning Board for recommendation. 

 

J. Licciardi recuses himself. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by D. Gosselin for approval of request for amendment to the Zoning Ordinance for Assessor’s Plat 2, Lot 51 from B (Business) to R-8 (Residential); and authorization to send to the Planning Board for recommendation.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Recusal

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

M. Bourget arrives at 6:22 P.M.

 

02        Request from 60 E Main LLC for Tax Incentive Agreement

 

The owner of 60 E Main LLC was in attendance.  He explains his request for a 10-year tax incentive agreement.

 

Council would like to see an agreement for a shorter period of time.  They suggest 5 years. 

The applicant will submit a new proposal to the Council at a future meeting.

 

No action was taken.

 

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

 

J. Licciardi proposes paying the electricity bill for the West Warwick Steelers.  The Town supplies lighting to other youth sports organizations in town. 

 

M. Gauvin, President of the West Warwick Steelers, asks the Town to assist in any way they can.  He explains that they do need help with lighting and storage. 

 

Discussion ensues relative to the different needs of the organization, and the restrictions due to the fact that they lease the property they use. 

 

It was determined that the Steelers would put together a list of needs and report back to Council after they met with the owners of the property they lease.

 

No action was taken. 

 

04        Abatement of taxes in the amount of $3,367.45 as requested by the Tax Collector

 

J. Licciardi recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of abatement of taxes in the amount of $3,367.45 as requested by the Tax Collector.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Recusal

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget - Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

05        Resolution authorizing the filing of application to the Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution authorizing the filing of application to the Rhode Island Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program.

 

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget - Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

 

06        Amendment of Resolution 2013-180 – Appendix B – Fees and Charges – adding Fence Variance Application in the amount of $25.00

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Amendment of Resolution 2013-180 – Appendix B – Fees and Charges – adding Fence Variance Application in the amount of $25.00.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget - Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

07        Resolution Authorizing Annual Stipends for the Board of Canvassers

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution authorizing annual stipends for the Board of Canvassers.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – No

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget - Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

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        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 expiring July 2028

 

J.          Public Forum

Kenneth Wylie expresses his concerns that his neighbor broke the law by erecting an eight-foot fence on their property.  He gives the history of events. 

 

Tom Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, shares concerns about boards and commissions receiving stipends.  He also is concerned with Councilman Messier recusing himself on the business licenses. 

 

Alan Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, references the letter to the Council from ERSRI.  He is concerned that they are setting a precedent of allowing an employee collect a pension while working for the Town. 

 

K.         Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation

01        RI State Association of Fire Fighters et al. v. DOH et al. PC-2021-5780

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to move into executive session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget - Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. 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

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from the Attorney General’s Office to sign dismissal stipulation.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Bourget – Recusal

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

L.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn at 7:42 P.M.            All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk