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

November 21, 2023

6:00 P.M.

 

 

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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 6:41 P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Jason Licciardi - Present

Councilman Jason Messier - Present

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Council President David Gosselin - Present

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Presentation of a podium by the WWHS Facilities Operations and Management Pathway

 

Sean Doyle was in attendance on behalf of the West Warwick High School.  He and his students present a new podium to the Town Council. 

The Council thanks the students for their hard work. 

 

E.         Consent Agenda

01        Approval of Minutes from the November 7, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of the consent agenda.                     All Ayes

           

F.         Ordinances

01        Second Reading of Request from 60 E Main LLC for Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement for the Remodeling/Modernizing of an Industrial Mill Building Located at 54/60 East Main Street; and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 18 Lot 61 – as amended

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Request from 60 E Main LLC for Tax Stabilization/Development Agreement for the Remodeling/Modernizing of an Industrial Mill Building Located at 54/60 East Main Street; and further designated as Assessor’s Plat 18 Lot 61 – as amended.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to amend exhibit B to change the values under each year to say “To be determined”.               All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by by J. Messier to add “To be determined” in the second paragraph of the agreement.                          All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to amend the second “whereas” on page 3 to “To be determined” on the agreement.              All Ayes

 

Attorney Fung was in attendance on behalf of the applicant.  He states that he amended the request in accordance with the requested changes by Council. 

 

ROLL CALL VOTE ON MAIN MOTION AS AMENDED:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02        Second Reading of Ordinance 2023-25 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Handicap Parking on Sunset Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2023-25 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Handicap Parking on Sunset Avenue.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

G.        Business Licenses

01                    TAG DAY:

West Warwick Firefighters 

Attn: Benjamin Marsland

Date(s): 11/24, 11/25/2023

Time: 9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m.

Location(s): Providence St. & Tollgate

Cowesett Ave. & Coit

 

(NEW) JUNK YARD:

Jason Silvera

Dba: Rhode Island Auto Repair & Salvage

Location: 0 Canna Street

               

RAFFLE:

Friends of the West Warwick Public Library

Attn: Josephine Sassi

Date(s): 11/27 – 12/9/2023

Location(s): 1043 Main Street

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to table the Junk Yard License request from Jason Silvera until the December 5, 2023 meeting.             All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the business licenses for West Warwick Fire Fighters and Friends of the West Warwick Public Library.            All Ayes

                   

H.        New Business

01        Hazard Mitigation Plan Update

 

M. Shellman, Town Planner, explains that the Town if required to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan every five years.  The Town is working with a consultant from Weston and Sampson.

 

Susan Mara was in attendance on behalf of Weston and Sampson.  She presented the Hazard Mitigation Plan to the body.

 

02        Discussion/Action – Process to fill Ward 5 Town Council Vacancy

 

D. Gosselin reads the section of the Home Rule Charter that pertains to a Council vacancy.  He suggests asking potential candidates to submit a letter of interest.

 

M. Williamson suggests advertising the vacancy and setting a deadline for applications.

 

J. Licciardi does not agree.  He feels the recommendation should come from the Republican Party. 

Council consensus was to advertise the vacancy with a deadline of December 5^th at 4:30 P.M. for letters of interest. 

 

03        Approval of Sewer Abatement in the amount of $778.40 for Jason and Erica Cetrano

 

This item was previously voted on during the Sewer Commission meeting.  No further action was taken.

 

04        Approval of Sewer Abatement in the amount of $133,992.00 for Commerce Park Association

 

This item was previously voted on during the Sewer Commission meeting.  No further action was taken.

 

05        Request from the West Warwick Boys Basketball for Program Sponsorship

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from the West Warwick Boys Basketball for $100 Program Sponsorship.                        All Ayes

 

06        Capital Improvement Program – Police Cars-FY 2024

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the purchase of three police cars.

                                                All Ayes

 

07        Bid award and funding plan for ice Chiller System for the Ice Rink

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to award bid to Northstar Refrigeration in the amount of $949,980.00 for the Installation of the Ice Chiller System at the Ice Rink.  $500,000 will be funded by APRA funds and $449,980 will be financed and paid for out of the Civic Center operating budget.                                    All Ayes                      

 

08        Reallocation of residual funds from resolution 2023-111 for Civic Center Plaza improvements

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the reallocation of residual funds from resolution 2023-111 for Civic Center Plaza improvements.                       All Ayes

 

09        Update on School Building Committee formation

 

M. Knott explains that the School Department is working on formulating needs while the School Building Committee is formed. 

           

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        Planning Board – Appointment to fill vacancy as alternate member for term ending July 2027

05        Tax Assessment Board of Review -Appointment to fill a vacancy for three-year term

           

J.          Correspondence

01        Letter from Tammy Collins, Chair of the West Warwick Republican Town Committee

 

K.         Public Forum

 

T. Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, feels that anyone who is interested in the vacant Ward 5 seat should already be aware of the opening. 

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, gives kudos to the students who crafted the new podium.  He also gives kudos to Chief Varrone and DPW Director Caldwell for separate matters.  He suggests that Council should make an appointment to the vacant Ward 5 Council seat on the next agenda.  He is concerned with the length of time Ward 5 is going to be without a Council member.

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, shares concerns with the homeless encampment at Riverpoint park.  He also inquired about the status of Flat Top Park and Crompton Playground. 

 

A. Palazzo recommends a design, bid, build process for the new school buildings. 

 

M. Bourget, former Ward 5 Councilman, apologizes to A. Palazzo, Ward 5, and the residents of West Warwick.  He accepts responsibility for this being a longer process than anticipated.  He still fully supports Mark Dennison and hopes the Council will support him. 

 

J. Read, 62 Andrews Avenue, shares concerns with the process of appointing to the Ward 5 vacancy.   He asks about the plan for the grounds near the memorial at the Civic Center.  He suggests an hourglass walkway. 

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Williamson to reopen NB 02.                   All Ayes

 

Discussion continues relative to the appointment for the Ward 5 Council vacancy. 

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to accept letters of interest for the Ward 5 vacancy until November 29, 2023 at 4:30 P.M. to be considered at the December 5, 2023 Town Council Meeting.                    All Ayes

 

L.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 8:24 P.M.                All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk