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

April 23, 2024

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the previous 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 7:35  P.M.

 

B.         Roll Call taken by Town Clerk          

Councilman Mark Dennison - Present

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.        Consent Agenda

01     Approval of the minutes from the April 3, 2024 Budget Public Hearing

02     Approval of the minutes from the April 3, 2024 Executive Session

03     Approval of the minutes from the April 3, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting

04     Approval of the minutes from the April 3, 2024 Joint School Committee Meeting

05     Approval of the minutes from the April 9, 2024 Executive Session

06     Approval of the minutes from the April 9, 2024 Budget Public Hearing

07     Approval of the minutes from the April 9, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting

08     Approval of the minutes from the April 12, 2024 Executive Session

09     Cancellation of taxes in the amount of $313.26 as requested by the Tax Assessor

 

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

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Dennison to move Item G – Business Licenses up for immediate consideration.                        All Ayes

 

G.        Business Licenses

01     Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Flea Market License

02     Request from Big Dog Eats for a Food Truck License

03     Request from Wyllie’s Wieners for a Food Truck License

04     Request from Condesa Mexican Restaurant for a Theatrical License

05     Request from West Warwick Public Library for a Raffle License

06     Request from 401 Poke Supply LLC for an Antique Secondhand Dealers License

07     Request from Mama Ty’s Kitchen for a Victualing License

08     Renewal of Antique Secondhand Dealers Licenses

            A.         April Showers

            B.         Estate Services

            C.         Fall River Pawn Brokers

            D.         Liberty Mobility

            E.         Gendrons

            F.         Reality Games

            G.        Budget Stretchers

            H.        Metro Wireless LLC

            I.        Music Magick

            J.        Stillwater Books

09     Renewal of Junk Dealer Licenses

         A.            Angelo Pedula & Son Auto Parts, Inc.

         B.            J & D Auto Salvage, Inc.

         C.            Ruggieri Auto Parts, Inc.

 

Councilman J. Messier recuses himself. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of the business licenses.

VOTE: 

J. Messier – Recusal

J. Licciardi – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

F.         Ordinances

01     Amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to Address Recent Housing Legislation

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to continue to the June 4, 2024 Town Council meeting.                     All Ayes

 

02     Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-3 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Handicap Parking on Sunset Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2024-3 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances –   Handicap Parking on Sunset Avenue.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

           

G.        Business Licenses

01     Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Flea Market License

02     Request from Big Dog Eats for a Food Truck License

03     Request from Wyllie’s Wieners for a Food Truck License

04     Request from Condesa Mexican Restaurant for a Theatrical License

05     Request from West Warwick Public Library for a Raffle License

06     Request from 401 Poke Supply LLC for an Antique Secondhand Dealers License

07     Request from Mama Ty’s Kitchen for a Victualing License

08     Renewal of Antique Secondhand Dealers Licenses

            A.         April Showers

            B.         Estate Services

            C.         Fall River Pawn Brokers

            D.         Liberty Mobility

            E.         Gendrons

            F.         Reality Games

            G.        Budget Stretchers

            H.        Metro Wireless LLC

            I.        Music Magick

            J.        Stillwater Books

09     Renewal of Junk Dealer Licenses

         A.            Angelo Pedula & Son Auto Parts, Inc.

         B.            J & D Auto Salvage, Inc.

         C.            Ruggieri Auto Parts, Inc.

 

This item was considered earlier in the meeting.   

 

H.        Appointments and Resignations

01     Resignation of Jessica Rubery from the Planning Board

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Jessica Rubery from the Planning Board, with regrets.                  All Ayes

 

I.          New Business

01     Monthly Finance Report – March 2024

 

K. Benoit, Finance Director, reads the following statement:

 

Current year tax collections total $52,883,317.69 which is 80.26% of the budget for current year taxes. We have collected three quarters and trending approximately 5% higher than expected. Prior year tax collections have picked up with tax sale letters being mailed out and totals $668,679.70 which is equal to 51.44% of the budgeted amount. This line has been adjusted by $388,262.80 for the 60-day rule and accrued back to Fiscal Year 2023. Overall, the revenues are at 76.87%, which is higher than the expected 75%. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Building, Finance and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending under budget at 73.50%. This is 1.5% below the expected 75%. There are a few variables contributing to this. The variables net out to bring us within 1.5% of our target. Some examples of that are as follows: 100% of Senior Center appropriation and longevity has been paid as well as 76.3% of the debt service however, the operating department budgets are trending at or below the expected 75%, including pension expense. The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $501,241.23 and operating revenues of $564,508.10. The bank balance as of 4/4/2024 is $3,313,533.65. We earned an additional $21,879.34 on the $6,000,000 in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizens Bank bringing the total for 7 months to $144,925.32. We have also earned $291,664.64 as of February in interest on our ARPA funds invested at Centerville Bank. The Capital summary has been updated and is included in your package.

 

02     Adoption of the FY2025 Proposed Budget to be Presented to the Voting Public on Thursday, May 23, 2024

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for adoption of the FY2025 Proposed Budget to be Presented to the Voting Public on Thursday, May 23, 2024.                     All Ayes

 

03     Resolution Approving the Ballot Wording for the All-Day Referendum on May 23, 2024

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of ballot wording for the All-Day Referendum on May 23, 2024.                  All Ayes

 

04     Approval of Bid Award to Tom Irwin Inc. for the Fertilizing of Riverpoint Park and Natick Field in the amount of $20,102.70

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Bid Award to Tom Irwin Inc. for the Fertilizing of Riverpoint Park and Natick Field in the amount of $20,102.70.   

 

VOTE:

J. Messier – Yes

J. Licciardi – No

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

05     Resolution Authorizing the Town’s Matching Funds for the Federal FY2024 Congressional Directed Spending/Community Projects from American Rescue Plan Act Funds in the Amount of $315,207.00

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Town’s Matching Funds for the Federal FY2024 Congressional Directed Spending/Community Projects from American Rescue Plan Act Funds in the Amount of $315,207.00.                All Ayes

 

06     Resolution to Release Residual Funds from Previously Approved ARPA Projects

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution to Release Residual Funds from Previously Approved ARPA Projects.                        All Ayes

 

07     Discussion/Action – Approval of the Sale of Town Surplus Items on GovDeals

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of sale of town surplus items on GovDeals.     All Ayes

 

08     Discussion/Action – Acceptance of $143,000 Grant from the Department of Energy and Support for an AC Replacement Project for the Town Hall Complex

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for acceptance of $143,000 Grant from the Department of Energy and Support for an AC Replacement Project for the Town Hall Complex.              All Ayes

 

09     Resolution for Re-appointment of the Town Manager with Employment Agreement

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution for Re-appointment of the Town Manager with Employment Agreement.                 All Ayes

 

10     Resolution for Re-Appointment of the Town Solicitor with Employment Agreement

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution for Re-Appointment of the Town Solicitor with Employment Agreement.                 All Ayes

 

11     Resolution Supporting the Installation of Safety Barriers on Rhode Island Bridges

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution supporting the installation of safety barriers on Rhode Island Bridges.                          All Ayes

 

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

04     School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience Needed

05     Tree Warden – Must be a Licensed Arborist

06     Recreation Committee – Appointment to fill vacancy for three year term

07     Planning Board  - Appointment to fill vacancy as a regular member for term ending July 2027

 

K.         Public Forum

 

There was no public comment.

 

L.         Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation and R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a) (5) Sale or Lease of Public Property

01     Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters

02     Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers

03     RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

04     Child Inc./Payan Street

05     NEIT v. Sal Saccocio (All Cases) KC-2021-0060

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation and R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a) (5) Sale or Lease of Public Property.                         All Ayes

 

J. Messier leaves at 8:33 P.M.

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Dennison to return to open session.                       All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to seal the minutes of executive session.              All Ayes

 

L.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by M. Dennison, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:56 P.M.                    All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk