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

February 6, 2024

6:00 P.M.

 

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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 6:05 P.M.

 

B.         Prayer led by Council

 

C.         Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

D.        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

 

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Employee Recognition and Presentation by Private Citizen

 

Tom Oates would like to thank the Police and Fire Departments for welcoming Jamison Van and his family.  Jamison is a young boy from Wisconsin who comes to Rhode Island for medical treatment.  Several town residents have become involved with making Jamison’s visits to Rhode Island a little brighter.  Jamison is very interested in public safety.  Mr. Oates reached out to West Warwick Police and Fire to set up a tour for Jamison.  Both departments accommodated Jamison with almost a four-hour long tour. 

 

Jamison and his mother joined the meeting via Zoom.  They thanked the Police and Fire Department for all that they did for them.   

 

G.        Consent Agenda

01        Approval of the Minutes from the January 2, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting

02        Approval of the Minutes from the January 2, 2024 Executive Session

03        Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $618.36 as requested by the Tax Assessor

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

H.        Ordinances

01        Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-1 Amending Section 5.3 – Use Regulations of the Zoning Code – As Amended

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2024-1 Amending Section 5.3 – Use Regulations of the Zoning Code – As Amended.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Messier – YES

J. Licciardi – YES

M. Dennison – YES

M. Williamson – YES

D. Gosselin – YES

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02        Second Reading of Ordinance 2024-2 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances – Brookside Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance 2024-2 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances – Brookside Avenue.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Messier – YES

J. Licciardi – YES

M. Dennison – YES

M. Williamson – YES

D. Gosselin – YES

 

MOTION PASSES

 

I.          Business Licenses

01        Renewal of Room House Licenses

            A.         Picard Associates – 10 Brookside Avenue

            B.         Plaza Apartments – 81 Brookside Avenue

            C.         Phenix Square – 18 Highland Street

            D.         Cross Roads Rhode Island – 54 Providence Street

02        Request from the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for a Parade License

03        Renewal of Hawkers and Peddlers License for Palagis Ice Cream

04        Request from EZ’s Diner LLC for Victualing License

 

J. Messier recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of the Business Licenses.

VOTE:

J. Messier – Recusal

J. Licciardi – YES

M. Dennison – YES

M. Williamson – YES

D. Gosselin – YES

 

MOTION PASSES

 

J.          Appointments and Resignations

01        Request from Karen Simpson for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Karen Simpson for re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2027.

                                    All Ayes

 

02        Resignation of Joe Garcia as Alternate Member of the Planning Board

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Joe Garcia as Alternate Member of the Planning Board, with regret.                        All Ayes

 

03        Resignation of Paul Richards from the Recreation Committee

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to accept the resignation of Paul Richards from the Recreation Committee, with regret.                     All Ayes

 

K.         New Business

01        Discussion of Road Construction on Cowesett Avenue

 

J. Caldwell has spoken with Kent County Water.  They have assured that they will hold the contractor for the roads accountable. 

 

M. Knott will find out the claims process for residents who would like to submit a claim for damage to their vehicles. 

 

02        Resolution Requesting the General Assembly to Amend RIGL §44-3-16. Elderly – Freeze of Tax Rate and Valuation; §44-3-13.1 West Warwick – Exemption of Persons over the age of 65 Years; and §44-3-4. Veterans’ Exemptions

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of resolution Requesting the General Assembly to Amend RIGL §44-3-16. Elderly – Freeze of Tax Rate and Valuation; §44-3-13.1 West Warwick – Exemption of Persons over the age of 65 Years; and §44-3-4. Veterans’ Exemptions.

                                                All Ayes

 

03        Resolution Forming the West Warwick 250^th Commission

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution forming the West Warwick 250^th Commission.             All Ayes

 

04        Approval of IDC Web Services Agreement

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of IDC Web Services Agreement.                          All Ayes

 

05        School Building Committee Update

 

M. Knott updates the body.  The Project Management Company has been selected.  They are currently gathering information in order to complete the application to RIDE.  The next meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2024 at 4:00 P.M.

 

06        Resolution in Support of the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns 2024 Legislative Priorities

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the resolution supporting the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns 2024 Legislative Priorities.                          All Ayes

 

07        Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2003 GMC 4500 Truck in the amount of $3,000

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution Authorizing the Purchase of a 2003 GMC 4500 Truck in the amount of $3,000.                        All Ayes

 

08        December 2023 Monthly Finance Report

 

K. Benoit, Finance Director, gave the following report:

 

Current year tax collections total $42,701,840.78 which is 64.8% of the budget for current year taxes. We have collected two quarters, however quite a few taxpayers pay their entire tax bill when they receive it. This skews the amount expected to be collected 6 months into the fiscal year. This smooths out as further quarters are collected. Prior year tax collections total $353,287.00 which is equal to 27.18% 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 59.4%, which is higher than the expected 50%. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Building, Finance and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending under budget at 47.8%. This is 2.2% below the expected 50%. There are a few variables contributing to this. The variables net out to bring us within 2% of our target. Some examples of that are as follows: 100% of Senior Center appropriation and longevity has been paid as well as 62.3% of the debt service however, the operating department budgets are trending at or below the expected 50%, including pension expense. The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $377,105.21 and operating revenues of $372,144.26. The bank balance as of 1/29/2024 is $9,689,306.16. We earned an additional $21,651.34, on the $6,000,000 in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizens bank bringing the total for 4 months to $80,922.68. We have also earned $254,971.97 in interest on our ARPA funds invested at Centerville Bank. The FY 2023 Audit has been issued and met the State of RI statutory deadline.

           

L.         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 to fill vacancy for five-year term expiring November 2027

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

05        Juvenile Hearing Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for four-year term

06        School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience

07        Tree Warden – Must be Licensed Arborist

08        Library Board of Trustees (3) – Appointment or Re-Appointment for three year term

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

10        Planning Board Alternate - Appointment to fill vacancy

 

M.        Public Forum

 

T. Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, notes that Child Inc. has been without a lease for almost a year.  He is hoping that there will be an update soon.

 

A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, gives kudos to the Public Works Department for their quick response to a wash out on Kulas Road.  He asked if the Crossing Guard situation has been resolved, which Council confirms that it has.  He suggests contacting the Army Core of Engineers to assist with the flooding issues in Natick. 

 

B. Deutsh, of 35 Laramee Avenue, asks about getting body cameras for the Police Department. 

 

D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, doesn’t feel the Recreation Committee is needed.  He gives kudos the the Public Works Department and Chief Varone for the handling of the flooding issues. 

 

P. Cottrell, of 25 Nowicki Street, shares concerns with the sidewalk on Lachance Steet.

 

J. Caldwell, DPW Director, is aware of the issue.  It is being addressed within the next month. 

 

N.        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)(1)- discussions of job performance, character, physical or mental health of a person or persons 

01        Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters

02        Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers

03        RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

04        Payan Street

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

06        Mark Knott

 

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)(1)- discussions of job performance, character, physical or mental health of a person or persons.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Messier – YES

J. Licciardi – YES

M. Dennison – YES

M. Williamson – YES

D. Gosselin – YES

 

MOTION PASSES

 

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

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to seal the minutes of Executive Session.

                                    All Ayes

 

THERE WERE NO VOTES TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

 

O.        Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn at 9:17 P.M.                        All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk