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 27, 2024

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission)

 

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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 6:50 p.m.

 

B.               Prayer led by Council.

 

C.               Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

D.              Roll Call taken by Deputy 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 Deputy Town Clerk

 

F.                Auditor presentation of FY 2023

 

Mary L. Sahady, CPA, Principal, from Hague, Sahady & Co. Public Accountant, presented the Town of

West Warwick Annual Financial Report for the year end June 30, 2023. The Financial Auditor

Report can be found on the Town of West Warwick Website under the Finance Dept.

 

G.              Consent Agenda

01     Approval of the Minutes from the February 6, 2024, Regular Town Council Meeting

02     Approval of the Minutes from the February 6, 2024, Executive Session

03     Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $1,512.00 as Requested by the Tax Assessor

 

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

 

                                         All Ayes

 

H.              Business Licenses

01     Request from St. Joseph Church Society for a Raffle License

02     Request from Little B’s BBQ for a Hawkers and Peddlers License

03     Request from Sherri’s for a Victualing House License

 

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

 

                                         All Ayes

 

I.                 Appointments and Resignations

01  Request from Kevin Millonzi for appointment to the Planning Board as an Alternate Member for term ending July 2025

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Kevin Millonzi for appointment to the Planning Board for a term ending July 2025. J. Liccardi recused himself from this matter.

                                         All Ayes

 

02  Request from Nicholas Lanigan for appointment to the Recreation Committee for term ending February 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Nicholas Lanigan for appointment to the Recreation Committee for a term ending February 2027.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

03  Request from Andrea Plaziak for re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Andrea Plaziak for re- appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for a term ending February 2027.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

04  Request from Linda Goldman for re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Linda Goldman for re- appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for a term ending February 2027.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

05  Request from Josephine Sassi for re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Josephine Sassi for re- appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for a term ending February 2027.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

06  Resignation of Chris Messier from the Recreation Committee

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Chris Messier from the Recreation Committee, with regret.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

J.                New Business

01 Discussion of Road Construction on Cowesett Avenue

 

J. Licciardi stated that the Director of Kent County Water, Mr. Simas stated they will hold the contractor for the road accountable. Construction is going to start in the spring and hopefully the construction will be done in October 2024 depending on the weather. If not the project will be done in 2025.

 

02  Update on the School Building Committee

 

M. Knott stated that Stage 1 Report was submitted to Ride on February 15. There will be a meeting tomorrow night with the Building Committee to consider the request for qualifications for architectural and engineering services to be reviewed and waiting for feedback from Ride. Also starting Stage 2 Report which will contain the options, recommendations to proceed the needs that have been identified and will take months. Once we receive the updated assessments for Stage 1 we will move on.

 

03  Resolution for a change order for the 2024 Town Roadway Improvements Project (ARPA Funded)

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution requesting the Change Order (#3) to the 2023 Roadway Improvements Bid #2023-11 and use of American Rescue Plan Funds – 2024 Riverpoint Park Improvements.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

04  Resolution for a change order for the 2024 Riverpoint Park Road and Lot Improvements Project (ARPA Funded)

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution requesting the Change Order (#2) to the 2023 Roadway Improvements Bid #2023-11 and use of American Rescue Plan Funds – 2024 Roadway Improvements.

 

                                         All Ayes

 

05  2024 Easter Egg Hunt details

 

J. Liccardi stated the Easter Hunt will be at Maisie Quinn School on March 30, at 9:30 a.m.

 

06  Termination of RIPTA bus service in West Warwick

 

J. Liccardi stated there was a meeting held at the West Warwick Public Library regarding Rhode Island Public Transit Authority’s plan to cut serval bus routes in West Warwick that will impact residents. In January RIPTA announced service modifications that would affect thirty-three bus routes Statewide. These changes will be in effect in April. The bus routes getting eliminated in West Warwick are RT.23 which runs between Arctic, Crompton, and the Centre of New England. J. Liccardi stated dozens of Rhode Islanders rely on public buses to get around. The proposed changes is a direct response regarding driver shortage affecting transit agencies nationwide. Town Solicitor T. Williamson suggested the Town Council adopt a resolution opposing the proposed service changes that can be sent to the councils of other affected cities and towns and then lawmakers.

 

K.               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     School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience

06     Tree Warden – Must be Licensed Arborist

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

08     Recreation Committee – Appointment to fill vacancy for three-year term.

09     Planning Board Alternate - Appointment to fill vacancy.

10     West Warwick 250^th Commission – 5 Vacancies

 

           

L.                Public Forum

 

Albert Anderson, business owner, located at 3 Bridal Ave stated the Fight Factory moved his gym to the fourth floor above his unit and now his light fixtures and ceiling is falling in his unit, there is loud, swearing music and stated that the gym is a nuisance.

 

Derek Read stated the River Point roadway should be paved in the Spring instead of Fall.  He also commented that no one will stay on the Recreation Committee as the board has no function.

 

M.             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 RI 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     C.H.I.L. D Inc. -Payan Street

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

 

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

.

                                                      All Ayes

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Liccardi to move back into open session.

                                                      All Ayes

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to have the Town Manager inform Child Inc. that the Council is only interested in leasing the Payan Street property, they are no longer willing to sell.  The lease shall be effective March 1, 2024 with retroactive payment to April 1, 2023.

                                                      All Ayes

 

           

N.              Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 9:05 P.M.

                                    All Ayes 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Iannitelli

Deputy Town Clerk