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

January 2, 2024

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 6:04 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 - President

 

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Employee Recognition

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to hold until later in the meeting.         All Ayes

 

G.        Consent Agenda

01        Approval of the Minutes from the December 19, 2023 Regular Town Council Meeting

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

H.        Ordinances

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

 

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

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02        First 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 first reading of Ordinance 2024-2 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances – Brookside Avenue.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

I.          Liquor Licenses – Town Council acting as the Liquor License Commission

01        Transfer of Class A Liquor License from Centreville Liquors Inc. dba Centreville Liquors to Centreville Wine and Spirits LLC dba Centreville Wine and Spirits; located at 287A Legris Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of transfer of Class A Liquor License from Centreville Liquors Inc. dba Centreville Liquors to Centreville Wine and Spirits LLC dba Centreville Wine and Spirits; located at 287A Legris Avenue; subject to payment of outstanding claims, approvals, and clearance from the Division of Taxation.                 All Ayes

 

J.          Business Licenses

01        Renewal of Bingo Licenses

            A.         Msgr. Deangelis Manor

            B.         Clyde Tower Tenants Association

            C.         845 Wakefield Tenants Association

            D.         West Warwick Manor Tenant Association

            E.         West Warwick Senior Center

            F.         Westcott Terrace

            G.        Veterans Building Association

 

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

                                                All Ayes

 

K.         Appointments and Resignations

01        Request from Susan Banks for Re-Appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for Term Ending December 2027

 

J. Licciardi recuses himself.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Susan Banks for Re-Appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for Term Ending December 2027.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Recusal

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

L.         New Business

01        Presentation by the Secretary of State’s Office Regarding the State of Rhode Island’s  250^th Anniversary and Consideration of Forming a Local 250^th Commission

 

Lauren Fogarty was in attendance on behalf of the Secretary of State’s Office.  She explained that the Secretary of State is planning a 250^th Anniversary and they are asking all municipalities in Rhode Island to participate.  They are asking for each municipality to form a local commission.  She will forward a sample resolution to the Town Clerk to put before the Council at their next meeting.

 

02        Consideration of Request from Jayne DelSesto for Reimbursement for Tire Claim

 

J. Caldwell, DPW Director, states that he supports approval of the claim. 

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Jayne DelSesto for reimbursement for tire claim.                  All Ayes

 

03        School Building Committee Update

 

M. Knott states they met with the owners project manager, Chris Speigal.  They will be presenting at tomorrow’s School Building Committee meeting. 

           

M.        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 (2) – Appointment or Re-Appointment for four-year term

06        School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience

07        Tree Warden – Must be Licensed Arborist

 

           

N.        Public Forum

 

J. Messier is concerned about the condition of Cowesett Avenue.  The construction being done by the Kent County Water Authority is damaging residents vehicles. 

 

J. Caldwell is meeting with Richard from Geremia.  They will address the problems. 

 

T. Oates shares concerns with the audio system. 

 

S. Rapose states that there is a new one being installed in the near future.

 

J. Read asks about the pay increase for the crossing guards. 

 

M. Knott states that HR, the School Department, and Police have completed the Town’s policy and recommendations.  They will be setting up a meeting with the Crossing Guards to review the policy. 

 

B. Mollohan thanks the Town for cleaning up the gazebo.  It looked nice for the holidays.  He hopes that music events will be held there next summer.

 

Susan Pangman of 137 Phenix Avenue and of Rebecca Allard of 83 Factory Street are crossing guards for the Town.  They share concerns with pay, hours, and staff shortages.

 

J. Caldwell states that the playground equipment for Flat Top Park is scheduled to be delivered on February 20^th. 

 

Council takes a five minute recess.

 

F.         Employee Recognition

 

Presentation of Citation to Fire Chief Jeffrey Varone. (Citation attached)

 

O.        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

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

 

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)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation.                   All Ayes

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to move back into open session.                       All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to seal the minutes of executive session.

                        All Ayes

 

NO VOTES WERE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

 

P.         Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 8:18 P.M.    All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, CMC

Town Clerk