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| TOWN OF WEST WARWICK RHODE ISLAND 1170 Main Street West Warwick, RI 02893 (401) 822-9200 www.westwarwickri.org |
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WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL
Regular Town Council Meeting
Town Council Chambers
July 9, 2024
6:00 P.M.
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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 6:02 P.M. 
B. Prayer led by Council
C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
D. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman Mark Dennison - Absent
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. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes from the June 18, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the minutes from the June 18, 2024 Executive Session
03 Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $6,158.58 as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda. All Ayes
G. Ordinances
01 Second Reading of Ordinance #2024-6 Amending Appendix C - Traffic Ordinances – Gough Avenue
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance #2024-6 Amending Appendix C - Traffic Ordinances – Gough Avenue.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 Second Reading of Ordinance #2024-7 Amending Chapter 11, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 47 - Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Campbell Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance #2024-7 Amending Chapter 11, Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Section 47 - Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Campbell Street.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
03 Second Reading of Ordinance #2024-8 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances –Quaker Drive
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance #2024-8 Amending Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Quaker Drive.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
04 First Reading of Ordinance #2024-10 Amending Chapter 10, Section 54, Mobile Food Establishments
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for First Reading of Ordinance #2024-10 Amending Chapter 10, Section 54, Mobile Food Establishments.
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
05 First Reading of Ordinance #2024-11 Approving the Financing of the Design, Construction, Equipping, Replacement, Repair and Rehabilitation of the Town’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in an amount not to exceed $7,400,000
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for First Reading of Ordinance #2024-11 Approving the Financing of the Design, Construction, Equipping, Replacement, Repair and Rehabilitation of the Town’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility in an amount not to exceed $7,400,000.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
H. Business Licenses
01 Request from the Dog Dealership for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for event to be held on August 10, 2024 at 100 Factory Street
02 Request from Tilly’s Thrift Shop for a Secondhand Dealer License
03 Request from the Dog Dealership for a Car and Dog Show Permit
04 Request from RI Kona LLC for Renewal of Hawker and Peddler License
05 Request from Casa Tia Rosa for Renewal of Hawker and Peddler License
06 Request from Christopher Carmody for Approval of Event to be held on August 11, 2024 on Mello Street from 12pm-7pm
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Business Licenses.
All Ayes
I. Appointments and Resignations
01 Request from Michael Bedard for re-appointment to the Pawtuxet River Authority for term ending June 2027
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of request from Michael Bedard for re-appointment to the Pawtuxet River Authority for term ending June 2027. All Ayes
02 Request from Joshua Barrette for re-appointment to the West Warwick Planning Board for term ending July 2029
MOTION made M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Joshua Barrette for re-appointment to the West Warwick Planning Board for term ending July 2029.
J. Licciardi – Recusal
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
03 Request from Anthony Corrente for appointment to the West Warwick 250th Commission
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Anthony Corrente for appointment to the West Warwick 250th Commission. All Ayes
04 Resignation of Peter Calci, Jr. from the Zoning Board
J. Licciardi recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Peter Calci, Jr. from the Zoning Board, with regrets.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Recusal
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
J. New Business
01 Request from Marathon Construction and Development for Lippitt Mill Taxation Abatement
This item will be considered on a future agenda as an ordinance.
NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.
02 Renewal of Employment Agreement for the Chief of Police – Colonel Ernest Lavigne
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of renewal of employment agreement for the Chief of Police – Colonel Ernest Lavigne. All Ayes
03 Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Public Safety, Public Works and Recreation Vehicles and Equipment and the Financing Thereof Through an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Lease Purchase Agreement and Related Instruments, and Determining Other Matters in Connection Therewith
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Purchase of Public Safety, Public Works and Recreation Vehicles and Equipment and the Financing Thereof Through an Equipment Lease Purchase Agreement and Authorizing the Execution and Delivery of a Lease Purchase Agreement and Related Instruments, and Determining Other Matters in Connection Therewith. All Ayes
MOTION made by D. Gosselin, seconded by J. Messier to move New Business 07, 06, 05, and 04 up for immediate consideration. All Ayes
07 Update on American Rescue Plan Funds
M. Knott explains that $5.4 million dollars in ARPA funds have been spent so far. An additional $2.5 million dollars have been authorized, but not completed. $800,000 needs to be encumbered by the end of the calendar year. He would like to focus on road work, investing in IT infrastructure, and finishing the Civic Center plaza.
06 Crompton Playground Project Update
M. Knott explains that this project was awarded a $400,000 grant from RIDEM. It required a $100,000 match from the town.
05 Resolution Authorizing a Bid Award for Construction Contractor for the Crompton Playground and Stephen F. Clarke Recreation Area Project
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson for approval of Resolution Authorizing a Bid Award for Construction Contractor for the Crompton Playground and Stephen F. Clarke Recreation Area Project to Beausoleil Bros. Inc. in the amount of $390,000. All Ayes
04 Resolution Authorizing the Town’s Supplemental Funds for the RIDEM 2022 Recreation Acquisition and Development Grant Award for the Crompton Playground Project from American Rescue Plan Act Funds
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Town’s Supplemental Funds for the RIDEM 2022 Recreation Acquisition and Development Grant Award for the Crompton Playground Project from American Rescue Plan Act Funds. All Ayes
08 Discussion/Action - Consideration of Potential Charter Amendments and Approval of Ballot Wording
Council discusses possible amendments. A special meeting is scheduled for July 30, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. to discuss and vote on potential amendments. No action was taken.
09 Discussion/Action – Consideration of No Camping/Residing on Public Property Ordinance
Council discusses potential ordinances.
Chief Lavigne will reach out to the police prosecuting attorney and the Attorney General’s office relative to a potential ordinance and enforcement.
10 School Building Committee Update
M. Knott states that the architect is still reviewing phase 1. The School Building Committee will be meeting again on July 17, 2024.
K. Upcoming Appointments
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 Pawtuxet River Authority - Appointment or Re-Appointment for three-year term
08 Planning Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
09 Zoning Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
10 West Warwick 250th Commission
L. Public Forum
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, hopes that West Warwick worked with the Governor’s Commission on Disabilities on Crompton Playground. He shares concerns with abolishing the Financial Town Meeting. He states that the homelessness issue is a state issue, not a town issue. He suggests speaking with the AG’s office.
B.
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
01 Local 1104 International Association of Fire Fighters
02 Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers
03 RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO
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 to open session. All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to seal the minutes of the executive session.
All Ayes
NO VOTES WERE TAKEN.
N. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk