WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Special Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

July 30, 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 - Present

 

E.      Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

 

F.      Ordinances

1.      First Reading of an Ordinance for an Affordable Housing Agreement and Covenant for Lippitt Mill

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for first reading of an Ordinance for an Affordable Housing Agreement and Covenant for Lippitt Mill.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

2.      Second 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 approval 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. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

G.     Old Business

1.      Discussion/Action - Consideration of Charter Amendments and Approval of Ballot Wording

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the following Charter Amendments and Approval of Ballot Wording:

 

QUESTIONS 1-4

AMENDMENTS TO THE WEST WARWICK HOME RULE CHARTER

(Resolution of the Town Council adopted July 30, 2024)

 

1.  CHARTER AMENDMENT- ARTICLE 5 - BUDGET PROCESS

 

Shall Article 5 be amended to provide that after two public hearings, the Town Council shall adopt a budget by super majority vote, which shall be a majority plus one vote, but if the Town Council fails to adopt the initial budget, the Town Manager shall propose an alternate budget for the Town Council’s consideration? If the Town Council adopts the Town Manager’s alternate budget by super majority vote, then the budget is adopted. If the alternate budget is not adopted, there shall be an all-day referendum of the initial budget and the alternate budget. The budget receiving the greater number of votes shall become the budget.

[_____]  Approve

[_____]  Reject

 

2.  HOME RULE CHARTER ARTICLE 5 – SECTION 505 – TRANSFER OF APPROPRIATIONS

Shall Section 505 be amended to authorize the Finance Director to transfer appropriations from one department to another at any time during the fiscal year?

[_____]  Approve

[_____]  Reject

 

3.  HOME RULE CHARTER ARTICLE 7 – SECTION 706 – COMPETITIVE BIDDING

Shall Section 706 be amended to align with the changes to Rhode Island General Law § 37-2 – State Purchases?

[_____]  Approve

[_____]  Reject

 

4.  HOME RULE CHARTER ARTICLE 20 – SECTION 2004 – PENSION BOARD

Shall Section 2004 be omitted in its entirety pursuant to the fact that the West Warwick Pension System is now under the administration of the Employee Retirement System of Rhode Island?

[_____]  Approve

[_____]  Reject

 

VOTE:  ALL AYES

 

H.     New Business

1.      Resolution Authorizing a Change Order for the Ice Chiller Project for infrastructure testing

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing a Change Order for the Ice Chiller Project for infrastructure testing in the amount of $13,177.85 to be funded by out of the Civic Center operating budget.                      All Ayes

 

I.        Public Forum

J.       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

1.      RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

2.      Scheduling of Litigation Update

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to move to executive session pursuant to to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation.                All Ayes

MOTION made by M. Williamson, 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

 

NO VOTES WERE TAKEN

K.      Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn at 7:50 P.M.             All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk