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

May 7, 2024

6:00 P.M.

(Immediately following the Sewer Commission Meeting)

 

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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 6:33 P.M.

 

B.         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

 

C.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

D.        Consent Agenda

01  Approval of the minutes from the April 23, 2024 Regular Town Council Meeting

02  Approval of the minutes from the April 23, 2024 Executive Session

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

 

F.         Ordinances

01  First Reading of Ordinance #2024-4 Amending Chapter 18 Taxation, Section 18-1 Elderly Exemptions and Section 18-4 Veterans’ Exemptions

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for first reading of Ordinance #2024-4 Amending Chapter 18 Taxation, Section 18-1 Elderly Exemptions and Section 18-4 Veterans’ Exemptions.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

G.        Public Hearing

01  Request from James and Ashley Rita for Abandonment of a Portion of Tiffany Avenue

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from James and Ashley Rita for Abandonment of a Portion of Tiffany Avenue.              All Ayes

 

H.        Town Council Acting as the Liquor Commission 

01  Transfer of Class BV Liquor License from Warwick Hotel Partners, LLC dba Springhill Suites by Marriott Providence West Warwick to Minal, Inc. dba Springhill Suites by Marriott Providence West Warwick

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of transfer of Class BV Liquor License from Warwick Hotel Partners, LLC dba Springhill Suites by Marriott Providence West Warwick to Minal, Inc. dba Springhill Suites by Marriott Providence West Warwick.                        All Ayes

 

I.          Business Licenses

01  Request from the Dog Dealership for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for Event to be held on June 22, 2024 at 100 Factory Street

02  Request from the Dog Dealership for a Dog Show License

03  Request from Church of Christ the King for a Raffle License

04  Request from Riken Pools for a Sunday and Holiday Sales License

 

J. Messier recuses himself.

 

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

 

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Recusal

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

J.          Appointments and Resignations

01  Request from William Malloy for Re-appointment to the Planning Board for term ending July 2027

02  Request from Francis Flynn for Appointment to the Planning Board for term ending July 2026

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to table until June 4.               All Ayes

 

K.         New Business

01 Discussion/Action – Town Council Rules of Procedure

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the Town Council Rules of Procedure.              All Ayes

 

02  Discussion/Action – Current Homeless Site Locations and Future Plan for the Homeless Population

 

J. Licciardi requested this agenda item.  He shares his concerns with the homeless encampments at Flat Top Park and Riverpoint Park.  They need to be removed. 

 

Cathy Shultz, advocate, was in attendance.  She explains that there are currently 54 homeless people living in West Warwick.  She expects that number to grow with the closing of temporary housing at local hotels.  She stresses the importance of finding a place for these people to go.  There is not currently a solution.

 

Wendy Beaudreau, of 34 Pawtuxet Terrace, states that there is only one person currently staying at Flat Top Park.  She can assist them with moving, but she is concerned that he will move to River Point. 

 

The Council discusses several strategies to deal with this issue. 

 

No action was taken. 

 

03  Discussion/Action – Award of Two Scholarships at the West Warwick High School Senior Awards Banquet

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of two (2) $500.00 Scholarships at the West Warwick High School Senior Awards Banquet.                     All Ayes

 

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  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  Planning Board - Appointment to fill vacancy as a regular member for term ending July 2027

 

M.        Public Forum

 

Corrina Aguiar, of 41 Greene Street, shares concerns with dust from a construction project near her home.  This has been an ongoing issue. 

 

D. Gosselin asks that the Building Official look into this. 

 

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) (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  Child Inc./Payan Street

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

 

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) (5) Sale or Lease of Public Property.                          All Ayes

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to return to 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

           

O.        Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn the meeting at 10:13 P.M.              All Ayes 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk