WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

October 1, 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 6:25 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. Consent Agenda

a. Approval of the minutes from the September 17, 2024, Town Council Meeting

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

G. Ordinances

1. First reading of Ordinance #2024-18 Amending Section 2 – General Purposes, Section 3 – Definitions, Section 4 – Division into Districts, Section 5 – Use Regulations, Section 18 – Power of the Town Council to Establish a Zoning Board of Review and Adopt Zoning Ordinance

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by J. Messier to move Ordinance #2024-18 Amending Section 2 – General Purposes, Section 3 – Definitions, Section 4 – Division into Districts, Section 5 – Use Regulations, Section 18 – Power of the Town Council to Establish a Zoning Board of Review and Adopt Zoning Ordinance to second reading.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Williamson to move Ordinance 03 up for immediate consideration. All Ayes

2. First reading of an Ordinance #2024-19 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic Article II -Operation adding Section 53. Penalties for Violations to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick.

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move Ordinance #2024-19 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic Article II -Operation adding Section 53. Penalties for Violations to the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick to second reading; adding $100 penalty fee.

ROLL CALL VOTE:

J. Licciardi – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

MOTION PASSES

3. First reading of an Ordinance Relating to Homeless Encampments

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for discussion only.

M. Knott explains that the encampment response team, made up of police, fire, EMA, DPW, Thrive, and HEZ, visited the encampments last week.

Chief Varone reports that the response team toured the encampments on September 26^th. They visited 12 sites. The have identified 44 individuals at the encampments. They distributed Narcan at the encampments. DPW assessed the cleanup costs to be around $22,000. The team is coordinating with the housing authority to identify if any of the occupants are on the waiting list. Sharps containers will be provided to each site. Occupants of the encampments were given verbal first notice of the December 2^nd deadline.

M. Knott states that the encampment response team will be visiting the sites at least every other week.

Gail Loud states that she helps feed the homeless. She suggests having the homeless work with the town to clean up the encampments. She claims that the police have harassed some of the homeless.

Alyssa, from Bristol, has been homeless. She is a domestic abuse survivor. She lived in a shelter with her children for a year.

Vin Marzullo, of 28 Crossland Road, did an informal assessment of two sites. There are elderly people and veterans at the sites that want help. He suggests pulling the proposed ordinance and re-drafting it. The town cannot criminalize their way out of this.

J. Messier agrees with V. Marzullo. They cannot arrest their way out of it. The Town does not have the man power.

Sarah, from Pawtucket, worked in West Warwick with street outreach. She states that these issues will go away with more housing.

Derek Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, states that the encampments should not be in the recreation areas where children are. He feels it is a safety issue. He suggests that the ordinance should read “encampments” not “homeless”.

Roberto Gomez, originally from Texas, recently became homeless after visiting the area. He offers to help clean up the encampments.

Sophia, is 10 years old. She has lived in a homeless shelter.

John Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, offers Roberto Gomez a job. John reiterates that this is a safety issue. He feels that there is a large group that does not want help.

Ana Coia, of West Street, is concerned that there is no age restriction on needles. She is worried about the children that live in town.

Alyssa, of Bristol, is the face of homelessness. She shares concerns about the Council passing this legislation. She suggests working as a community to solve the issue.

Kathy Shultz thanks the Council and Town Manager for their efforts. The solution is a 24/7 navigation center. There needs to be a Kent County Solution. This ordinance will create an inhumane way of dealing with the issue. There needs to be a regional solution. There are not enough resources.

J. Licciardi feels this is a lot to digest. He would like to look into this further and make recommendations to the solicitor and manager for amendments.

M. Williamson thinks that the response team should continue. She is not in favor of criminalizing the homeless. This ordinance was only a starting point.

J. Licciardi states that this is a behavior issue, not a homeless issue. There can’t be illegal activity going on.

M. Williamson would like to reach out to the State for assistance.

D. Gosselin suggests a Council resolution to send to the State.

M. Dennison understands both sides of the argument. There needs to be a solution that helps everyone.

D. Gosselin asks the Council to send any suggested changes to the ordinance to the Town Manager.

NO ACTION WAS TAKEN.

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to table. All Ayes

H. Business Licenses

1. Request from Unforgettable Events Party Hall for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker and Theatrical Performances, Shows, and Exhibitions License for premises located at 1745 Main Street Unit 5

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to table. All Ayes

2. Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for Event to be held October 25, 2024, at 11 Ventura Street

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker License for Event to be held October 25, 2024, at 11 Ventura Street. All Ayes

I. Appointments and Resignations

1. Request from Kimberly Usselman for appointment to the 250^th Commission

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from Kimberly Usselman for appointment to the 250^th Commission. All Ayes

J. New Business

1. Approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and Local 2045 – RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO for Fiscal Years 2025-2027

M. Knott states that they have reached a tentative agreement. The agreement contains the following salary increases:

3.5% on July 1, 2024

2% on July 1, 2025

2% on January 1, 2026

2% on July 1, 2026

2% on January 1, 2027

Fiscal impact:

FY2025 - $241,000

FY2026 - $180,718

FY2027 - $186,089

M. Knott states that summer hours were eliminated in this agreement.

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the Town of West Warwick and Local 2045 – RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO for Fiscal Years 2025-2027. All Ayes

2. Resolution to Consider Change Order #3 for the Ice Chiller System Project (2023-125)

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of resolution to Consider Change Order #3 for the Ice Chiller System Project (2023-125). All Ayes

3. School Building Committee Update

K. Upcoming Appointments

1. Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as an alternate member for three-year term

2. Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member for three-year term

3. Tax Assessment Board of Review -Appointment to fill a vacancy for three-year term

4. School Building Committee – Architectural, Engineering, Construction Experience Needed

5. Tree Warden – Must be a Licensed Arborist

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

7. West Warwick 250^th Commission

8. Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment to fill vacancy for unexpired term ending June 2026

L. Public Forum

Chris Boucher shares concerns with new construction and flooding.

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

1. Gough v Town of West Warwick KC-2014-0640

2. RI Council 94, AFSCME, AFL-CIO

THE COUNCIL DID NOT MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

N. Adjournment

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 9:04 P.M.

All Ayes

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk