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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
October 15, 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 6:21 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. Introduction of New IT Director
D. M. Knott informs the Council that Jeffrey Frenette has been hired as the new IT Director.
E. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the minutes of the October 1, 2024 Town Council Meeting
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Consent Agenda. All Ayes
F. Ordinances
01 Second 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 M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval 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.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 Second reading of 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 for approval of 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.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
03 First reading of Ordinance #2024-21 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C Traffic Ordinances – One Way on Inclusion Lane
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for first reading of Ordinance #2024-21 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C Traffic Ordinances – One Way on Inclusion Lane.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
G. Liquor Licenses – Town Council acting as the Liquor Commission
NEW CLASS BV LIQUOR LICENSE
1. Grand Ventura Event Venue LLC
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Class BV Liquor License for Grand Ventura Event Venus LLC, subject to approvals and payment. All Ayes
01 Rousselle Enterprises, Inc., dba Brookside Package Store, 1193 Main Street
02 Centerville Wine and Spirits LLC, dba Centerville Liquors, 287 Legris Avenue
03 Break Away Liquors, LLC, dba Cowesett Wine & Spirits, 285 Cowesett Avenue
04 House of Liquors, Inc., dba House of Liquors, 549 Quaker Lane
05 Guru LLC, dba Joyals Liquor, 90 West Warwick Avenue
06 Bapa Corporation, dba Liquor World of West Warwick, 1745 Main Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Class A Liquor License Renewals; subject to approvals and payment. All Ayes
01 Bright Star, LLC, dba Cowesett Pizza, 306 Cowesett Avenue
02 Rui Qing Lei Inc., dba Fu Ming, 350 Providence Street
03 UnWine’d Beer and Wine Lounge LLC, dba UnWine’d Beer and Wine Lounge, 400 Providence Street
04 Gel’s Kitchen Inc., dba Gel’s Kitchen, 1745 Main Street, #1
05 Cocktail Hour Essentials, LLC, 697 Quaker Lane
J. Messier recuses himself.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Class B Limited Renewals; subject to approvals and payment.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
01 Aloha Pizza, Inc., dba Aloha Pizza, 126 Roberts Street
02 Aquilante’s Bistro & Tavern, LLC, dba Aquilante’s Bistro & Tavern, 701, 703-705 Quaker Lane
03 Bill's Place, Inc., dba Bill’s Place, 707 Main Street
04 721 Quaker Lane, LLC, dba Condesa Mexican Restaurant, 717-719 Quaker Lane
05 Cowesett Inn, Inc., dba Cowesett Inn, 226 Cowesett Avenue
06 Deborah’s Down the Road, Inc. 826 Main Street
07 Forewest Clubhouse, Inc., dba West Warwick Country Club, 335 Wakefield Street
08 Fresco Also Inc., dba Fresco, 115 Cowesett Avenue
09 Hong Kong Inc., dba Hong Kong Restaurant, 77 Washington St.
10 KMJ Inc., dba The Hour Bar, 1193B Main Street
11 House Of Wu & Chen, Inc., dba House of Wu, 52 Providence Street
12 Thomas Arruda dba JJ’s Café, 289 Cowesett Avenue, Unit 3
13 Khoo Restaurant LLC, dba Khoo, 255 Cowesett Avenue
14 L.A. Cafe, Inc., dba L.A. Cafe, 245 Washington Street
15 Milas Taqueria, LLC dba Caliente Mexican Grill, 289 Cowesett Avenue, Unit 7&8
16 M & M Food Service LLC, dba Millonzi Bar & Grille, 11 Curson Street
17 The Falls Event Center, LLC dba The Falls Event Center, 3 Bridal Avenue
18 Nardolillo Group, LLC dba Toast-N-Tap, 45 Quaker Lane
19 Wakefield Corporation, 100 Lombardi Lane
20 Subin, LLC, dba Masala Pakistani and Indian Cuisine, 35 Quaker Lane, Unit 1
21 Ye Express, Inc., dba Ye Express, 1117 Main St.
22 293 PVD LLC., dba Boomerang’s Roadhouse, 293 Providence Street
23 PVD Pizza West Warwick LLC dba PVD Pizza, 49 Providence Street
24 Mega Providence Street dba The Lounge by Smokeland, 53 Providence Street
25 Patrona International Restaurant, LLC, 943 Main Street
26 Minal Inc dba Springhill Suites by Marriot Providence West Warwick, 14 James P. Murphy Industrial Highway
J. Messier and M. Williamson recuse themselves.
MOTION made by M. Dennison, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Class B Victualer Liquor License Renewals; subject to approvals and payment.
VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Recusal
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
01 Amici Club, dba Amici Club, 228-230 Providence Street
02 Club Frontenac, Inc., dba Club Frontenac, 1143 Main Street
03 Portuguese Instructional and Recreation Club, Inc., 918 Main Street
04 Crompton Veterans Organization WWII, dba Crompton Veterans Organization, WWII Club Bldg., 37 Hepburn Street
05 Phenix Sportsmen's Club, dba Phenix Sportsmen’s Club, 715 Main Street
06 Portuguese American Citizens Club, 97 East Main Street
07 Portuguese Holy Ghost Society of West Warwick, dba Portuguese Holy Ghost Society, 11 Ventura Street
08 Portuguese American Sports Club, 12 Bridge Street
09 Veterans Building Association, Inc., dba Sgt. David Langevin VFW Post 449, 197 Providence Street
10 West Warwick American Legion Post #2, dba West Warwick American Legion Post #2, 2 Legion Way
11 West Warwick Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6, Inc., dba West Warwick Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #6, Inc., 1520 Main Street
12 West Warwick Lodge of Elks, #1697 BPOE of USA, 60 Clyde Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Class D Club Liquor License renewals; subject to approvals and payment. All Ayes
01 The Arctic Playhouse, dba The Arctic Playhouse Cabaret, 1249 Main Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Class T Liquor License Renewal. All Ayes
H. Business Licenses
01 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
02 Request from Grand Ventura Event Venue LLC for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker and Theatrical Performances, Shows, and Exhibitions License for premises located at 53 Providence Street, Unit 7
03 Request from St. Anthony’s Church for a Raffle License
04 Request from RI Parrot Rescue for an Event License for Event to be held on October 26, 2024 at 173 Washington Street
05 Renewal of Donation Bin Licenses
A. Society of St. Vincent De Paul
B. Planet Aid
C. Afab Recycling LLC
D. Up Cycle Collaborative
E. Big Brothers and Sisters
F. St. Pauly’s Textile Inc.
G. Green Quest Partners LLC
H. American Red Cross
I. West Warwick Elks
06 Renewal of Pawn Broker Licenses
A. Gendron Jewelers, Inc. – 225 Cowesett Avenue
B. Fall River Pawn Brokers – 288 Cowesett Avenue
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Business Licenses; subject to approvals and payment. All Ayes
I. New Business
01 Approval of Tax Abatements in the amount of $296,873.82 as requested by the Tax Collector
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Tax Abatements in the amount of $296,873.82 as requested by the Tax Collector. All Ayes
02 Approval of Sale of Surplus Vehicles on GovDeals
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of sale of surplus vehicles on GovDeals. All Ayes
03 School Building Committee Update
M. Knott states that there is a public engagement meeting on October 23rd. They will be sharing viable options with the public and looking for input. The meeting is at 6pm.
04 Encampment Response Team Update and Homelessness Task Force Creation
Chief Varone states that the team visited the encampments at 8am last Thursday. They noticed that many of the occupants had already left the camps by 8am. Several of the camps have cleaned up. Six encampments were abandoned. The response team was able to find housing for a mother and her son. The team plans on visiting the encampments every other Thursday.
M. Knott shares that the taskforce met with the Woonsocket mayor and staff, as they are dealing with similar issues. They shared ideas such as using CDBG funds, local business donations, state aid, and grants.
M. Dennison doesn’t think that there is a single solution. They need to continue working on the ordinance.
T. Williamson suggests using the laws that are already in place for enforcement.
J. Licciardi would like to see a more simplified ordinance like the city of Fall River.
M. Williamson does not want to criminalize encampments. The state needs to be involved.
D. Gosselin states that there is 4 million dollars in the state budget for homeless issues.
05 Cowesett Avenue Construction Update
J. Licciardi updates the body. He states that the construction company plans on working until Thanksgiving putting down a temporary road. The road will need to settle, and then will be completed next spring.
06 Proclamation Celebrating Extra Mile Day on November 1, 2024
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of proclamation celebrating Extra Mile Day on November 1, 2024. All Ayes
J. 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 West Warwick 250th Commission
08 Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment to fill vacancy for unexpired term ending June 2026
09 West Warwick Housing Authority – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
10 Arctic Redevelopment Commission – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
K. Public Forum
D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, is disappointed that the Council will not be passing an ordinance by December 2nd relative to the homeless encampments. This is a serious problem where kids play. He can see fires in the encampments from his business. Public space is being invaded.
A resident from 297 Providence Street feeds the unhoused and gives them supplies such as toilet paper, hats, scarves, and jackets. She feels that more people in the community need to get involved.
L. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn at 7:33 P.M. All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk