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| 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
August 12, 2025
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 6:01 P.M.
B. Prayer led by Council
C. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
D. Roll Call taken by Town Clerk
Councilman Mark Dennison - President
Councilman Jason Licciardi - President
Councilman Jason Messier - President
Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - President
Council President David Gosselin - President
E. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
01 June 2025 Monthly Finance Report
K. Benoit, Finance Director, read the following report:
Current year tax collections total $67,368,259.89 which is 101.24% of the budget for current year taxes. We have exceeded the budget for FY 2025. Prior year tax collections total $1,177,159.71 which is equal to 90.55% of the budgeted amount. This line has been adjusted by $206,334.06 for the 60-day rule and accrued back to Fiscal Year 2024. This will increase slightly when we add the 60 day collections from FY 2026. This is collections from July and August 2025. Overall, the revenues are at 101.86%, which slightly exceeds the adopted budget for revenues. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Finance, Fire Rescue Fees, Building and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending over budget at 101.73%. This is 1.73% higher than the adopted budget for expenses. This can be attributable to School State Aid pass through, Flood expenditures, sludge removal costs, winter needs and Fire safety. Most of the other operating departments are running on target or slightly above budget. A budget amendment was processed in April to reallocate funds set aside for negotiations to the respective departments. The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $795,495.21 and operating revenues of $659,558.71. The full amount of Wind Turbine/Electricity expense as well as the Civic Center’s share of the Property and Liability expense have been recorded. The bank balance as of 8/4/2025 is $ 18,772,463.51. We earned an additional $9,560.79 in interest on the $3,000,000 in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizen’s bank for the month of July bringing the balance to 3,335,454.91. We also earned $460,531.21 in interest on our ARPA funds invested at Centerville Bank as of May 2025. Since the majority of the ARPA funds have been spent, these funds have been moved into a CD with interest accrued going into the General fund.
02 Resolution Approving the Payment of $1,029,635 from the General Fund Surplus to the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Payment of $1,029,635 from the General Fund Surplus to the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island. All Ayes
F. School Building Committee
01 School Building Committee Update
K. Tarasevich, Superintendent of Schools, reported on behalf of the School Building Committee. The architects are finalizing the response to RIDE’s questions from the Stage II submission. They are hoping to get the final approval of Stage II from RIDE soon. The committee voted to send the ballot question for the School Bond Referendum to the Town Council for approval.
02 Consideration and vote on Ballot Question for the October 8, 2025 School Bond Referendum
The Council approved the following ballot language:
1. SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL FACILITIES
$71,000,000 BONDS AND NOTES
(Chapters 23/24 – Local Acts 2025)
Shall an act passed at the 2025 session of the General Assembly entitled “An Act Authorizing the Town of West Warwick to issue not to exceed $71,000,000 General Obligation Bonds and Notes to finance the acquisition, construction, improvement, renovation, furnishing and equipping of schools and school facilities throughout the town and all attendant expenses including, but not limited to, demolition, engineering, architectural and landscaping costs” be approved?
( ) Approve
( ) Reject
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ballot Question for the October 8, 2025 School Bond Referendum. All Ayes
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the Minutes from the July 15, 2025 Town Council Meeting
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the Minutes from the July 15, 2025 Town Council Meeting. All Ayes
H. Ordinances
01 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-5 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – No Parking Kulas Road
Residents of Kulas Road share concerns about vehicles parking on their street. They feel it is a safety issue, and are concerned that emergency vehicles may not be able to pass through. They also have concerns with oncoming traffic when trying to pass by parked vehicles.
Council discussed at length. They shared concerns with taking away residents ability to park in front of their homes.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for second reading of Ordinance #2025-5 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – No Parking Kulas Road on September 16, 2025.
M. Dennison – No
J. Licciardi – No
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
02 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-6 Amending Section 5.1 Table of Use Regulations, Non-Residential Uses, E. Retail Business, 49. Cannabis Retail Sales and Section 5.3 Special Use Permits, 7. Cannabis Retail Sales of the West Warwick Zoning Code
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to continue to the September 2, 2025 Town Council Meeting. All Ayes
03 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-7 Amending Article II – Fences, Section 5-34 – Standards of the Code of Ordinances
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for Second Reading of Ordinance #2025-7 Amending Article II – Fences, Section 5-34 – Standards of the Code of Ordinances; as amended.
M. Dennison – Yes
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
04 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-8 Amending Section 5.3 Table of Use Regulations and 5.4 Standard Dimensional Regulations Table of the West Warwick Zoning Code
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for second reading of Ordinance #2025-8 Amending Section 5.3 Table of Use Regulations and 5.4 Standard Dimensional Regulations Table of the West Warwick Zoning Code.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Stepped Away
J. Messier – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
I. Liquor License – Town Council acting as the Liquor Commission
01 Request from 99 Fletcher Dos LLC dba Joyal’s Liquor for a Class A Liquor License for premises located at 90 West Warwick Avenue
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from 99 Fletcher Dos LLC dba Joyal’s Liquor for a Class A Liquor License for premises located at 90 West Warwick Avenue.
All Ayes
J. Business Licenses
01 Request from Club Frontenac for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held on September 6, 2025 at 1143 Main Street
02 Request from the Portuguese American Sports Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held August 29, 2025 through September 1, 2025 at 12 Bridge Street
03 Request from the Portuguese American Citizens Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held August 29, 2025 through September 1, 2025 at 97 East Main Street
04 Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held August 24, 2025 and August 29, 2025 through September 1, 2025 at 11 Ventura Street
05 Request from the Portuguese Instructional Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held August 30, 2025 through August 31, 2025 at 918 Main Street
06 Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Parade License on August 31, 2025 and September 1, 2025
07 Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Carnival License from August 29, 2025 through September 1, 2025
08 Request from the Portuguese American Citizens Club for a Parade License on August 31, 2025
09 Request from Janine Anthony dba Boba Wave for renewal of Mobile Food Establishment License
10 Request from Ira Coston dba Jersey Ike’s for a Mobile Food Establishment License
11 Request from West Warwick Teacher’s Alliance for a Raffle License
12 Request from West Warwick Public Library for a Raffle License
13 Request from Paws from the Heart Therapy, Inc for a Raffle License
14 Request from MK Fuel & Mart for a Victualing License
15 Request MK Fuel & Mart for a Filling Station License
16 Request from The Time Capsule for a Craft Show License
17 Request from Candy’s Curiosities Vintage for a Antique Secondhand Dealers License
18 Renewal of Mechanical Amusement Devices
A. American Legion Post #2
B. Club Frontenac, Inc.
C. Crompton Veterans Organization WW II
D. KMJ, Inc. dba The Hour Bar
E. LA Café Inc.
F. Phenix Sportsmens Club
G. Portuguese Americans Citizens Club
H. Portuguese Instructional Recreation Club
I. Portuguese American Sports Club
J. Portuguese Holy Ghost Society
K. Rays Polyclean
L. Sgt. David Langevin & Armand Boudreau Post 449
M. JJ’s Café
N. 293 PVD, LLC dba Boomerangs Roadhouse
O. Deborah’s Down the Road Inc.
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of all business licenses except for 18N. All Ayes
J. Messier recuses himself from 18N.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Business License 18N.
VOTE:
M. Dennison – Yes
J. Licciardi – Yes
J. Messier – Recusal
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
K. New Business
01 June 2025 Monthly Finance Report
This item was previously considered earlier in the meeting.
02 Resolution Approving the Payment of $1,029,635 from the General Fund Surplus to the Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island
This item was previously considered earlier in the meeting.
03 Approval of Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town West Warwick and the I.B.P.O. Local 312
MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Memorandum of Agreement Between the Town West Warwick and the I.B.P.O. Local 312. All Ayes
04 Resolution Authorizing the Department of Public Works to Enter in to Contract for Rental of Two Plow Trucks in the amount of $49,680.00
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Department of Public Works to Enter in to Contract for Rental of Two Plow Trucks in the amount of $49,680.00.
AMENDED MOTION by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to table until the September 2, 2025 Town Council Meeting. All Ayes
05 Release of Site Improvement Performance Bond for 550 Wakefield Street in the amount of $22,000.00
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for the Release of Site Improvement Performance Bond for 550 Wakefield Street in the amount of $22,000.00. All Ayes
06 Request from Chris Carmody for closure of Mello Street for a Block Party on September 6, 2025
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Request from Chris Carmody for closure of Mello Street for a Block Party on September 6, 2025. All Ayes
L. 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 Recreation Committee – Appointment to fill vacancy for three-year term
06 Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment to fill vacancy for unexpired term ending June 2026
M. Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events
September 2, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
September 16, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
October 7, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
N. Public Forum
A. Palazzo, of 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns with the road construction on lower Natick Road. There is also a heavy smell in Natick. He also questions the cost of rehabilitating the Payan Street School vs. the value of the property.
Rachele Heison, of Health Equity Zone, shares that International Overdose Awareness Day is on September 4th. There will be an open house at HEZ, 1229 Main Street, from 12pm-4pm. There will also be a candlelight remembrance ceremony.
O. 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 Litigation Update
A. Shoreline Properties LLC v. Town of West Warwick KC-2025-0216
B. Vito Buonomano v. WW Police et al PC-2025-00418
C. GREP Quaker LLC v. Saccocio KC-2024-1202
D. WW Public Employee Retirement Coalition v. West Warwick et al KC-2024-04229
E. Franklin Sales v. Appolonia et al KC-2024-1026
F. Evolution Mill v. Saccoccio KC-2024-0201
G. Citizens Bank v. Pawtucket Development Group LLC KC-2023-0752
H. Exilas v. Elmwood Realty LLC et al KC-2022-0346
I. Synergy Capital LLC v. WW ZBR KC-2021-1094
J. Franklin Sales & Marketing v. Town of West Warwick KC-2021-0608
K. Helping Hands Comm. Partners v. Town of West Warwick PC-2021-06715
L. NEIT v. Saccoccio KC-2021-0060 (All Cases)
a. Matters on Appeal before the Supreme Court
i. 13 cases for WW (Appellant): Exemption/Land Value
II. 10 Cases for NEIT (Appellant): Attorney Fees
M. WW Public Employees Retiree Coalition v Town of West Warwick KC-2019-1103
N. Patrick Kelley v Town of West Warwick KC-2018-1329
O. Cambio et al v Faria et al KC-2018-1325
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to move to 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 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
P. Adjournment
MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 P.M.
All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk