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

February 4, 2025

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

 

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 - Absent

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

Council President David Gosselin - Present

           

E.         Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

F.         Consent Agenda

01     Approval of the Minutes from the January 21, 2025 Regular Town Council Meeting

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of the Consent Agenda.

                                                All Ayes

 

G.        Business Licenses

01     Request from Friendly Sons of St. Patrick for a Parade License

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of the Business Licenses.

                                                All Ayes

 

H.        Appointments and Resignations

01     Request from Nathan Shapiro for Re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2028

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from Nathan Shapiro for Re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2028.

                                    All Ayes

 

02     Request from Lee Rice for Re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2028

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from Lee Rice for Re-appointment to the Library Board of Trustees for term ending February 2028.        All Ayes

 

03     Resignation of Vincent Marzullo from the Recreation Committee

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to accept the resignation of Vincent Marzullo from the Recreation Committee, with regret.             All Ayes

 

I.          New Business

01     Request from Shoreline Properties for Bond Reduction for the Carr Subdivision at 146 Cowesett Avenue and Carlson Circle

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by D. Gosselin for approval of request from Shoreline Properties for Bond Reduction for the Carr Subdivision at 146 Cowesett Avenue and Carlson Circle.

 

VOTE:

J. Licciardi – No

M. Dennison – No

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Abstain

 

MOTION FAILS

 

 

02     Discussion/Action on Resolution for temporarily transferring funds to the Senior Center to address a cash flow shortage in FY2025

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Resolution for temporarily transferring funds to the Senior Center to address a cash flow shortage in FY2025.      All Ayes

 

03     Resolution awarding the Town Hall air conditioning replacement project and approving the funding sources

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of resolution awarding the Town Hall air conditioning replacement project and approving the funding sources; in the amount of  $265,000.                      All Ayes

 

04     Discussion/Action on the Town’s planned use of the former Crompton Mill site on Pulaski Street

 

Manager Knott states that RI DEM is looking for guidance as to the Town’s intended future use of lots. 

 

Council discusses potentially selling the property in the future. 

 

 

05     Discussion/Action on adding Home Rule Charter amendments to a potential school building bond referendum

 

Council would like to put Charter questions on the school building bond referendum.  Staff will work on putting together potential charter changes for their review. 

 

06     School Building Committee Update

 

Manager Knott states that there is a joint meeting of the School Committee and Town Council on February 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM at the high school media center to vote on the Stage II recommendation to RIDE. 

 

J.          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     West Warwick 250^th Commission

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

09     West Warwick Public Library Board of Trustees – Appointment or Re-Appointment for term ending February 2028

           

K.         Public Forum

 

John Mulhern was in attendance on behalf of the development at June Carr Court.  It took them four years to get the project approved.  He questions why Councilman Licciardi did not recuse himself. 

 

G. Lugo of 24 Mello Street shares his concerns over a glare complaint that he has with his neighbors.  He feels that he has been wronged by the town. 

 

C. Smith of 24 Mello Street feels very distressed by the glare on their property.  They want to sell their property.

 

Gail of 300 Broadway Street in Pawtucket serves food to the homeless in West Warwick.  She states that two homeless residents in West Warwick have lost their lives from the cold.  She is concerned.  The rents are too high.  She wants to see the state take care of the homeless. 

 

L.         Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(5 and 7) Acquisition or Lease of Real Property for Public Purposes

01     Consideration of Foreclosure Process on Properties/Titles Taken by the Town at Tax Sale

02     1072 Main Street – Former Kent County Water Authority Facility

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Williamson to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(5 and 7) Acquisition or Lease of Real Property for Public Purposes.

                                    All Ayesa

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Williamson to return to open session.           All Ayes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to seal the minutes of the executive session.

                                    All Ayes

 

NO VOTES WERE TAKEN

 

M.       Adjournment

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn at 8:42 PM.                 All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk