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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
July 15, 2025
6:30 P.M.
(Continued from July 8, 2025)
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MINUTES
*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 6:31 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 Deputy Town Clerk
F. Town Council Acting as the Sewer Commission
01 Approval of Change Order Number One – East Natick Interceptor Project
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the East Natick Interceptor project to be awarded to National Water Main Cleaning Company of Canton, Massachusetts in the amount of $1,421.800.00 for the purpose of cleaning and lining East Natick Interceptor.
ALL AYES
G. School Building Committee Update Including Presentation by Leftfield and TechTown
The presentation presented by Justin Hopkins, Associate Principal and Senior Project Manager stated that Leftfield couldn’t attend the meeting.
· Restores the 5th grade to their neighborhood schools.
· Maisie Quinn will be a PK-5 school (frees up capacity for essential programs).
· Horgan School, Wakefield Hills, and Greenbush would be K-5 grade.
· Fy 2025 Housing Aid Share Ratios 64.6% & Fy 2026 Housing Aid Share Ratios 68.3% (reimbursement rate for every construction dollar spent)
· Alternative learning program at 30 Payan Street
· Removing 5th grade from Middle School to relieve capacity issues and improvements to Middle school, High School, Horgan, Wakefield Hills, and Greenbush School.
· $4-5 Million - 30 Payan Street
· $48-50 Million - Maisie Quinn - Addition& renovation
· $6-7 Million – WWHS – Science Lab/Classroom Expansion
· $2 Million - Horgan School – Elevator addition & Modifications
· $1-2 Million Deering Middle School – Media Center & Entry Hall Break Out
· $5-1 Million Greenbush School – Exterior Window Replacement
· $150-200K -Wakefield Hills - Main Entry Column & Sidewalk Repair
· Preparing for formal response for discussion on July 23, 2025, School Board Committee meeting
· Formal RIDE Stage II response to be submitted to September 2025 for December approval.
· Per RIDE commencement of 30 Payan design documents can be this summer.
H. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the Minutes of June 17, 2025, Town Council Meeting
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the June 17, 2025, Town Council Meeting.
ALL AYES
I. Ordinances
01 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-4 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – Manor Drive
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for discussion.
Al DiFiore stated the ordinances was continued from the last Town Council meeting based on a report from Major Ketchum regarding traffic and accidents in the area which there have been no incidents.
Chief Verone stated that this came from the traffic committee regarding the concern from the fire department regarding access and exiting the manor with the ladder truck. The Chief needs 89ft and 69ft for the trucks, not taking into consideration the crosswalk or the stop sign taking the safety factor for the firefighter and the fire trucks.
Mike Kowolski – 7 Wildflower Drive, Coventry has concerns regarding the proposed ordinance and restricting parking where local business have been for 50 years. Employees, customers, visitors, and voters come to the manor. This will hurt local business operations also conflicts with the town comprehensive plan which was adopted in 2020 given by the town planner Marilyn Sheldman. Section 6.4 states town’s intent is to improve the availability access and overall condition of public parking areas in Arctic. Theres been no accidents. Mike stated he has personally witnessed fire trucks, police and ambulances coming out of the tight entrance. The entrance needs to be wider for more than one car to come out but will impact parking.
Council President Gosselin stated a State Representative was at the manor and the brought it to his attention and he sent it to the safety committee to review the matter, and they deemed it unsafe.
Thomas Noret, 225 Fairview, Coventry, State Representative for district 25 which encompasses this area. On April 17, he received two calls from residents regarding difficulty exiting the parking lot due to two vehicles too close to the proximity exiting the parking lot in the back of the housing authority on Manor Drive. Also, stating having over 30 years of experience as a police officer for the Town of Coventry and having experience in traffic safety and directing traffic also having certification from R.I. Department of Transportation as a Traffic Safety Officer. Taking pictures of the two vehicles rather close to the driveway you may clip the one of the vehicles taking this information and photos were submitted to the Police Chief. The Police Chief responded back and stated that Major Ketchum would reach out and he did state he was delegated to this matter and Thomas explained what was going on and was told later on the Traffic Committee met and had a plan.
Roll Call Vote:
J. Licciardi -abstain
M. Dennison – No
J. Messier – No
M. Williamson – yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION FAILS
J. 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
This matter is continued until August 12, 2025
K. Business Licenses
01 Request from Fusion Latin and Caribbean Cuisine for an Indoor/Outdoor Amplifier Loudspeaker Permit and a Theatrical Performance, Shows, and Exhibitions License
Anthony Damato – 61 Lonsdale Street, owner of Fusion stated he applied for indoor and
outdoor license to bring something different to the area it’s a family restaurant and the
outdoor music would be a one-man band again something different it’s not a deal breaker if its
not approve also, stated he understands the residents’ concerns but feels that JJ’s Café
was giving him a bad rap and everyone is invited to come to the grand opening tomorrow.
Residents who live in Cowesett Meadows and the Condominium stated the whole plaza is
Very loud and noisy with the perfect puppy, dance studio and the traffic. Doesn’t have a
problem with the family restaurant or music but the doors need to be closed.
Let the record show that J. Messier recused himself from this matter.
Motion made by M. Williamson, to amend the resolution for indoors only, seconded by J. Licciardi
ALL AYES
Moved made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to approve the license.
ALL AYES
02 Request from Jesus King International Ministries for an Amplifier Loudspeaker License and a Theatrical Performance, Shows, and Exhibitions License for event to be held July 13th and August 17th at 6 Washington Street
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to approve the license.
ALL AYES
03 Request from Griddle Me for Mobile Food Establishment License
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to approve the license.
ALL AYES
L. Appointments and Resignations
Let the record show J. Licciardi recused himself from items 01 – 03.
01 Request from Felix Appolonia for Re-appointment to the Planning Board for term to expire July 2030
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Felix
Appolonia for Re-appointment to the Planning Board for a term to expire 7 /2030.
ALL AYES
Let the record show that M. Williamson recused herself from item 02.
02 Request from Kevin Millonzi for Re-appointment to the Planning Board for term to expire July 2030
Motion made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from Kevin
Millonzi for Re-appointment to the Planning Board for a term to expire 7 /2030.
ALL AYES
03 Resignation of Anthony Corrente from the West Warwick 250th Commission
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of resignation
Request from Anthony Corrente from the West Warwick 250th Commission.
ALL AYES
M. New Business
Let the record show that M. Williamson recused herself from item 01.
01 Resolution Authorizing Payment for the Services of the Police Navigator (Clinician) from Opioid Settlement Funds
Motion made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison authorizing the use of Opioid Settlement Funds to encumber $116,411.00 for the salary and fringe benefits for FY2026. ALL AYES
02 Request from the Police Department for the Purchase of a Chevrolet Tahoe in an Amount not to Exceed $58,708.00
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier authorizing the purchase of the 2025 Chevrolet Tahoe in the amount of $58,708.00 from Liberty Chevrolet of Wakefield, MA. ALL AYES
03 Request from the Police Department for the Purchase of SWAT Team and Related Training Equipment in an Amount not to Exceed $41,285.50
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier authorizing the purchase of the SWAT Team and Related Training Equipment in the amount of $41, 285.50 with Survival Armor, Inc., Galls Inc., and AAA Police Supply.
ALL AYES
04 Resolution Awarding Support Funds to The West Warwick Veterans Council in the Amount of $1,500.00
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier authorizing the donation OF $1500.00 to the West Warwick Veterans Council.
ALL AYES
05 Approval of Request for the Sale of Surplus Vehicles on GovDeals
ALL AYES
06 Update on the Janet Drive Land Acquisition Project with the US Department of Agriculture
The Town Manager, M. Knott, stated the town received the draft of memorandum of understanding on June 18, which was reviewed and met with the US Department of Agriculture located at the Warwick Office on Wednesday, July 2 to review and discuss in person. The Town Solicitor and Town Manager reviewed the draft and sent the approval on July 7, to proceed back to their headquarters for their process that could take 30 days. Once formalized and signed by the parties start the formal process of the appraisals, title search and environmental records and then they can make an offer to the six residents. It could take up to 12 months for the entire process to happen.
N. 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
07 Planning Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
O. Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events
August 12, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
September 2, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
September 16, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
P. Public Forum
The Police Chief stated he will inform Major Ketchum to email the Town Council regarding all the Traffic Committee information regarding street signs etc.
Holly Dexter, 26 Rita Street began by adding the staff at Butler Hospital who has been on strike for 62 days and they are health workers they are showing up in large numbers to emphasize the small portion and are here today to ask M. Williamson, Vice President of the Town Council and who holds a seat on the Board of Directors at Bulter Hospital to encourage Mary Marin, President COO of Bulter Hospital to sign the contract so they can return back to work. M. Williamson stated she understands and stated she hears them and hopes that both sides can work in good faith.
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to move into Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Collective Bargaining or Litigation.
ALL AYES
Q. 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 Local 312 International Brotherhood of Police Officers
MOTION made and seconded to return to open session. All Ayes
MOTION made and seconded to seal the minutes of executive session. All Ayes
R. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8: 40 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Paula Iannitelli, Deputy Town Clerk