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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
June 3, 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 6:04 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 - Absent
Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present
Council President David Gosselin - Present
E. Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk
F. Town Council Acting as the Sewer Commission
01 Bid Award for Emergency Generator Preventative Maintenance, Testing, Parts, and Repair Service
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of bid award for emergency generator preventative maintenance, testing, parts and repair services to Generator’s MD, LLC in the amount of $34,050.00 for a 3-year contract. All Ayes
G. Consent Agenda
01 Approval of the Minutes from the May 6, 2025 Town Council Meeting
02 Approval of the Minutes from the May 8, 2025 Town Council Meeting
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of the consent agenda.
All Ayes
H. Ordinances
01 First Reading of Ordinance #2025-3 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – St. Mary Street
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to move Ordinance #2025-3 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicle Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – St. Mary Street to second reading.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – Yes
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
I. 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
Several abutters expressed concerns with the application. They are concerned how the noise will affect their quality of life.
MOTION made by M. Williamson to table. No second was heard.
MOTION FAILS.
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of request from Fusion Latin and Caribbean Cuisine for an Indoor/Outdoor Amplifier Loudspeaker Permit and a Theatrical Performance, Shows, and Exhibitions License.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – No
M. Dennison – No
M. Williamson – No
D. Gosselin – No
MOTION FAILS.
02 Request from Rockwell Amusements for a Carnival License for event to be held June 12, 2025 – June 15, 2025 at 106 Hay Street
03 Request from BPOE West Warwick Elks Lodge #1697 for a Bingo and Raffle License
04 Renewal of Pistol and Revolver Licenses
A. Arquebus Company Retail Gunshop
B. Heritage Gun and Coin Company Inc.
05 Renewal of Laundry Licenses
A. Thorpe’s Laundromat, Inc.
B. Tumble Town 2 LLC
C. The Cleanery
D. Arctic Laundromat
E. Ray’s Polyclean, Inc.
F. Spin It Laundromat Inc.
G. Ocean State Laundry of West Warwick
H. 24/7 Laundry
I. Panagon Dryclean Restoration LLC
06 Renewal of Flea Market Licenses
A. Church of Christ the King dba Grandma’s Attic
B. Riverpoint Congregational Church dba Marth and Mary’s Thrift Shop
C. Old Mill Flea Market
D. Portuguese Holy Ghost
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Business Licenses 02-06.
All Ayes
J. New Business
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to move Item J. 06 for immediate consideration. All Ayes
06 Approval of Request from the Police Department to Formally Recognize “K-9 Mouse” as an Official Member of the West Warwick Police Department as the first Police Therapy/Compassion Dog
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of request from the Police Department to Formally Recognize “K-9 Mouse” as an Official Member of the West Warwick Police Department as the first Police Therapy/Compassion Dog. All Ayes
01 April 2025 Monthly Finance Report
K. Benoit, Finance Director, gave the following report:
Current year tax collections total $66,521,387.14 which is 99.16% of the budget for current year taxes. We have collected four quarters and with 2 months left to collect, we should exceed the budget for FY 2025. Prior year tax collections total $1,051,971.26 which is equal to 80.92% 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 line will increase as we get closer to the Tax Sale scheduled for May 9th . Overall, the revenues are at 92.98%, which is higher than the expected 83.33%. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections and higher than expected Finance, Building and Town Clerk revenues. Expenditures are trending under budget at 81.24%. This is 2.09% below the expected 83.33%. Most of the 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 $667,973.43 and operating revenues of $506,320.89. 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 5/19/2025 is $ 13,774,767.74. We earned an additional $9,174.26 in interest on the $3,000,000 in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizen’s bank for the month of March. We also earned $442,164.16 in interest on our ARPA funds invested at Centerville Bank as of March 2025.
02 Approval of FY2026 Tax Levy Resolution
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of FY2026 Tax Levy Resolution. All Ayes
03 Cancellation of Taxes in the amount of $350.35 as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for cancellation of taxes in the amount of $350.35 as requested by the Tax Assessor. All Ayes
04 Cancellation of Taxes in the amount of $459.13 as requested by the Tax Assessor
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for cancellation of taxes in the amount of $459.13 as requested by the Tax Assessor. All Ayes
05 Approval of Request from the Police Department for a Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from the Police Department for a Lateral Transfer Hiring Bonus. All Ayes
06 Approval of Request from the Police Department to Formally Recognize “K-9 Mouse” as an Official Member of the West Warwick Police Department as the first Police Therapy/Compassion Dog
This item was previously considered.
07 Approval of Bid Award for Comprehensive Collection Services to Mega MTG Disposal in an amount not to exceed $4,719,000.00 for a three-year contract
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of bid award for Comprehensive Collection Services to Mega MTG Disposal in an amount not to exceed $4,719,000.00 for a three-year contract. All Ayes
08 Resolution in Opposition to the Rhode Island 2025 Gun Control Legislation
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of resolution in opposition to the Rhode Island 2025 Gun Control Legislation.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
J. Licciardi – Yes
M. Dennison – Yes
M. Williamson – No
D. Gosselin – Yes
MOTION PASSES
09 Update/Discussion – Encampment Task Force to Provide Status Updates Related to Encampments on Town Property
Manager Knott updates the Council. There is no current enforcement action. There are no active encampments currently on town property. There are still two spots that need to cleaned up. One on Campbell Street and one on the island behind Bradford Soap. They are waiting on equipment and rain season to end to clean up the remaining encampments. He also notes that the Town’s community partners have lost funding over the last two months.
10 Resolution Establishing the Position of Municipal Veterans’ Service Officer
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of resolution establishing the position of Municipal Veterans’ Service Office. All Ayes
11 Request from St. Anthony Parish for Sign Sponsorship
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of request from St. Anthony Parish for Sign Sponsorship in the amount of $100. All Ayes
12 School Building Committee Update
Manager Knott states that the School Building Committee is meeting the next day at 4PM. They are working on the responses to RIDES questions from the Stage II submission. Responses are due to RIDE by July 21st. They are moving forward with the Payan Street project. He expects that there will be a bond referendum in the fall.
K. 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 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 Pawtuxet River Authority - Appointment or Re-Appointment for three-year term
08 Planning Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
09 Zoning Board – Appointment or Re-Appointment for five-year term
L. Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events
June 17, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
July 8, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
August 12, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
September 2, 2025 - Regular Town Council Meeting
M. Public Forum
J. Licciardi announces that the dedication of the Crompton Playground will be June 14th at 10AM.
Manager Knott will put out a Code Red call.
A. Palazzo, 5 Robin Lane, shares concerns about vehicles parking on both sides of Kulas Road. EMS is unable to turn around. He suggests the Traffic Commission look into it. He shares his support of the opposition to the gun control legislation.
T. Oates, of 6 Colonial Way, states that the new playground in Crompton is amazing.
D. Read, of 62 Andrews Avenue, states that the Crompton Playground is beautiful. He feels the sign that they installed at the Crompton playground should also be installed at the Factory Street Playground. He shares concerns with the weapons ban.
N. Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(5)- Acquisition or Sale of Property
01 Land Acquisition or Sale
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)- Acquisition or Sale of Property. All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to return to open session. All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to seal the minutes of executive session.
All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to direct the Town Manager and Town Solicitor to negotiate with the Department of Agriculture on the Janet Drive Land Acquisition.
All Ayes
MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to direct the Town Manager and Town Solicitor to negotiate with the RI Department of Transportation on the Pheonix Square Land Donation.
All Ayes
O. Adjournment
Motion made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 P.M.
All Ayes
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah S. Rapose, MMC
Town Clerk