WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Regular Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

April 28, 2026

6:00 P.M.

(Or immediately following previous meeting)

 

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YOUTUBE LINK (VIEW ONLY):  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGK1k6co83ptCoD6hYWSMxA

 

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 at 6:41 P.M.

 

B.      Roll Call taken by Town Clerk    

            Councilman Mark Dennison - Present

            Councilman Jason Licciardi - Absent

            Councilman Jason Messier - Absent

            Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Present

            Council President David Gosselin - Present

 

C.      Quorum on Record Declared by Town Clerk

 

 

D.     Recognition of the Department of Public Works

 

President Gosselin reads a Proclamation from Governor McKee honoring the West Warwick Department of Public Works for their hard work throughout the Blizzard of 2026. 

 

E.      Consent Agenda

01.   Approval of the Minutes of the April 7, 2026 Special Town Council Meeting

02.   Approval of the Minutes of the April 7, 2026 Regular Town Council Meeting

03.   Approval of the Minutes of the April 7, 2026 Budget Public Hearing

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of the Consent Agenda. - All Ayes

           

F.      Ordinances

01.   Second Reading of Ordinance #2026-2 Amending Sections 4.1, 4.13, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, and 27.2 of the Zoning Code and Zoning Map

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Ordinance #2026-2 Amending Sections 4.1, 4.13, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, and 27.2 of the Zoning Code and Zoning Map.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

G.     Business Licenses

01.   Request from The Time Capsule for a Craft Show License

02.   Request from Rally Point Church for an Event License at 100 Factory Street on June 6, 2026

03.   Renewal of Junk Dealers License

A.      Angelo Padula & Son Auto Parts, Inc.

B.      J & D Auto Salvage, Inc.

C.      Ruggieri Auto Parts, Inc

04.   Renewal of Antique Secondhand Dealers License

A.      April Showers

B.      Estate Services

C.      Fall River Pawn Brokers

D.     Gendrons

E.      Reality Games

F.       Budget Stretchers

G.     Metro Wireless LLC

H.     Music Magick

I.        Stillwater Books

J.        401 Poke Supply LLC

K.      Candy’s Curiosities & Vintage

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

 

H.     Appointments and Resignations

01.   Request from Timothy Sullivan for appointment to the Zoning Board of Review as a Full Member for term ending July 2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from Timothy Sullivan for appointment to the Zoning Board of Review as a Full   Member for term ending July 2027. - All Ayes

                       

I.        New Business

01.   March 2026 Monthly Finance Report

 

K. Benoit, Finance Director, reads the following report:

Current year tax collections total $54,724,334.55 which is 79.25% of the budget for current year taxes. To date, three quarters have been collected. The next quarter is due April 15th.

Prior year tax collections total $741,228.88 which is 61.77% of the budget. This line has been adjusted by $318,093 for the 60-day rule that was accrued back to Fiscal Year 2025. That adjustment represents collections from July and August 2025. I expect this line to increase more as we get closer to the tax sale.

 

Overall, the revenues are at 77.24%, which is 2.24% higher than anticipated 9 months into the fiscal year. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections, higher than expected Finance, Building and Town Clerk revenues and the receipt of the Distressed Communities and Tangible State Aid payments in full for the year. Expenditures are trending over budget at .27%. This is on target for what is expected 9 months into the fiscal year. Most of the operating departments are running on target or slightly below budget. While public safety and public works are currently trending within the expected 75%, they are projected to come in largely over budget due to the numerous snowstorms and the blizzard. We have begun discussion with FEMA in hopes of recovering a portion of costs incurred during the February Blizzard. The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $559,798.54 and operating revenues of $609,745.51. The majority of summer camp revenue is collected prior to camp starting on 6/16 but the bulk of the expenditures for summer camp appear after 7/1. The bank balance as of 4/152026 is $13,287,447.23 We earned an additional $8,111.36 in interest on the $3,000,000 invested in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizen’s bank for the month of March bringing the balance to 3,403,204.31.

 

02.   School Building Committee Update

 

Manager Knott states that the Payan Street School construction is underway and on schedule. 

 

03.   Resolution Rescinding Bid Award #2026-06 for Commissioning Agent Services for the High School Building Project

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Resolution Rescinding Bid Award #2026-06 for Commissioning Agent Services for the High School Building Project. - All Ayes

 

04.   Resolution Awarding Bid Award #2026-6 for Commissioning Agent Services for the High School Building Project

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Resolution Awarding Bid Award #2026-6 for Commissioning Agent Services for the High School Building Project to Affiliated Engineers, Inc in the amount of $41,450.00. - All Ayes

 

05.   Discussion/Action: Consideration of Application for Local Tax Exemption from Project Hand Up

06.   Resolution Requesting the General Assembly Amend RIGL 44-3-3 Property Exempt – To exempt the Property of Project Hand Up from Taxation

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to take no action on I05 and I06. - All Ayes

 

Council would like this placed on the May 12^th agenda when all Council members will be present. 

 

07.   Resolution Amending Town Hall Roof Expenditures

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of Resolution Amending Town Hall Roof Expenditures. - All Ayes

 

08.   Request from St. Joseph School for Eagle Color Splash Dash Sponsorship

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from St. Joseph School for Eagle Color Splash Dash Sponsorship in the amount of $100.
- All Ayes

 

09.   Request from West Warwick Wizards Athletic Awards Association for Tee Sponsorship

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of request from West Warwick Wizards Athletic Awards Association for Tee Sponsorship in the amount of $100. - All Ayes

10.   National Small Business Week 2026 Proclamation

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison for approval of National Small Business Week 2026 Proclamation. - All Ayes

 

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.   Recreation Committee – Appointment to fill vacancy for three-year term

05.   Pawtuxet River Authority – Appointment to fill vacancy for three-year term

06.   Zoning Board of Review – Appointment to fill vacancy as a regular member for term ending July 2027

 

K.      Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events

·         May 5, 2026 - Regular Town Council Meeting

·         May 12, 2026 - Town Council Budget Vote

·         May 19, 2026 - Regular Town Council Meeting

 

L.       Public Forum

 

Residents of 18 and 20 Highland Street share concerns with the recent complaints about the housing at 18 Highland Street.  They state that there are no issues with the occupants of 18 Highland Street.

M.   Executive Session – Council may vote to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation

01.   NEIT vs. Saccoccio et al

02.   WWPERC et al. v. Town of West Warwick, et al.

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a)(2)– Litigation.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

 

M. Dennison – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison 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.

 

N.     Adjournment

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn at 8:04 P.M.     All Ayes

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk