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

January 20, 2026

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 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- Absent

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.         Tree City USA

 

The Council presented a proclamation to the Jaycees and RI DEM.

 

G.        Consent Agenda

01     Approval of the Minutes of the January 6, 2026 Town Council Meeting

 

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

                        All Ayes

 

H.        Business Licenses

01     Request from Rhode Island Wrestling Association for an Event at 100 Factory Street on March 1, 2026

02     Request from Community Marketing for an Event at 100 Factory Street on March 28, 2026

03     Request from Community Marketing for an Event at 100 Factory Street on April 26, 2026

04     Request from Community Marketing for an Event at 100 Factory Street on May 9, 2026

05     Request from Community Marketing for an Event at 100 Factory Street on October 24, 2026

06     Request from Michael Parente for an Event at 100 Factory Street on May 16, 2026

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

I.          Appointments and Resignations

01     Resignation of Thomas Oates from the Juvenile Hearing Board

 

MOTION made  by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi to accept the resignation of Thomas Oates from the Juvenile Hearing Board, with regret.                         All Ayes

 

02     Request from Virginia DiMasi for Re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2029

03     Request from Anna-Maria Raimondo for Re-appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2029

04     Request from Kenneth Naylor Jr. for Appointment to the Juvenile Hearing Board for term ending December 2029

 

Council took no action on agenda items 02-04.  They would like the requests placed on the next agenda.

 

J.          New Business

01     December 2025 Monthly Finance Report

 

Kristen Benoit, Finance Director, reports the following:

Current year tax collections total $44,198,78.38 which is 64% of the budget for current year taxes. To date, two quarters have been collected. The next quarter is due January 15th.

Prior year tax collections total $471,965.76 which is 39.33% 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 57.58%, which is 7.58% higher than anticipated 6 months into the fiscal year. This is mainly attributed to strong tax collections, higher than expected 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 under budget at 46.81%. This is 3.19% lower than what is expected 6 months into the fiscal year. Nearly all of the operating departments are running on target or slightly above budget.

The Civic Center has current operating expenditures of $400,050.95 and operating revenues of $372,004.78.

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 1/14/2026 is $ 12,214,150.88 We earned an additional $8,228.57 in interest on the $3,000,000 invested in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizen’s bank for the month of October bringing the balance to 3,379,727.72.

 

02     Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $32,667.60 as Requested by the Tax Assessor

 

D. Gosselin requests that the tax cancellation for Friendly Cab in the amount of 197.84 be tabled until the next meeting.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of amended resolution in the amount of $32,469.76.              All Ayes

 

03     School Building Committee Update

 

Manager Knott informs the body that they next meeting is being held on February 4^th at the High School Media Center.

 

04     Resolution Approving of Contract with Leftfield in the amount of $1,574,500.00

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Resolution Approving of Contract with Leftfield in the amount of $1,574,500.00.                        All Ayes

 

05     Resolution Approving of Contract with Tecton Architects in the amount of $4,504,967.00

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of Resolution Approving of Contract with Tecton Architects in the amount of $4,504,967.00.                        All Ayes

 

06     Approval of Sale of Surplus Vehicles on GovDeals

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Licciardi for approval of the Sale of Surplus Vehicles on GovDeals.               All Ayes

 

 

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

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

06     Juvenile Hearing Board (3) – (3) Appointments or Re-Appointments for four-year term

 

L.         Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events

February 3, 2026

February 24, 2026

 

M.       Public Forum

 

Kenneth Naylor Jr. of 14 Shady Hill Drive introduces himself to the body.  He is hoping to be appointed to the Juvenile Hearing Board.

 

N.        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

 

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

 

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 Executive Session.

                                    All Ayes

 

NO VOTES WERE TAKEN.

 

O.        Adjournment 

 

MOTION made by J. Licciardi, seconded by M. Williamson to adjourn the meeting at 6:52 P.M.

                                    All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk