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

July 21, 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 6:18 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 - Absent

Councilman Jason Messier - Present

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 of the June 16, 2026 Town Council Meeting

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

G.        Ordinances

01     First Reading of Ordinance #2026-7 Amending and Restated Ordinance of the Town of West Warwick

approving the financing of the design, construction, equipping, replacement, repair and rehabilitation of the Town’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility including but not limited to replacement of the ultraviolet disinfection system, upgrades to the supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) system rehabilitation of the East Natick interceptor rehabilitation and lining of the New London Turnpike interceptor located in the Town of West Warwick upgrades to the Maisie Quinn relief pump station, replacement of the Headworks grit system emergency disinfection system improvements and refurbishment of the lime silo and approving the issuance of Wastewater system revenue bonds and notes therefor in an amount not to exceed $11,150,000.

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move Ordinance #2026-7 Amending and Restated Ordinance of the Town of West Warwick approving the financing of the design, construction, equipping, replacement, repair and rehabilitation of the Town’s Regional Wastewater Treatment Facility including but not limited to replacement of the ultraviolet disinfection system, upgrades to the supervisory control and data acquisition (Scada) system rehabilitation of the East Natick interceptor rehabilitation and lining of the New London Turnpike interceptor located in the Town of West Warwick upgrades to the Maisie Quinn relief pump station, replacement of the Headworks grit system emergency disinfection system improvements and refurbishment of the lime silo and approving the issuance of Wastewater system revenue bonds and notes therefor in an amount not to exceed $11,150,000 to second reading.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

M. Dennison – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02     First Reading of Ordinance #2026-8 an Ordinance amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick (Kulas Rd. No Parking)

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move Ordinance #2026-8 an Ordinance amending Appendix C Traffic Ordinances of the Code of Ordinances of the Town of West Warwick (Kulas Rd. No Parking) to second reading.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

M. Dennison – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

H.        Business Licenses

01     Request from Portuguese American Citizens Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for  an event to be held September 4, 2026 through September 7, 2026 at 97 East Main Street

02     Request from Portuguese American Sports Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held September 3, 2026 through September 7, 2026 at 12 Bridge Street

03     Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost Club for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held August 30, 2026 through September 7, 2026 at 11 Ventura Street        

04     Request from Portuguese Instructional Club dba PIC for an Amplifier/Loudspeaker Permit for an event to be held September 4, 2026 through September 7, 2026 at 918 Main  Street

05     Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Carnival License from September 4, 2026 through September 7, 2026                     

06     Request from Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Parade license for September 6, 2026 & September 7, 2026

07     Request from Portuguese American Citizens Club for a Parade license for September 6, 2026

 

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

                        All Ayes

 

I.          Appointments and Resignations

01     Resignation of Allen Horak from the West Warwick Zoning Board of Review

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to accept the resignation of Allen Horak from the West Warwick Zoning Board of Review, with regret.                All Ayes

 

02     Request from Geoffrey Rousselle for Re-appointment to the Kent County Water Authority  for term ending July 2, 2036

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from Geoffrey Rousselle for Re-appointment to the Kent County Water Authority  for term ending July 2, 2036.

                        All Ayes

 

J.          New Business

01     Request from the West Warwick Police Department to purchase Axon Taser

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of request from the West Warwick Police Department to purchase Axon Taser.                 All Ayes

 

02     Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $10,011.43 as Requested by the Tax Assessor

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for Cancellation of Taxes in the Amount of $10,011.43 as Requested by the Tax Assessor.               All Ayes

 

03     School Building Committee Update

 

Manager Knott reported that the School Building Committee is meeting tomorrow (July 22, 2026) at 4:00 P.M. at the High School.  The Payan Street project is almost complete.  The Maisie Quinn project is in progress. 

 

04     Resolution awarding automated vibration monitoring and condition survey (Maisie Quinn School Building Project)

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution awarding automated vibration monitoring and condition survey (Maisie Quinn School Building Project).

                        All Ayes

 

05     Resolution awarding 3D laser scanning and building documentation for the complex building

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution awarding 3D laser scanning and building documentation for the complex building.                     All Ayes

 

06     Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Veterans Council FY2026

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Veterans Council FY2026.             All Ayes

 

07     Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Veterans Council FY2027

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Veterans Council FY2027.             All Ayes

 

08     Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Assistance agency FY2026

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution awarding support funds for the West Warwick Assistance agency FY2026.              All Ayes

 

09     Discussion/ Action: Exploration of procurement of a compact wheel loader through XCMG

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for Discussion/ Action: Exploration of procurement of a compact wheel loader through XCMG.             All Ayes

 

10     Discussion/Action: Ordinance and operating procedures related to chicken coops on private property

 

Council discussed potential ordinance amendments as well as chicken coop registrations.  They asked staff to look into other municipalities ordinances and procedures. 

 

K.         Upcoming Appointments

01     Board of Assessment & Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy for three-year term

02     Sewer Use Board of Review – Appointment to fill a vacancy as a regular member for three-year term

03     West Warwick Zoning Board of Review – Appointment to fill vacancy as alternate member term to expire 7/2030

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

 

L.         Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events

August 18, 2026

September 1, 2026

 

M.       Public Forum

 

There was no public comment.

 

N.        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     Litigation Updates

A.     WWPERC v Town of West Warwick KC-2024-04229

B.     NEIT v Town of West Warwick (All cases in Supreme Court)

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to move to Executive Session pursuant to R.I. General Law 42-46-5 (a) (2) -Collective Bargaining or Litigation.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

 

M. Dennison – Yes

J. Messier – Yes

M. Williamson – Yes

D. Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, 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.

 

O.        Adjournment 

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by M. Dennison to adjourn the meeting at 7:37 P.M.

                        All Ayes

 

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk