WEST WARWICK TOWN COUNCIL

Town Council Meeting

Town Council Chambers

June 2, 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 6:05 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 Town Clerk

 

F.                  Consent Agenda

01    Approval of the Minutes from the May 12, 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 #2026-6 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic,  
Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicles Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – No Parking on West Street

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier to move Ordinance #2026-6 Amending Chapter 11 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic, Article II – Operation, Section 47 – Motor Vehicles Restricted Routes and Appendix C – Traffic Ordinances – No Parking on West Street to second reading.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

 

Councilman Mark Dennison - Yes

Councilman Jason Licciardi- Yes

Councilman Jason Messier - Yes

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Yes

Council President David Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

02    Second Reading of Ordinance #2026-5 Amending Chapter 15 – Wastewater – Section 15-18 – Annual Sewage System User Charges

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Ordinance #2026-5 Amending Chapter 15 – Wastewater – Section 15-       18 – Annual Sewage System User Charges.

 

ROLL CALL VOTE:

 

Councilman Mark Dennison - Yes

Councilman Jason Licciardi- Yes

Councilman Jason Messier - Yes

Council Vice President Maribeth Williamson - Yes

Council President David Gosselin – Yes

 

MOTION PASSES

 

H.                 Business Licenses

01    Request from the Portuguese Holy Ghost for a Car Show and Amplifier License for event to be held on June 5, 2026 at 11 Ventura Street

02    Request from Rockwell Amusement & Promotions Inc. for a Carnival License

03    Request from Rockwell Amusement & Promotions Inc. for a Fireworks License

04    Renewal of Pistol & Revolver Licenses

A.      Arquebus Co. Retail Gun Shop

B.      Heritage Gun & Coin Co. Inc.

05    Renewal of Flea Market Licenses

A.      Church of Christ the King dba Grandma’s Attic

B.      Riverpoint Congregational Church dba Martha & Mary’s Thrift Shop

C.      Old Mill Flea Market

D.     Portuguese Holy Ghost

 

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

                                    All Ayes

 

I.                    New Business

01    May 2026 Monthly Finance Report

 

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

 

Current year tax collections total $69,294,946.35 which is 100% of the budget for current year taxes. To date, all four quarters have been collected.  Prior year tax collections total $940,595.26 which is 78% 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. Overall, the revenues are at 97.24%, which is 5.58% higher than anticipated 11 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 .68%. This is on target for what is expected 11 months into the fiscal year. Most of the operating departments are running on target or slightly below budget. While the Police Dept and Public Works are currently trending within the expected 91.67%, they are projected to come in largely over budget due to the numerous snowstorms and the blizzard. The Fire Dept is approximately 3% over budget as of the end of May. 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 $823,502.26 and operating revenues of $712,964.26 (may billings are not included in this). 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 5/27/2026 is $9,616,850.45 We earned an additional $7,868.70 in interest on the

$3,000,000 invested in the interest-bearing sweep account with Citizen’s bank for the month of April bringing the balance to $3,411,073.01

 

02    Approval of FY2027 Tax Levy Resolution

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of the FY2027 Tax Levy Resolution.                        All Ayes 

 

03    School Building Committee Update

 

M. Knott, Town Manager, reports that the School Building Committee held a community engagement session on May 6^th.  The Payan Street project is on time and on budget.  The designs for the other facilities are in the final approval state with RIDE.  The next School Building Committee meeting is June 10^th at 4pm.

 

04    Resolution Authorizing the Town of West Warwick to Issue not to Exceed $71,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds and Notes

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing the Town of West Warwick to Issue not to Exceed $71,000,000 in General Obligation Bonds and Notes.

                                    All Ayes

 

05    Resolution Authorizing Payment for the Services of the Police Navigator (Clinician) From Opioid Settlement Funds

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Resolution Authorizing Payment for the Services of the Police Navigator (Clinician) From Opioid Settlement Funds.

                                    All Ayes

 

06    Approval of Memorandum of Agreement Between the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 312 and the Town of West Warwick

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for Approval of Memorandum of Agreement Between the International Brotherhood of Police Officers Local 312 and the Town of West Warwick.

                        All Ayes

 

07    Approval of Payment to 2026 West Warwick High School Scholarship Recipients

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for Approval of Payment to 2026 West Warwick High School Scholarship Recipients.             All Ayes

 

08    Discussion/Action – Request from the Fire Department for the Purchase of a Bucket Truck for the Communications Division

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by J. Messier for approval of Request from the Fire Department for the Purchase of a Bucket Truck for the Communications Division in the amount of $35,000.                                  All Ayes

 

09    Discussion/Action – Rodent Infestations Including Causes and Potential Remedies

 

Discussion ensued regarding the rise in complaints pertaining to rodent infestations.  The Council directed the Town Manager to investigate the matter further to see what options are available to remedy the issue. 

 

10    Request from St. Anthony Parish for Golf Tournament Sponsorship

 

MOTION made by M. Williamson, seconded by D. Gosselin for approval of Request from St. Anthony Parish for Golf Tournament Sponsorship in the amount of $100.                          All Ayes

11    Claim from Jewel Miller for the Replacement of Damaged Windshield

 

Council determined that the claim was not timely filed.  The incident occurred in December, and the claim was filed in May. 

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to deny the claim from Jewel Miller for the replacement of a damaged windshield.                   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 an alternate member for term ending July 2030

 

K.                  Upcoming Town Council Meetings and Events

            June 6, 2026 -Eco-Depot – West Warwick Civic Center

            June 16, 2026 – Regular Town Council Meeting

            June 20, 2026 – West Warwick 250^th Celebration

            July 21, 2026 – Regular Town Council Meeting

 

L.                   Public Forum

D. Read, of 19 Peters Lane, shares concerns about the rodent infestation in his neighborhood.  He feels that there needs to be more teeth for enforcement. 

 

S. Knott, of 54 Kulas Road, also shares concerns with rodents in his neighborhood. 

 

M.               Adjournment 

 

MOTION made by J. Messier, seconded by J. Licciardi to adjourn the meeting at 7:03 P.M.        All Ayes

 

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah S. Rapose, MMC

Town Clerk

 

Agenda posted May 8, 2026, at the West Warwick Town Hall, the West Warwick Senior Center, the West Warwick Public Library, on ClerkBase, and electronically filed on the Secretary of State’s website in accordance with the Open Meetings Act.

 

The public is welcome to any open meeting of the Town Council. If communication assistance (readers/interpreters/captions) is needed or any other accommodation to ensure equal participation, please contact the Town Clerk’s Office at least three (3) business days prior to the meeting at (401)822-9201.

 

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