1.    6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Vice Pres. Giorno,

                                            Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                                            T. Sol. Conleyh

 

Absent:    Co. Clk. Giordano

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

INVOCATION:  Councilor Giorno

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG:  Council President Duhamel

 

 

REMOTE PRESENTATION BY WESTERLY HOSPITAL PRESIDENT AND CEO PATRICK GREEN; OLIVER MAYORGA, MD, CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER; AND KARIN DACRUZ, MSN, RN, V. PRES. OPERATIONS

 

     Mr. Greene updated the Council on the Westerly Hospital’s preparedness to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the physicians and staff are extraordinarily prepared.  He explained how the medical staff is planning for the surge and the handling of patients in collaboration with the Department of Health.  He stated that the community has been tremendously supportive with donations to the hospital organization.  He noted that a testing tent has been set up for healthcare workers; that a level three visitor policy has been instituted to not allow visitors except in special circumstances; and that a triage tent has been erected to see patients to have COVID-19 symptoms to limit exposure to the facility.  He further noted that all staff has the appropriate personal protection equipment.  He stated that the hospital is constantly training and drilling to prepare for what is projected to come.

       

     Dr. Mayorga noted the number of COVID-19 patients in the surrounding states with Rhode Island having 922 positive cases, only taking into account those who have been tested.  He reported that testing is becoming available; therefore, the number of cases will increase.  He stated that the hospital’s focus is on protecting its healthcare workers and first responders with a sample collection site on the hospital campus dedicated to them.  He stated that the hospital hopes to obtain testing equipment in order to know who has the virus and have them isolate in order to prevent the further spread of the virus.

 

     Ms. DaCruz noted that they are in daily contact with the RI Department of Health and the Governor and her staff and that both have been very supportive of the hospital, and that they have daily system incident command calls with their colleagues throughout Yale sharing information and best practices.  She reported that, regarding the number of COVID-19 cases, the hospital has tested 104 people, including patients and healthcare workers; that 6 of those are inpatients, with 3 in ICU and 3 in the medical care unit; that patients have been discharged and are recovering at home; and that 5 staff nurses and 2 nursing assistants have tested positive, but are home recovering.  She stated that the hospital is working with the State on testing of the public; that staffing levels are great; that they are doing very well keeping the morale up with the support of the community; that they are monitoring their elective procedures to ensure that the right procedures are done at the right time for the patients; and that the hospital is still providing care to the community.

 

 

 2.    NEW BUSINESS

 

Suspend Town Council Rules Of Procedure – Rule 9(8) – Committee Of The Whole Requirement To Discuss And Order Advertised for Public Hearing The Following Proposed Ordinance:

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, to suspend Town Council Rules of Procedure – Rule 9(8) as aforesaid.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 127 Of The Westerly Code Of Ordinances Entitled “Floodplain Management” (Add §127-1B(3)(a) Disclaimer of liability and §127-1B(3)(b) Abrogation and greater restriction)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 4/22/20)

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on April 22, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 3.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Resolution Authorizing Funding For The Non-Federal Cost Share Match Of The USACOE (US Army Corps of Engineers) Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Project For Winnapaug Pond

        (Tabled from 3/30/20)

 

        In Attendance Remotely:  Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolution be adopted.

 

     Ms. Pellegrini informed the Council that the Army Corps of Engineers has all of the federal funds for the project, except the Westerly match, which is the holdup.  She stated that, if the Westerly match is received within a certain time period, Army Corps will go out to bid and the project would be completed hopefully in October.  She further stated that, if the funds were to be withdrawn, the Town’s match would be refunded.

 

     Discussion was held regarding the requiring of a referendum to convert a five-year appropriated debt with an annual debt service of $202,000 required by RIIB to a ten-year general obligation bond through a referendum with a reduced annual debt service of $100,000.

 

     E-mails were received from the following in support of the Winnapaug Pond dredging project:  Stanley and Marsha Bednarski and Thomas and Sarah Bednarski-Romano, 10 Ricci Dr; Alicia Eichinger and Arthur Gantz, Salt Pond Coalition; Jeffrey Gardner, Watch Hill Oysters, 227 Watch Hill Rd; Dr. Sam and Tiffany Rindell, 33 Terrace Ave.

 

     It was suggested that the Finance Director reach out to RIIB to try to secure the ten-year loan without going to bond referendum and that the Town Manager and Director of Development Services continue to work with CRMC to see if they can contribute funds.

 

Mr. Aiello withdrew his motion and Mr. McCuin withdrew his second.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid resolution be tabled to the next meeting for further discussion.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 4.    FY2020/2021 Budget – Discussion and Possible Action

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

 

     Council President Duhamel announced that, at the last budget meeting, the Council reached consensus on the School budget and the 1.75% tax levy.  He stated that the Council would be monitoring the budget closely to ensure that there is no over spending.

 

     Town Manager Rooney noted that he is not filling three vacant positions and has put a hold on money that has not been committed in a contractual basis by department heads in the event of a reduction in the revenue from the meal, hotel and rental tax.

 

     Discussion ensued regarding the projected reduction in revenues.

 

 

 5.    ADJOURNMENT

 

7:30 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

     Details of the aforesaid proceedings are available on video on the Town of Westerly website.