THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

 

The public was able to view this meeting.

 

 

1.    5:30 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Co. Pres. Duhamel

                 Co. McCuin

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

                 Asst. T. Sol. Romano

                 Co. Clk. Giordano

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Councilors Cioffi, Ahern, Cooke

                                            T. Sol. Conley

 

Absent:    Councilor Aiello (arrived 6:50 p.m.)

                 Councilor Giorno

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

 

Also Present:  Bill Beauregard, Asst. Public Works Dir./Utilities

 

Also In Attendance Remotely:  Kyle Zalaski, Town Engineer

 

        INVOCATION – Councilor Cioffi

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

2.     Comprehensive Community Plan – 2020-2040 – Discussion And Possible Action

 

Present:   Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

                 Nancy Letendre, Town Planner

                 Scott Levesque, Esq., Assistant Solicitor for Planning

 

     The Council reviewed the Comprehensive Plan as follows:

 

a.      Review of red line revisions from August 19, 2020 Meeting and additional information requested from August 19, 2020 Meeting (Bus. Comm. Briefing, FLU-M2 Map)

 

     Mr. Beauregard discussed the expansion of the sewer system, noting that residents in certain areas of Misquamicut, Springbrook Road, Mount Moriah, Apache Drive and Ledward Avenue would be ineligible to participate in a community septic system loan program to improve their septic systems if sewers are extended to those areas.  He stated that these areas should be removed from the Comprehensive Plan and that he will coordinate with the Planning Department.  He noted areas that would be eligible for sewer expansion, being Route One from Route 78 to the Charlestown line and Shore Road between the Weekapaug Golf Club and the Winnapaug Golf Club and that they are addressed in the Comprehensive Plan.

 

b.     Review Part II – Inventory & Analysis – Discussion

        1.     Chapter 1 – Sustainable Natural Resources

 

     Town Planner Letendre explained each section of Chapter 1.

 

     The language "a process called eutrophication" was added to Subsection 1.3.1 - Domestic Wastewater Stressors.

 

     The language "a process called eutrophication" was added to Subsection 1.3.6 - Coastal Waters and Salt Ponds.

 

     Discussion was held regarding Subsection 1.3.7 - Groundwater.  Town Planner Letendre will verify that the tanks have been removed.

   

     Councilor Ahern's suggestions for additions to Subsection 1.5.1 - Aquaculture regarding hazards, preservation and conservation, and safety will be added to the Comprehensive Plan.

 

     Councilor Ahern's suggestion for a new Subsection 1.6.5 - Sand Dunes and Dune Grass will be added and the sections following will be renumbered.

 

     Councilor Ahern's suggestions for additions to Subsection 1.6.10 - Coastal Environment regarding Napatree Point Conservation Area will be added to the Comprehensive Plan.

 

        2.     Chapter 2 – Open Space and Recreation

 

    Town Planner Letendre provided an overview of Chapter 2.  No changes were made to this Chapter.

 

        3.     Chapter 3 – Historic and Cultural Resources

 

    Councilor Ahern's suggestions for additions to Chapter 3 - Historic and Cultural Resources, Section 3.1 - Historic Places, will be added to the Comprehensive Plan.

 

     At the suggestion of Councilor Ahern, Town Planner Letendre will add another icon to Section 3.1 - Historic Places to include the Watch Hill Lighthouse, the Old Town Hall, and the Lanphear Livery as historic properties.     

 

        4.     Chapter 7 – Infrastructure and Energy

 

    Town Planner Letendre will insert language in Section 7.5 - Solar, Wind, and Other Alternative Energy to indicate that the Town is not supportive of wind energy and that it should be considered a State initiative rather than a Town initiative        

 

     Town Planner Letendre will expand on Broadband Infrastructure in Section 7.6 - Communications.

 

        5.     Chapter 9 – Natural Hazards and Resiliency

       

     Town Planner Letendre provided an overview of Chapter 9.

 

     Councilor Ahern's suggestions to Chapter 9 - Natural Hazards and Resiliency regarding hazard mitigation strategies will be added, as well as suggested additions to Subsection 9.2.2 - Community Resilience Building regarding standards for raising historic buildings and the Weekapaug Green.

 

 

3.     NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     Proposed Calendar For Comprehensive Plan Meetings – Discussion And Possible Action

 

     The Council scheduled the following workshops for further review of the Comprehensive Plan:  September 1, 3, 10 and 11, 2020.

 

     The Council scheduled October 13, 2020 for the first public hearing on the Comprehensive Plan.

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Adopting And Enacting A New Comprehensive Plan Pursuant To R.I.G.L. 45-22.2-12 And The Westerly Town Charter Article 12; Providing For When Such Ordinance And New Comprehensive Plan Become Effective; And Repealing All Previous Comprehensive Plans For The Town Of Westerly, Rhode Island”

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 9/21/20)

 

     The aforesaid proposed ordinance will be placed on the September 14, 2020 meeting to be ordered advertised for public hearing.

 

 

4.     ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:17 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

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