1.    6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Co. Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Giorno

                 Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                 T. Mgr. Rooney, T. Sol. Dylan Conley

                 Co. Clk. Giordano, T. Sgt. Falcone

                  Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

        INVOCATION – Councilor Aiello

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

     Sign-Up Sheets will be available at the Council Meeting for any citizens wishing to be heard.  Citizens who do not sign up to speak will have an opportunity to be heard following the individuals listed on the sign-up sheet.

 

     When addressing the Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body, but heard as requested.  If the matter is scheduled for a public hearing, the comments shall be deferred to that agenda item. 

 

        None

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

        None

 

 3.    Request For Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees – Discussion And Possible Action To Move To The Next Regular Meeting For Consideration

a.     Resolution Authorizing The Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees For The Ocean Community Chamber Of Commerce 2020 Community Events

b.     Resolution Authorizing The Waiving Of Transfer Station Tipping Fees For The Greater North End Community Development, Inc. 2020 Earth Day Cleanup

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolutions be placed on the February 10, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

4.     Design Of Sewer Treatment Plant– Lisa Pellegrini, Director Of Development Services – Discussion And Possible Action

 

Present:   Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

                 Bill Beauregard, Utilities Superintendent

 

     Mr. Beauregard provided a brief overview of what is being done to address upgrades to the Sewer Treatment Plant.  He noted the draft report prepared by Jacobs, which has been forwarded to DEM and which will be provided and explained to the Council on February 24^th.  He stated that the amount of funding that will be needed to upgrade the treatment plant will require a bond.  He noted that Ms. Pellegrini has done all of the work in preparing the grants and will be submitting the applications.

 

     Ms. Pellegrini addressed the list of grants and stated that being part of Resilient RHODY Program enabled the Town to have access to compete for $1 million in grant funding.  She reported that she has been notified by Infrastructure Bank that the Town will be receiving two grant awards totaling $304,000 for two projects--retaining wall for old Canal Street pump station and installation of swales along Timothy Drive and State Street.  She noted that a $2 million grant application was submitted for the Westerly Vortex Grid Chamber Redundancy project with assistance from Jacobs; that a $4.2 million grant application was submitted to DEM for a berm around the wastewater facilities plant; and that, since October, the Department has prepared eight more grant applications.  She stated that the next step is to look at USDA Rural Development money to acquire more money for the Water and Sewer Departments.  She commended the departments for actively working together to produce creative ideas and seek technical resources.  Ms. Pellegrini responded to questions from the Council.       

 

 5.    South Drive Development – Acceptance Of A Portion Of AP97, Lot 136A – Discussion And Possible Action To Refer To Planning Board And Town Engineer For Review And Recommendation

 

Present:   Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Ahern, that the aforesaid matter be referred to the Planning Board and Town Engineer for review and recommendation.  (So Voted 5 to 2; Councilors Giorno and McCuin dissented)

 

6.     Repair And Lighting Of Rooney Park Sculpture – Discussion And Possible Action

 

     Discussion was held regarding the aforesaid matter and the need to repair the sculpture.  

 

     Town Manager Rooney requested the Council’s endorsement to correct the sculpture and stated that he will have two bids and prices to be included in the upcoming budget for Council consideration.  He further stated that the lighting may be able to be done in house.   

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the matter move forward as suggested by the Town Manager.  (So Voted 5 to 2; Councilors Aiello and McCuin dissented)

 

7.     Resolution Establishing A Town Council Liaison To Town Of Westerly Veterans’ Organizations – Discussion And Possible Action To Move To The Next Regular Meeting For Consideration

 

     Discussion was held regarding the purpose of having a liaison to the veterans’ organizations.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the aforesaid resolution be placed on the February 10, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

8.     CarelinkPACE Organization– Request For Extension Of Lease For 5 Union Street – Discussion And Possible Action To Move To The Next Regular Meeting For Consideration

 

     Discussion was held regarding the request of PACE to extend its lease in order remodel the interior of the building and the need for the Council to see the lease.

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, that a resolution be prepared and placed on the February 10, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration of the aforesaid request.  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor McCuin dissented)

 

 

9.     ADJOURNMENT

 

        6:55 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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