1.     6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Giorno

                 Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                 T. Mgr. Rooney, T. Sol. Conley

                 Co. Clk. Giordano, T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

       

INVOCATION – Councilor Aiello

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the following resolutions be adopted:  (Voted Unanimously)

 

a.     Condolences – Catherine DeNoia

 

     Michael DeNoia, husband of the deceased, was present to accept the resolution, read aloud by Councilor Ahern.

 

b.     Congratulations – Linda Algiere, retirement

 

     Linda Algiere was present to accept the resolution, read aloud by Councilor Cioffi.

 

 

3.     PRESENTATIONS

 

        None

 

 

 4.    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. 

 

a.     James Toscano, 4 Lorraine Rd – re: Damage Claim regarding Sanitary Septic Valve and Joint; had to replace tank and pump when leak was noticed; was told by Utilities that repair was his responsibility; was told by plumbers that valve did not serve complete purpose and that valve should have withstood stress; filed complaint with Town

           

     Town Manager Rooney was directed to obtain a report from the Utilities Department.

 

b.     Hatsy Moore, 32 Yosemite Valley Rd - re: Pothole Repair; Yosemite Valley and Browning Roads were first on list to be repaired; subsequently it was decided that private roads would not be repaired and these roads were taken off repair list; if considered private road, why was Town plowing; referenced State law that roads become public by use; would like Yosemite Valley Road as a public road; 200 feet of Yosemite Valley Road had been deeded to Town; re: Tax Bill; charged interest for being one day late; requesting an accounting of how much Town collects in late fees and how money is being spent

 

c.     Theresa Cavalier, 15 Canterbury Dr - re: Straws-On-Demand Ordinance; had presented a two-year plan and four ordinances regarding ban on plastics; would like Council to review Committee's report and look at the other ordinances proposed

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilors responded to Citizens Comments regarding Yosemite Valley Road and having Town Solicitor review, having the Straws-on-Demand ordinance placed on a future agenda, addressing the other plastics ordinances in the future, late payments of taxes, and the claim regarding the septic valve.  Councilor Cooke, for the record, stated that he would like to see Yosemite Valley Road designated as a Town Road.

 

 

5.     CONSENT CALENDAR

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

 

Regular – 2/10/20

Special – 2/14/20

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid minutes be accepted and approved as printed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the following resolution be adopted:  (So Voted 6 to 0 – Councilor McCuin recused)

 

1.     19/20-66 Resolution Authorizing Corrections To The Water And Sewer Accounts Department Accounts Receivable (Water Abatement - $100.00)

 

        c.     Appointments and Resignations

 

1.     Appointments:

        a.     Board of Canvassers – Full Member

 

     Councilor Giorno nominated Joseph E. Olean for re-appointment to the Board of Canvassers.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Joseph E. Olean of 12 Doreen Drive for re-appointment to the Board of Canvassers for a six-year term, expiring March 2026 and the motion carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Board of Canvassers – Alternate Member

 

     Councilor Giorno nominated George Masterson for re-appointment as an Alternate to the Board of Canvassers.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of George Masterson of 16 Cedar Crest Drive for re-appointment as an Alternate Member to the Board of Canvassers for a six-year term, expiring March 2026 and the motion carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        c.     Licensing Board – Full Member

 

     Councilor Giorno nominated Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr. for re-appointment to the Licensing Board.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr. of 20 Hiscox Road for re-appointment to the Licensing Board of Canvassers for a three-year term, expiring March 2023 and the motion carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     No action was taken on the following appointments:

 

        d.     Planning Board – Full Member

        e.     Board of Finance – Full Member

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on   2/17/20   for this time)

 

a.     Chapter 1982 – “An Ordinance Authorizing The Transfer Of Funds To Support Changes Within Town Departments (Engineering Division - $31,025.50)

 

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

                 Kyle Zaleski, Town Engineer

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the public hearing be opened.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the public hearing be closed and the aforesaid ordinance be adopted.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.     Chapter 1983 – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results As Presented To Council On 2/10/2020 In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (A) And 3-1-7 (D) Of The Westerly Town Charter”

 

Present:   Dyann Baker, Finance Director

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, that the public hearing be opened.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Ms. Baker explained the purpose of the transfers and how the over expenditures will be covered.

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the public hearing be closed and the aforesaid ordinance be adopted.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

Suspend Town Council Rules Of Procedure – Rule 9(8) – Committee Of The Whole Requirement To Discuss And Consider Action On The Following Items:

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, to suspend rules as aforesaid. (Voted Unanimously)

 

a.     Annual School Budget – Maintenance Of Effort – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Solicitor Conley addressed his memorandum explaining the aforesaid issue in accordance with RIGL 16-7-23, which memorandum is attached hereto and made a part of the record of these proceedings.  He stated that a municipality must contribute funds to the school committee in an amount not less than what was contributed in the previous fiscal year.  He further stated that, if enrollment decreases, a municipality may compute its maintenance of effort on a per pupil rather than an aggregate basis when determining its contribution and that approval from RIDE would be needed only for the deduction of a non-recurring expenditure.

 

     Discussion was held regarding student enrollment, school budget request, obtaining the cost per pupil, and offering courses to increase the student population which will decrease per pupil costs and the need to update courses, eliminate some courses, and embrace vocational courses.

 

     It was the consensus of the Council to obtain the per-pupil costs.

 

 b.    Sale Of Old Town Garage – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.     Recommendation from Planning Board

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported that the Planning Board will be asked to place the issue on its March agenda, due to providing a neutral recommendation, and to resubmit its recommendation to the Council.  He stated that he has an appraisal of the property at $290,000.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the Town Council determine that the subject property has become unsuitable and has ceased to be used for municipal or other public purposes. (So Voted 5 to 1 -Councilor Aiello dissented; Cioffi abstained)

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

1.      Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce – Westerly-Pawcatuck Duck Race to be held April 25^th; Working Wonders Program; presented to fifth and sixth grades about being a Private Detective; Business After Hours held at Shelter Harbor Inn  (Councilor Giorno)

 

2.      Westerly Library and Wilcox Park – Fundraiser in May; will have miniature golf in Library; January 30, 2021, will have fundraiser similar to Casablanca which was a great success  (Councilor Giorno)

 

3.      School Building Committee – Meeting several times a week  (Councilor McCuin)

 

        b.     Town Council – 2/24/20

 

1.      Item #1 2/24/20 – From RI DEM – re: Project Priority List Request for Projects – State Fiscal year 2021 – Councilor Aiello noted the aforesaid communication from RI DEM.

 

        c.     Town Manager

 

      None

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

      None

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

      None

 

        f.     Agenda Referrals and Backlog Agenda (Items to be assigned to future agendas)

 

1.      Maintenance of Town Roads – Town Solicitor will provide an opinion.

 

2.      Septic Valve Claim – Town Manager Rooney will provide a report.

 

4.      Straws-On-Demand Ordinance – Referred to a Committee of the Whole workshop agenda.

 

5.      Interest on Late Tax Payments - Town Manager Rooney will have the Tax Collector explain the procedure during the budget process.

 

6.      Fiscal Impact Ordinance re Schools – no action taken.

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

1.    Councilor Cioffi requested a list of all properties belonging to the Town.

 

2.    Councilor Giorno requested an update regarding the addition of veterans to the war memorial.

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        8:20 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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