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. Dylan Conley

                 Co. Clk. Giordano, T. Sgt. Falcone

                  Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

        INVOCATION – Councilor Ahern

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

SWEARING IN CEREMONY:

 

     Chief of Police Lacey introduced the following officers and provided a brief background on their education and accomplishments. 

 

     Town Clerk Giordano administered the oath of office to the following officers:

 

        Brady W. Gulluscio, Patrol Officer

        Cory C. Torres, Patrol Officer

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

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

 

a.     Congratulations – John “Shorty” Terranova, 100^th Birthday

 

     Mr. Terranova was present to accept the resolution, read aloud by Councilor Giorno.

 

     Kenneth Burton from the VFW was present and read a statement in honor of Mr. Terranova's birthday.

 

 

3.     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

 

 

 4.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 127 Of The Westerly Code Of Ordinances Entitled ‘Floodplain Management’” – Discussion and Possible Action To Move To Regular Meeting To Be Ordered Advertised For Public Hearing

 

Present:   David Murphy, Building Official

 

     Mr. Murphy explained that the aforesaid is basically a housekeeping change to update the current ordinance.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance be placed on the January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda to be ordered advertised for public hearing.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, to move to Item #6 at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

5.     RIDE School Building Authority Letter Of Intent– Discussion and Possible Action

a.     Necessity of School Construction – Approval Process Timeline

b.     List of School Building Committee Members

 

      Council President Duhamel addressed the aforesaid matter.

 

     Town Solicitor Conley advised that the Council should vote to accept the list of building committee members as presented by the School Committee and then vote to sign the letter of intent by January 15, 2020 to get in line to receive the RIDE program reimbursement.  He felt that, if the January deadline is not met, the Town may forego eligibility for the funds as state funds might not last much longer.

 

     Discussion was held regarding the list of building committee members and the letter of intent not having been approved by the School Committee, the fact that no one from the School Committee is present this evening, the need to be working together, the need to have confidence in the process, and the need to be fiscally responsible.

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Ms. Ahern, to suspend the rules pursuant to Rule 12(b) of the Town Council Rules of Procedure to consider the aforesaid item.  (So Voted 6 – 1; Councilor Aiello dissented)

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, to accept the updated list of School Building Committee members contingent upon approval by the School Committee on January 8, 2020.  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor Aiello dissented)

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the Town Manager be authorized to sign the Letter of Intent contingent upon the School Committee’s endorsement on January 8, 2020 with no changes.  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor Aiello dissented)

 

     Councilor Aiello stated, for the record, that neither the Letter of Intent nor the amended list of School Building Committee members has been approved yet by the School Committee.

 

 

6.     Bike Path Grants – Discussion and Possible Action

 

Present:   Robert Ritacco, Member, Bike Path and Cycling Advisory Commission

                 Paul Duffy, Recreation Director

 

     Mr. Duffy updated the Council on the aforesaid matter.  He stated that the DEM needs affirmation from the Council that if the cost of design and engineering is reimbursed, the Town will proceed with the project.  He responded to questions from the Council regarding timelines for project completion and safety concerns with the locations of the bike path.

    

Motion by Ms. Giorno, Seconded by Mr. Cooke, that the aforesaid matter be placed on the January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.  (So Voted 6 to 1 – Councilor Cioffi dissented)

    

7.     Resolution Authorizing The IRS Penalty Payment For Tax Year 2017 ($165,000.00)– Discussion and Possible Action To Move To Regular Meeting For Consideration

 

     Council President Duhamel explained the aforesaid resolution, which is the result of actions attributed to a former Manager and Human Resource Director.  He noted that the payment is coming from surplus.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolution be placed on the January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

8.     Resolution Approving The Settlement Agreement For Tax Abatement Between Ocean House Hotel Partners, LLC And The Town Of Westerly, Rhode Island ($65,578.44) – Discussion and Possible Action To Move To Regular Meeting For Consideration

 

     Council President Duhamel explained the aforesaid resolution, which is the result of the Town losing a tax appeal matter.  He noted that tax credits would be given over a period of three years.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolution be placed on the January 13, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 9.    Eating With The Ecosystem – Samples Of Interpretive Signage – Discussion and Possible Action

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the interpretive signage be approved.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:40 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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