1.     7:56 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   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

 

        Absent:    Council President Duhamel

 

     Council Vice President Giorno assumed the Chair in the absence of Council President Duhamel.

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

        None

 

 

 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.     Mathew Ferraro, Margin St - re: Bike Path; storm drains in disrepair; submitted photos for the record

 

b.     Marcus Orr, 22 Autumn Lane - re: Plans for Eco Trail

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilor Aiello responded to Citizens’ Comments noting the Town's website for reporting concerns.

 

 

 5.    CONSENT CALENDAR

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

 

Regular – 1/13/20

Executive – 1/13/20 (Sealed)

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the aforesaid minutes be accepted and approved as printed and that the Executive Session minutes be sealed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the following resolutions be adopted:  (Voted Unanimously)

 

1.     19/20-56 Resolution Authorizing The Addition To The Tax Rolls ($261.65)

 

2.     19/20-57 Resolution Authorizing Deletion To Tax Rolls ($9,467.13)

 

3.     19/20-58 Resolution Authorizing Changer Order 4 To The Contract For 2019 Town-Wide Road Resurfacing Project (J.H. Lynch and Sons – Not to exceed $1,370,900.00)

 

        c.     Appointments and Resignations

 

        None

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on   1/20/20   for this time)

 

a.     Chapter 1981 – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 127 Of The Westerly Code Of Ordinances Entitled ‘Floodplain Management’”

 

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

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition.

 

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

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

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

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/10/20)

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on February 10, 2020.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Article I, Procurement Policy, Of Chapter 49 Of The Westerly Code Of Ordinances Entitled ‘Procurements’” (§49-3. Purchasing Agent)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/10/20)

 

     No action was taken on the aforesaid matter.

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Resolution Authorizing The Town To Proceed With The Design, Construction And Construction Management Of “Alternative A” Of The Misquamicut Bike Path Feasibility Study ($330,000 Grant)

        (Tabled from 1/13/20)

 

     No action was taken on the aforesaid matter.

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

1.      Westerly Public Library – Casablanca Night was a tremendous event held last weekend  (Councilor Giorno)

 

2.      Chamber of Commerce - Chocolate Stroll scheduled for February 6, 2020, in downtown to benefit light parade; $20 a ticket  (Councilor Giorno)

 

3.     VFW – Spaghetti and meatball dinner scheduled for February 3, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to benefit the VFW Auxiliary  (Councilor Giorno)

 

        b.     Town Council – 1/27/20

 

1.     Item #3 1/27/20 – From Joseph Dwyer, RIEMA – re: Wood Pawcatuck Watershed – “Flood Risk” Open House, February 4, 2020, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Westerly Public Library; open to the public (Councilor Aiello)

 

        c.     Town Manager

 

1.     Gun Violence - Chief of Police Lacey provided an overview of events that have taken place recently.  He reported that Senator Algiere, the Town Manager and he are working on measures to deal with the purchase of weapons and that the Senator will be introducing a bill that will address the vetting process so reports of weapons purchases will be forwarded to local law enforcement where the purchaser resides.  He stated that Senator Algiere is also submitting a bill regarding the gun issue and the making of “ghost guns”.  He reported on other measures being instituted, such as the FBI’s system of generating reports on people who are red flagged in its data base who cannot purchase guns, ensuring that FBI forms are being completed by hospitals and institutions for people with mental health issues, addressing shortfalls at all subsidized housing facilities so that the police have access to their camera systems, retaining keys to the facilities at the Police Department, installing lock boxes at those facilities so that police and residents have access, and that protocols are being established at the several facilities.  He further stated that he met with the School Department to address different levels of lockdown to be initiated should a situation arise again.  He noted that the legislature is also putting measures in place to address the vetting issue.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, to recess the Regular Meeting and reconvene the Committee of the Whole Workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

2.     Amended Budget Calendar – Town Manager Rooney addressed the budget calendar, which had been distributed to Council.  He requested feedback on any conflicts and noted tentative workshop dates.

 

3.     Director of Public Works Position – Town Manager Rooney stated that the position does not have to be filled, but that, based on the Charter requirement, he should advertise the position and hoped that the budget would include a salary for the position.

 

     Town Solicitor Conley will provide to the Council his memo regarding his opinion on the Charter amendment relative to this position.

 

4.     Domestic Incident Over the Weekend – Town Manager Rooney reported that Police Chief Lacey did not make Saturday's Casablanca event due to a domestic shooting incident that occurred.  He noted the need to staff for abnormal situations and commended the Chief and his team for their extraordinary efforts.

 

5.     Out of the Office – Town Manager Rooney reported that he will be out of town from February 5^th through February 15, 2020 to accompany his son to New Zealand for a semester of study.

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

        None

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

        None

 

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

 

        None

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

        None

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        8:25 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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