THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

 

1.     5:30 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Ahern, McCuin

                                            T. Sol. Conley

 

Absent:    Vice Pres. Giorno (arrived 6:16 p.m.)

                 Co. Cooke (arrived 6:23 p.m.)

                 Co. Clk. Giordano

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

 

 2.    POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Ms. Cioffi, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, to go into executive session for discussion and/or action regarding those items of business exempt from open meetings under Rhode Island General Laws §42-46-4 and §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – James Crowley v. Town of Westerly and Officer David Turano – A.A. No.: WC-2019-0027; §42-46-5(a)(5) Land Disposition – Tower Street School; §42-46-5(a)(5) Land Disposition – Sale of Old Town Garage (AP 76, Lot 69); §42-46-5(a)(5) Land Disposition – 29 Noyes Avenue (Plat/Lot 1-3-1);     §42-46-5(a)(5) Land Disposition – 12 Ledward Avenue (AP 67, Lot 262); §42-46-5(a)(1) Personnel – Town Manager Evaluation.  (Voted Unanimously by poll vote)

 

     Council President Duhamel announced that such person has been notified in writing and advised that they may require that such discussion be held at an open meeting.

 

5:35 P.M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

     The purpose of this Executive Session was to discuss Land Disposition and Litigation.

 

*                    *                    *                    *                    *

 

6:22 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn and seal the minutes of this Executive Session.

 

6:23 P.M.  Reconvened Open Session.

 

Executive Session Report

 

          Council President Duhamel announced that the Council discussed Litigation and gave direction to the Town Solicitor, discussed Land Disposition and gave direction to the Town Manager to proceed with selling the Tower Street School property, discussed Land Disposition and directed the Town Manager to receive bids for the sale of the old Town Garage for the Town Council to review by July 1^st, discussed Land Disposition and directed the Town Manager to sell the 29 Noyes Avenue property, discussed Land Disposition and directed the Town Manager to sell the 12 Ledward Avenue property, and, under Personnel, began the process of evaluating the Town Manager.

 

Motion by Mr. McCuin, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the Executive Session minutes be sealed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

3.     PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     COVID-19 Update

Report from Christopher A. Duhamel, Council President

 

     Council President Duhamel provided an overview on the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to the organized opening of the Town beaches by the Town Manager and his staff on the Friday before Memorial Day as planned still following the DOH guidelines on social distancing.  He noted that the opening went extremely well with no incidents or complaints.  He commended the work of the Town Manager, the Chief of Police, the Emergency Management Director and the President of the Chamber of Commerce during this time.

 

Report from J. Mark Rooney, Town Manager

 

     Town Manager Rooney provided an overview on the COVID-19 pandemic with regard to the opening of the Town beaches, reporting that working with the Town Beach Manager and the Chief of Police, some changes will be made with the opening and closing of the gates on the lots at sunrise and sunset, how to accommodate people who want to access the beach earlier, and how to adjust the access points to allow accessibility to the parking lots for eligible beach pass holders.  He further reported that the State will be allowing 25 percent capacity at the State Beach this week and may be as high as 50 percent on Thursday.  He thanked all the business owners in Misquamicut for their patience.  Mr. Rooney addressed the opening of hotels in Phase II, stating that he is awaiting full guidance and direction from the State on these openings along with cleaning standards.  He stated that he hopes to have answers to those questions by tomorrow.

 

Report from Shawn Lacey, Chief of Police

 

     Chief of Police Lacy provided an overview on the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Phase II began today and that some restrictions have been lifted.  He stated that parking restrictions are now being enforced; that he was notified by DEM that parking lot capacity at the State beach will be at 50 percent, but should not reach that capacity until the third week in June; that, regarding social distancing, the six-foot social distancing will still be required, but DEM is asking for eight-foot distancing between blankets; that masks are required to be worn when walking from the car to the beach; that, once on the beach, masks are not required to be worn if the six-foot social distancing is maintained and are not required to be worn within the same group of people or in the water.  He stated that restaurants opened today at 50 percent capacity on the inside, but the outside maximum capacity is 20 tables.  He stated that the police will be monitoring the restaurants and asking them to comply with the restrictions.  He reported that the big box stores increased their capacity to 50 percent and that smaller retail stores are still at 1 person per 150 square feet.  He noted that the Executive Order signed by the Manager and endorsed by the Council allowing liquor to be served outside on the premises of a restaurant and on the beach is still in effect; that churches are open at 25 percent capacity, some by reservation, others by head count; and that hotels are opening but awaiting guidance from the State on cleaning requirements and restrictions.  Chief Lacy and Town Manager Rooney responded to questions from Councilor Cioffi regarding visitors to Timber Creek RV park and cars parking in Town Beach parking lot prior to its opening.  Mr. Rooney commended the Chief of Police and his department for being a leader in the State for prosecuting all offenses and continuing to keep the peace without taking a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Report from Amy Gryzbowski, Westerly EMA Director

 

     EMA Director Gryzbowski provided an overview on the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting that there are no patients at the Westerly Hospital with the virus and that the State total is under 200. She stated that the meal distribution continues with 20 cases (180 half gallons) of milk being dropped off at the Senior Center for distribution throughout the community.  She stated that plans are commencing for hurricane season and that FEMA has put out guidance specific to hurricane response during this pandemic, which she will be reviewing with department directors and fire chiefs.  She stated that there is no guidance regarding where cars are to be parked at the State beach; that there are no capacity restrictions on cars parking at the Town beach facilities, but this will be reviewed late in the month; that there are no parking capacity restrictions on the private parking lots, beach clubs or golf clubs; however, social distancing and wearing of masks is required.

 

Report from Lisa Konicki, President, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce

 

     Chamber President Konicki provided an update on the COVID-19 pandemic, reporting that Chamber gift certificate sales to benefit the community’s small businesses from March 13^th to June 1^st totaled $34,650 compared to $16,830 during the same period last year.  She stated that the Chamber has distributed the free state-issued PPE to about 200 businesses; that, this Wednesday, the Chamber will be receiving the free state-issued hand sanitizer so that businesses in Westerly, Hopkinton, Charlestown and Richmond can obtain them at the Chamber at no charge; and that the Chamber visited salons, which opened today, and distributed $10 gift certificates to the first customers in appreciation for supporting local businesses.  She encouraged anyone patronizing a business who has a concern with COVID rules not being followed to speak to the manager privately or report their concern to the Chamber who will reach out to the business to express the concern.  She noted that the Department of Business Regulations has visited Westerly three times making surprise inspections of all types of businesses and that all businesses passed inspection.  She reported that outdoor dining is continuing to gain traction and thanked Raymond Blanda of the Veterans Flag Committee for assisting a local restaurant to use flagpole holes to string lights for its outside seating area.  She noted that the Chamber received donations to place 24 flowerpots on the sidewalks in the Westerly-Pawcatuck downtown area.  On behalf of the businesses, she asked that people not seek donations for their causes from businesses that just opened as they are struggling to get back in business.

 

 

 4.    ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:04 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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