THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

 

 

1.      5:30 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Duhamel

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

                 S. Lacey, Chief of Police

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Vice Pres. Giorno

                                            Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern, McCuin

                                            T. Sol. Conley

 

Absent:    Co. Clk. Giordano

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

                 Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

 

2.      PRESENTATION

 

a.     COVID-19 Update

Report from Christopher A. Duhamel, Council President

 

     Council President Duhamel reported that peaceful demonstrations/rallies were held in Westerly on Friday and Sunday with police presence with regards to the important issue of “Black Lives Matter” that is facing the nation.  He stated that the Town’s police officers are loved and respected in the community and that the Town is proud of its department which helps to keep the Town safe.

 

Report from J. Mark Rooney, Town Manager

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported that the Town received direction on Thursday, June 4, 2020, that hotels would be allowed to re-open and that they will have to follow the State’s regulations regarding cleaning and guest tracking.  He stated that a number of hotels opened on Saturday, June 6, 2020, and that the two large remaining hotels will open this coming weekend.  He reported that restaurants have not had any issues with regards to outside dining and that the police department has not received any complaints with regards to drinking on the beach.  He addressed the peaceful demonstrations/rallies, stating that the protestors have been very cooperative and respectful and that they coordinated their events with the police department and his office regarding location and time.  He reported that the Town is looking at different training programs for the police department.  He noted that the State plans to provide more specific guidance this week on recreational sports programs.

 

Report from Shawn Lacey, Chief of Police

 

     Chief of Police Lacey reported that the number of COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island has significantly reduced, noting that today there were 51 new cases, with still 10 fatalities, and 146 hospitalizations, and 53 cases still remaining in Westerly.  He addressed outdoor and indoor restaurant dining, stating that there were a few complaints last week, mostly related to the required wearing of masks, but no complaints this week.  He explained when masks are required to be worn and asked that individuals be respectful of others around them and to wear a mask if they are within six feet of someone.  He stated that businesses are suggesting patrons wear a mask and that most individuals are complying.  He reported that playgrounds still remain closed and that the Town is trying to obtain guidance from the State on playgrounds and summer camps.  He stated that youth sports are now allowed; however, adult close-contact sports are still prohibited.  He reported that big box stores are no longer required to maintain tracing numbers and are now following a 50% capacity limit which is currently not being reached.  He noted that the police department is still monitoring the stores throughout the day to ensure compliance.  He reported that Community Service Officers are enforcing parking restrictions in the beach, Watch Hill and downtown areas.  He reported that the Governor plans to enter Phase III prior to the week of the July 4th holiday.  He addressed the recent protests, stating that the demonstrators have been cooperative with the police department; that the demonstrations have been peaceful and very well organized; and that there were more demonstrators this week than the previous week.  He addressed the police department’s “use of force” policy, stating that, when the “Black Lives Matter” event first started, he immediately put back out the tracking system to monitor and document that every police officer reviewed the department’s policy again.  He stated that the police department will conduct retraining on racial profiling and use of force.  He provided a brief statement on the recent police actions occurring throughout the country and the requests for defunding police departments. 

 

     Responding to Councilor Ahern regarding the status of legislation establishing safe harbor provisions to protect the Town and various organizations with regard to the opening of recreational facilities and other initiatives, Town Solicitor Conley stated that the General Assembly will be back in session next week and that this there has been a great deal of discussion regarding this matter in order to craft appropriate legislation for these circumstances.

 

Report from Amy Gryzbowski, Westerly EMA Director

 

     Ms. Gryzbowski reported that 550 meals were distributed last week and that meals will be distributed until the end of June.  She stated that there are currently no patients at The Westerly Hospital with COVID-19.  She stated that the Governor announced today that anyone who participated in the protests over the weekend or anyone in a close contact business are welcome to get an A-Symptomatic test and that information and registration procedures are available on the Governor’s website. 

 

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

 

     Ms. Konicki reported that businesses are sharing consumer support for indoor dining and encouraging return to retail shopping.  She reported that there was a decrease in business on Friday evening, June 5, 2020, in the Downtown area for take-out meals and indoor dining.  She reported that the vote on the Federal payroll protection program is groundbreaking and will result in new provisions that will remove roadblocks that businesses were facing in order to be eligible to receive full forgiveness of the PPP loans.  She stated that businesses now have 24 weeks, instead of 8 weeks, to use the loan money.  She further reported that the payroll payment threshold has been lowered from 75% to 60% of a borrower’s proceeds that needs to be spent on payroll.  She stated that the State has relaxed the loan forgiveness stipulations and that the new regulations also provide more protection for borrowers that are unable to rehire their staff and that the State also increased the maturity of the loans to 5 years.  She encouraged any business that has not applied for a PPP loan to do so before the June 30, 2020 deadline.  She stated that one concern at the State level is the Rhode Island unemployment insurance fund which will be depleted by the end of September.  She stated that the Chamber will continue to be an advocate for small businesses and is urging the Legislature to ensure that a large portion of the COVID-19 federal stimulus money be used to offset the unemployment insurance fund.  She reported that the Chamber was able to obtain full funding for the Downtown business district to continue the flowerpot program.  She stated that the Chamber’s annual dinner will take place on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, at 6:30 p.m. at the Misquamicut Drive-In.

 

 

3.      ADJOURNMENT

 

        6:00 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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