1.    6:08 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Co. Pres. Duhamel, Vice Pres. Giorno

                 Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Ahern, McCuin

                 T. Mgr. Rooney, T. Sol. Dylan Conley

                 Co. Clk. Giordano, T. Sgt. Falcone

                  Cameron Moore, Town Council Student Representative

 

Absent:      Councilor Cooke

 

        INVOCATION – Councilor Cioffi

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    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.     Brian McCuin, 17 Verdi Rd - re: School Discussion - corrected erroneous statements pointed out by Superintendent of Schools; was told by Superintendent that Westerly teachers are not the highest paid in the State; noted the rankings throughout the years; Westerly is 6^th highest out of 62 schools for student spending

 

b.     Vincent Beaulieu, 69 ½ Ward Ave - re: Transfer Station; objects to changing of hours; would affect small businesses; suggested bringing commercial haulers together to get ideas

 

c.     Hatsy Moore, 32 Yosemite Valley Rd - re: Elm Street School; why is it not being considered for school purposes by the Town; re: Private/Public Roads; nothing about private roads on list; read from State law regarding duty of Town to maintain highways; questioned why Browning Road is not being fixed

 

d.     Jeanne Donato, 82 Potter Hill Rd - re: Balloons; explained difference between latex and mylar balloons; latex balloons are biodegradable, mylar balloons are not; if ordinance prohibiting the sale of balloons is adopted, she will be put out of business; presented data to Council

 

e.     Theresa Cavalier, 15 Canterbury Dr. - re: Straws-on-Demand Ordinance; addressed letter of support from Save The Bay regarding plastic straws; thanked the Council for considering ordinance

 

f.     Caroline Hanssen, 27 Linden St - re: Straws-On-Demand Ordinance; supports

 

Coronavirus Report

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported on actions that staff is taking with regards to the Coronavirus.  He stated that the information provided by the RI Department of Health was uploaded to the Town’s website, noting that the Department is in constant contact with the Center for Disease Control (CDC).  He explained the measures the public should take to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.  He noted that the State assured that it would implement any necessary emergency action; that the State will leave any action up to the individual city and town superintendents for school closures; and that the State would sponsor flu shots for cities and towns.

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Council President Duhamel reported that the Elm Street School is one of the options being vetted by School Building Committee.  He stated that Item #4 regarding private/public roads does not have any supporting documentation and suggested that this matter be postponed to another workshop.

 

 3.    Hours of Operation for Transfer Station – Discussion and Possible Action

 

Present:   Michael Serra, Manager, Transfer Station

 

     Discussion was held regarding closing of the transfer station one day a week.  It was noted that Monday would be the best day for the employees and would help with the Public Works Highway Department’s overtime budget, but that closure on Wednesday or Thursday would allow transfer station employees to do needed modifications and maintenance and be less of a burden to businesses.  It was explained that the transfer station would not be closed for the entire day but would be open for several hours in order to accommodate the commercial haulers.  It was noted that the recycling value is now a net cost instead of a net revenue.

 

     Mr. Serra presented an overview of what transpires at the transfer station and the costs associated with operating it.  He addressed some changes that could be made to reduce costs.

 

     Each of the Councilors expressed concern with closing one day a week and stressed the need to have data regarding the costs, the need to include the haulers in conversation about making changes at the transfer station; and the need to provide the Council with any additional suggestions being made to help resolve cost issues.  It was suggested that the union contract be reviewed to allow for floating time for transfer station employees.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, to move to Item #8 at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

4.     NOAA Grant – Update – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported that the Town submitted a grant application, which was favorably received, to use Federal monies, along with a Town match, for the removal of the Potter Hill dam.  He stated that the project has the support of five interest groups.  He felt that the project will involve multiple grants and stated that he will report back to the Council when he has a dollar amount for the grants, the cost of the project, and who will be paying for it.

5.     RI Infrastructure Bank Financing For Cost Share For Grant Projects – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported that there is a second need for the Army Corps of Engineers dredging of the Winnapaug Pond.  He state that this is a $2,784,043 project; that the Town’s share is $974,520 of which $119,000 was spent on the design with $855,520 remaining; and that, if that amount is expended, the Town will receive a total of $5,226,962 in matches for dredging and eel grass restoration.  He further stated that the Infrastructure Bank will loan the Town the $855,520, which would cost $100,000 over ten years.  He stated that he will provide the Council with more information in two weeks.

 

6.     Private/Public Roads – Update - Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Town Solicitor Conley reported that he is reviewing the State Statute relative to the aforesaid matter.  He stated that he will have a comprehensive memorandum that will address this issue and include other issues regarding dedication of public roads for the next meeting.

 

7      Resolution Of The Town Of Westerly In Support Of Legislation to Move The September Primary to Wednesday When It Falls In The Same Week As Labor Day – Discussion and Possible Action to Move to the Next Regular Meeting for Consideration

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Mr. McCuin, that the aforesaid resolution be placed on the March 9, 2020 Regular Meeting agenda for consideration.

 

 8.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing A “By Request Only” Use Of Single-Use Plastic Straws” – Discussion and Possible Action to Move to the Next Regular Meeting to be Ordered Advertised for Public Hearing  

 

     Councilor Aiello stated that he provided the Council with a modified draft of the proposed ordinance and he recapped the changes being proposed.  He requested that the March 2, 2020 letter from Save the Bay, and the March 2, 2020 e-mails from Mary Scialabba and Madeline Labriola in support of the proposed ordinance be entered into the record of these proceedings.

 

     Several Councilors expressed concern regarding the legality of the proposed ordinance and enforcement of same.  It was suggested that the Town establish a policy in the economic development section of the Comprehensive Plan that the use of any type of straw, plastic or paper, be at the request of the consumer; that businesses be encouraged to voluntarily use paper straws; and that the public be encouraged to have respect for the community and be more environmentally conscious by not littering.

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the aforesaid proposed ordinance not be moved forward.  (So Voted 5 to 1 – Councilor Aiello dissented; Councilor Cooke absent)

 

Motion by Ms. Ahern, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, to revert back to Item #4 at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 9.    ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:55 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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