THIS MEETING WAS CONDUCTED VIA ZOOM

 

The public was able to view this meeting.

 

 

 1.    5:32 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Co. Pres. Duhamel

                 Co. McCuin

                 T. Mgr. Rooney

                 Co. Clk. Pro Tem LeBlanc

 

In Attendance Remotely:   Vice Pres. Giorno

                                            Councilors Cioffi, Aiello, Cooke, Ahern

 

Absent:    Co. Clk. Giordano

                 T. Sol. Conley

                 T. Sgt. Falcone

 

        INVOCATION – Councilor Cioffi

 

        SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

2.     Comprehensive Community Plan – 2020-2040 – Discussion And Possible Action

 

Present:   Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

                 Nancy Letendre, Town Planner

                 Scott Levesque, Esq., Assistant Solicitor for Planning

 

     The Council reviewed the Comprehensive Plan as follows:

 

a.      Review of red line revisions from September 1, 2020 Meeting. (Redline Pages, Sewer Service, INF-M3, Page 62)

 

     No changes were made to the aforesaid.

 

b.     Review Part I– Goals, Policies and Action Items – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Possible continuance to future meetings for further discussion)

 

     Town Planner Letendre addressed Table 8 – Land Use Provisions under Section 3.7 – Land Use Goals, Policies and Actions. 

 

     Councilors agreed to Council Ahern’s suggestions for changes to Table 8, including the renaming of the heading "Responsible Agency" to "Responsible Party" and more emphasis on the language explaining that the action items in Table 8 represent zoning changes or regulatory changes. 

 

     Town Planner Letendre addressed the Goals and Policies that contained specific actions for protection of Natural Resources.  Responding to Council President Duhamel, she defined marine spatial plan and stated that a reference can be included in this section as to its explanation in another section. 

 

     Councilors agreed to Councilor Ahern's suggestion that the heading "Partners" be changed to "Likely Partners”.

 

6:10 P.M.  Councilor Cooke left the meeting.

 

     Councilors agreed that, if a volunteer board is listed as a responsible party, that it be listed in parentheses and to add the Department of Development Services, Town Manager or a staffed department above it.

 

      Town Solicitor Leveque responded to the Council’s concerns regarding Action NAT-1.1.A regarding support of local land trust in the acquisition of open space with the responsible agency being the Town Council explaining that this Action does not compromise any discretion the Council currently has. 

 

     Councilors agreed that the language "Subsidy Endorsement" listed under "Item Type" be changed to “Grant Support”. 

 

     Town Solicitor Leveque reminded the Council that the State has already reviewed all of the action items and has given preliminary approval and any changes could hinder final approval of the plan.

 

     Ms. Pellegrini addressed the revised red line map, noting that it was reviewed by the both the Town Manager and Director of Utilities.  She explained that the map was amended to extend the prospective sewer service area because the land is in the State-designated Urban Services Boundary and the Town wanted to be consistent with the State.  She noted that the prospective sewer service area was removed from the conserved (open space) land.  She addressed areas that have been excluded in order to not jeopardize homeowners who apply for grants and low interest loans.  It was stated that these areas will be reviewed again by the Director of Utilities.

 

     Town Manager Rooney stated that the Department of Development Services will provide the Council with a complete redline document by close of business tomorrow.  He stated that the document will be reviewed by the Council at the September 10, 2020 Special Meeting and then moved forward to a public hearing. 

 

     Council President Duhamel commended all of those individuals and groups involved in the review and preparation of the Comprehensive Plan.

 

 

3.     ADJOURNMENT

 

        6:53 P.M.  Voted 5 to 1 to adjourn.  (Councilor Aiello dissented; Council Cooke absent)

 

 

 

 

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