1.     6:00 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

        Present:   Pres. Duhamel

                        Vice Pres. Giorno

                        Councilors Aiello, Cooke, McCuin

                         T. Mgr. Rooney

                         Co. Clk. Giordano

 

        In Attendance Remotely:   Councilors Cioffi, Ahern

                                                   T. Sol. Conley

 

        Also Present:  Chief of Police Shawn Lacey

       

        Absent:    T. Sgt. Falcone

 

        Also Present Remotely:  Lisa Konicki

 

INVOCATION – Councilor Cioffi

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

Motion made and duly Seconded by to ratify and confirm the following resolution, read aloud by Council Aiello:  (Voted Unanimously)

 

RATIFY AND CONFIRM:

 

a.     Congratulations – Raymond Blanda, Sr., Installation as State Commander Of The RI Veterans Of Foreign Wars Of The U.S.

 

     Mr. Blanda was present to accept the recognition and he addressed the Council.

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     COVID-19 Update

 

        Report from J. Mark Rooney, Town Manager

 

     Town Manager Rooney reported that maximum cooperation is still being received from the business community.  He noted that the school is being abundantly cautious by sending children home if they have a seasonal allergy or a sore throat and that parents have to be tested for COVID-19 and wait at home for the test results.

 

        Report from Shawn Lacey, Chief of Police

 

     Chief Lacey reported that, at the beach, all parking lots on the Town side are open; that beaches are open for driving on to by vehicles with DEM orange stickers; that the police are monitoring for DEM passes.  He stated that if anyone is traveling from Rhode Island to one of the twenty-eight red states and then returning, they must either quarantine for fourteen days or have negative test within seventy-two hours of arrival.  He noted that the travel site is the Convention Center in Providence and that the other sites throughout the State are for people who are symptomatic.  He stated that there have been no complaints about delays with students getting on the school buses; that many parents are driving their children to school; and that twenty-five percent of the school is remote learning.  He further stated that for staff and students, testing is encouraged if there are any symptoms at all and that testing is free for the school population and their families at the school testing site at WalMart.  He explained that, if a student tests positive, they will be contacted by the tracing unit and, if not, they will only have to self-monitor; that the tracing unit will only contact those who have been within the six-foot social distance for a time frame greater than fifteen minutes and will reach out to the other faculty and students and require testing before they return to school.  He noted that currently Westerly has tested 4,108 people since March, which is about eighteen percent of the population; that there have been ninety-five positives cases since the inception; that the town-wide percentage rate is below two percent.

 

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

 

     Ms. Konicki reported that on Wednesday 6,000 free cloth masks will be available for all businesses at five masks per employee, as well as one gallon of disinfectant per business; that the Restore RI grants will be expanding tomorrow; that several businesses in Westerly have been successful in achieving them at $15,000 each; that there are seven specific industries, being retail, food services, personal care, photo services, arts and entertainment, accommodations, and travel agencies, can qualify tomorrow for a new dollar amount; and that the application can be filled out at Commerce RI website.  She further reported that the second Sunday Funday take-it-outside program has had a slow but steady level of attendance and she thanked the public for their support and for complying with mask wearing requirement; that there has been no congregating around the entertainment; and that the event has occurred flawlessly.  She further reported that Commerce RI launched a new program last week where Chambers of Commerce can apply for funds for their communities for heat lamps, tents, and tables and chairs; that this Chamber was the first to apply for the $58,000 grant; and that the businesses throughout Town seeking funding for heat lamps and tens are committed to conducting services outside in the fall; and that the results will be made know in the next week and a half.        

 

b.     Tower Street School – Presentation By Staff

 

Present:   James Hall, Planning Board Chair

                 Lisa Pellegrini, Director of Development Services

 

     Mr. Hall noted the number of meetings held by the Planning Board to discuss whether the Tower Street property is still useful to the Town and explained the Planning Board's process for issuing its decision. He stated that the Board heard from many presenters and asked for more facts and that the Board believes there should be a committee to study the multiple benefits of the property that satisfy the elements of the Comprehensive Plan.  He further stated that the Board was unanimous in its opinion that there are still benefits for the townspeople; however, it was not clear as to how it would work financially.  He further stated that he requested of several of the presenters that they present something that allows the Council to make an informed decision as to the financial part as well and the beneficial part to the community.  He felt that the final presentation to the Council did not fully satisfy what was requested.

 

     Mr. Hall and Ms. Pellegrini clarified an error that occurred in the Planning Board minutes regarding the Winnapaug Golf Course.

     

     Council President Duhamel noted that the Council has discussed whether the existing school structure should be razed and asked the Town Manager to obtain a quote for same, which came in at the $300,000 range, and that a lease was entered into with the School Department for the lower portion of the Pace building to house some of the school programs.

 

 

 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.     Maxson Hence, 6 Haversham Rd, President, Ayers Foundation - re: Tower Street School; have met with and been heard by Planning Board and Zoning Board; have been instructed to provide information to the Council; in process of putting information together and will present to Town Clerk; looking forward to being part of deliberation; perhaps a task force can be appointed to gather data; have a petition with 1,000 signatures

 

b.     Ken Burton, 83 Potter Hill Rd - re: Flags; thanked Manager and Council for implementing the flag program in the downtown area; thanked Councilor Cooke for providing seed money to start the flag program; storage of flags now at Armory; thanked DPW for providing assistance with the placement of flags; pleased with Council's support

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilors responded to Citizens’ Comments regarding the patriotism in Westerly, the help provided to veterans by the Westerly veterans group, and the assistance provided by the boy scouts in setting out and taking down the flags.

 

 

 5.    CONSENT CALENDAR

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

 

Committee of the Whole – 9/14/20

Special – 8/31/20, 9/1/20, 9/3/20, 9/14/20

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Ms. Giorno, that the aforesaid minutes, with the exception of the September 14th Special Meeting minutes, be accepted and approved as printed, and that the September 14th Special Meeting minutes be tabled to the next Regular Meeting.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

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

 

1.     20/21-18 Resolution Authorizing Corrections To The Water And Sewer Accounts Department Accounts Receivable (Water Refund - $1,395.26; Sewer Refund - $153.00)

 

2.     20/21-19 Resolution Authorizing Refund Of Probate Filing Fee (Eugene Iannelli - $39.00)

 

3.     20/21-20 Resolution Ratifying And Confirming The Action Of The Town Manager In Entering Into A Contract With East Coast Sealcoating For The Repairs And Resurfacing Of The Rotary Park Tennis Courts (East Coast Sealcoating – Not to exceed $47,880.00)

 

4.     20/21-21 Resolution Approving an Agreement With Weston & Sampson For Inflow Investigation ($88,000.00)

 

        c.     Appointments and Resignations

 

1.     Resignation:

        a.     Sherrie Mello, Board of Recreation

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Mr. Aiello, that the aforesaid resignation be accepted with regret and that the Council Clerk be directed to send a letter of appreciation to Ms. Mello.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Kenneth J. Swain, Finance Board

 

Motion by Mr. Cooke, Seconded by Ms. Cioffi, that the aforesaid resignation be accepted with regret and that the Council Clerk be directed to send a letter of appreciation to Mr. Swain.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

6.     PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on   9/14/2020   for this time)

 

a.     Chapter 1995 – “An Ordinance Adopting The Town Of Westerly Code Of Ordinances” (Recodification)

 

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

 

     No one appeared in favor or in opposition to the proposed ordinance.

 

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

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

1.     Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce – has done a wonderful job to overcome obstacles of COVID; Sunday Funday a great program to keep local businesses thriving  (Councilor Giorno)

 

2.     Westerly Library and Wilcox Park – had annual meeting last week; doing trimming in the park; programs on line; hoping to have mini golf event indoors  (Councilor Giorno)

 

3.     Economic Development Commission – has been reviewing Comprehensive Plan; looking forward to assisting the Town in moving it along  (Councilor Aiello)

 

4.     Board of Recreation – appreciate quick action in getting tennis courts repaired and resurfaced; look fantastic; need a week to cure  (Councilor Aiello)

 

5.     Westerly Senior Center – received CDBG money for painting, new lights, windows, new floor, new rugs, tile, and office chairs; looking beautiful; hoping to be able to open the center more; AA meetings and bingo still taking place; hoping for grand opening  (Councilor Cioffi)

 

6.     Westerly Prevention and Wellness Partnership - has done public service announcements; hoping to show them while Council is in executive session; just waiting for camera operator to return  (Councilor Ahern)

 

7.     Shred Day – a Shredding Event at DPW Highway Garage on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; allowed 2 boxes  (Councilor Cioffi)

 

8.     Local RIPEG TV – in response to Councilor Cioffi as to why the Council meetings are not being televised, IT Director Marc Tate explained that the problem lies with Westerly Cable TV and its new equipment and that he is working with them to resolve the issue.  (Councilor Cooke)

 

 

        b.     Town Council – 9/21/20

 

1.     Winnapaug Pond Dredging Project – Town Manager Rooney stated that Senator Algiere worked to make dredging project happen due to his relationship with CRMC and Town Solicitor Conley and the U.S. Senators' close contact with the State to secure the funding.

 

        c.     Town Manager

 

1.     Sewer Treatment Plant – Town Manager Rooney stated that staff is working with Jacobs and Beta Engineering to obtain permitting from DEM for renovation of the Sewer Treatment Plant; that the sewer infiltration ordinance should be on the next workshop for discussion; and that this project will have a $10 million plus swing.

 

        d.     Town Solicitor - None

 

        e.     Town Clerk - None

 

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

 

1.     Budget Timeline – Councilor Aiello stated that the budget timeline needs to be addressed at a future workshop.

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

            None

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        7:20 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn and reconvene the Special Meeting.

 

 

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