1.     5:34 P.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Pres. Morrone, Vice Pres. Lowther

                 Councilors Overton, Cordio, LaPietra, Scialabba

                 T. Mgr. Lacey, T. Sol. Conley

                 Co. Clk. LeBlanc, T. Sgt. Falcone

 

        Absent:    Councilor Aiello (arrived 5:35 p.m.)

 

INVOCATION – Councilor LaPietra

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Morrone

 

 

2.     RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

        RATIFY AND CONFIRM:

 

        a.     Congratulations – Westerly Armory Restoration, Inc.

               Alexis Ann                                   Amanda Nall

               Shawn M. Lacey                         William Siano

 

        b.     Congratulations – Joseph Nigrelli, Sr., 2023 Dante Person of the Year

 

        c.     Congratulations – 2023 Westerly High School Athletic Hall of Fame

               Elizabeth Harrington Ayala        Charles H. Holdredge, III

               Austin Cilley                               Jeremy Octeau

               Kevin Conway                           Trisha Rosso

               Deborah Godbout                      John Wulforst (Posthumously)

 

        d.     Proclamation – “Nurses Week, Hospital Week, and Ten Days of Gratitude Week” – May 4-13, 2023

 

 

3.     PRESENTATIONS

 

        a.     Presentation – RI Advisory Commission on Historic Cemeteries (RIACHC) – Lawrence P. Hunter, Washington County Commissioner

 

Present:   Lawrence P. Hunter, Washington County Commissioner

 

     Mr. Hunter provided a presentation on historic cemeteries which is attached hereto and made part of the record of these proceedings.  He presented information about himself as Commissioner for the RI Advisory Commission of Historic Cemeteries (RIACHC), including his duties and responsibilities.  He stated that he is approved and appointed by Governor McKee.  He explained the purpose of the RI Advisory Commission on historical cemeteries, the duties and responsibilities of a Commissioner of the RIACHC, the membership of the commissioners, the number of cemeteries in Westerly, the ongoing work in Westerly, the planned new work for Westerly, and how Town of Westerly can help the Commission.  He responded to questions from the Council regarding the care and clearing of cemeteries and headstones.

 

 

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.  Citizens will have up to ten (10) minutes and one opportunity to speak.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body but heard as requested.  Comments shall be limited to agenda items only.  If the matter is scheduled for a public hearing, the comments shall be deferred to that agenda item. 

 

a.     Matt Abraham, Boston, MA – re: Sought ARPA funds for proposed South Winds Commons housing development on Franklin Street

 

b.     Ruth Tureckova, 25 Urso Dr, Executive Director, Frank Olean Center – re: Sought ARPA funds for Frank Olean Center

 

c.     Madeline Labriola, 54 Beach St – re: Resolution regarding Golden Rule Peace Ship – asked Council to support

 

d.     Jonathan Labelle, 22 Top St – re: Resolution regarding Golden Rule Peace Ship – asked Council to support

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilors responded to Citizens’ Comments regarding the Golden Rule Peace Ship and ARPA funding requests.

 

 

 5.    CONSENT CALENDAR

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

Regular – 4/17/23, 5/1/23

Special – 4/26/23

Executive – 5/1/23 (Sealed)

 

     Councilor Aiello requested that the April 17, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes be tabled to the June 5, 2023 Council meeting because he had concerns regarding the Executive Session Report.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. LaPietra, that the aforesaid minutes, with the exception of the April 17, 2023 Regular Meeting minutes, be accepted and approved as printed and that the Executive Session minutes be sealed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

     Councilor LaPietra recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest being that his clients are Christine Maccione and Ginger Motorworx, LLC. 

 

Motion by Ms. Cordio, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the following resolution be adopted.  (So Voted 6 to 0 – Councilor LaPietra recused)

 

1.     22/23-65 Resolution Authorizing Deletion To Tax Rolls ($2,017.94)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.   Appointments:

a.   Licensing Board

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Jason E. Abate for appointment as Auxiliary Member to the Licensing Board.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Jason E. Abate of 8A State Street for appointment as Auxiliary Member to the Licensing Board, term expiring March 2026, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.   Conservation Commission

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Joseph Gilfert for appointment as Auxiliary Member to the Conservation Commission.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Joseph Gilfert of 38 Seabury Drive for appointment as Auxiliary Member to the Conservation Commission, term expiring July 2025, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

c.   Public Works Committee

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Scott Clairmont for appointment to the Public Works Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Scott Clairmont of 24 Mariner Heights, Unit 1 for appointment to the Public Works Committee, term expiring August 2024, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

d.   Board of Finance

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Thomas Powers for appointment to the Board of Finance.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Thomas Powers of 15 Egret Lane for appointment to the Board of Finance, to fill the unexpired term of David R. Bailey, term expiring September 2025, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

e.   Harbor Management Commission

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated George Robert Selvidio for appointment to the Harbor Management Commission.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of George Robert Selvidio of 29 School Street, 2E for appointment to the Harbor Management Commission for a one-year term, expiring April 2024, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Ellen Kane for appointment to the Harbor Management Commission.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Ellen Kane of 76 Winnapaug Road for appointment to the Harbor Management Commission for a one-year term, expiring April 2024, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

f.    Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Matthew Berry Walker for appointment to the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Matthew Berry Walker of 1 Waxcadowa Avenue for appointment to the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee for an indefinite term, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Diane Joyce Goldsmith for appointment to the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Diane Joyce Goldsmith of 73 Shore Road for appointment to the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee for an indefinite term, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

g.   Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Kimberlie Jean Rayner-Russell for appointment to the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee.

 

     Discussion was held regarding concerns of whether Kimberlie Jean Rayner-Russell can serve as a member of the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee being that she serves as Assistant Harbor Master.  It was suggested that she serve in an advisory position only, not a voting member, or as Ex-Officio to the Committee. 

 

     Town Solicitor Conley stated that there is no ordinance or Charter provision that would prevent Ms. Rayner-Russell from serving on this committee, even if she is employed by the Town.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Kimberlie Jean Rayner-Russell of 29 Watch Hill Road for appointment to the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee for an indefinite term.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the nomination failed.  (Failed 4 to 3 – Councilors LaPietra, Overton, Cordio and Aiello dissented)

 

                                                YES                                         NO

 

                                             Scialabba                                LaPietra

                                             Lowther                                   Overton

                                             Morrone                                  Cordio

                                                                                             Aiello

 

h.   Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Mark Henry Doescher, Jr. for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Mark Henry Doescher, Jr. of 58 Beatrice Street for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee for an indefinite term, and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Alexandra Healy for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Alexandra Healy of 101 Bowling Lane, Bradford for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee for an indefinite term and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Timothy C. Killam for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Timothy C. Killam of 87 Woody Hill Road, Bradford, for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee for an indefinite term and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Sophie Rose Long for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Sophie Rose Long of 6 Laudone Drive, Bradford, for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee for an indefinite term and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

     Councilor Lowther nominated Lina Carreiro O’Leary for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

A vote was taken on the nomination of Lina Carreiro O’Leary of 9 Laudone Drive, Bradford, for appointment to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee for an indefinite term and the nomination carried.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the application process for accepting applications for the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee and the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee be re-opened until all positions are filled.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

i.    Town Council Liaison Appointments

 

      1.     Harbor Management Commission

 

        Councilor President Morrone appointed Councilor Cordio as Town Council Liaison to the Harbor Management Commission.

 

      2.     Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee

 

        Councilor President Morrone appointed Councilor Aiello as Town Council Liaison to the Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee.

 

      3.     Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee

 

        Councilor President Morrone appointed Councilors Lowther and LaPietra as Town Council Liaisons to the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee.

 

      4.     Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee

 

        Councilor President Morrone appointed Councilor Cordio as Town Council Liaison to the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee.

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

               None

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Application – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/23)

 

Motion by Ms. Cordio, Seconded by Mr. Overton, that the 2022 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.     ARPA Funding Allocations – Discussion and Possible Action

 

     Councilor Overton requested that the Council allocate $500,000 to the Potter Hill Dam Project to be placed in a restricted account.

 

Motion by Mr. LaPietra, Seconded by Mr. Overton, that all American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund requests be accompanied by financial statements, such as a year-end balance sheet and/or 990 tax return form.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. Overton, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the aforesaid matter be tabled to the June 5, 2023 Council meeting to allow for the submittal of year-end balance sheets and/or 990 tax return forms by the requesters.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

c.     Proposed FY2023/2024 Water, Sewer and Transfer Station Budgets – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/2023 and refer to 5/17/23 Workshop)

 

Motion by Mr. Overton, Seconded by Ms. Cordio, that the Proposed FY2023/2024 Water, Sewer and Transfer Station Budgets be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023 and referred to the May 17, 2023 Workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

d.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Setting Water Rate Schedules For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year” ($126.00 per unit Service Charge plus $4.36 per 100 cu. ft. in excess of 4,800 cu. ft. per meter) – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/2023 and refer to 5/17/23 Workshop)

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Ms. Scialabba, that the aforesaid Proposed Ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023 and referred to the May 17, 2023 Workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

e.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing The Sewer Use Or Service Charge For Fiscal Year 2023-2024” ($235.00 per unit) – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/2023 and refer to 5/17/23 Workshop)

 

Motion by Ms. Scialabba, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the aforesaid Proposed Ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023 and referred to the May 17, 2023 Workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

f.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing The Ad Valorem Tax On Personal And Real Property For The Fiscal Year 2023-2024” ($0.54 per $1,000 of assessed valuation) – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/2023 and refer to 5/17/23 Workshop)

 

Motion by Ms. Scialabba, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the aforesaid Proposed Ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023 and referred to the May 17, 2023 Workshop.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

g.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Expanding The Boundaries Of The Westerly Sewer District (Steven M. Stoehr and Melissa A. Stoehr, 4 Laurel Hill Rd (AP 18, Lot 57E)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 6/5/2023)

 

Motion by Ms. Scialabba, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the aforesaid Proposed Ordinance be ordered advertised for public hearing on June 5, 2023.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

(Backup materials for the following reports can be viewed on the Town of Westerly website at www.westerlyri.gov)

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

1.     Economic Development Commission – Route 1 Corridor Study – asked Council members to complete the prework Synopsis Comment Sheet and submit to Alyse Oziolor, Principal Planner, so that the information can be consolidated and to prepare for the upcoming workshop; Commission is ready to transfer marina information to the Ad Hoc Westerly Marina Study Committee which includes interviews with stakeholders and a report summary of potential recommendations; Committee also working on extending the shoreline east train rail into Rhode Island and looking at the demographics of Westerly jobs and housing  (Councilor Scialabba)

 

     Responding to Councilor LaPietra’s request to receive meeting notices for the Economic Development Commission meetings, Town Clerk LeBlanc stated that anyone can sign up on the Town’s website to receive notifications for boards and committees, including the Economic Development Commission. 

 

2.     Tower Street Project – Requested that the Council be provided with an update on the Tower Street project, especially with the appointment of the Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Study Committee because this property will be part of the affordable housing strategy  (Councilor Cordio)

 

     Town Manager Morrone stated that the Council can be provided with a written update.

 

        b.     Town Council – 5/15/23

 

1.     Item #10 5/15/23 – From Councilor Overton – re: Representative Azzinaro’s bill – ”An Act Relating to Criminal Offenses – Obscene and Objectional Publications and Shows” – Councilor Overton asked that the Council consider a resolution in support of the proposed legislation introduced by Representative Azzinaro.

 

        c.     Town Manager 

 

        None

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

        None

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

        None

 

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

 

        None

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

1.     Stricter Emission Standards – Councilor Cordio stated that, last week, Governor McKee announced stricter emission standards and stated that, by 2027, he would like to phase out the sale of vehicles that burn fossil fuels.  She requested that the Council be updated with the Town’s fleet of EVs or hybrids and its 10-year vehicle replacement plan and the Town’s charging infrastructure.

 

2.     Agenda Referral List – Councilors Aiello and LaPietra requested that the Council maintain an agenda referral list.

 

 

10.   CITIZENS COMMENTS

 

     When addressing the Council, please state your name and address; please conduct yourself in an orderly and respectful fashion.  Citizens will have up to five (5) minutes and one opportunity to speak.  The comments of citizens accessing this portion of our meeting are neither adopted nor endorsed by this body but heard as requested. 

 

a.     Jonathan Labelle, 22 Top St – re: Ad Hoc Affordable Housing Committee; re: Regulations on books in schools but no regulations on guns; supports banning assault weapons

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

     Councilors responded to Citizens’ Comments regarding gun control laws, gun violence, and Second Amendment rights.

 

 

11.   POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Ms. Cordio, 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 – Watch Hill Fire District; and The Watch Hill Conservancy v. Town of Westerly, et al WC-2023-0190.  (So Voted 6 to 1 by poll vote – Councilor LaPietra dissented)

 

7:37 P.M.  EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

     The purpose of this Executive Session was to discuss Litigation.

 

*                    *                    *                    *                    *

 

8:51 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn and seal the minutes of this Executive Session. 

 

        8:52 P.M.  Reconvened Open Session. (Councilors Scialabba and Overton absent)

 

Executive Session Report

 

     Council President Morrone announced that the Council, under Litigation, discussed the matters of Watch Hill Fire District; and The Watch Hill Conservancy v. Town of Westerly, et al WC-2023-0190 and that no action was taken.

 

Motion by Mr. Aiello, Seconded by Mr. Lowther, that the Executive Session minutes be sealed.  (So Voted 4 to 1 – Councilor LaPietra dissented; Councilors Overton and Scialabba absent)

 

 

12.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        8:54 P.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

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