Livestream: https://westerlyri.gov/TownCouncilLive

Live Broadcast:  PEG RI-TV Channel 18 (Cox) or Channel 29 (Verizon)

 

Written public comment can be submitted prior to the meeting by emailing mleblanc@westerlyri.gov.

All comments must be received no later than 12:00 noon on the day of the meeting in order to be entered into the record of the meeting.

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

INVOCATION – Councilor Cordio

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Aiello

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

        None

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

        None

 

 

 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. 

 

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

 

 5.    CONSENT CALENDAR (all items are considered routine and can be approved by one motion; however, if discussion is necessary on any item, it can be moved to “New Business”)

 

        a.     Approval of Minutes

Regular – 9/25/23, 10/2/23

Executive – 9/11/23 (Sealed), 9/25/23 (Sealed), 10/2/23 (Sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing Deletion To Tax Rolls ($6,470.89)

 

2.     Resolution Authorizing Payment To The Law Office Of Cameron & Mittleman, LLP (Litigation matters - $11,202.41)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Resignation:

        a.   Emily Fish, Former Bradford School Site Study Committee (Ad Hoc)

 

 

6.     PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 10/9/23 for this time)

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (a) And 3-1-7 (d) Of The Westerly Town Charter” (From General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance And Enterprise Fund:  Transfer Station Unreserved Fund Balance to Various Departments, Subsidy, And Enterprise Fund:  Transfer Station) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (a) And 3-1-7 (d) Of The Westerly Town Charter” (From Enterprise Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to Water Capital & Restricted and Sewer Capital & Restricted) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (a) And 3-1-7 (d) Of The Westerly Town Charter” (From General Fund Unreserved Fund Balance to Capital) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Appropriations To Adjust Various Departments Based On Projected Results In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 (a) And 3-1-7 (d) Of The Westerly Town Charter” (Fiscal Year 2024 Budget Increase:  Local Aid) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

e.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance In Amendment Of Chapter 2039 Of The General Ordinances Of The Town Of Westerly Entitled ‘An Ordinance Setting Water Rate Schedules For The 2023-2024 Fiscal Year’” (Increase Right-Of-Entry Fee from $1,000.00 to $1,500.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

 7.    NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     Resolution Authorizing The Town Manager To Enter Into A Contract Amendment With Fuss & O’Neill For Additional Professional Services Related To The Potter Hill Mill Site – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     RI DEM Maintenance Agreement (Misquamicut Bike Path) – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.   Original Copy

        2.   Red-Line Copy

        3.   Modified/Clean Copy

 

c.     Cannabis Retail Sales – Discussion

 

 

 8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Adoption of Subsidy Policy & Process, Subsidy Application, Subsidy Change Request Form and Subsidy Reimbursement Form – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.   Existing Subsidy Memo and Form

        2.   Original DRAFT Subsidy Policy as of 9/1/2023

        3.   DRAFT Subsidy Policy with Forms as of 9/27/2023

 

 

 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

 

        b.     Town Council – 10/16/23

 

        c.     Town Manager – 10/16/23

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

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

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

 

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. 

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE

 

 

 

11.   POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION

 

The Council may vote 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:

 

a)    §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – Bombaci v. Town of Westerly, WC-2020-0240

 

 

12.   ADJOURNMENT

 

 

 

42-46-6(b)  “…Nothing contained herein shall prevent a public body, other than a school committee, from adding additional items to the agenda by majority vote of the members.  Such additional items shall be for informational purposes only and may not be voted on except where necessary to address an unexpected occurrence that requires immediate action to protect the public or to refer the matter to an appropriate committee or to another body or official.

 

 

INDIVIDUALS REQUESTING INTERPRETER SERVICES FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED MUST CALL 348-2505 IN ADVANCE OF THE HEARING DATE.

 

 

The Town Council agenda and supporting documents can be accessed on the Town of Westerly website at www.westerlyri.gov.