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 10:00 a.m. on the day of the meeting in order to be entered into the record of the meeting.

 

 

1.      CALL TO ORDER

 

INVOCATION – Councilor Lowther

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Aiello

 

 

2.     RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

        RATIFY AND CONFIRM:

 

a.     Congratulations – James V. Silvestri, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 2024 Citizen of the Year

 

b.     Congratulations – Beth Markowski-Roop, Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce 2024 Key Award

 

 

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 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.  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 (Councilors may have up to five (5) minutes to respond

to Citizens’ Comments, should not engage in discussions between Councilors,

shall maintain decorum, and shall refrain from personal attacks and disparaging

remarks.  A level of decorum is the expected standard.)

 

 

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 – 6/17/24

Executive – 6/17/24 (Sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing the Waiver of Penalty for Late Payments ($163.53)

 

2.     Resolution Awarding Contract for 2024 RI Energy Road Resurfacing “Piggybacking” (J.H. Lynch & Sons, Inc. – approximate amount of $133,143.67 – Haswell St., Narragansett Ave., Bellevue Ave., and Top St.)

 

3.     Resolution Awarding Contract for Underdrain Improvements on Berry Drive, Branberry Drive, and Hickory Lane (Key Corporation – approximate amount of $122,785.00)

 

4.     Resolution Awarding Contract for Cimalore Sports Complex Parking Lot Resurfacing Project (Narragansett Improvements Company – approximate amount of $604,970.50)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Appointments:

a.     Conservation Commission

b.     Multicultural Committee

 

 

6.     PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 6/10/24, 6/17/24 and 6/24/24 for this time)

 

a.     Proposed Ordinances – Re: Cannabis Retail Sales – Discussion and Possible Action

 

1.   Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Part II of The Town of Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled, “General Legislation” Chapter 260 Entitled “Zoning” Article XI Entitled “Development Standards for Particular Uses” And Attachment 11 Entitled “Zoning District Use Tables” to Include Cannabis Retail Sales – Discussion and Possible Action

 

a.     Planning Board Recommendation filed 5/8/2024

b.     Zoning Map

c.     Correspondence received in opposition to proposed ordinance from

        Michael and Roz Sanders

        Gregg Gabinelle

        Residents of Wilder Avenue, Lawrence Street & Bellaire Street

        Eleanor Murano Cote

        Michael Sanders

 

2.   Proposed Ordinance - “An Ordinance in Amendment of Part II of The Town of Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled, “General Legislation” Chapter 68 Entitled “Alcoholic Beverages” to Include Cannabis – Discussion and Possible Action

 

3.   Proposed Ordinance - “An Ordinance in Amendment of Part II of The Town of Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled, “General Legislation” Chapter 179 Entitled “Parks and Public Areas” to Address Alcohol and Drug Use – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article VI, Operation of Vehicles, Of Chapter 238 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Vehicles and Traffic’” (Add §238-51. Low-Speed Vehicles) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Authorizing the Transfer of Funds from the Water Department to Human Resources for Employee Vaccinations” ($1,997.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

7.     NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article V, ‘Traffic Control Signs, Signals, Markings and Devices,’ Of Chapter 238 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Vehicles and Traffic’” (Stop intersection – Uzzi Avenue and Bayberry Road and Four-way intersection – Uzzi Avenue, St. Clare Way and Boxwood Avenue) – Discussion and Possible Action

               (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 7/15/24)

 

b.     Rules of Procedure to Govern 2022-2024 Town Council – Proposed Amendments – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.  Amend Rule 3 – Order of Business and Agenda to Reverse the Order of (7) New Business and (8) Unfinished Business

       

 

8.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Request for Exemption from RIGL § 3-7-19. Objection by Adjoining Property Owners – Proximity to Schools and Churches – Wow Sushi, Inc., 114 Granite Street, Unit 14, Seeking Application for Class B-Limited Beverage License – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Ice Skating Rink Property, 61 Main Street – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Term Sheet for Skating Rink Transfer

2.     Bill of Sale

3.     Special Warranty Deed

4.     Environmental Reports

5.     Property Map

6.     Correspondence from Matthew L. Lewiss, President, Congregation Sharah Zedek

7.     Correspondence from Gina T. Fuller, District Manager of the Southern Rhode Island Conservation District

8.     Correspondence from Howard Taylor, President of the Pawcatuck River Curling Club

 

 

CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING (Adv. on 6/10/24, 6/17/24 and 6/24/24 for this time)

 

c.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 1439 Of the General Ordinances of The Town of Westerly Entitled ‘Re-Enact and Re-Adopt Chapter 1242 Entitled ‘The Westerly, Rhode Island, Zoning Ordinance Of 1998, As Amended’” (§260-50. Affordable Housing – Amend §260-50.2 – Inclusionary zoning – Eliminate payment of fee in lieu of construction) – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Public Hearing continued from 6/3/24)

 

1.     Recommendation from Planning Board filed 5/1/2024

 

d.     Resolution of the Westerly Town Council Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Solar Ground Lease Agreement with Kearsarge Energy for the Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Land Development Project – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Finalist Recommendations for Solar Landfill RFP

2.     Solar Development Price Comparison

3.     Contract 23-71 RFP, Solar Ground Lease Agreement

 

e.     Resolution of the Town Council Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Purchase and Sale Agreement with The Town of Stonington, Connecticut for The Purchase of Property Commonly Known As 29 Noyes Avenue, Pawcatuck, CT  – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Purchase and Sale Contract

2.     Noyes Avenue Deed

3.     Dahl Oil Warranty Deed

 

f.     Possible Amendments to The Town Charter – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Westerly Authorizing Questions for the November 5, 2024 General Election

a.     Financial Impact Statement for Proposed $18,000,000.00 Road and Sidewalk Bond

2.     Proposed Amendments Submitted by Advisory Charter Revision Commission

3.     Proposed Amendments Submitted by Residents

4.     Advisory Charter Revision Commission Report

 

 

9.     COMMUNICATIONS & REPORTS

(Backup materials for the following reports can be viewed on the Town of Westerly website at www.westerlyri.gov.  Written communication is not considered an agenda item.)

 

        a.     Liaison Reports

 

        b.     Town Council – 7/1/24

 

        c.     Town Manager – 7/1/24

 

        d.     Town Solicitor

 

        e.     Town Clerk

 

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

               1.  Agenda Referral List

 

        g.     Requests of Town Manager by Councilors

 

        h.     Requests of Town Solicitor 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.  Comments shall be open to agenda items and any Town Government matter over which the Council has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power.  Other matters may be heard by a majority vote of the Council.

 

COUNCILORS’ RESPONSE (Councilors may have up to five (5) minutes to respond to Citizens’ Comments, should not engage in discussions between Councilors, shall maintain decorum, and shall refrain from personal attacks and disparaging remarks.  A level of decorum is the expected standard.)

 

 

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 – Weekapaug Fire District v. Town of Westerly et al. – C.A. No.: PM-2023-06573.

b)    §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – Weekapaug Fire District v. Town of Westerly et al. – C.A. No.: PC-2023-06295.

 

 

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.