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| REGULAR MEETING | WESTERLY TOWN COUNCIL | COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
| | | |
| MONDAY | MARCH 18, 2024 | 5:30 P.M. |
William J. Aiello, President; Philip M. Overton, Vice President
Councilors Kevin J. Lowther, II, Joy L. Cordio, Dylan J. LaPietra,
Mary E. Scialabba, Robert L. Lombardo
Shawn Lacey, Town Manager; Law Firm of William J. Conley, Jr., Town Solicitor
Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC, Town Clerk; Patrick J. Falcone, Town Sergeant
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 Lombardo
SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Aiello
2. RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS
a. Condolence – Angelo “Boo Boo” Comforti
b. Condolence – Kenneth F. Swain
c. Condolence – Gary Thibeault
d. Congratulations – Westerly Middle School Girls Basketball Team, Rhode Island Principals Committee on Athletics (RIPCOA) State Champions
e. Proclamation – “Small Business Week” – April 28 through May 4, 2024
3. PRESENTATIONS
a. Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2023 – Marcum, LLP – Discussion and Possible Action
1. Presentation
b. Harbor Management Commission – Update
1. Correspondence from the Harbor Management Commission to the Westerly Town Council regarding Waters Edge Road
2. Correspondence from Dave Reis, dated 1/26/2024 – re: Water’s Edge Road Car-Top Boating Parking Proposal”
Correspondence received in opposition to proposed parking spaces on Waters Edge Road from
Audrey C. Moore & George C. Moore, Jr.
Chief Dennis Reall, Jr., WH Fire Dept.
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 – 3/4/24
b. Fiscal Matters
1. Resolution Authorizing The Addition To The Tax Rolls ($532.97)
2. Resolution Authorizing Deletion To Tax Rolls ($1,028.68)
3. Resolution Authorizing The Addition To The Pro-Rated Tax Roll ($7,097.56)
4. Resolution Authorizing Payment To The Law Office Of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matter – Watch Hill Lighthouse - $4,018.37)
c. Resignations and Appointments
1. Resignation:
a. Tracie Sandberg, Ad Hoc Former Bradford School Site Study Committee
6. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
7. NEW BUSINESS
a. Resolution Authorizing The Town Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Colonial Power Group, Inc. For Professional Services Related To The Development And Implementation Of A Community Choice Aggregation Program – Discussion and Possible Action
1. Process
2. Contract 24-37, RFP, Community Choice Aggregation Consulting Services
Suspend Town Council Rules Of Procedure – Rule 9(d) – Council Operations To Discuss And Consider The Following Items b and c:
b. Resolution Authorizing The Town Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Church Community Housing Corporation For Professional Services Associated With Community Development Block Grant Funding – Discussion and Possible Action
1. Contract 24-60, RFP, Community Development Block Grant Administrative Services
c. Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Transferring Funds From General Fund Balance Transfer Station Fund Balance, Water Fund Balance, And Sewer Fund Balance For Prior Year Restricted And Capital In Accordance With Article 3-1-7 And Article 3-1-8 Of The Westerly Town Charter”
(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 4/1/2024)
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Resolution Authorizing The Town Manager To Enter Into A Contract With Beta Group Inc. – Discussion and Possible Action
1. Bradford Recreation Complex Site Engineering Study, RFQ #24-52
b. Process for Proposed Town Charter Amendments – Discussion and Possible Action
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 – 3/18/24
c. Town Manager – 3/18/24
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
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 limited to agenda items only.
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 – In the Matter of Weekapaug Sand Trail Right of Way, CRMC No. 2020-11-085.
b) §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – In the Matter of Spring Avenue Right of Way, CRMC No. 2020-11-084.
c) §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – Watch Hill Fire District et al. v. Town of Westerly et al. – C.A. No.: WM-2023-0190.
d) §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – Weekapaug Fire District v. Town of Westerly et al. – C.A. No.: PM-2023-06573.
e) §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.
POSITIONS AVAILABLE ON THE FOLLOWING BOARDS:
(Applications can be obtained on the Town of Westerly’s website www.westerlyri.gov
and submitted to the Office of Town Clerk)
BOARD OF ASSESSMENT REVIEW (AUXILIARY MEMBER)
JUVENILE HEARING BOARD (FULL MEMBER)
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE (FULL MEMBER)
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE (ALTERNATE MEMBER)
BOARD OF FINANCE (FULL MEMBER)
CONCERTS ON THE BEACH COMMITTEE (FULL MEMBER)
COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT COUNCIL (ALTERNATE MEMBER)