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 Cordio

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Aiello

 

 

2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.    Condolence – Donald R. Cornell

 

b.    Congratulations – Josh Beland, 2024 Tim Wakefield Youth Baseball and Softball Volunteer of the Year Award

 

3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.    State Special Commission to Make a Comprehensive Study and Provide Recommendations for Remedies to the Erosion of Rhode Island Beaches – State Representative Samuel Azzinaro

 

b.    Westerly Planning Board – Matthew O’Neil, Chair and Justin Hopkins, Member
1. 2023/2024 Planning Board Annual Report
2. 2024-2025 Planning Board Projects and Priorities

 

 

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 – 9/23/24
Special – 9/16/24

 

b.    Fiscal Matters

 

1.    Resolution Authorizing the Waiver of Penalty for Late Payments ($486.34)

2.    Resolution Authorizing Deletion to Tax Rolls ($10,367.68)

3.    Resolution Authorizing Payment to The Law Office of Jonathan Burchett (Litigation Matters – $16,999.75)

4.    Resolution – Tax Exemption – The Westerly Land Trust (AP 10, Lot 6-1)

 

c.    Resignations and Appointments
None

 

 

6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

None

 

 

7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

None

 

 

8.    NEW BUSINESS

Suspend Town Council Rules of Procedure – Rule 9(d) – Council Operations to Discuss and Consider the Following Item:  8.a., 8.b., and 8.c.

 

a.    Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Contract with GZA Geoenvironmental Inc. – Discussion and Possible Action
1. Aquatic Survey, Westerly Marina:  Change Notice

 

b.    Resolution of the Westerly Town Council Authorizing the Allocation of American Rescue Plan Act Funding as Previously Approved by the Town Council – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.      Resolution of the Westerly Town Council Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into Contractual Arrangements with The RIIB And RIHMFC to Participate in the STILF Program – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.    November 5, 2024 General Election Ballot, Local Questions 6-25 – Discussion Only

 

 

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 – 10/21/24

 

c.     Town Manager – 10/21/24

 

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 – John D'Amato v. Town of Westerly- WC-2019-0447

b)    §42-46-5(a)(2) Litigation – Watch Hill Fire District, et al. v. Town of Westerly, et al- C.A. No. WM-2023-0190- Councilor Cordio's Request for Appointment of her Own Attorney. 

 

 

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.