Christopher A. Duhamel, President; Mary E. Scialabba, Vice President

Councilors Dylan J. LaPietra, Michael T. Niemeyer, Alexandra L. Healy,

Rose Van Dover, William J. Aiello

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 Scialabba

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.     Condolence – Angelo Vero “Vee” Morrone

 

b.     Congratulations – Michael Williams, Retirement

 

c.     Congratulations – Thomas Reale, Retirement

 

 

3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     Meeting With Local Legislators – Senator Victoria Gu, Representative Samuel A. Azzinaro, Representative Brian P. Kennedy and Representative Tina L. Spears – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Potter Hill Mill Dam Update – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

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 – 1/6/25

Special – 1/13/25

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.   Resolution Authorizing Deletion to Tax Rolls ($2,644.44)

 

2.   Resolution Authorizing the Waiver of Penalty for Late Payments ($367.39)

 

3.   Resolution Authorizing Payment to The Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $433.50)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.   Town Council Liaison Appointments:

a.     Concerts on the Beach Committee

b.     Washington County Regional Planning Council

 

 

6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

                        None

 

 

7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

                        None

 

 

8.    NEW BUSINESS

 

a.     Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Contract with Waltham Pest Services ($10,595.00 for FY25, $24,156.00 for FY26 and $24,156.00 for FY27) – Discussion and Possible Action

       

        1.  Waltham Pest Service Contract 25-52

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article II, Exemption for Elderly and Totally Disabled Persons, of Chapter 229 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Taxation’” (§229-2. Residence Exemption for The Elderly and Totally Disabled) – Discussion and Possible Action

(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/10/25)

 

c.     Westerly Marina Study – Refer to Economic Development Commission for Report Summary, Recommendations, Evaluate Improvement Options, Evaluate Ownership Options – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.     Route One Corridor Study – Town Council Direction to Economic Development Commission – Discussion and Possible Action

 

e.     Housing Committee – Possible Appointment of a Permanent Committee to Study Senior Housing, Affordable Low- and Moderate-Income Housing – Discussion and Possible Action

 

f.     $18,000,000 Infrastructure Bond – Implementation Update and Possible Actions, Review of Public Works Committee Recommendations – Discussion and Possible Action

       

        1.  2024 Road Bond, DRAFT Project List

        2.  2024 Road Bond, DRAFT Road Resurfacing List                                                         

 

 

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 – 1/27/25

 

        c.     Town Manager – 1/27/25

 

        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 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 – Watch Hill Fire District et al. v. Town of Westerly et al. – C.A. No.: WM-2023-0190.

 

 

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.