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 Niemeyer

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.     Condolence – Brian W. Lumnah

 

b.     Condolence – Cornelius “Neil” Collins

 

c.     Congratulations – Russell Partridge, Executive Director, WARM Center – Retirement

 

d.     Congratulations – Mark Storm – Retirement

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     Board of Recreation – Information Update – Josh Arnold, Chair

 

b.     Resilient Riverfront Renewal – Gina Fuller, District Manager, Southern Rhode Island Conservation District

 

c.     Employee Ownership Advocacy Roadmap 1.0 – Jacob deBlecourt, Deputy Director of Policy and Communications, Office of Lieutenant Governor Sabina Matos                           

 

 

 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 – 2/24/25

Executive – 2/10/25 (Sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing the Addition to the Tax Rolls ($588.10)

 

2.     Resolution Authorizing the Addition to the Pro-Rated Tax Rolls ($291.36)

 

3.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to The Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $2,657.94)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Appointments:

a.     Licensing Board

 

                      

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

                 None

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.      Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing a Permanent Housing Committee – Discussion and Possible Action

(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 4/7/25)

 

 

 8.    NEW BUSINESS

 

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

 

a.     Resolution of the Town of Westerly Regarding the Restoration of General Revenue Sharing to Cities and Towns – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Possible Rescheduling of FY2025/2026 Budget Meetings Schedule – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Reschedule Thursday, April 10, 2025 Budget Workshop at 6:00 p.m. to Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

2.     Reschedule Thursday, April 17, 2025 First Budget Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. to Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. followed by a Budget Workshop at 6:00 p.m.

3.     Schedule a Budget Workshop on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. (to be held if needed)

4.     Reschedule Wednesday, April 23, 2025 Final Budget Public Hearing at 6:00 p.m. to Monday, April 21, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

5.     Schedule a Continued Final Budget Public Hearing on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. (to be held if needed)

 

c.     Notice of DEM Wastewater Facilities Plan Amendment – Discussion and Possible Action

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 4/7/24)

 

 

 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 – 3/17/25

 

        c.     Town Manager – 3/17/25  

 

        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.   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.