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 Healy

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.    Condolence – Barbara Ann Jaye

 

b.    Condolence – Margaret Stewart

 

c.     Proclamation – “Extra Mile Day” - November 1, 2025

 

        RATIFY AND CONFIRM:

 

d.    Congratulations – Edward Gradilone, Dante Society of Westerly 50th Anniversary

 

e.    Congratulations – Robert Liguori, Dante Society of Westerly 50th Anniversary

 

f.      Congratulations – Mary Matos, Dante Society of Westerly 50th Anniversary

 

g.    Congratulations – Elizabeth “Liz” McFarland Santoro, Dante Society of Westerly 50th Anniversary

 

 

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 – 8/18/25 (amended, continued from 9/22/25), 9/22/25

Executive – 9/8/25 (Sealed)

              

b.    Fiscal Matters

 

1.    Resolution Authorizing the Waiver of Penalty for Late Payments ($1,037.99)

 

2.    Resolution Authorizing Payment to The Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $242.25)

 

c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.    Appointments:

a.    Permanent Housing Committee

b.    Planning Board

 

 

6.     PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 9/1/25 for this time)

 

a.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 21 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Prohibiting Roadway, Sidewalks, and Infrastructure in Napatree Point – Discussion and Possible Action
(Public Hearing continued from 9/8/2025)

 

1.    Correspondence from Attorney Gerald J. Petros representing the Watch Hill Fire District (“WHFD”) and The Watch Hill Conservancy (“WHC”) in opposition to the Proposed Ordinance

 

2.    Documents submitted by Heather Ainslie, received 9/15/25

 

 

7.     UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.    Rules of Procedure to Govern 2024-2026 Town Council – Proposed Amendments – Discussion and Possible Action

 

1.    Amend Rule 7(a) – Liaisons by eliminating “Appointments Subcommittee (Municipal)”

2.    Amend Rule 8(d) – Appointments/Application Review Process by having the full Council review applications and may conduct an interview with each applicant

3.    Amend Rule 9(f) – Include language requiring the “agenda referral list” to be attached to every regular meeting agenda under Item #9(f) Agenda Referrals  

 

 

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., 8.c., and 8.d. 

 

a.    Procedure for Adoption of Executive Session Minutes as Established by Town Clerk – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.    Resolution Authorizing Change Order 6 To the Contract for the Bowling Lane Drainage & Roadway Improvements Project ($370,000.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Resolution Authorizing Change Order 7 To the Contract for the Bowling Lane Drainage & Roadway Improvements Project ($329,000.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.    RI DEM 2026 Outdoor Recreation Grant Program – Discussion and Possible Action

                

1.    Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Grant Application for Improvements to the Louis J. Cimalore Sports Complex – Discussion and Possible Action

(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 10/20/25)

 

2.    Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Grant Application for the Development of 15 Church Street, Currently Being Referred to as the Bradford Recreation Complex – Discussion and Possible Action
(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 10/20/25)

 

 

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 – 9/22/25, 10/6/25

 

c.     Town Manager

 

d.    Town Solicitor – 10/6/25

 

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.