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

 

        None

 

 

 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

Workshop – 9/29/25

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing the Addition to the Tax Rolls ($170.64)

 

2.     Resolution Authorizing the Deletion to the Tax Rolls ($2,810.31)

 

3.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to The Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $2,994.12)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Resignation:

a.     Peter Ogle, Board of Canvassers, effective 11/30/2025

b.     Stephen Wall, Board of Assessment Review

 

2.     Appointment:

a.     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 and 10/6/2025)

       

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

 

        PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 10/13/25 for this time)

 

b.     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

 

        Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Submit a Grant Application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for Improvements to the Basketball Court at the Louis J. Cimalore Sports Complex (up to $125,000.00)   – Discussion and Possible Action

 

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

 

        Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Submit a Grant Application to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management for the Development of 15 Church Street (up to $500,000.00)    – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

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

 

1.     Amend Rule 3(c) – Include language requiring that a “draft agenda” will be provided to the Council, Town Manager and Town Solicitor on the Wednesday prior to the Monday meeting – Discussion and Possible Action 

2.     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 – Discussion and Possible Action

 

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

 

1.     Memorandum from Town Clerk LeBlanc, dated October 15, 2025 – re: Procedure for Distribution of Executive Session Minutes

2.     Memorandum from Town Solicitor Conley, dated May 8, 2025 – re: Distribution of Executive Session Meeting Minutes for Review/Approval

 

 

 8.    NEW BUSINESS

 

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

 

a.     Resolution of the Town of Westerly in Support of the Coastal Resources Management Council’s (CRMC) Possible Designation of Niantic Avenue as a CRMC Recognized Right-Of-Way (ROW) – 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 – 10/20/25

 

        c.     Town Manager – 10/20/25

 

        d.     Town Solicitor – 10/20/25

 

        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.