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.     Congratulations – Westerly Middle School Wrestling Team

 

b.     Congratulations – Westerly High School Wrestling Team

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     FY 2026-2027 Budget Submittal – Finance Board Recommendations Submitted Per Town Charter Sec. 3-1-4(c) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025 – CBIZ CPAs P.C. – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.  Audit Findings Letter from CBIZ CPAs, dated March 13, 2026

 

c.     Payroll Risk and Controls Audit - CBIZ Advisory Services – 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 – 3/16/26

Executive – 2/9/26 (Sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

        None                                                                                                                            

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.   Resignation:

a.     Zachary Garceau, Westerly 250^th Commission for the Semi Quincentennial

b.     Rhys Johnstone, Economic Development Commission

 

2.   Appointments:

a.     Board of Canvassers, Full Member

b.     Board of Canvassers, Alternate Member

c.     Economic Development Commission

d.     Licensing Board

e.     Multicultural Committee

f.     Planning Board

g.     Weigher of Coal & Other Merchandise

h.     Municipal Land Trust

i.      Westerly Housing Committee

j.      Westerly 250^th Commission for the Semi Quincentennial

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 3/28/26 for this time)

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing Policy for the Display of Flags and Symbols by the Town of Westerly” – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.  Original Proposed Ordinance

        2.  Title 36 of the United States Code, Chapter 1 – Patriotic and National Observances

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Resolution in Support of an Exemption to Rhode Island General Laws §3-7-19 With Regard to Proximity of a Liquor License to a Regular Place of Worship (102 Granite Street, AP 67, Lot 275) – Discussion and Possible Action (continued from 3/16/2026)

 

 

 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., 8.d., 8.e., and 8.f.

 

a.     Town of Westerly, Rhode Island Resolution of the Westerly Town Council Supporting House Bill H8151 – The Blue Wave Bond For Coastal Preparedness – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Resolution of the Westerly Town Council In Support of Municipalities Collaborating In Reviewing, Analyzing, and Responding To The 2025 Affordable Housing Laws – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Resolution Awarding Contract for Beatrice Street Stormwater Drainage Improvements Project (A&J Landscaping LLC – $63,290.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.     Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Contract with Cape and  Island Tennis and Track for Asphalt Basketball Courts Construction and Surfacing ($209,495.75) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

e.     Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Dynamic Bicycles, Inc. for the Equipment Purchase and Software for a Bike Share Program for the Westerly Recreation Department (not to exceed $18,173.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

f.     Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into an Agreement with Jacobs Project Management Company to Oversee and Manage Engineering and Construction of Improvements to the Westerly Wastewater Treatment Facility ($83,319,617.00) – Discussion and Possible Action

        1.  Resolution 25/26-54 – Resolution of the Town of Westerly Approving the Financing of Improvements to the Westerly Wastewater System and Approving the Issuance of Wastewater System Revenue Bonds and Notes Therefore in the Amount not to Exceed $85,000,000.

 

 

 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 – 4/6/26

 

        c.     Town Manager – 4/6/26

 

        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.