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.    Congratulations – Westerly Armory, 125^th Anniversary

 

b.    Congratulations – Wood River Health, 50^th 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 – 1/12/26

Executive – 12/15/25 (Sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.      Resolution Authorizing the Addition to the Tax Rolls ($2,002.66)

 

2.      Resolution Authorizing the Deletion to the Tax Rolls ($20,763.99)

 

3.      Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $3,412.75)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.      Resignation:

a.      Stephen Lynner, Board of Finance

 

2.      Appointment:

a.    Economic Development Commission

b.    Planning Board

c.     Board of Finance

d.    Corders of Wood

e.    Board of Assessment Review

f.      Municipal Land Trust

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 1/17/26 for this time)

 

a.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article I, Door-To-Door Sales, of Chapter 202 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Retail Sales’” – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article IX, Regulations, of Chapter 206 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances entitled ‘Sewers’” (Amend §206-55(A)(3). General discharge prohibitions) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

               None

 

 

 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., 8.f., and 8.g.

 

a.    Multicultural Committee – Town Council Approval of Committee Logo – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.    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 An Amount Not To Exceed $85,000,000 – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Resolution of the Town of Westerly Regarding FY 2027 Sewer Rates and Sewer-Related Taxes – Discussion and Possible Action

 

d.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing A General Business Registration Requirement for All Businesses in the Town of Westerly Entitled ‘Business Registration’”
(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/9/26)

 

e.    Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Article I, Qualifications and Employment, of Chapter 45 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Police Department’”
(Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 2/9/26)

 

f.      328 Atlantic Avenue Property, Plat 166, Lot 19 – Refer to Economic Development Commission and Board of Recreation for Review and Recommendation – Discussion and Possible Action

 

g.    Audio Record – Request that Boards, Committees and Commissions Maintain an Audio Record of Meetings – 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 – 1/26/26

 

c.     Town Manager – 1/26/26

 

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 | 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.