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

 

RATIFY AND CONFIRM:

 

a.     Proclamation – America 250 & 250 Years of Postal Service Day, July 2, 2026

 

 

        EMERGENCY HEARING:  WATER CONSUMPTION RESTRICTIONS

 

a.     Emergency Ordinance – “An Emergency Ordinance Imposing a Penalty for the Willful Wasting of Water (Setting Water Consumption Restrictions)

 

 

 3.    PRESENTATIONS

 

a.     U.S. Small Business Administration – Disaster Loan Program for Small Businesses and Non-Profits with Economic Losses from the February Blizzard – Elizabeth Canfil, Public Affairs Specialist, Field Operations Center East

 

 

 

 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 – 6/1/26, 6/22/26

Executive – 6/22/26 (sealed)

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

        None

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Appointments:

a.     Harbor Management Commission

b.     Board of Recreation

c.     Zoning Board

d.     Architectural Review Board

e.     Board of Assessment Review

 

2.     Reconsideration and Re-Vote of Item #5(c)(2)(b) on April 6, 2026 Town Council Agenda – re: Appointment of Alternate Member to the Board of Canvassers

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS

 

        None

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Possible Amendments to Westerly Town Charter – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

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., and 8.e.

 

 

a.     Resolution Requesting Westerly’s Delegation to the General Assembly to Introduce and Secure Legislation Amending RIGL §45-26-4 Setting Term Limits for Commissioners of the Westerly Housing Authority – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 2090 of the General Ordinances of the Town of Westerly Entitled ‘An Ordinance Setting Water Rate Schedules for the 2026-2027 Fiscal Year’” (Water Quality Protection Charge set pursuant to RIGL 46-15.3-5)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 7/27/26)

 

c.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance in Amendment of Chapter 94A of the Westerly Code of Ordinances Entitled ‘Business Registration’” (Amend §94A-3 Fees and §94A-4 Procedure)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 7/27/26)

 

d.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Imposing a One-Year Moratorium on All Data Centers”

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 7/27/26)

 

e.     Passive Water Recreational Activities – Harbor Management Commission to Work with Board of Recreation – 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 – 7/13/26

 

        c.     Town Manager – 7/13/26

 

        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.