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.     Condolence – Lois Ann Greber

 

b.     Appreciation – Veterans of the Korean War

 

c.     Proclamation – Purple Heart Day, August 7, 2026 and Purple Heart Town, Westerly

 

d.     Proclamation – Westerly Elks Club, 125^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

 

        None

                                                                                                                                                           

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Law Office of Lauren E. Jones (Litigation Matters - $20,688.97)

 

2.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $8,160.00)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.     Appointment:

a.     Harbor Management Commission

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 7/18/26 for this time)

 

a.     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) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     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) – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Imposing a One-Year Moratorium on All Data Centers” – 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., and 8.c.

 

a.     August 24, 2026 Regular Town Council Meeting – Vote to Reschedule to August 31, 2026 – Discussion and Possible Action

 

b.     Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Westerly Authorizing Local Questions for the November 3, 2026 General Election Relating to Revisions of the Westerly Town Charter – Discussion and Possible Action

1.     Memorandum from William J. Conley, Jr., Town Solicitor, dated February 27, 2026, regarding Westerly Charter Section 11-1-1

2.     Advisory Charter Revision Commission Report

3.     Advisory Charter Revision Commission Meeting Minutes

4.     FY 2025/2026 Advertising Costs

 

c.     Short-Term Rental Registration Ordinance – Discussion Only

1.     Short-Term Rental Zoning Amendments

2.     2026 Short-Term Rental List with Zoning Districts

3.     Short-Term Rental Map

4.     2022 Westerly Zoning Map

 

 

 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 – 7/27/26

 

        c.     Town Manager – 7/27/26

 

        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.