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 Niemeyer

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Council President Duhamel

 

 

 2.    RECOGNITIONS, AWARDS & MEMORIALS

 

a.     Condolence – Joseph A. Misto, Sr.

 

b.     Condolence – Dr. Walter Pawelkiewicz

 

c.     Condolence – Joseph M. Vacca, Jr.

 

d.     Appreciation – “National Vietnam War Veterans Day” – March 29, 2026

 

 

 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 – 3/2/26 (rescheduled 2/23/26 meeting), 3/2/26

 

        b.     Fiscal Matters

 

1.     Resolution Authorizing the Addition to the Pro-Rated Tax Rolls ($709.44)

 

2.     Resolution Authorizing the Waiver of Penalty for Late Payments ($971.42)

 

3.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to WSP USA GEOMATICS Inc. (Napatree Point Title Search - $28,750.00) 

 

4.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Law Office of Rice Dolan & Kershaw (Litigation Matter - $1,530.00) 

 

5.     Resolution Authorizing Payment to the Law Office of Cameron & Mittleman LLP (Litigation Matters - $807.50)

 

        c.     Resignations and Appointments

 

1.      Appointments:

         a.   Board of Canvassers, Full Member

         b.   Board of Canvassers, Alternate Member

         c.   Veterans ‘Rolls of Honor’ Memorial Committee

         d.   Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council

 

 

 6.    PUBLIC HEARINGS (Adv. on 3/7/26 for this time)

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance In Amendment of Article II, Exemption for Elderly and Totally Disabled Persons, of Chapter 229 of the Westerly Code of Ordinances entitled ‘Taxation’” – Discussion and Possible Action

 

 

 7.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

a.     Proposed Ordinance – “An Ordinance Establishing Policy for the Display of Flags and Symbols by the Town of Westerly” (continued from 3/2/2026)

        (Order Adv. for Public Hearing on 4/6/26)

              

 

 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.     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

 

b.     Resolution in Support of Senate Bill S2275 and House Bill H7447 Relating To Low- and Moderate-Income Housing and Comprehensive Permits – Discussion and Possible Action

 

c.     Resolution Authorizing the Town Manager to Enter into a Contract with Sky Elements, LLC for the Renunciation Day Celebration Drone Show ($36,750.00) – 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 – 3/16/26

 

        c.     Town Manager – 3/16/26

 

        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.   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.