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| REGULAR MEETING | LICENSING BOARD | COUNCIL CHAMBERS |
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| THURSDAY | SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 | 9:30 A.M. |
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1. 9:30 A.M. CALL TO ORDER
Present: Paul Gencarella Jr., Chair
Joseph M. Nigrelli, Jr. Vice Chair
Angela M. Thoman-Miller
Jaime Przekop Vorenkamp
Stephen J. Iacoi
Jason Abate, Auxiliary Member
T. Sol. Mario Martone, Esq.
Mary L. LeBlanc, Clerk
SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Led by Jason Abate
2. CONSENT CALENDAR
Regular Meeting – August 14, 2025
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid minutes be accepted and approved as printed. (Voted Unanimously)
3. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Comments shall be limited to agenda items, excluding matters to be scheduled for public hearing.
None
4. LICENSES AND PERMITS
a. New
None
b. Renewals
None
c. One-Time Events
Lorelai Sacco 23 Ward Ave
Sept 13, 2025 9 am – 1:30 pm Town & State Roads
Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Apple Rehab Clipper 161 Post Rd
Sept. 16, 2025 3 pm – 5 pm
Motion by Mr. Nigrelli, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Thunder Valley Poker Run – Hope Valley Ambulance Squad Fundraiser Rally
Hope Valley Ambulance Squad 336 Post RD &
Sept 21, 2025 1:20pm 2:35 pm 47 Canal St
Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Chariho Cowboys Youth Football and Cheerleading
Chariho Cowboys Youth Football and Cheerleading Inc. 23 Ward Ave
Sept. 21 & 28, 2025 7 am – 5 pm Augeri Field
Oct. 26, 2025 7 am – 5 pm
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Westerly Track & Athletic Club 365 Atlantic Ave
Sept 26, 2025 4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
(Continued from 8/14/25 due to change of date of event)
Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Run for the Pumpkins Trail Race
Westerly Track & Athletic Club & Town of Westerly 187-235 Bradford Rd
Oct. 4, 2025 10 am – 12 noon
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
Ninigret Quilter’s 2025 Quilt Show
Ninigret Quilters/ Bernadette Tout Westerly Armory
Oct. 17, 18 & 19, 2025 10 am – 4 pm
Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
St. Pius X Church 45 Elm St
Oct. 19, 2025 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Ms. Thoman-Miller, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities. (Voted Unanimously)
d. Ratify & Confirm
Inside Entertainment
Haversham Village Inn 336 Post Rd
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)
One-Time Events
Chariho Cowboys Youth Football and Cheerleading
Chariho Cowboys Youth Football and Cheerleading Inc. 23 Ward Ave
Sept. 7, 2025 7 am – 5 pm High School Field
Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Mr. Nigrelli, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed. (Voted Unanimously)
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
6. ORDERED ADVERTISED FOR PUBLIC HEARING
None
7. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None
8. NEW BUSINESS
a. Conditions of Beverage Licenses and Rules and Regulations to be Observed by All Retail Liquor Licensees – Discussion and Possible Action
Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the Conditions of Beverage Licenses and Rules and Regulations to be Observed by All Retail Liquor Licensees be adopted. (Voted Unanimously)
b. Rules of Procedure to Govern Licensing Board For 2025-2026 – Discussion and Possible Action
Town Clerk LeBlanc explained that the section of the agenda titled “Any Other Matters to Come Before the Board” is being eliminated because it is an improper agenda item because it does not provide enough detail as to what could be discussed.
Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the Rules of Procedure to Govern Licensing Board for 2025-2026, as amended, be adopted. (Voted Unanimously)
c. 2026 Licensing Board Meeting Dates & Times – Discussion and Possible Action
Motion by Ms. Thoman-Miller, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the 2026 Licensing Board Meeting Dates and Times be adopted. (Voted Unanimously)
9. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS
a. Correspondence
1. Correspondence, dated September 1, 2025, from Martin House Condo Association regarding Request for Enforcement of Entertainment License Stipulation – Surf Cantina, 15 Canal Street, Westerly, RI – Discussion and Possible Action
Present: Shawn Lacey, Town Manager
Paul Gingerella, Chief of Police
Mr. Nigrelli recused himself due to a possible conflict of interest being that he is the president of The Martin House Condominium Association.
Town Manager Lacey and Chief of Police Gingerella addressed the conditions placed on the inside entertainment license for Surf Cantina that requires all doors, excluding the outside vestibule door, be closed at 10:00 p.m. during entertainment. It was stated that the establishment has been cooperative and adhering to the license conditions.
Chief of Police Gingerella reported that there have not been any violations of the license stipulation or the noise ordinance. He reviewed the documented decibel levels taken on various occasions at the establishment.
Participant: Joseph Nigrelli, Jr., 10 Canal St, President, The Martin House Condominium, speaking as a neighboring resident – asked that all doors be closed any time there is entertainment or that all doors be closed earlier than 10:00 p.m.
Town Manager Lacey stated that he is willing to meet with both parties to try to mediate an informal agreement and report back to the Licensing Board.
Town Solicitor Martone explained that the Licensing Board cannot unilaterally place conditions on a license that has already been issued. He stated that when there are nuisances, not violations, the law allows the Licensing Board, during renewal time, to place reasonable conditions on the license based on reasonable facts and credible testimony. He stated that the licensee has a right to appeal to the State.
Town Manager Lacey and Chief of Police Gingerella to meet with the two parties and bring back a recommendation to the Licensing Board.
Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid correspondence be accepted and placed on file. (Voted Unanimously)
b. Town Solicitor Report
None
10. ANY OTHER MATTERS TO COME BEFORE THE BOARD
None
11. ADJOURNMENT
10:24 A.M. Voted Unanimously to adjourn.
| ATTEST: |
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| | Mary L. LeBlanc, MMC Licensing Board Clerk |
Details of the aforesaid proceedings are video streamed and available on the Town of Westerly website.