1.    9:30 A.M.  CALL TO ORDER

 

Present:   Paul Gencarella Jr., Chair

                 Jason Abate, Vice Chair

                 Stephen J. Iacoi

                 Frank Samuelson

                 Jaime Przekop Vorenkamp

                 T. Sol. Mario Martone, Esq.

                 Terri Wright, Clerk Pro Tem

                 Lori Vacca, Licensing Clerk

 

        Absent:    Angela M. Thoman-Miller, Auxiliary Member

 

SALUTE TO THE FLAG – Led by Frank Samuelson

 

 

 2.    CONSENT CALENDAR

 

Regular Meeting – May 14, 2026

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, 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

 

        Temporary Extended Service Hours Applications

(Temporary Periods for Extended Indoor Service Hours during 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament Matches – June 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22, 23, 25, 26 & 27 and July 2 & 3)

 

     Town Solicitor Martone explained the Temporary Extended Service Hours application process, the flexibility of the approval process, and the restrictions of the legislation.

 

        Isaiah Bailey/Pyxis LLC                                                     1 Railroad Ave

               dba: The Junction

 

Present:        Isaiah Bailey, owner, The Junction – addressed reasons for applying, outlined his protocol to handle events, requesting all available nights

 

        Gene Arganese/144 Atlantic Ave LLC                               144 Atlantic Ave

               dba: Ginos by the Beach

 

Present:        Gene Arganese, owner, Ginos by the Beach – addressed reasons for applying, outlined his protocol to handle events, requesting all available nights

       

Dana DiSpaltro/Robert Ceraso/ 18 High Street LLC         12 High St.

               dba: High Hope Tavern

 

Present:   Pete Canny, owner, High Hope Tavern – addressed reasons for applying, would be limiting/flexible in his dates and times

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, to suspend the rules of procedure and move to Door-To-Door Sales at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Present:   Shawn Lacey, Town Manager

 

     Town Manager Lacey stated the concerns that he and Police Chief Gingerella have regarding the extended hours of serving alcohol.

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the three aforesaid applications be denied.  A poll vote was taken as follows and the motion carried:  (So Voted 3 to 2 – Ms. Przekop Vorenkamp and Mr. Samuelson dissented)

 

                                                YES                                         NO

 

                                             Iacoi                                        Przekop-Vorenkamp

                                             Abate                                       Samuelson

                                             Gencarella Jr.

 

        Door-to-Door Sales Permit

        Jake Pietrazak for Gansett Solar                                       Throughout Town

        Solar Products & Services

 

        Present: Jake Pietrazak. Representing Gansett Solar

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities and subject to the following conditions that the No Solicitation List be respected, that a visible No Trespassing/No Soliciting Sign be respected, and that any door-to-door canvasser/solicitor respect the resident’s request when asked to leave.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Parking Lot                                                                         338 Atlantic Ave

        Bayview Parking (34)

        (Decrease in number of parking spaces from 108 to 34)

 

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.     Renewals

 

                        None

 

c.     One-Time Events

              

               Firefighter Memorial Parade

               Westerly Fire Department                                                   Downtown Westerly

               June 14, 2026  9 am – 10 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)

 

        Old Man Joe’s Jewelry Pop Up

        Marie Legge/Old Man Joes                                                134 Main St

        June 13, 2026   8 am – 3 pm

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Summer Car Show

        Advance Auto Parts of Westerly                                        142-146 Granite St

        June 13, 20, 27, 2026      5 pm – 8 pm

        July 4, 11, 18, 25, 31, 2026  5 pm – 8 pm

        Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28, 2026   5 pm – 8 pm

        Sept. 4, 2026   5 pm – 8 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)

 

        Juneteenth Celebration

        Westerly Anti-Racism Coalition/ Leslie Dunn                    44 Broad Street

        June 14, 2026   11 am – 3 pm                                           Wilcox Park

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, to revert to Item 4.a. at this time.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        40^th Birthday Party

        Gene Properties LLC, Nikko Arganese, Sandy Shore      149 Atlantic Ave

        June 13, 2026  6 pm – 10 pm

        (Rain Date June 14, 2026)

       

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Samuelson, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        D Family Wedding/Fireworks

        Ocean House/Nathan Venne                                             2 Bluff Ave

        June 20, 2026  9:00pm – 9:10 pm

       

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Samuelson, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Drive In Movies - 2

        Misquamicut Business Association                                    316 Atlantic Ave.

        June 28, 2026

        July 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 10,11,12,13,15,17, 18, 19, 2026

        9 pm – 11 pm

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Drive In Movies - 3

        Misquamicut Business Association                                    316 Atlantic Ave.

        July 22, 24, 25, 26, 29, 31, 2026

        Aug. 1, 2, 5, 7, 8, 9, 12, 2026

        9 pm – 11 pm

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Drive In Movies - 4

        Misquamicut Business Association                                    316 Atlantic Ave.

        Aug. 14, 15, 16, 19, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30, 2026

        Sept. 5 & 6, 2026

        8:30 pm – 11 pm

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

       

        RI NEMBA Woody Hill Fun Ride

        New England Mountain Bike Association                          187-235 Bradford Rd

        June 28, 2026  7 am – 5 pm

        (Rain Date 7/12/2026)

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Samuelson, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Watch Hill Sunset Concerts

        Watch Hill Fire Dept./David Turano                                   21 Bay Street

        June 30 & July 14, 21 & Aug 11, 25, 2026                        Green in Watch Hill

        6 pm – 8 pm

        (Rain Dates: July 7, Aug 4, 18, Sept 1, 2026)

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        4^th July Children’s Bike Parade

        Watch Hill Memorial Library & Improvement Society        2 Everett Ave

        July 3, 2026   10 am – 12 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)

       

        Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel with Fireworks

        Mt. Carmel Feast Committee                                             111 High St

        July 17, 2026 – 7:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Procession)

        July 19, 2026 – Procession 11:30 am - 3 pm (Procession)

        (Fireworks set off at approximately 9 pm)                         Cimalore Field

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Phebe Poppins Presents: Disco Bingo @ The Space

        P. Poppins Art aka Get Poppin/Phebe Campsey              38-40 High St

        June 25, July 30 & Aug 27, 2026  7 pm – 11 pm

       

        Present: Phebe Campsey/Jeremy Buhler, co-owner, P. Poppins Art LLC

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

        Summer Garden Series Fundraiser                                   18 Franklin St

        Tracie Gunning/Ciara’s Bridge to Hope Inc. Foundation   Pure Eco Spa

        June 29, 2026  6 pm – 8 pm

       

        Present: Tracie Gunning, founder, Ciara’s Bridge to Hope Inc. Foundation

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

Class F (Beer & Wine):

 

        Phebe Poppins Presents: Disco Bingo @ The Space

        P. Poppins Art aka Get Poppin/Phebe Campsey              38-40 High St

        June 25, July 30 & Aug 27, 2026  7 pm – 11 pm

       

        Present: Phebe Campsey/Jeremy Buhler, co-owner, P. Poppins Art LLC

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

              

        Summer Garden Series Fundraiser                                   18 Franklin St

        Tracie Gunning/Ciara’s Bridge to Hope Inc. Foundation   Pure Eco Spa

        June 29, 2026  6 pm – 8 pm

       

        Present: Tracie Gunning, founder, Ciara’s Bridge to Hope Inc. Foundation

 

Motion by Mr. Iacoi, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the prior approval of proper authorities.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

               Burgers & Beers

               Sheri Choquette/Therapy Coffee                                       105 Franklin St

               June 13, 2026  5 pm – 7 pm

 

               Present:  Dave Lawson

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, that the aforesaid license be granted subject to the receipt of a diagram and prior approval of proper authorities.  (So Voted 4 to 1 – Mr. Abate dissented)

 

d.     Ratify & Confirm

 

        Westerly Volleyball Association & Wildroots Charity Tournament

        Jon Mihalko/ Westerly Volleyball Association                    91 Airport Rd

        May 30, 2026    8:30 am – 2 pm

 

Motion by Mr. Abate, Seconded by Ms. Vorenkamp, that the action of the Town Clerk in granting the aforesaid license be ratified and confirmed.  (Voted Unanimously)

 

               R&H Wedding with Fireworks

               Ocean House Collection/Nathan Venne                            2 Bluff Ave

               June 6, 2026   5 pm – 10 pm

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Iacoi, 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

 

 

 9.    COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS

 

a.    Correspondence

 

1.      “An Act Relating to Alcoholic Beverages – Temporary Extended Service

 Hours” – re: 2026 FIFA World Cup Tournament matches occurring between June 11, 2026 and July 3, 2026

 

Motion by Ms. Vorenkamp, Seconded by Mr. Abate, that the aforesaid correspondence be accepted and placed on file. (Voted Unanimously)

 

b.    Town Solicitor Report

 

                       None

 

 

10.   ADJOURNMENT

 

        10:38 A.M.  Voted Unanimously to adjourn.

 

 

 

     Details of the aforesaid proceedings are video streamed and available on the Town of Westerly website.